I've never been a die-hard Nip/Tuck fan, but when I do catch an episode (or eight), I always enjoy it. The show, in keeping with the general theme of plastic surgery, is stylish to a fault and often, delightfully limit-pushing. The music, I believe, aids this; James Levine and P.J. Bloom have been putting together and picking the perfect accent tunes, respectively, since the show's beginning, and don't disappoint this season. Unsurprisingly, controversy has always surrounded the show due to the often graphic (both sexually and violently) nature of the plotlines.
Sean (Dylan Walsh) and Christian (Julian McMahon) own a plastic surgery practice together. They've lived in Florida for most of their career, but move to Los Angeles, the Holy Land of plastic surgery.
The relocation to LA gives the show ample opportunity to up the fabulous ante, providing the perfect backdrop for anyone and everyone, from all walks of life to come and change just what it is they don't like about themselves. We see vampires, a man who looks like a horrific sea creature out of an old children's fable, and the return of "Pussy Lips," to name a few.
Part 2, which features the last eight episodes of Season 5, picks up a few minutes before where the previous episode left off, giving us another look at Sean's stabbing. If you didn't watch the first half of the season, you can still catch up easily; there's a lengthy, "Last time, on Nip/Tuck..." intro, which gets you enough in the loop. Most likely, though, if you're looking to watch Part 2 of Season 5, you'll have seen Part 1.
I won't give away a whole lot, but I will say this: Jennifer Coolidge reprises her role as Candy Richards, one that seemed written just for her. Her comeback episode, "Roxy St. James," marks her debut as Coco -- her new rap persona's moniker -- and includes a music video for Coco's song "Yo Stink, Bitch." In "Manny Skerritt," Bradley Cooper returns as a stupid, narcissistic actor, this time with a script-pitch based on Sean's trials with Colleen, Part 1's villain. There's some death, a wedding, and a whole lotta character development. Sean starts displaying the beginnings of Bad Boy Syndrome, due in part to the arrival of a new anesthesiologist, Teddy (Katee Sackoff); Christian gets some upsetting news that charges him with the task of self-discovery and redemption, neither of which he handles well; Lizzie (Roma Maffia) the lesbian becomes...not so much a lesbian, anymore; and, just when you think Kimber (Kelly Carlson) can't sink any lower...well, suffice it to say that she'll exhibit some pretty shocking behavior, even for her (i.e. demanding that Christian give little baby Jenna some botox for her "thin, villainous lips").
Nip/Tuck is not a show for the squeamish -- I personally have to cover my eyes during the bloody operation scenes (and the not so occasional bloody non-operational scenes). Colleen's attack on Sean is a bit harrowing; as is the scene in which a woman wanting a double mastectomy and then implants to eliminate the possibility of breast cancer, cuts off her own breast with an electric carving knife after Christian refuses to do the surgery.
DVD Bonus Features
The one special feature on this set is the 20-minute "Nip/Tuck: The Science of Beauty" featurette, which includes interviews with beauty experts, verbal and mathematical dissections of what makes a person attractive, and some history lessons on plastic surgery.
"Nip/Tuck - Season 5, Part 2" is on sale October 6, 2009 and is rated NR. Drama. Directed by Elodie Keene, Michael M Robin, Ryan Murphy. Written by Ryan Murphy, Jennifer Salt, Brad Falchuk. Starring John Hensley, Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon, Roma Maffia, Kelly Carlson.
