They were united for the first time in a very long time.
They seem fractured as if something irreparable happened.
Mickey is buying boutonnieres for Terry and Maureen’s wedding, but he hardly seems happy about it.
Credit: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME
He mumbles through the order and can barely muster any enthusiasm when the clerk offers her congratulations.
There are a few reasons why Mickey might be so sullen.
First, he visits Sylvie’s gravesite and brings her fresh flowers.
But that’s not all.
As Ray sits down for some court-ordered therapy, a mystery begins to build.
A flashback sequence sees Ray fighting with Mickey and maybe Bunchy; it’s all a little unclear.
The other bit of mystifying business involves Abby.
The episode, aptly titled “Abby,” teases her death.
Weknowshe died based on all the pretty obvious context clues, but it’s unclear what happened.
While we wait for answers, we catch up with the Donovans.
As it turns out, they might not be much better off.
Then there’s Bridget, whose circumstances are a little more hazy.
Does that mean Abby eventually got treatment?
We don’t know yet, but initially it seems like Bridget is just looking for a friend.
The two get high together and talk about death, like all teenagers do.
Then things get weird and, yet again, mysterious.
Bridget calls her father and says that she “met the kid,” referring to Smitty.
That’s all we get.
Who is Smitty and why is he important to the Donovans?
How is he connected to Ray and Bridget?
There are so many questions on the table in “Abby”!
Certainly their paths aren’t done crossing.
Winslow, played by Susan Sarandon in a delightfully weird turn, is a strange woman.
She’s powerful and forward, yet also ambiguous.
All of this adds up to one very beguiling season premiere.
There are numerous story lines floating around, and the show is being purposely vague with many of them.
Just when you think you’re out,Ray Donovanpulls you right back in.
