damn, on vacation so haven't watched. as much as i want to like the show, yeah, i am not too thrilled to get home to watch it.

I've officially flip flopped as well. Last night was just really bad

All,

No longer recording this. Pretty sad because on paper this is pretty much my ideal show. But it just sucks.

They just need to find a way to kill the children an the wife and everything will be fine. Can't they just focus on Ray + his business + his dealings with his father?

they started setting up ray forgiving his dad this episode so they can have season 2 be him n his dad working together to defeat the FBI dude (i say this not cuz i think it would be a good development, just cuz these writers seem to be total hacks n constantly choosing the worst option possible).
i can't think of any other purpose for that scene where the brothers are talking about hurting their sisters shoulder and ray is like "dad did that" n they're like nope it was us, and he's all confused as he realizes maybe his dad didn't do all the terrible **** he thought he did.
seems like they can't drag on this conflict between him and his father for multiple seasons so they're working towards a peaceful resolution.
if that happens it will be pretty LOLterrible, but seeing as they're just determined to drive off everyone with a brain by continuing to feature those god awful kids, it won't surprise me.

jfc the children are just full blown AIDS.

You're right that it might be what they're driving at because in the boston centric episode the scene with his sister's former boyfriend was also establishing (imo) that he had doubts about his father since he asked if he had any idea what his sister thought of Mick. That scene seems useless unless it was actually to preapare the story arch you're describing.

Wow, the tension between Ray and his father is a huge part of the non-suck aspects of this show. I can't imagine if that is removed.

Grunching. Should I start watching this show? Reviews seem mixed.

Mixed seems too nice. A lot hated it and quit, a lot hate it but still watch it. A lot watch it and like it, but I don't think anyone watches it and loves it.

I'd wait to see if the end of the season is worth a crap. If that blows, then don't bother.

I think despite it has few ******ed characters (like his family), it's a good show and very worth watching.

+1. Voigt is great

I dunno, I mean I dunno

Last episode I thought was pretty damn good. I can't wait until Voigt and Woods get together. Show is flawed but I find it entertaining enough and Voigt continues to kill it in every scene. Its worth watching for him alone.

Episode 9 was definitely one of the better ones of the show to date but there's still some terrible writing in there:

The FBI agent, considering what we've seen of his personnality until now would never open up like that even enebriated to Mick Donovan at the end and drop his guard. That scene felt kind of forced.

Also, is is it customary for movie stars to bring teenagers to their award cerenomy instead of a normal date? Seems like, when you're Wheeler and trying to fight off rumors of sexual deviancy, going to a very public award show with a 13 year old (what age is he exactly) as the only member of your entourage can't be good public image management. I'm probably just being a nit but that seemed weird to me.

^^^ no that seemed super weird to me as well.
not only that but seems like ray who is super protective of his kids/family as well as super paranoid about molestation might not want his kid being BFF with a obv messed up drug addict/sexual deviant (not that there's anything wrong with that).

also it was so absurdly obv both of the murders in this episode were about to happen as soon as sully saw her on the phone, and as soon as the FBI dude said no one else was in the loop. GREAT SURPRISE TWISTS WRITING TEAM! so subtle.

and seems like the story arc i predicted of ray and mickey resolving their differences is proceeding as planned.

looking forward to them joining forces to fight off sully in season 2.
then maybe season 3 can focus solely on his two kids and the brothers ugly ass GF!

wooooooo hooooooo can't wait.

James woods killing the fat bitch who wouldn't shut up was amazing. Brought back memories of The Soprano's. I would say best episode of the season so far IMO

underrated show is all i have to say, considering how bad some of the former good shows have been recently this show deserves more views

Im liking it

WHOOOOOO AHHHHH YEWWWWW RAYYYYYYYYY??????

#teamwoods

Just watched all of the first season(so far) yesterday and I'm glad I did. Thx for the comments everyone.

i was bummed there was no new ep last night

Some guy Brad who hates Ray Donovan.

http://youtu.be/PUduhk9JMvs

Kind of funny.

I love the acting; Voight, Schreiber, and pretty much everyone kill it. The writing drops it down a tier, but definitely glad I found this show.

I am SHOCKED that Mickey managed to talk his way out of getting murdered.