Ray Donovan Season 5 (DVD)

It is very easy for the producers of a long running and successful show to carry on with the "same old same old" knowing full well that their faithful audience will be only too happy to continue supporting the programme. Season 5 of Ray Donovan doesn't fall into this trap and for this if nothing else the producers deserve credit for their decision to do things differently - the reasons for which are detailed in the Extras (of which more later).From other reviews it is clear that the change in direction has somewhat divided opinions - for what it's worth personally I had no problems with the flashbacks and dream sequences as they served to illustrate the overlying sense of ongoing grief suffered by Ray Donovan himself as events unfold culminating in Episode 8 which is a pretty tough watch. No longer is Ray in total control of things and his floundering attempts to get both himself and the other members of the Donovan clan back on track (let alone dealing with the problems presented by his clients) kept this viewer engrossed throughout.All the other cast members continue to be interesting in their individual ways and without giving away plot lines it was good to see both Terry and Bunchy achieving a measure of fulfillment which hopefully bodes well for their futures. Having an actress of Susan Sarandon's stature join the cast was a considerable coup and it will be a matter of interest to see how she develops in Season 6 since I thought she was given rather less to do than her character warranted this time around.Unlike in previous Seasons the Audio is in English only as are the Subtitles.Extras comprise features entitled Dog the Dog / On Death and Dying Parts 1 2 and 3 / Nothing Goes Right For Bunchy / Terry Donovan and Parkinson's / Episode 508 Commentary with Paula Malcomson and David Hollander.

All the dream sequences - could have done without that, especially the one at the start of episode 11. What was that all about - truly bizarre, they definitely crossed the line there. The story meandered about, back and forth, all over the timeline. As for the ungrateful brat of a daughter - Ray should have left her in jail so that SHE could think about the consequences of HER actions. What a repulsive character Bridget was. Abby's death was not Ray's fault, no matter what the daughter said - when she put that to Ray, he ought to have told her the truth - it was Abby's own fault for choosing not to have life-saving surgery when she was first diagnosed. Why wasn't the choice Abby made emphasised here - this was an important opportunity to educate people, missed. (I speak as someone who has been in that position.) Instead, we had multiple dream scenes and hallucinations. Overall - this was really, really disappointing. By the end, I really didn't care what happened to any of the characters - they were all pretty awful, to be honest. Misery, disappointment, depression, stupidity. It was just relentless - and there was no reason to care about any of it. I watched as much of this garbage as I could, but eventually gave up and deleted the programme from my account altogether. I regret spending good money on this - twenty six pounds, right down the drain. I'd have been better off buying a season of Hawaii 5-0.

I have updated my review as initially I gave it 2 stars for the calibre of actors alone.This is like the writers wrote it on lsd or something.I am 2 episodes in and and I am bored and confused.There is no action.The flashbacks are I think every other scene.Just read some reviews and there are dream sequences but I am notvsure what is dream and real.It is blowing my brain.Some reviewers mention it picks up episode 8 I think I would lose my mind by then if the whole series contains these flashbacks.I want something I can binge watch.If you like flashbacks it might be worth a trry.IBut I stuck it out and it got better.I missed a lot as the flashbacks still confused me and broke the flow but the writers must have realised and they seemed to stay in a timeline a lot longer.About half way through I started to get engrossed and if you are a ray donavan fan you need to watch it as there are some real hold your breath scenes and important storylines.It is sad they didnt write it in sequence because if they had it may have been the best season yet.I believe they have made a 6th season and I hope they have learnt their mistake as this season will lose a lot a fans and nearly killed a classic.My advise is stick with it,dont worry if you are confused and pick the time you watch it so it doesnt do your head in.

The first 4 series's had much stronger plot lines and inspired binge watching multiple episodes at a go, but this one really is slow and at times a little confusing to watch because the story lines are jumping back and forward in time so much.Just arrived at episode 8 and it's starting to pick up a decent plot line and pace so hoping that it will make the cost of buying and persevering worth while. As a side note Susan Sarandon is a great addition to the cast and looks like being a really good plot line..

A bit of a slow-burner is how I would describe this - a departure from the previous ''punch-in-the-face'' one-to-four seasons, series 5 is much more reflective and thoughtful. Like other reviewers I found the dream sequences,to begin with, irritating but they all began to segue together episode by episode for,dare I say it, a more intelligent and insightful drama. It has some very powerful moments, lots of gratuitous violence that we are used to but the sex scenes are far fewer. Paradoxically by the end the Donovan family comes together by falling apart - don't give up on it two episodes in - stay to the bitter end.

Disappointing start to series 5. Too many unexplained plots that I suppose will be answered as the series continue,but it seems the format of the scripts have changed from previous plot lines. Do not know if I can be bothered to wade through a whole 12 episodes to find out why.