The best news for drama fans this week?

“Damages” returns to start its third season at 10 tonight on FX. The reasons to watch? It’s another smart, twisty story, flashing often to the past in the series’ signature style. Emmy-winner Glenn Close remains exceptional as Patty Hewes. And it’s great fun to see funny people Martin Short and Lily Tomlin in juicy dramatic roles. Don’t be surprised if they become Emmy contenders.

Haven’t been following this challenging thriller? Don’t worry, because a Bernie Madoff-style Ponzi scheme drives the action. Big-time litigator Hewes is fighting to get money for the victims of swindler Louis Tobin (Len Cariou). Hewes is determined to learn if Tobin has hidden money for his wife (Tomlin) and son (Campbell Scott). But Tobin’s foul-mouthed lawyer (Short) is determined to keep the family quiet until his client is sentenced.

The season premiere offers a jaw-dropping fade-out. Hewes has mysterious dealings with several characters, notably an admirer (Keith Carradine) and former protegee Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), who has gone to work for the district attorney’s office. Byrne keeps pace with Close, quite a feat.

My verdict: It remains a great show.

In getting ready for the Grammys next weekend, CBS repeats the “CSI” episode with Grammy nominee Taylor Swift. And she is surprisingly good as a tragic girl who is nothing like professional musician Taylor Swift. The episode airs at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Wednesday’s big show will be the State of the Union address by President Barack Obama. It airs at 9, and it will rearrange that night’s schedule on many channels.