Ray Donovan recap, review: Incredible season 6 premiere on Staten Island, Part One

Ray Donovan’s season 6 premiere started off with a bang and stayed on that level throughout, simply a first class episode.

Ray Donovan’s attempted suicide fails as NYPD officer Sean ‘Mac’ McGrath sees Donovan falling into the east river and rushes to save him. Mac manages to get the water out of Ray and has him breathing again, but instead of getting a thank you, Ray attacks him. Unhappy at his failed attempt, Ray tries to walk into the water and complete what he started but the Staten Island native police officer won’t let him. After being repeatedly hit by Ray, the officer sees the writing on the wall and knocks Ray out with a nightstick to the head.

Ray is then seen sort of of conscious in the back of the officer’s police car, bleeding from his head as criminal Fetu Autufuga tries to make friends with him. This continues into their jail cell visit where Ray won’t tell the would be ‘pal’ his real name. Sam Winslow breaks Ray out of jail by “pulling a few strings,” and he doesn’t have to be checked in for evaluation. Naturally, she has job ideas for Ray in mind but he wants nothing to do with the work. He tells assistant Lena to let him be, effectively “retiring.”

When Ray goes for a drink at the bar, the officer who saved him happens to walk in. Ray gets up to leave but the office says, “I pulled you from the East River, the least you could do is buy me a drink.” Ray obliges and the two watch a bit of a baseball game together before Mac’s ex-wife arrives to the bar berating him for not picking up their son in time. She threatens to cut Mac’s time with his son entirely for the weekend. Mac decides to take it up with a fireman who’s presumably sleeping with her.

He engages in an uneven fist fight as the fireman’s buddies join in. Ray was going to get a taxi but decides to help Mac. The two share a moment as they are pummeled to the ground as Mac bleeds from his mouth and suddenly smiles. He later has Ray over to his house as he says, “We really got ’em didn’t we.” Ray and Mac become fast friends over some drinks, as Mac tells him how his wife left him at age 50, having to start all over. In return, Ray tells Mac he followed his wife off the building. This would continue throughout the episode with Ray seemingly in denial about his attempt.

Later on, the show fast forwards to Ray having a beard and staying over at Mac’s. Sam calls him and wants to only where she got his number, telling her no again. A reporter shows up at Mac’s asking Ray questions about why he took him and Fetu originally to Staten Island instead of Manhattan. Ray would reach out to Sam and take up the job offer in order to get her to tell the reporter to lay off, as the reporter works for one of Sam’s publications.

Mickey Donovan sees “Mister Lucky” getting made without him

Mickey is seen in prison watching an expose on a gossip channel similar to E! about his work, “Mister Lucky,” getting made without him. He appears incredibly saddened. He requests a bed pan, citing having bathroom issues and refusing to have to wear “diapers” around other prisoners, saying it’s an indignity and dangerous.

Daryll is seen back in Los Angeles enjoying the life of being a producer on the film.

Mickey attempts suicide or at the very least switches to a hospital?

Mickey fills up the bedpan he obtained with cigarette butts then pours liquid on them … Then Mickey drinks the mixture. Afterwards, later at night, Mickey starts exercising like a crazy man, until he collapses. His cellmate calls for help. Whether it was a suicide attempt by Mickey or a play to be switched out to a hospital is unclear but it looks like Mickey intentionally did damage to himself. There’s definite similarities between Ray Donovan and father Mickey Donovan in this move …

Bunchy Donovan loses custody of his daughter

In an emotional scene, Bunchy, who has been the stable parent, the good dad throughout his relationship, is forced to relinquish custody of his daughter in court, being offered once a week visitation rights. He sheds tears as officers demand he give his daughter now or it will only get worse for him.

Ray visits Terry, daughter Bridget is there, no hug

When Ray hears that Mac’s son has been getting beaten up at school, he asks Terry to train him. Terry accepts but not before telling Ray he’s out of shape himself and should be training. Ray does not respond well to his brother’s comment and as he’s leaving his daughter Bridget happens to be there. Bridget invites Ray to dinner but he does not accept, in fact, he seemingly gives her the cold shoulder. Not even giving Bridget a hug as he exits. Ray ignores Bridget’s boyfriend entirely.

Ray gets knocked out, not his old self

Ray offers to take Mac’s five grand to give to Fetu to keep silent. The idea is to pay five grand a month for the next two years in exchange for Fetu not contacting any further reporters, so Mac can still see his son. Fetu seems to decline, saying what Mac did was against the law. Ray responds telling him he’s a dealer anyway and Fetu surprisingly gets knocked out again in the episode. Ray Donovan is clearly not back to himself as of yet.

Conclusion: 10 out of 10

The move to New York City has created a whole new dynamic for Ray Donovan with an expertly crafted script by showrunner David Hollander. Credit to director Allen Coulter for mesmerizing shots throughout this episode, particularly when Mac sees Ray falling to the water from the side and Ray’s initial police car ride in the backseat. Top notch cinematography.

First class acting work by all involved this episode, true artistry. Ray’s refusal to admit that he jumped off the building throughout the season 6 premiere ,along with Mickey’s attempt and Mac’s ruined marriage and seemingly thankless job as a police officer stood out as moments that truly made the viewer feel something real. Mac talking about how people always love firemen rather than cops made you sit back and think. Total immersion on Ray Donovan’s “Staten Island: Part 1” episode.