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.

Unleash the Franklin & Bash!

TNT's Franklin & Bash completed their sophomore run this week with "6:50 to SLC." Bash's (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) law license is suspended because he misses a payment, which makes representing his buddy, Tommy Dale (Chris Klein, Wilfred), who is having problems with his campaign for governor, difficult. Meanwhile, Leonard Franklin (Beau Bridges) of Franklin & Franklin would like to purchase Infeld Daniels, whether Stanton (Malcolm McDowell) likes it or not.

It's a shame that Franklin & Bash has become such a procedural. Even in this episode, which spends at least half of its time focusing on firm politics, there is a case of the week that must be dealt with. In the beginning, that was OK because Franklin and Bash often made these cases fun and exciting with their big stunts. In this one, not so much.

Yes, there were great guest stars in "6:50 to SLC," like Klein and Paul Schulze (Nurse Jackie), who played Dale's campaign manager. And the story of two wives cheating on their husbands with each other is pretty scandalous. But they somehow made this boring, probably because of how toned down the two lead characters have become in court. In a story about Bash's old friend, this should never have been allowed to happen. It may be more realistic, but it's not as much fun to watch.

The other story, where Franklin's (Breckin Meyer) father tries to steal the firm right out from under their boss, is much more compelling. Stanton is a larger than life character, played a by a brilliant acting veteran who bites into the role with gusto. So when he is threatened and his vulnerabilities are laid bare, it makes for very engrossing television. Stanton shows his age a bit here, but he also shows his scrappiness and shrewdness, which got him to where he is today. The resolution is shocking and smart.

Stanton must reveal the real reason he hired Franklin and Bash and made them partners. They are a poison pill, a tool he can use to self-destruct the firm. They are not happy at all to learn this, two years (or only one year?) after they began working for him. But they do what must be done because they are stand up guys, making a huge fuss on an airplane. Stanton's later apology, and the boys' forgiveness, shows that there is a deeper bond here than a cynical arrangement. But their relationship with their awesome boss is rocked a bit, in a good way.

The other moments of greatness in "6:50 to SLC" come from Carmen (Dana Davis) and Pindar (Kumail Nanjiani). These are entertaining, quirky characters, who do not get nearly enough plot. Sure, it's nice to see Franklin and Bash make peace with Karp (Reed Diamond) and Hanna (Garcelle Beauvais), but I would trade an emotional Hannah scene for a funny Pindar bit any day. Again, going back to the complaint that Franklin & Bash has mostly become a rote procedural, more of these two characters would punch up the episodes.

Some hopes for season three, besides more outrageous antics and screen time for the boys' employees? Bring back their flying ban as a plot point, and make sure that Shiri Appleby returns for a sizable arc. It might be nice to see how Franklin handles a real relationship, and what she can do to the dynamic of the group.

This law show may have lost its way in the second season, becoming more predictable and monotonous. Hopefully, there will be a season three, which gives them time to make up for it.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Originally posted on TheTVKing

Nurse Jackie can "Handle Your Scandal"

Showtime's Nurse Jackie has had a rough year. Jackie (Edie Falco ) is going through a divorce which might cost her custody of her kids, all while struggling to stay sober after a too-brief stint in rehab. But things go from bad to worse in "Handle Your Scandal," the fourth season finale, as Jackie finally has the showdown with Dr. Cruz (Bobby Cannavale) that has been brewing.

Dr. Cruz is cruel. Wonderfully balanced between total jerk and compassionate person by Cannavale, Cruz spends most of the year teetering a very fine line. But as the season wraps up, he shows just how vindictive he can be by firing Eddie (Paul Schulze), Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith), and ultimately, Jackie. It's one thing to run the hospital like a business. It's another to take out one's personal disappointments in the office. What Cruz does has just as much to do with his son's screw ups as his own power trips. Because of this, let us hope that Cruz does not return next season, at least not the version of him shown in "Handle Your Scandal."

That being said, it's been great to have a villain like Cruz around. It's tested Jackie in ways that she never has been before, made all the more difficult by her new-found lack of substance abuse to cope with it. Jackie learns to play things cool and hold her tongue, until she cannot take it anymore. And by that point, everyone, both characters and viewers, are one Jackie's side. Her cursing match is earned because of her restraint, and means all the more when it finally does occur.

In fact, Jackie has been pretty heroic all season. She has always been likable, but it's not until she begins cleaning up her messes, acting responsible, and letting people in that she becomes someone to be admired. Allowing Zoey (Merritt Wever) to become a friend and roommate, standing by Akalitus and Eddie, fighting for her kids and sobriety, Jackie is a whole different person. This growth may be too quick, pointing towards a possible backslide, but it is thrilling in the moment.

Everyone always follows Jackie's lead. Now that she participates in the social environment, instead of hiding from it, this is even more true than before. By the time that she leaves the hospital, taking it with more grace than many in her position would, the entire staff roots for her. They clap, and refuse to stop when Cruz yells his head off. They stage a candlelight vigil. Jackie has found her place, and somehow, she must get it back.

Will Jackie, Akalitus, and Eddie return next season? Well, the first two simply have to. Eddie is fun, but expendable. However the series would not be the same without Jackie or Akalitus. Obviously, the former isn't going anywhere, but the latter is vital, too. Will they come back because Cruz eats crow and gets himself in order, chalking up his really bad behavior to a reaction against the now departed Charlie (Jake Cannavale)? Even this might not be enough to redeem the administrator.

Finally, Jackie gets to play the good mom. Kevin (Dominic Fumusa) may mostly be in the right in leaving Jackie, but he's handling the divorce extremely poorly. While he should be sympathetic, he comes across as a bully, instead. It's an interesting choice to demonize him at this point, even though he sort of has to be to best serve the titular character. Still, it would be nice to see if he has the kind of moments that Jackie and Grace (Ruby Jerins) share in "Handle Your Scandal," rather than only being portrayed as taking he low road.

In other stories of romance, Zoey seems destined to get back together with Lenny (Lenny Jacobson). One can see why she decides that she must strike out on her own before settling down. But now that she's had just a taste of life without Lenny, it is clear how deep the affection between the pair is. Zoey might get to show another side of herself if she has to grovel to get him back, but that's totally appropriate in this situation.

Speaking of other sides, Cooper (Peter Facinelli) really steps up to the plate when O'Hara (Eve Best) needs someone. He is still the familiar Cooper, and will probably screw up again, revealing O'Hara's baby daddy. But for now, he is being a caring individual, nurturing what could be a real friendship with his fellow doctor.

It's these supporting characters that really raise Nurse Jackie up to the very high level it is at. Falco is absolutely fantastic, but surrounding her with the rest, which also includes Stephen Wallem as Thor, is why Nurse Jackie is the best half hour show on Showtime. Everyone is just so good at the parts they are playing, and their chemistry is spot on in every single relationship. Enough good things cannot be said about Nurse Jackie, and "Handle Your Scandal" really plays this all out to the Nth degree, banking on the show's many strengths. I can't wait to see what season five has in store!

Nurse Jackie will return to Showtime next year.

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'Nurse Jackie' is the proverbial pot

Showtime's Nurse Jackie returns with "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black," and the proverbial poop has hit the fan. Jackie (Edie Falco) acts erratically and admits to Eddie (Paul Schulze) that she may have been sleeping with him for his drugs. Then she picks up an addict (Greenday's Billie Joe Armstrong) at a church and takes him home. When the guy dies before Jackie can sleep with him, she finally realizes that she needs help. Lucky for her, Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best), a true friend, is there to help clean up the mess and get Jackie into rehab.

Jackie's drug problems have been a major arc on the series since episode one. It's not surprising that it's taken until season four to get her treatment, given her honed ability to hide her problem. But as bits of her life leak out and fall apart over the past three years, there is an expectation that this arc will come to a head. It does in "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black."

It is unlikely that Nurse Jackie will cover much, if any, of Jackie's time in rehab. That's OK, because the charming humor, a vital element to the greatness of the show, is mostly back at the hospital. How will things be different for Jackie when she returns to work? How many people, besides Eddie, O'Hara, and Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith) will know the truth about where Jackie has been? Will she be treated with kid gloves by her co-workers? Will she be as effective at her job without her "helpers?" So many possibilities, and no telling which direction the writers will take things.

Jackie seems to make a second important decision in "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black," and that's that Kevin (Dominic Fumusa) is the man for her. She doesn't try to get with her separated hubbie, realizing that she is not healthy enough to do so. But by shooting down Eddie in such a cruel manner, one assumes that she is leaving herself open to reconciliation. It's hard to believe that, no matter how many dishonest things she has done, Jackie would stoop to sleeping with Eddie so many times just to get something from him. More than likely, she says that so he will move on and she has a better shot at putting her family back together. And the addict she brings home is a stupid mistake during a low time for her, rather than someone she is truly interested in.

Another important occurrence in "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black" is that the hospital is sold. Dr. Mike Cruz (Bobby Cannavale, Will & Grace, Win Win) is the guy on the ground representing the new owners. He seems nice enough. He is not heartless, but he is there to make things more profitable, and surely that could cause conflict. Really, it's a smart, realistic way to shake things up, and Cruz is the right type of layered persona to use in this situation.

One of the first things that Cruz does is to tell Akalitus that her job is redundant, and she can either go back to being a floor nurse, or take an early retirement at half pension. As a numbers person with no shortage of determination and resourcefulness, that is no choice for Akalitus, who stays. At least Cruz lets her keep her authority over the other nurses.

It will be thrilling to see Akaltius in scrubs, if only because it will give her more interaction with the rest of the cast. There may also be a sense of relief for Akalitus that she no longer has to work tirelessly to keep the hospital afloat financially. Smith plays the part beautifully, but sometimes her character gets a little too shut away from the others. This should give her even more opportunity to shine.

What a fantastic return for Nurse Jackie! Nurse Jackie airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to buy DVDs and streaming episodes of Nurse Jackie. Article first published as TV Review: Nurse Jackie - "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black" on Blogcritics.

Nurse Jackie - "When the Saints Go"

     Showtime's Nurse Jackie continues its third season with "When the Saints Go." Sadly, the day has finally arrived when the moving truck comes and empties out All-Saints's sacred room. No one is more depressed than Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith), though several others pay homage to the quiet space. As a favor to Akalitus in her day of mourning, Jackie (Edie Falco) lets new obnoxious nurse Kelly (Gbenga Akinnagbe) walk all over her. Most of the nurses are enthralled with Kelly, especially Thor (Stephen Wallem), who seems to fall head over heels right off the bat, but it's only a matter of time now until Jackie's claws come out, and she resumes her rightful place as Top Dog.

     If there is any doubt that Jackie cares about her co-workers, and there usually isn't, despite her efforts to keep them out of her personal life, that notion is dispelled in this episode. The only reason Jackie possibly sucks it up when Kelly marks his territory all over hers is because she cares about Akalitus and doesn't wish to cause her any more headaches on an already difficult day. Kelly takes Jackie's chair, says demeaning things about her, takes over a patient, and changes a medication order. Normally, any one of those would be enough to make Jackie assert her authority, but instead, she lets his continuous challenges roll right off her back.

     What's most surprising in "When the Saints Go" is that her co-workers don't take more notice of Jackie's calm demeanor. Only Zoey (Merritt Wever) even rises to her defense. Considering how important Jackie is, everyone turns to her with her problems, and she handles all difficult the patient issues with grace, one would think her 'friends' would have a little more loyalty. Kelly may be underestimating her now, but Sam (Arjun Gupta) knows better, and should clue his new friend in. When Jackie barks at Sam to jump, he jumps. When Kelly asks why he takes it, Sam replies that that's just how it is.

     Jackie is far from a saint, as anyone who watches Nurse Jackie can tell you. Her brilliant handling of the Emergency Room is tempered by her secret pill addiction and previous, though now ended, affair. While most of the characters are clueless about the vast majority of Jackie's secrets, they don't often pry. Believe it or not, this makes the show seem more realistic. While not selfish, exactly, people have more exciting things to do than investigate an odd behavior now and then. As long as Jackie keeps her waves small, she isn't likely to raise much suspicion. Thank goodness for ineptitude.

     Except from her husband, Kevin (Dominic Fumusa), that is. Jackie plants false evidence leading him to believe she is taking her sobriety seriously, but of course, she's not. He buys it, for now. Considering that the preview for next week's episode shows him finding some pills, he probably won't forever. A major element of this show seems to be finding just how far a marriage can stretch without breaking. It is likely Jackie will lose Kevin soon enough. She must hit rock bottom before she can start to get better, and she's not even close yet. Kevin is the most probable trigger to send her careening over the edge.

     Jackie isn't just lying to Kevin. She tells her bestie, O'Hara (Eve Best), that Kevin is being a jerk towards her. He isn't, but it's all part of Jackie's game to solidify her friendship, which is still tentative after O'Hara learns about Jackie's pill addiction and lies. So Jackie is choosing to lie even more? Not a good way to fix things in the long-term. While it was painful to watch the two separated earlier this season, the next go round will be much, much worse. Not looking forward to it, but it's inevitable.

     The subject of Jackie's affair, Eddie (Paul Schulze), is trying to move on. Kevin sets Eddie up with his sister, Tunie (Jaimie Alexander, Kyle XY, Watch Over Me), and Eddie starts to fall for her. But then Jackie pulls him back, asking him not to date her. While perhaps it's conceivable Jackie would let Eddie move on if it isn't with one of her relatives, it's more possible that Jackie just doesn't want Eddie with anyone but her. She hasn't slept with him since season one, but best guess is that she wants a backup plan for if, or when, Kevin leaves her once and for all. It's not fair to Eddie for her to keep him in limbo, but he allows it. He should take Tunie out and forget about Jackie.

     Cooper (Peter Facinelli) is heading towards a bad, bad place. While his lies are much more transparent than Jackie's (he's telling people his bunion is an intense Achilles injury), he isn't handling his mothers' divorce very well. He is using a literal crutch in the figurative sense. What Cooper needs is a real friend. He had that with Sam, but lost it. Either Sam needs to forgive Cooper, or Cooper needs someone else, but without some sort of help, Cooper is not likely to recover anytime soon.

     Thankfully, there is some honest happiness in "When the Saints Go." Zoey is asked by a patient to give Lenny (Lenny Jacobson) an attractive woman's phone number. Wever kills in the comedy department, both physically and with words, hedging over whether to deliver the message or not, since she is dating Lenny. She needn't worry, as Lenny uses the number to wipe sauce from his face, and cornily tells her she's the only woman he is interested in. The two of them have wonderful chemistry, and he's a good balance for the neurotic Zoey. Their relationship is humming along, and growing stronger. And unlike in other shows, Nurse Jackie probably won't introduce false drama just for the heck of it. Wedding bells, perhaps?

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     Many more episodes left to go, as Nurse Jackie is only about halfway through its season. Be sure to watch Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

Article first published as TV Review: Nurse Jackie - "When the Saints Go" on Blogcritics.

JWTV Quickie: Nurse Jackie - "Enough Rope"

     Although last night's episode of Nurse Jackie is called "Enough Rope", it could easily have had a title that had something to do with apologies, because everyone is making them. Jackie (Edie Falco) apologies to Kevin (Domic Fumusa). Jackie apologies to O'Hara (Eve Best). Cooper (Peter Facinelli) apologies to Sam (Arjun Gupta). Even Lenny (Lenny Jacobson) and Zoey (Merritt Wever) dance around an apology when she sides with Jackie against the EMTs.

     Jackie obviously has the most to apologize for. She shut out O'Hara when the doctor tried to help Jackie with her pill addiction by bringing into the loop Jackie's husband. Jackie has forgiven O'Hara for that, but O'Hara can't forgive Jackie for the way she was treated. Nor should she. Jackie has not hit rock bottom, and needs to. She is popping pills as much as ever. Even though O'Hara may not have seen Jackie taking the narcotics lately, she knows there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

     Kevin is forgiving Jackie much quicker than O'Hara, but that could be because he doesn't know the truth. Jackie is assuring him that she never had a drug problem, and she is fine. He believes her, because as Eddie (Paul Schulze) says, Jackie is a fantastic liar. Besides the pills, Kevin still doesn't know Jackie had an affair with Eddie, who is now Kevin's best friend. An interesting, well written twist got Eddie and Kevin to this point, but it's unknown where it will go next. Eddie is an honest guy and wants to come clean, so Jackie reluctantly plants the seeds that will allow Eddie to tell Kevin that he and Jackie work together. But will Kevin be so forgiving when the affair and the serious addiction come to light, as they eventually must?

     I do think it's time for Sam to forgive Cooper though. Besides multiple apologies, and despite Cooper's smug, superior attitude, that public humiliaiton should have been enough to earn Cooper some forgiveness. Cooper is a good guy, at heart, even if he is a little stupid and arrogant. I wish Sam would warm up to him.

     As per usual, Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith) has some of the funniest moments of the episode. Her trying to jump rope is amusing, but the best is when Akalitus talks to staff about fighting child obesity. As she rants, she hands out doughnuts to various workers. Yes, she is arguing against being fat, but giving her employees junk food that will make them that way. And she seems to be completely oblivious about the irony. Priceless!

     Nurse Jackie airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Click here for an alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

My Other Nurse Jackie Reviews:
Nurse Jackie declares "Game On": The Comedy / The Drama
Nurse Jackie Falls Apart
Nurse Jackie is Back

Nurse Jackie declares "Game On"

     There are some shows so freakin' awesome that you await their new seasons with anxious anticipation. Showtime's Nurse Jackie is one of those shows. Though I am usually getting ready to go to sleep around the time that Nurse Jackie comes on, I was too excited for the third season premiere last night, "Game On," to slumber without watching it. Am I glad I did! The episode did justice to the high expectations I hold for the show as it kicked off a whole new season.

     It's hard to think of other half-hour shows that pack as much into their limited time as Nurse Jackie does. In the premiere, besides Jackie's (Edie Falco) personal drama with her husband and best friend, who each get their own scenes, there are two patients, new shoes, Zoey (Merritt Wever) glowing from post-coital bliss, and a series of de-facings done to a simple sign that had me rolling in laughter. I think the poster may have been my favorite part, just because it was so random and unexpected. What starts as a warning to not kiss the statues in the chapel because they may have lead paint, ends up being a caution not to feed Nurse Thor (Stephen Wallem). Hehe.

     As for Zoey, I'm glad she got laid, but I share her co-workers' revulsion at her trying to slip in details. No one needs to know. It's a private act. Zoey has boundary issues, and she always has had them. It's perfectly in character. You forgive her, though, because Wever exudes innocence and sweetness in the role.

     In fact, it's the little, funny bits like that that make Nurse Jackie one of my favorite shows. The aformentioned sign is posted by Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith), probably my favorite character. Akalitus got several noteworthy moments in the premiere. Besides the signs, and telling all the nurses they had better be on their game, because they could easily be replaced with nurses recently let go from shut down hospitals, she also masters the art of facial expressions. Let me explain.

     Jackie talks to Akalitus, concerned that Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best) will tattle on her about her pill problem. Jackie makes it seem like it isn't really a problem, but a misunderstanding. O'Hara does come in to speak with Akalitus, immediately following Jackie's meeting, but dances around the issue, rather than ratting Jackie out. Akalitus is stone faced for much of both meetings, but you can see the gears turning in her head. She is taking it all in, and she will act when necessary. She values her employees, but also has the hospital to worry about. Adding comedy to what otherwise would have been a tense scene, the phone keeps ringing, and Akalitus gets increasingly frustrated with it, rather than with the women in her office. Smith handles it all brilliantly, both the broad and the subtle equally, with massive talent.

     At the beginning of the episode, Jackie tries to explain away the pharmacy charges to her husband, Kevin (Dominic Fumusa). He doesn't buy her excuses, which ring hollow when the secret post office box Jackie gets her credit card bills in is taken into account, and storms off in anger. Is there any hope of rebuilding trust in their marriage? I don't know. I assume they will be staying together, at least for the time being, but I can't see them having easy fun ahead. She fundamentally betrayed him, on a deep level. There is nothing she can say to make things right, because what she has done is so wrong.

     Kevin seems concerned about something besides the pills, too. He knows Jackie doesn't think he makes enough money, as she is willing to accept funds from O'Hara for their children's tuition, and that hurts his pride. So he has the school fees put on various credit cards, and still can only manage a half payment. Kevin's pride is a huge obstacle that will also need to be overcome for the couple to reconnect. He needs to accept that he can't do everything alone, and that sometimes it is all right to accept help. While his flaws are not as serious as Jackie's he does have them.

     Jackie handles things with O'Hara, her best friend, completely differently. She wants O'Hara to forgive her, as evidenced by her moving closer in the chapel, but doesn't offer excuses. She knows she doesn't stand a chance at fooling O'Hara, a smart surgeon, as opposed to her husband, a dumb bartender, who didn't even believe Jackie. O'Hara shows no signs of even wanting to make up with her friend, so I wonder how much groveling it will take Jackie to get back in her good graces. If she ever can. It's really sad, because the two of them have such magical chemistry together.

 

     The biggest development in the episode is that Kevin shows up at the hospital. No one, except O'Hara and Eddie (Paul Schulze), Jackie's former lover, even know that she is married, and so Zoey's first introduction goes a little awkwardly. She asks for Kevin's ID. Her face falling as she realizes Jackie is indeed married and Zoey just made a fool of herself, is priceless. Kevin's visit is brief, but it will have lasting effects, as suddenly Jackie is exposed in one huge secret, bordering on a lie, to the staff. What this will do to her relationships with various co-workers, especially Zoey, who will be hurt that Jackie never shared something so big, is hard to tell.

 

     The ensemble dramedy also stars Peter Facinelli (Twilight) as Cooper, a stuck up doctor who just bought new, fancy shoes that he wears to work and worries about scuffing, and Arjun Gupta as Sam, a nurse who Jackie has blackmail on, both wonderful elements in the cast. Nurse Jackie airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.


Article first published as TV Review: Nurse Jackie - "Game On" on Blogcritics.

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My Other Nurse Jackie Reviews:
Nurse Jackie Falls Apart
Nurse Jackie is Back

Nurse Jackie falls apart

     Showtime's Nurse Jackie completed it's second season Monday night with "Years of Service", and it certainly shook things up.  Jackie's (the brilliant Edie Falco, The Sopranos) carefully constructed world has come crashing down, and her personal and professional life, kept so stringently separate, are starting to merge.

     The biggest event in the finale was Jackie's husband, Kevin (Dominic Fumusa, As the World Turns), and her best friend, Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best, doing an amazing job), finding out about Jackie's addiction to pain pills.  It started when Kevin discovered that Jackie had taken money from O'Hara, even though she promised him she wouldn't, and through a few simple queries, he found a bill listing many pharmacies.  Kevin then called O'Hara in, though they don't get along.  O'Hara had already discovered Jackie's deception about her back injury, and was suspicious.  Honestly, Kevin is disposable.  Jackie can have Eddie (Paul Schulze) back at any time, and he's a much better fit for her.  The only problem would be their daughters.  However, Jackie cannot loose O'Hara.  Sure, she has other friends, but she and O'Hara just go together so perfectly, it will be devastating if they have a falling out.

      Speaking of Jackie's friends, she has a new one.  She saved Sam's (Arjun Gupta) butt, and he has really grown on me.  Similarly, with Thor's (Stephen Wallem) expanded role this season, he has proved he can hang with the rest of the extremely talented cast.  Zoey (Merritt Wever, Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip) has come into her own, and I very much like her and Lenny (Lenny Jacobson) together, as well as Zoey and O'Hara's budding friendship.  I also have to mention that Dr. Cooper (Peter Facinelli, the Twilight saga), while still and idiot, has grown on me, and I think that Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith, The West Wing) may be my favorite person on the show.

     Each member of the cast pulls their own, and that's the best part about this show.  It's a medical show that doesn't concern itself with the case of the week.  And there was plenty more left up in the air, such as what will happen to Jackie because she stole drugs from that creepy guy?  Andill she be heading for rehab?  Divorce?  I can't wait for season three, which, according to imdb.com, will be arriving next February.

Pictured Below: Eddie, Zoey, Jackie, O'Hara, Akalitus, Cooper

Nurse Jackie is back

      Showtime's Nurse Jackie is a brilliant show.  Here's why.  It's a totally character driven drama.  Sure, other shows are character driven dramas, too, like House, or virtually any show on USA.  But Jackie does it better.  The main character (the amazing Edie Falco) is completely morally ambiguous.  She seems like a devote family woman, but she carried on an affair for a year with her pharmacist.  She frequently steals and abuses medicine, yet she goes out of her way to help patients.  She hides every bit of her personal life at work, but has the best bedside manner of anyone on the staff.  Is she a good or bad person at heart?  That depends.  Certainly she violates at least one of your decency standards, and yet, it's hard not to like her.

     She is also surrounded by a slew of interesting co-workers.  Gloria Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith, The West Wing) may be my favorite.  She's the hard nosed administrator who only occasionally let her soft side out, but it's always a delight when she does.  Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best) is Jackie's best friend, and doesn't judge her, despite knowing most of the sordid details that no one else does.  Even Cooper (Peter Facinelli, Twilight) started annoying, but has grown into a highly entertaining plaything for Jackie's mental games.

     In the season premiere last night, Eddie (Paul Schulze, 24), Jackie's spurned lover, swallows a bottle of pills so he can see her as a patient in the ER.  It seems that he will endeavor to become more and more involved in her life, even though he now knows all about her family.  The walls are also closing in on Jackie at work, as her boss is becoming suspicious that someone is stealing meds.  Also, the temp she fired last year for coming to work high has been hired full time, and he may have figured her out.

     All in all, it was a thrilling half hour, with more promising plot to come.  If you want to see television's most well developed shade of gray, tune in to Nurse Jackie Mondays at 10pm on Showtime.