Ray certainly doesnt seem impressed, but hey, when does he ever look impressed?
Where the other sessions have been unproductive and rather meaningless within the show itself, this one is different.
When Ray is challenged about his answers on the questionnaire, he starts to open up.
Credit: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME
He answers the questions truthfully, revealing his abusive childhood.
Its an insightful scene because its one of the only times Ray has been truthful about his past.
Sure, hes had his vulnerable moments before, but this feels different.
Then again, this is Ray Donovan were talking about.
There may be no fixing him.
Mickey finds himself in a bind, threatened by Frank, the FBI agent, to kill Avi.
If he does so, Frank wont expose the Donovans for murdering a bunch of gangsters.
Mickey is reluctant, but he sees no other option.
Sure enough, the former Donovan compadre is there, looking strung out and tired.
When they get out to the desert and Mickey prepares to do the deed, Avi starts talking.
If Mickey kills Avi, Mickey is the next to go.
With all the facts on the table, Mickey sees an opportunity and changes his mind.
He goes back to make the drop with Avi and leaves with the $80,000.
Thats where the episode really slips up.
For instance, what the heck is going on with Bridget?
This is a plotline withzerobackstory to it, and its falling flat.
Similarly,Ray Donovanis failing to follow through on the story of Terrys crumbling marriage.
Theres no depth, and that leaves us struggling to connect.
The big question is: Can the Ray-Natalie story line avoid any such pitfalls?
If Shabbos Goy is any indication, Im not so sure it can.
This week, Natalie ends up in Rays office spilling the beans about her past relationship with Doug.
None of this is to say thatRay Donovancant recover.
Right now, there are very few dramatic stakes, and there is a whole lot of killing time.
