SofaChip’s Advance Look at Showtime’s Nurse Jackie Through Season’s One Finale on 8/24/09

In the last episode of Nurse Jackie that aired (Steak Knife) I was struck by the distinct way Jackie has to balance her family life and work life. Nothing can bleed over – she compartmentalizes everything. That’s a word I used to hear a lot when I watched Alias, as Jennifer Garner’s character, Sydney Bristow, would always swear she was okay and knew that compartmentalizing was all a part of her job. Who knew that the jobs of a CIA spy and a nurse were so closely related?

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton in Nurse Jackie (Episode 10) - Photo: Ken Regan/Showtime

Anyway! The episode Steak Knife had the cutest baby EVER, and Mrs. Akalitus (a name possibly chosen just to make me go crazy as I try to type it properly) took a shine to him/her. The thing is, I completely understand why it’s interesting to give the broad comedy to the most stern of all characters in the cast, but there’s such a thing as overkill. Without fail, Mrs. Akalitus seems to get every ‘most ridiculous thing’ thrown at her. You’ll see this throughout the end of season one, and it grew on my nerves. I’d like to see this character played a little more as she’s supposed to be, and not just as what might be funny. Because ultimately, overusing this tactic takes away the power of the funny!

Cooper has now cemented himself in my mind as a total jerk. (And he only seems to go mostly downhill in my eyes.) Seriously. I was on the fence about him, willing to give him a chance! But right after he says he’s not a dick, he goes and acts like one. Typical, pft.

Merritt Wever as Zoey in Nurse Jackie (Episode 10) - Photo: Ken Regan/Showtime

If we skip ahead one episode it brings us to the episode Nose Bleed.  In this eppy you’ll see Jackie being devious, and that is highly enjoyable to watch. I think the major topic of this episode revolves around how strange it is when it’s only by being unethical that you can do the right thing. Is that what they call a paradox? Irony? I just call it strange.

What else? Someone in this episode is a MAJOR gossip. The other standout in this episode is that one of my favorite onscreen friendships is finally tested, and it’s not all sunshine and flowers by the end of the episode.

Episode 110 of Nurse Jackie is Ring Finger, wherein Jackie has trouble with her wedding ring.  This is where I started to truly question our main character’s sanity, and after this there’s only got two more episodes left until we have to wait for season 2 of Nurse Jackie!

So, in these last two episodes (Pill-O-Matix & Health Care and Cinema) we finally see Eddie being replaced. Anyone think that’s going to go over well? Yea, not so much. Other than that, Zoey messes up in a significant way with guest star Victor Garber, O’Hara finally needs a real favor, Gloria gets stuck in an elevator, and there is a really horrible literal joke involving someone’s gut.

Aside from not being a fan of the ‘comedic situations’ Akalitus is put in, I enjoyed watching all of these episodes. The dark tone of the show never waivers, the characters have mostly wormed their respective ways into my heart, and by the season one finale I’m ready to jump into the inevitable (glorious) chaos of season two.

Eve Best as Dr. O'Hara behind the scenes in Nurse Jackie (Episode 7) - Photo: Ken Regan/Showtime

Nurse Jackie Quotes

“You’re cute when you’re ruining my life.”

“Big attitude coming from someone wearing panda earrings.”

“You’re making fun, but this is where your brain explodes.”

“I’m not afraid to kill you in front of a priest.”

P.S. I don’t know why I was putting off Showtime’s Dexter, but I finally started watching season 1 on Netflix Instant Watch, and I am totally drawn into it!

Popularity: 1% [?]