Ray Donovan – “Sunny” Top Three Moments. From Bad to Worse.

Season 2, Episode 8

Airdate: Sunday, August 30, 2014 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“Don’t you get it? All I ever wanted was for you to look at me! But you can’t. You can’t look at me; you can’t talk to me; you can’t share your pain with me.” – Abby Donovan

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Lee Drexler (Peter Jacobson), but he returns in Ray Donovan’s “Sunny,” which takes its title from the 1966 song “Sunny,” one of the most covered recorded songs of the 20^th century. Cookie Brown (Omar J. Dorsey) is back too, and he wants Marvin (Octavius J. Johnson) in exchange for the money he loaned Marvin’s father, ReKon (Kwame Patterson). On the Donovan family front, Bridget (Kerris Dorsey) remains firm in her resolve to be with Marvin whether her parents, Ray (Liev Schreiber) and Abby (Paula Malcomson), like it or not. But she gets more than she bargained for by the time the scene fades to black at the end of “Sunny.” In addition, things come to a head between Ray and Abby when Ray has Avi (Steven Bauer) follow her against his wishes; Mickey (Jon Voight) screws himself royally during a party at the home of a famous movie producer, Jerry Weiss (Richard Benjamin); and, oh yes, I called it—Boston reporter Kate McPherson (Vinessa Shaw) reopens her investigation into Sully’s (James Woods) murder after receiving a visit from Peggy Shaughnessy (Jamie Donnelly).

Moment #3

Mickey is expert at spinning tales.

It looks like Mickey is going to succeed in the movie business, writing scripts based on his life for Jerry. I have enjoyed Benjamin’s performances since I first saw him in the 1967-68 TV series, He & She. He does not disappoint in “Sunny;” of course, he doesn’t have to stretch his acting chops too far since he produced, directed, and starred in The Goodbye Girl in 1967. The enthusiasm Benjamin displays when Jerry acts so happy about making three movies with Mickey is spot on. Looks like Mickey’s going to be making the big bucks now. Mickey is completely in his element when he regales all the guests at Jerry’s party with his stories, until, of course, he screws thing up with Alan (Paul Michael Glaser). He and Alan have apparently butted heads previously, based on how Alan describes Mickey to Jerry—“the biggest piece of shit con artist in the world.” Tell us how you really feel, Alan! People like Mickey just don’t know how to handle good fortune when it drops in their lap. It’s a shame, really, because he could have had everything he’s ever wished for.

Moment #2

Jim and Abby discuss the future of their relationship.

Jim (Brian Geraghty) wanting to “have breakfast” before going upstairs to their motel room is a bit surprising for Abby since according to her, “Usually, we meet up in the room and fuck.” I was surprised too because I was under the impression that all along, something always happened to prevent them from sealing the deal. Guess I was wrong. Like all people in an affair, Jim wants to know Abby’s intentions, to which Abby responds, “I think I’m in love with you; that’s gotta be enough.” Wow, that’s quite an admission. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know. I think Jim is a means to an end for Abby. After seeing the compromising photos, I wasn’t sure what to expect when Ray breaks into Jim’s home to confront him but I’m happy cooler heads prevail. Such is not the case when Ray returns home, though, and ends up in a very heated argument with Abby. While I certainly don’t condone cheating, Abby has a point when she starts talking about all the women Ray has slept with in the past. For a minute, I thought Ray was going to strike back after Abby hits him. I know Ray hears her but does he really hear her? Better yet, what’s he going to do about it?

Moment #1

Marvin and Bridget in the recording studio. They clearly have eyes only for each other.

There is no doubt Ray is the voice of authority when dealing with Cookie, especially after Cookie breaks into Drexler’s home and tells the two of them, “I just want the kid.” Sure, Lee and ReKon are just going to give Marvin to him because Cookie gave ReKon $30,000 to start his record label…not! Until Ray sees it as a way to get Marvin away from Bridget, that is. My heart goes out to ReKon, who has done everything he promised to make sure Marvin stays on the straight and narrow and now, Ray is asking telling him he has to give the kid up to cover the debt. It’s a shame because ReKon truly loves the boy. Personally, I don’t think Marvin and Bridget’s cover of “Sunny” is all that good but hey, who am I to judge? Once ReKon watches the affection between Marvin and Bridget while they’re recording, he’s not so willing to let Marvin go. Ray’s not happy about the switch in plans; after all, he’s the one responsible for Cookie taking Marvin to Florida. Way to get the unwanted boyfriend out of the picture, Ray! Let me just say, it’s never a good thing to owe money to a drug kingpin. Bad things tend to happen, especially when they have their eye set on one particular thing. Drexler should have listened to Ray instead of trying to buy Cookie off. I wonder what’s going to happen if, and when, Cookie finds out Bridget was lying down in the backseat of ReKon’s car.

My Most Favorite Moment

The moment I love the most is when Mickey goes into Shorty’s (Steph Duvall) place for a drink following the party and throws down three of those expensive silver place settings. The man just can’t help himself!

Conclusion

Ray gets a look at the compromising photos of Abby and Jim.

“Sunny” does a good job of furthering everyone’s story lines—some ending and some continuing—as we near the end of season two of Ray Donovan. I’m not sorry Bridget’s first love is over; maybe now, she’ll stop lying and listen to her parents for a change. She certainly has her eyes opened for her, doesn’t she? Now that Kate knows Ray lied to her, it’s only a matter of time before she uncovers the truth. But will she be allowed to do that? The truth could cost some people very dearly if it ever comes to light. With Terry returning his paychecks to Harriet (Jayne Taini), will he and Frances (Brooke Smith) take off for Ireland? And as far as Abby and Ray are concerned, do you think they’re headed for divorce? Is that what Abby wants or has she perhaps taken her relationship with Jim a bit too far? As usual, the acting is superb in “Sunny,” but I want to single out Schreiber. Not only does self-assurance exude from every pore in almost every scene he’s in, the man has a total air of confidence about him that seems so natural. It’s almost as if Ray Donovan was written just for him.

What did you think of “Sunny?” Do you agree with my Top Three Moments or do you think I should have focused on something else? Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV.

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!