So last night’s finale of “Damages” ended like its stellar freshman season began, with Patty on the dock of her beach house.

Except instead of throwing a dog collar into the sea, she’s throwing Ellen back into the deathtrap of working at Hewes & Associates.

But by now, Ellen’s not nearly as naive—having been through what’s quite possibly the worst post-graduate job ever. And she’s out for—as James Brown so fabulously sang in “The Payback” over the closing credits—REVENGE.

Star Glenn Close and the producers had been making rounds of interviews in the last few weeks, drumming up publicity for the critically-acclaimed but ratings-challenged show. (FX has yet to say whether it will renew the drama for Season 2.)

They’d all said that the Frobisher case would be wrapped up, but some new plotlines would develop for another season.

(SPOILER ALERT!)

And they sure did wrap up that Frobisher case—thanks to Larry, the elderly turncoat client.

Last night, “Damages” really did what the show is known for—twists and turns, and then some more twists. And then they twist what you think you know all over again.

I have to say, the flashbacks and forwards were making me a little dizzy: And I’m a “Lost” fan, so you’d think I’d be used to it. But the time shifting kept you unsettled—as it has all season – and I honestly didn’t know how it was all going to play out until the absolute last minute.

I knew Patty wasn’t going to let Frobisher get off as easily as making a huge payout. After all, Frobisher himself said as long as he had that land to develop, he could build another company and his wealth.

But I didn’t see the gunshot coming, and certainly not from Larry—who was forced to give up his share of the $2 billion settlement because of his double-dealing with Frobisher.

So it looks like Ted Danson won’t be back next season, if he’s indeed dead. Though theoretically, if Ellen will be going after Frobisher’s men for David’s murder, he could show up in flashback sequences. As could the departed David, Ray and Gregory Malina, I suppose.

I was kind of annoyed by that: I sort of liked the innovative idea of starting with a nearly all-new cast next season. But I can get on board with the concept of Ellen working as an FBI spy to bring Patty down, even if the scenario leaves the door open for nearly everyone to return.

And although I think making Frobisher’s henchman a cop was a bit of a cheat, I loved that the show didn’t water Patty down into a sympathetic character.

Glenn Close is such an amazing actress, I honestly believed Patty’s tearful dockside apology to Ellen—when she said she regretted everything they did in the Frobisher case.

Turns out, she was being as cunning and manipulative as ever.  That beachside freakout of Patty’s we saw earlier?

She wasn’t upset about Ray committing suicide in front of her. She was upset because the attempted murder of Ellen—which she set up—went bad. Truly amazing!

Enter Uncle Pete, who clearly knows how to clean up a crime scene. (Whatever Patty’s paying this old dude, it’s not enough.)

Still, what was it about the murder gone wrong that sent Patty rushing to a graveyard? We discovered that she delivered a baby girl who died 35 years ago. Those were the only tears of Patty’s the entire season that seemed genuine.

I was happy, too, that sweet Hollis Nye didn’t turn out to be a bad guy. (Sheesh, this show needs SOMEONE who isn’t devious!) He was looking a tad bit evil last week with his mysterious phone call telling someone Patty posted Ellen’s bail.

But it was revealed that he’s been working with the FBI to bust Patty—why they turned to him for help isn’t clear yet—and that’s why he tried to convince Ellen not to take the job with her.

As much as I loved “Damages” this season, I’ll admit I was a bit worried about how all of this was going to shake out. The writers could have easily stumbled, but I think they may have pulled a rabbit out of their hat.

It remains to be seen whether their writing abilities are so stellar, they can pull off a spectacular sophomore season. Or whether FX is going to give them that chance.

But fingers crossed, because I think there’s a lot of reason to at least let them try.

(Photos courtesy of FX.)