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» » Ray Donovan The Bag or the Bat (2013– )

Short summary

Ray Donovan is a Hollywood fixer, a transplant from Massachusetts with two psyche-scarred brothers who depend on him, a wife who wants to live in Beverly Hills, and opportunities to be unfaithful, particularly with a client's mistress with whom he has a history. Ray is also not above hitting ne'er-do-wells with a baseball bat. His equilibrium is upended when he learns that his father has been released early from prison and is headed to California to seek revenge.

The scene where Ray is waiting in the stalker's home and offers him an ultimatum: "The bat or the bag" is very similar to the Tom Clancy character John Clark giving a similar ultimatum "The knife or the needle" in "Without Remorse." Liev Schreiber played John Clark in Kõigi hirmude summa (2002).

Both Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight star in The Manchurian Candidate (2004) in which Schreiber's character is named Raymond.

In this episode when you see an over shot of the city you can see a dexter billboard

Liev Schreiber and Josh Pais previously co-starred in the hit horror film Scream 3 (2000).

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Cargahibe
    I just bought season 1 on DVD due to hearing good reviews on it and a certain pornstar in season 2 (Tori Black haha). I love Ray Donovan. The reviews were well said. Showtime has another hit on their hands. I'm currently on season 6 of Dexter and it's also a hit. Penny Dreadful is another Showtime show I just got but haven't started it yet. I might do a review eventually on it.

    Ray Donovan is set in L.A. Ray is the titular character who is a "fixer" for the rich and famous. He will do anything to solve his client's problems. It starts off intense as Jon Voight (who I haven't seen in anything since Transformers) gets out of prison and kills a priest right away after getting out. We find out later in the pilot who he was and why he killed him. Jon Voight plays Mickey Donovan who is Ray's father.

    Throughout the pilot, it shows Ray (who is played brilliantly by Liev Schreiber) dealing with several clients including an athlete named Deonte, and a Paramount studios producer named Stu Feldman. Ray also has a big family. His wife Abby (played by Paula Malcomson) is wanting their daughter Bridget to get into a great college and wants Ray to help her. Conor their son is a quiet character. I think both children will develop as the season goes on.

    We also are introduced to Ray's employers Ezra Goodman and Lee Drexler. Both are great characters and Lee is hilarious in his role. Ray also has two "partners" who help him out throughout the pilot with his clients. Steven Bauer plays Avi and Katherine Moennig plays Lena a lesbian computer hacker chick. Both are amazing in their roles so far and will definitely develop.

    Ray also has two blood brothers Terry Donovan and Bunchy Donovan. Terry is the owner of Donovan's Fite Club (a boxing gym), and Bunchy we find out, is an alcoholic and was molested by a priest. Oh really now? Everything seems to be coming together. Ray also has a half brother Daryll who is black.

    Ray tells his brothers and family to keep Mickey away from him and his family. The tension builds up throughout the episode. Near the end of the episode, Mickey and Ray finally meet face to face and the chemistry between the two is fantastic!

    There is a side plot involving Ashley Rucker (Ambyr Childers) who is being stalked by someone who Ray has to stop. Ashley is great as a Britney Spears type singer and she is very seductive in her scenes.

    Next episode looks to be intense as Mickey goes where Ray told him not to go. His house.

    Ray Donovan looks like it will be another big hit like Dexter. I'm excited to see where the Mickey/Ray battle goes.

    This is very similar to The Sopranos with Tony looking out for his family while doing his other "business".

    Check this out!
  • comment
    • Author: Downloaded
    I've just started to watch the show now. I didn't have much hope to be honest. So far the start went well. Nearly an hour long episode. I'd say a good pilot episode.

    It's the story of the Donovan family which unfolds into a big drama with some flashbacks. Well written one. The Acting is OK. Schreiber's awesome as Ray. Supporting characters are unique in their own way. And their portrayals are good too.

    Since the show is a new one i don't care much about IMDb rating. I'm going to watch the remaining episodes - that i didn't expect to do considering the fact i watched this episode just because i was bored.

    It's definitely a 8/10 start.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Liev Schreiber Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan
    Paula Malcomson Paula Malcomson - Abby Donovan
    Eddie Marsan Eddie Marsan - Terry Donovan
    Dash Mihok Dash Mihok - Bunchy Donovan
    Steven Bauer Steven Bauer - Avi
    Katherine Moennig Katherine Moennig - Lena
    Pooch Hall Pooch Hall - Daryll
    Kerris Dorsey Kerris Dorsey - Bridget Donovan
    Devon Bagby Devon Bagby - Conor Donovan
    Jon Voight Jon Voight - Mickey Donovan
    Peter Jacobson Peter Jacobson - Lee Drexler
    Ambyr Childers Ambyr Childers - Ashley Rucker
    Josh Pais Josh Pais - Stu Feldman
    Johnathon Schaech Johnathon Schaech - Sean Walker
    Austin Nichols Austin Nichols - Tommy Wheeler
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