It’s been almost a year since we last heard from Nip/Tuck. The third season ended with the unveiling of “The Carver”, and no previews for the next season. The fourth season premiere was well worth the wait.
The usual suspects were all present, along with their vices and routines. Christian (Julian McMahon) maintained his playboy behavior by entering into a sexual relationship with a mother and daughter duo. Sean (Dylan Walsh) and Julia (Joely Richardson), happily involved again, were excited about their pregnancy. Liz returned with her usual sarcastic demeanor. All was well within the lives and practice of McNamara/Troy.
Except for a few things. In usual Nip/Tuck fashion, just scratch the surface and you will see all the unpleasant layers underneath. One thing Nip/Tuck excels at is bizarre story arcs. In this episode, Christian seeks therapy, due to his failed attempts at intimacy, resulting from Kimber’s rejection. The therapist, (nicely played by Brooke Shields), delves into Christian’s lack of deep relationships and explores his latent intimate feelings for Sean. Sean, on the other hand, is struggling with the news that he and Julia’s baby has diagnosed with electrodactyly, which causes deformation of the fingers and toes. He turns against Julia, and to a patient/phone sex operator (athleen Turner). Sean envies Christian, whose son is “perfect”; Christian envies Sean whose life is perfect. Meanwhile, a older patient (special guest star Larry Hagman) seeks reconstructive surgery while his much younger wife (portrayed by Sanaa Lathan) offers to buy out the practice.
The fourth season of the wildly popular series promises to be just as titillating and stimulating as the first three that propelled Nip/Tuck to its current success. This season delves even deeper into Christian’s problematic platonic and sexual relationships, and Sean’s efforts to uphold his fidelity. New territories are explored, celebrity guest stars are at an all time high, and various relationships, and patients, are revisited. Maybe even the Carver will make a come back!
