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Nip/Tuck, F/X, Airs Tuesday 10pm E/P

Episode: “Ricky Wells” (Season 5, Episode 18)

Synopsis: Christian regains his mojo after his reconstructive surgery, breaking Liz’s heart & causing her to abandon her life in Los Angeles. Matt’s medical career ends before it’s even begun, at least in the real world. Meanwhile, little old Dr. Raj’s father finally puts too much pressure on him, prompting a desperate act and the ending of another career.

Review: Lesson learned from this week’s episode of N/T: Sometimes the surgery isn’t what grosses you out, the reason for having it is. A woman falling in love with an 8 year old is twisted enough, but the progression from there on was just wrong. Well done, Nip/Tuck, you have successfully pulled another weird, “wonderful” and wacked out case off. Surprisingly, the episode’s main “soap opera” didn’t hold a candle to that twisted up situation. Well, maybe one part could. I’ll take operating on your father’s penis for $500, Alex.

Dr. Raj has been, for the whole 4 episodes or so that he’s participated in the show, a non-essential and annoying aspect which must be tolerated or better yet, ignored. Finally this week we have a reason to watch him, and happily this reason also ends up causing his exit from the show. With a father like his, it’s no wonder that smashing his hand is a better option than simply saying no. I must admit, that scene was difficult to watch. It’s one thing to watch a surgery but to know that a hand is about to be crushed? Mute was required. Why mute over simply not looking? I have to review the damned thing!

Something less painful but possibly more upsetting to watch was the return of Christian’s asshole streak. Admittedly, it wasn’t likely that he would remain the nicer, gentler version for long, but I’d hoped Liz would get at least a little bit of a relationship out of him. Of course, I always expect these plot twists to have a long term impact and the following week, things have returned to the normal order. Liz leaving smacks of short term plot arc, or even a possible way to move McNamara/Troy back to Miami, but who knows? If she is gone for good, her wise ass routine and the back and forth bitch-slapping rapport she has with Christian will be sorely missed.

Yet again, though, there seems to be a lack of coherent story arc to bring the season to a satisfying conclusion. Perhaps Liz’s leaving will be a part of that, but thus far things don’t seem to be building in any particular direction. 4 episodes & counting remain in this season, will we be left with a conclusion as fulfilling as watching some mid-season standalone story?

Up Next Week: “Manny Skerrit” – Sean’s hiring of a new anesthesiologist leads to trouble. Kimber goes to extreme measures to make sure Jenna has a good life.

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Did you watch Nip/Tuck this week? Have your say!