NURSE JACKIE Starting to "Sink"

Article first published as NURSE JACKIE Review on Seat42F.

Showtime’s NURSE JACKIE begins its sixth outing this weekend with “Sink or Swim.” Jackie (Edie Falco), I’m sorry to say, is back to her old drug habits again. Unfortunately, whether she’s out of practice of covering for herself, or perhaps she’s just using stronger stuff, she’s not nearly as good at hiding her high as she used to be. This means Jackie is not heading in the right direction.

When NURSE JACKIE began, Jackie handled her drugs. We knew being an addict was bad, but because Jackie never seemed to let it screw up her life, viewers could overlook Jackie’s misbehavior. Eventually, though, it did start getting in the way of her work and her family, and that’s when it had to stop.

Now that Jackie has kicked the habit, it’s easy to root for her beating the addiction, and hard to see her succumbing to her old ways. There are negative consequences right out of the gate for Jackie’s slip. This is a destructive habit, and if Jackie can’t get her act together, she’ll lose everything she’s still working hard at putting the pieces back together for.

Jackie does have a new ally in “Sink or Swim.” She meets a woman named Antoinette (Julie White, Go On, Alpha House), a Southern spitfire who wants to be Jackie’s sponsor. Antoinette is opinionated and pushy, but maybe Jackie needs someone like this. I think once Antoinette becomes aware of Jackie’s relapse, and she seems sharp enough to notice strange behavior, she might be someone who can actually get through to Jackie and push her onto the correct path, whether Jackie wants to get clean or not.

I also have hope that Antoinette can be Jackie’s new bestie. With O’Hara (Eve Best) officially gone from the cast, Jackie is in need of a friend. Zoey (Merritt Wever) would love to be that person, but Jackie always keeps Zoey at arm’s length. Antoinette seems like someone who could break through Jackie’s defenses. Plus, I love White already. I look forward to seeing their relationship develop.

Of course, Jackie is far from the only imperfect one in NURSE JACKIE. Her daughter, Grace (Ruby Jerins), is following in her mother’s substance-abusing footsteps. Cooper (Peter Facinelli), plagued by feelings that he hasn’t accomplished what he wants to by age 40, is tempted to reunite with Roman (Betty Glipin), a woman who is nothing but trouble. Despite the hospital’s disapproval of employee relationships, Zoey and Prentiss (Morris Chestnut) aren’t staying away from one another, either. Eddie (Paul Schulze) is sleeping with some age-inappropriate women.

Jackie could possibly right some of these wrongs if she wasn’t so distracted. Coop tries to talk to her, but Jackie blows him off. And Zoey is practically begging Jackie to ask about Prentiss, but of course Jackie resists, never one to get involved in other’s business if she doesn’t have to.

The dynamic of this cast is a great one, and that’s despite the fact that they aren’t all in one another’s person lives too much. The workplace chemistry is nearly perfect, the varying personalities all interplaying in interesting ways, still managing to seem fresh six seasons in. Though part of that could be the revolving cast, it’s still impressive that NURSE JACKIE avoids any weak links, year after year.

“Sink or Swim” does a fine job of not only catching us up with all of these players, but also setting up the next arcs for them. It’s a transitional episode, to be sure, both adding new elements to the story and picking up the threads where they left off. It is an enjoyable entry, and succeeds in getting viewers primed for another go-round with Showtime’s best half-hour series.

NURSE JACKIE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

NURSE JACKIE Bares its "Soul"

Article first published as NURSE JACKIE Bares its "Soul" on TheTVKing.

This has been a tough year for the titular character on Showtime's Nurse Jackie. Jackie (Edie Falco) has struggled to put her life back together while going through a divorce and trying to hang onto her sobriety. Her personal and professional pressures have not made such trials easy, but she has managed to make it through and celebrates one year of being clean in the season finale, "Soul."

I didn't think Jackie could ever turn over a new leaf. She was closed off and withdrawn, a sneaky liar who used people, where the series began. Now, she's so much better a person. She is far from perfect, of course, but even when her relationship with cop Frank (Adam Ferrara, Rescue Me) suffers its slings and arrows, it isn't because she treats him poorly, as has been the case previously.

Watching Jackie read last rights to the patient-of-the-week, Wally (John Cullum, Northern Exposure), and how she reacts after, is nothing new, and yet it seems so. She has always had a soft spot for those under her care, but now it's different because it seems genuine. To the outside, it always was. To the viewers and Jackie herself, this is new.

It's awesome to see her come around. It's been a very slow journey, which is good, because it has allowed time for very natural character development. It's why Falco deserves all of the praise she gets for the role, and it's why you celebrate with Jackie when she does well.

That's why the end of this episode is so disappointing. Every thing that is working for Jackie, with daughter Grace (Ruby Jerins) even showing up to her ceremony, despite their issues, feels unearned when Jackie swallows a pill.

Why does she do it? Yes, addicts backslide, but Jackie seems to be doing so well prior to this! Wally's death is depressing, but she makes up with Frank. I don't understand how she can throw everything away as she does. It will come out; these things always do. So now it's just an unpleasant waiting game.

Sadly, Jackie's support system isn't as strong as it used to be. Zoey (Merritt Wever) tries to be a good pal, but also is maturing herself, setting her own path outside of anyone else, especially when it comes to her relationship with Dr. Prentiss (Morris Chestnut), which is kept a secret. Eddie (Paul Schulze) also makes effort, but isn't capable of just being a friend all the time when Jackie moves on with Frank or when he is accused of doing things he isn't by Jackie's daughter. And O'Hara (Eve Best) is almost completely MIA this year after moving to London, and she won't be coming back, as Best has regrettably resigned from the series.

This means that no one is really in a great position to notice Jackie's problems. With her life more fractured and divided than even before, and giving up custody of her children, she can slip through the cracks.

Jackie isn't the only one that matters on Nurse Jackie, which boasts one of the most outstanding ensembles around. Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith) has dealt with memory issues in a very moving story that turned out OK, to fan's relief. In "Soul," Thor (Stephen Wallem) makes a connection with Wally and pays tribute to him. And Cooper's (Peter Facinelli) elicit behavior with Dr. Roman (Betty Gilpin, Ghost Town) bites them all in the butt when it means the hospital can't fire her without risking a lawsuit.

I'm not upset that Roman is sticking around. She's a horrible person who cannot be trusted, but she's made Cooper grow a spine and creates some delicious drama in the dynamics of the cast. Every show needs someone who can stir the pot, and Roman does so in a way no one really has yet on Nurse Jackie. Many of the problem people have been in authority, but by bringing in someone lower on the totem pole, whose power is ill-gotten and far from absolute, the story takes an interesting turn.

In the end, season five has continued a wonderful tale with fantastic characters. This is a series I greatly look forward to watching every week, and miss whenever it's gone. Thankfully, Nurse Jackie will return for a sixth outing next year.

Wish Nurse Jackie a "Happy F**king Birthday"

Article first published as NURSE JACKIE Season 5 Premiere Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 94%

Showtime’s NURSE JACKIE is back, and it’s time to wish the titular character a “Happy F**king Birthday.” In the season premiere, set the day before Jackie’s (Edie Falco) anniversary of being born, things are falling apart. Jackie may be sober, but with her support system dwindling, and beset by negative thoughts and feelings, will she stay strong?

I’ll be honest, considering that “Happy F**king Birthday” picks up months later, I didn’t think that there was any way that Jackie would still be sober. I won’t spoil if she is or not, but the episode does a good job of keeping the viewer guessing, with circumstances providing a confusing gray area, until the end of the episode, in which there’s a near-perfect scene involving a ring box that says a lot of who this woman is and what point she is at in her life.

But before we get to that, it’s another day in the life of Jackie. Kevin (Dominic Fumusa) is doing everything he can to make things difficult for her, presumably as pay back for Jackie’s infidelity. They fight over the girls (Ruby Jerins and Mackenzie Aladjem), and he won’t even give his ex-wife a straight answer as to whether she can see the kids on her birthday.

I think this does contribute towards Jackie’s feelings when O’Hara (Eve Best) drops a big announcement concerning her infant. Jackie doesn’t feel her life as a mother is fair, and wants O’Hara in the same boat. It’s probably not all selfish, as Jackie genuinely needs her bestie’s support during this trying time. But there is definitely a little bit of jealousy when O’Hara gets to be there for her son and Jackie doesn’t have her daughters around.

To make matters worse, early in the episode Zoey (Merritt Wever) announces that she thinks it’s time to move out. I really love the dynamic between Zoey and Jackie, one of the strongest elements of the show, and I don’t feel like we’ve had nearly enough of them as roommates. Jackie is understandably happy about Zoey’s decision, as Zoey does get on her nerves, but I think, given Jackie’s present loneliness, she’ll be wishing Zoey lived with her again soon enough.

The question is, will Jackie speak up before it’s too late? She’s too late to salvage things with Kevin, which puts a cramp on her parenting style, and a serious damper on her love life. She’s too late to be a factor in O’Hara’s decision (which is a doozy, I promise). Will Zoey be yet another missed opportunity by Jackie?

My guess is, Eddie (Paul Schulze) will help fill the void in Jackie’s life. This is just a theory, based on small hints in the episode, but they seem to be on good terms, and she needs a friend.

Jackie isn’t a bad person and doesn’t deserve her unhappines. Yes, she has lied and cheated, but isn’t addiction a disease? Couldn’t Kevin be a little more understanding? And now that she has made efforts towards controlling her habit, she will continue to gain more sympathy. She has done bad things, undeniably, but that doesn’t make her a bad person.

We see some of the good things that Jackie does in “Happy F**king Birthday.” Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith) has her job back, and that’s all thanks to Jackie. Jackie also manipulates a patient to purchase a very expensive, but badly needed, piece of equipment for the hospital. That is a noble need, even if it’s carried out in a method that’s a bit shady. Things like these help Jackie make up for the bad things she has done.

As usual, there are a couple of new characters joining NURSE JACKIE this season. One in particular Jackie gets off on the wrong foot with, of course. The new guy (Morris Chestnut, V) used to be in the army, but of course Jackie misjudges him in their first encounter, as his her pattern when someone else arrives at All Saints. Ah, well. I’m sure it’ll sort itself out as the season progresses.

There is no misjudging the other, Dr. Roman (Betty Gilpin, Ghost Town), though. She is all pretty looks and not much else, skating by and using her hot body to manipulate others. Even those who are not attracted to her, but instead desperate for approval, bend over backwards to please her. Which means Cooper (Peter Facinelli) and Zoey are wrapped around her fingers. She is definitely there to shake things up and cause trouble. Which is why I hope she lasts at least a little while, detestable as she is.

Roman does present an opportunity for Cooper to grow, though, which is a positive to her presence. Jackie pushes Cooper to act like an adult, and we’ll have to wait and see how well he will follow through on Jackie’s nudge.

Lastly, a former hospital staffer gets their job back (besides Akalitus, I mean). I cannot possibly say who and ruin anything, but I think most NURSE JACKIE fans will be pleasantly surprised and touched when, late in the half hour, the development occurs.

For those who love NURSE JACKIE, myself among them, “Happy F**king Birthday” is equal parts a way to catch us up on what has happened during the interim, and a glad return to a beloved favorite. The episode has serious developments, but is also an excellent example of a typically great installment.

I would not recommend missing NURSE JACKIE’s fifth season premiere, this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.