Ep 7. New Birthday

Ray Donovan is an American television series that aired in 2013 and ran for seven seasons. The show is a crime drama that follows the life of Ray Donovan, a professional "fixer" who works for a powerful law firm in Los Angeles. The protagonist's job as a fixer involves making problems vanish for high profile clients who include celebrities, athletes, politicians, and other members of the wealthy elite.

The New Birthday is the seventh episode of the first season in the series. The episode showcases Ray's family challenges when his father, Mickey, is released from prison after serving 20 years. The episode takes place on a day that is the shared birthday of Ray and Mickey.

The Episode begins with Ray receiving a text message from Mickey, informing him of his release from the Donovan family's long-held grudge. Ray's family, led by his mother, Abby, feels hesitant about Mickey's return, as his past actions have caused him to become estranged from them. The family has a lot of mixed feelings, and Ray is the only one who has mixed emotions about Mickey Donovan's return, given their complicated history, which has also shaped most of Ray's life.

The episode shows the strained relationships among the Donovan family. The Donovan family is a complex family trying to cope with their gritty lives. Ray is dealing with his marital problems with his wife, Abby, infidelity, and threatening to sleep with Paige Finney, a powerful client. Terry's life is deteriorating due to Parkinson's disease diagnosis, Darryll is dealing with his sexual identity, while Bunchy is dealing with his rape trauma. All these challenges combine to form a dysfunctional family, creating interesting twists and turns along the way.

The episode intensifies when Mickey shows up unannounced during Ray's surprise birthday party, causing a commotion amongst the guests. Ray is furious about Mickey's disregard for the family's current situation, and he asks Mickey to leave. However, Mickey refuses and reminisces about his time in jail, informing Ray about his time in jail that was marked by sadness, abuse, and drug addiction.

As the episode progresses, Ray tries to control the unpredictable situation with his father's return. In contrast, he grapples with personal challenges that are reflected in his professional career. The main problem Ray faces is the struggle to separate his job as a fixer from his family life. He is forced to confront his past and redefine his relationship with his father.

The episode portrays the dark and complex characters, each facing their challenges and struggles, from the Donovan family members to the clients that Ray works for. Working at the intersection between the law and the elite, Ray Donovan navigates the complex landscape of Los Angeles. The episode takes a look at the criminal underworld, where money, power, and secrecy reign supreme.

Overall, the New Birthday episode of Ray Donovan's first season centers on the fractured Donovan family, where Ray tries to come to terms with his past and his father's return. The episode explores the complex relationships amongst the Donovan family members and sets the stage for some interesting developments in the remaining episodes of the season. The show's fusion of personal drama, crime, and suspense, created an engrossing and compelling series that captivated its viewers and garnered critical acclaim.