Damages

From the start, viewers know something terrible happens in the end. But the primary narrative occurs in the past and unravels a mystery that is as twisted as it is compelling. The first few scenes show Ellen running out of a fancy New York City apartment building streaked with blood, wearing underwear and a trench coat. The shell-shocked look on her face suggests she's seen or done something horrifying. Only later do viewers see the gruesome scene she's fled.

With high production values, top-notch actors, and a juicy mystery, DAMAGES watches like an hour-long film that keeps viewers itching for a sequel. Luckily for fans, the tense and sometimes frightening episodes keep coming. With several bloody scenes, including a lingering close-up on a brutally murdered victim, as well as some highly intimate moments, Damages is best saved for after the kids are in bed.