Ray Donovan – “Uber Ray” Review. A Dog with a Bone.

Season 2, Episode 2

Airdate: Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“I really don’t care about you potato-eating, river-dancing motherfuckers.” – Cochran

Cochran lays the law down to Mickey and Ray.

Although we don’t get to see the damage Ray (Liev Schreiber) inflicts with his bat at the end of the season premiere of Ray Donovan, “Uber Ray” reinforces something we already know—Ray always ‘gets his man,’ as the saying goes. Ed Cochran (Hank Azaria), head of the Los Angeles bureau of the FBI, would do well to remember that. Not only does Cochran hold a press conference taking full credit for the FBI’s capture and death of Patrick “Sully” Sullivan (James Woods), he threatens both Mickey (Jon Voigt) and Ray to keep their mouths shut about the truth. Keeping Mickey in L.A. on parole isn’t what Ray had in mind when he brought Mickey back from Mexico.

The Other Sons

Mickey offers Bunch a drink. What's wrong with that man? Oh right, he doesn't care about anyone but himself, especially when it comes to Bunch?

Why doesn’t Mickey understand Bunch can’t drink? Oh right, he only cares about himself.

There aren’t many scenes with Mickey and his other sons, Bunch (Dash Mihok), Terry (Eddie Marsan), and Daryll (Pooch Hall), and for good reason. Each has had their fill of him, and whether he realizes it or not, he has a long way to go before he can earn his way back into their good graces. For the time being, though, Mickey needs to stay at the gym while on parole. That worries me because with Mickey around, I fear for Bunch’s sobriety; he needs to stay off the sauce for his new job at the bike shop.

Inside the Bedroom

Ray and Abby’s (Paula Malcomson) presumably perfect sex life takes a big hit in “Uber Ray” when Ray learns something from Abby he wasn’t aware of. While I agree with her, it hits Ray below the belt. I don’t think he pays much attention to Abby, or so it seems initially. At least Abby has the guts to discuss what’s bothering her, something she probably learned from her therapy sessions with Dr. Finkel (Brett Spiner). In a way, I feel bad for Abby. She desperately wants Ray to love her and treat her in a more respectful way but his past seems to be preventing that from happening. The funny thing is, Ray truly does love Abby.

Mickey’s Parole Officer

Keith isn't happy about being approached by Ray; in the end, he has his price for dancing at the end of Ray's strings after all.

Keith isn’t happy about being approached by Ray; in the end, though, he has his price for dancing at the end of Ray’s strings.

Lena (Katherine Moennig) learns some interesting tidbits about Cochran after running a background check. It seems he’s on the short list to becoming Director of the FBI, which may explain the phony press conference. Meanwhile, Avi (Steven Bauer) aides Ray in collecting some information on the district’s parole officers. You know there’s no way Ray is going to leave the choice of Mickey’s parole officer to chance. I was a bit surprised at how easy it is for Ray to bribe Ronald Keith (Wendell Pierce) into taking over Mickey’s case and, more importantly, to handle him the way Ray sees fit. I guess everyone has their price, right? In a way, I felt bad for Mickey when Keith takes him to an apartment building and hands him the keys to the smallest apartment I’ve ever seen. It’s about the size of a closet, and I’m not talking walk-in closet. And, with a 5 am wakeup call for his new job, things aren’t looking so good for Mickey, especially with Ray pulling the strings.

Poor Frances

Terry’s ex-girlfriend Frances (Brooke Smith) is scared for her life and the lives of her family members after witnessing the events leading to the priest’s death last season. It’s not helping her peace of mind with Terry stalking her but she doesn’t realize he simply wants to reconcile. When she visits Ray to discuss this, he gives her some good ‘advice’—well, it’s good if she wants to secure her family’s safety. Frances was very good for Terry when they were together, and I sincerely hope they end up together…somehow. I just don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon, no matter how hard Terry tries.

Ezra’s Hospital Fund

Ann-Margret as June, always a timeless beauty

The backstory involving Ezra (Elliott Gould) seems unnecessary to me at this point. While I enjoy watching Gould practicing his craft, his story line detracts from the main focus of Ray Donovan. It’s about time the writers wrap it up. If they feel a backstory is necessary, I’d prefer to see more of Ray’s crazy clients. Although, it was nice to see Ann-Margret as June, someone who pledged $5M to Ezra’s hospital fund, money she doesn’t have.

Uncovering the Truth

“Uber Ray” introduces us to Kate McPherson (Vinessa Shaw), a Boston reporter who doesn’t believe the FBI’s story. So she does some research in an attempt to convince her boss, Bob (Jim Hanna), to let her go to L.A. to investigate Sully’s death further. What she finds doesn’t convince him, though, so she sets off on her own—after he fires her. There’s nothing worse than a reporter who thinks she has a story. It’s like a dog with a bone, and as any dog lover will tell you, that means she won’t give up until she has what she wants. Kind of sounds like Ray, doesn’t it?

Conclusion

“Uber Ray” is another great episode of Ray Donovan, especially because so many different sides of Ray are shown. The current story lines are expanded upon, drawing viewers deeper into what makes Ray, Mickey, Abby, and the others tick. I must say, Ann-Margret is beautiful as always, and Malcomson is quite the knockout in that sexy, dominatrix-style lingerie she purchases. She owns Abby, and does a fantastic job of conveying how Abby feels. I can easily say something positive about every actor in “Uber Ray,” so suffice it to say the acting is outstanding. “Uber Ray” leaves me with a few ‘How long’ questions: How long before Mickey cracks under the tight rule of Keith Ray? How long will Bunch stay sober, and employed? And, how long before the FBI learns Cochran lied? How long before Kate uncovers the truth?

What did you think of “Uber Ray?” Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Tune in to Ray Donovan, Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

LIKE Ray Donovan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RayDonovanOnShowtime.

Follow the series on Twitter @SHO_RayDonovan. And, follow cast mates Ray/Liev Schreiber @LievSchreiber, Daryll/Pooch Hall @iam_POOCHHALL, Bunch/Dash Mihok @dizmihok, Conor/Devon Bagby @DevonBagby, Bridget/Kerris Dorsey @kerrisdorsey, Avi/Steven Bauer @thestevenbauer, Lena/Kate Moennig @katemoennig, and Terry/Eddie Marsan @eddiemarsan.

Stay up-to-date with the series on the official Ray Donovan website: http://www.sho.com/raydonovan.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!