DAMAGED GOODS - PILOT OUTLINE

There was plenty to learn from this pilot. It never made it on the air but it explored gender dynamics in an interesting way. 

Written by Lauren Iungerich

MIDDLE SCHOOL: YOUNG NICOLE laments not being able to find a good guy. Dad says just give it time.

1. ELEVATOR: Nicole ruins a moment of kissing with Tim bc she sends an email.
2. LAW FIRM HALL: Nicole and Tim walk and talk. They are on their way for Tim to get his promotion.
3. CONFERENCE ROOM: Nicole gets the promotion, not Tim.
4. BAR: Nicole celebrating with friends Betsy, Jason and Kyle. Tim arrives and she wants them not to say anything to make Tim feel weird. Tim tries to be cool but he blows up in a sexist way.

ACT ONE

1. SAME BAR: The whole gang feels weird about the stuff Tim said to them, including Nicole, who is unsure how to feel about him now. Nicole then dismisses them to go have fun and stop pitying her.
2. TRENDY BAR LATER: Jason picks a loose girl. 
3. LATER: Jason dumps his scientist.
4. NEXT MORNING: The girls can’t believe that the scientist bought the dumping. Nic leaves and Jason agrees to retrieve a condom from Betsy’s vagina.
5. LAW FIRM: Tim is still a dick.
6. ELEVATOR: Nicole cries and says it’s over (to herself)

ACT TWO

1. NICOLE’S HOUSE: The girls tell Nicole she can’t online date as a lawyer, she should pretend to be a waitress. Then Betsy inquires about whether Kyle could help her with her problem (vagina condom) b/c Jason failed.
2. JASON’S HOUSE: Jason learns that the girl he chose b/c she wanted a 3 some isn’t actually down and now he’s stuck with her and chose her over the girl he actually likes. 
3. NICOLE’S: She has made a dating profile but hasn’t gotten any hits. Then she gets an emergency text from Jason.
4. SIDEWALK: Jason gets Nicole to pretend to be his crazy ex so he can scare his girl away and have room for the new ones.
5. NICOLE’S HOUSE: She makes her profile waitress and gets lots of hits.
6. DINER: Nicole meets a guy and laments her situation.
7. JASON’S HOUSE: Turns out the girls are robbing him and don’t want the sex.
8. DINER: The guy is amazing and gives Nicole a renewed faith in the power of being herself.
9. LAW FIRM: Nicole gets settled in the big office but rushes out when she feels she has to choose between partner and Tim.
10. ELEVATOR: Tim kisses Nicole after apologizing.
11. JASON’S HOUSE: He’s trying to call Nicole but doesn’t get her.
12. TIM’S CAR: They kiss as Tim drives.
13. JASON’S: They talk about how Nicole is a strong boss.
14. TIM’S HOUSE: Nic and Tim kiss.
15. JASON’S: They’re all talking about avenging Nicole.
16. TIM’S HOUSE: Tim had been assuming Nic was gonna resign and give him the job. Then he realizes his house is getting TPd.
17. TIM’S HOUSE EXT: The friends get caught TPing and therefore also catch Nicole with tim.

ACT THREE

1. TIM’S HOUSE EXT: Friends are deer in headlights. Jason tells Nicole she’s better than Tim.
2. NICOLE’S HOUSE: Nicole is upset but Betsy says she’ll be there for her.
3. LAW FIRM: Tim is assuming she’s gonna resign, but then she meets a little girl who wants to be like her. 
4. STAIRS: Nicole runs up b/c she won’t wait for elevator.
5. MEETING: She rushes in sweaty and says she’s choosing herself and therefore the job.
6. LAW FIRM KITCHEN: Nicole tries to make a pot of coffee but doesn’t know how to use it. 

LESSON LEARNED: The best part of the pilot is the early twist between Tim and Nicole. They both expect him to get the promotion but then SHE does, and that totally flips their dynamic upside down. Good example of how to use power dynamics when building characters and relationships, and that you should always be aware of the power dynamics whenever two people are talking. Another way this pilot could have gone, would be for Nicole or OTHERS to find out first, and then have to be worried about Tim would take the news. That might have added a little mileage to that conflict, and that’s how Sorkin handles a very similar conflict in NEWSROOM (everyone knows about MacKenzie getting the job as EP except for Will).