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Episode Recap: "Carly Summers"
Why hello, strangers. It's been ages since I've blogged about this show (10.5 months, to be exact). I'm hoping that most of you will agree that the Season 5 premiere was well worth the wait, especially after all the hype and advance publicity (awesome job, by the way, FX). After four seasons in Miami, it was a welcome change of pace seeing our favorite nippers and tuckers start anew in our country's plastic-surgery capital, Los Angeles. As we expected, Christian (Julian McMahon) and Sean (Dylan Walsh) started out as small fish in an extremely large pond once they hit L.A., or to be exact, Beverly Hills. It was crickets and tumbleweeds for McNamara/Troy's new Rodeo Drive offices until Fiona McNeil came along. One of the things that helps you make it here in Hollywood is a powerful publicist, so meeting Fiona in that nightclub was excellent timing. Right away, I have to point out the fabulous casting of Lauren Hutton as Fiona. Lauren is one of the few actresses over 60 in this town who publicly refuses to get plastic surgery, so hearing her say those lines about certain aging starlets not getting work if they look too old rang true. Lauren hasn't acted in years, so it's a hoot to see her play this part. Publicists don't have to necessarily look beautiful and ageless, but their clients sure do, at least the ones in front of the camera. I'll get to Daphne Zuniga as Carly Summers later.
As for the clients behind the scenes, looks are obviously not as important. Fiona reps the out of shape but hugely successful Freddy Prune, creator and executive producer of "Hearts 'n Scalpels." This show-within-a-show comes off like a parody of Grey's Anatomy meets Nip/Tuck. How perfect for Christian and Sean to become not only medical advisers for Freddy's show, suggesting unique surgeries to dramatize, but also periodically appear on the show themselves. Oliver Platt seems to have morphed into Nathan Lane as Freddy, and that's only a good thing because I've never seen Oliver play gay before. Luckily, he does it quite believably and is a riot, thanks to a very funny script by show creator Ryan Murphy, whose smart idea it was to move everything to Beverly Hills.
That's the one most noticeable thing about this season premiere: more humor. Even funnier was Jennifer Coolidge as Candy Richards, an actress guest-starring on "Hearts 'n Scalpels" whose character ends up getting a procedure suggested by Sean and Christian. Since I can't type the "P" word here, let's just say her character had skin surgically taken from "down there" and placed on her burned mouth area. Now, combine that "P" word (another name for kitty cat) with the word "lips" and there you have it. I had to rewind twice to hear Jennifer refer to her vagina as her "Lady Cha-Cha" because I was laughing so hard. Jennifer's best line (keeping in mind that her character was molested by her father when she was a little girl): "My father touched those lips! It's a constant reminder I just can't wear my shame on my face!"
Other highlights:
Bradley Cooper was hilarious as Aidan Stone, egotistical star of "Hearts 'n Scalpels." His overacting during the medical scenes? Brilliant. As for Aidan's fixation with his hair ("You see this hair? This is why people tune in"), I have two words: Patrick Dempsey.
Roma Maffia hasn't lost her spunk as anesthesiologist/voice-of-reason Liz, who still knows how to tell Sean and Christian exactly how she feels. I'm glad Liz came with them to L.A., albeit with only one of her own kidneys.
Although we only heard Matt's voice tonight, we at least know he and Kimber named their new baby daughter Jenna after fellow Scientologist Jenna Elfman.
Former 90210 and Melrose Place actors are popping up everywhere on TV these days, and I don't mind it one bit. Daphne Zuniga was fantastic as fortyish romantic comedy actress Carly Summers, who just lost out on a big movie role to Cameron Diaz since she wasn't young-looking enough. Hmm... I wonder who Carly is based upon? So many candidates....
Very effective editing during Carly's surgery, simultaneously showing Christian's hair-plug treatment. And Daphne did a great acting job during the post-surgery scene where she said: "I didn't think it would be so painful." I was waiting for her to say: "Mommy, Mommy, my pigtails are too tight," which is what I expect most of the surgically enhanced actresses here in Hollywood to say whenever I see them in person.
What a rude but appropriate awakening it was for Christian to be the one that the producers and director felt wasn't "TV friendly" because of his receding hairline and bad hair-plug job. The fact that they edited Christian out but kept Sean in was a figurative slap in the face that Christian needed. Yay for Sean nice role reversal.
Interesting ending with the jealous Christian suffering from "Me, too, Mama" syndrome and calling up the Us Weekly editor to anonymously give her the scoop on Carly's face-lift: "Doesn't matter who I am, but the surgeon who did her work is Dr. Christian Troy." He's gone Hollywood all right.
Kudos as always to music supervisor P.J. Bloom for always playing the most appropriate songs at just the right moments. Best example: "Love Hurts" by Nazareth during the post-S&M damage surgery. Another doozie: "New Kid in Town" by an Eagles-sound-alike played as Sean was giving out his business card to a potential new client at Hollywood landmark Pink's (the hotdog stand that annoyingly always has a long waiting line, no matter what time of day).
One lowlight:
Speaking of the S&M scenes, I was a bit grossed out by the bloody nipple scenes with Craig Bierko as studio exec Bob Easton. You'd think by now that nothing would make me squeamish on this show, but those scenes with Tia Carrere as dominatrix "Mistress Dark Pain" were painful to watch. Ouch. But the painfully believable performances by Craig and Tia definitely belong in the highlights section. Tia, by the way, is one of the many stars whose career has been revived by appearing on Dancing with the Stars. (She has also been terrific this season on Curb Your Enthusiasm.)
So what did you think? Were you as pleased as Matt Roush and I were to see Sean and Christian in their new 90210 environment, or do you wish they'd head back to Miami?
You can check out Nip/Tuck-related videos in our Online Video Guide.
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Oct 31, 2007 2:20 AM
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Ryan Murphy has done it again. He is holding a mirror up to the very people he despises. He always wanted to keep Nip Tuck away from Hollywood and now its here.
Most viewers wont like as much as Miami believing its a bit ridiculous. But then again isn't Hollywood ridiculous and desperate?
This year will get a bit moralistic and deep into the character of the actors.
I think it will be the best yet, and Ryan's least favorite to make but his most favorite to show people how ridiculous Hollywood is.
Ryan you are my favorite producer ever.
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Oct 31, 2007 2:50 AM
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Definitely worth waiting for. The potential story lines available in LA are staggering and I am sure they will cover them all. I missed Christian and Sean so much and they are looking fine as usual. How could you not mention the scenes with Dr. Troy's naked butt? Not just a quick shot, but a long lingering view. Very nice, very nice. And the best line of the night was when Christian was drinking the can of pineapple juice and told Sean "pineapple juice makes your squirty squirt sweeter." I had to rewind to make sure I heard that right. Too funny!!! I can't wait to see what LA has to offer the Docs.
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Oct 31, 2007 3:26 AM
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nesmith52,
I am so used to seeing the requisite Julian McMahon butt-shot that I didn't think it was worth mentioning, but now that you brought it up, yes it did linger on more than usual. 
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Oct 31, 2007 4:00 AM
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I'm so glad that one of my favorite shows is back. And it was worth the waite.
Jennifer Coolidge had me rolling during her "lady cha cha" speech. I know it was suppose to be serious... but the way she delivered it was just too funny for words. I hope we get to see more of her during this season.
So glad that Liz followed the dynamic duo to LA.....I don't think the show would be the same with out her.
nesmith52, I also loved Christians naked butt. I think that's what I missed most about this show.
And as for Lauren Hutton.....she looks good for being over 60. And good for her for not giving into cosmetic surgery. Man I hope I look that good when I'm in my sixties.
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Oct 31, 2007 5:40 AM
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I am so glad to see Nip Tuck back- yeah baby it rocked!!!!! I thought Bradley Cooper played his role egotistically and Jennifer Collidge was hilariously. I loved to see Lauren Hutton and she looks great!
Aileen
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Oct 31, 2007 9:02 AM
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I thought this episode was fantastic. I have nothing against a show changing things up if it brings in a ton of potential for fun new storylines. See also: this season of House.
I'm so used to seeing the requisite Christian Troy butt shot that I would have been perplexed had it NOT been there.
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Oct 31, 2007 10:29 AM
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Loved the episode and loved your review, Dave, especially the "Mommy, mommy, my pigtails are too tight" part! So true about what happens to someone's face after a facelift. Reminded me of something Vanessa Williams' Wilhelmina said on Ugly Betty. Something like "If my face was able to show human emotion, it would." Something tells me I am going to really enjoy this new season.
You can't see my facial expression right now, but trust me, I mean it.
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Oct 31, 2007 11:22 AM
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I thought the episode was fantastic -- the show was back to seasons 1 and 2 greatness! Moving to L.A. was a genius move, and I loved the renewed lightness to the show -- things had gotten mighty dark in Miami. I'm also a Dylan Walsh/Sean fan, and it was great to see Sean be the one who got the attention and accolades for once. I love Christian dealing with his envy!
I can't wait for the rest of this season!
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Oct 31, 2007 11:27 AM
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Great review, Dave. Thanks so much.
Great show. I could watch several more times.
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Oct 31, 2007 11:36 AM
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Loved the episode!!
The only problem I have is that with this "show within a show," it looks as though they are going to do a lot of recycling of old plots and their bizarre surgeries.
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Oct 31, 2007 1:07 PM
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Great episode but I do have a question:
Wasn't the Cha-Cha lips a real Nip/Tuck procedure done in season one?
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Oct 31, 2007 2:16 PM
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Wasn't the Cha-Cha lips a real Nip/Tuck procedure done in season one?
Yes! (but not sure which season)
See my Post above!!
They are consultants on the "show' bringing their own previous experiences, hence my recycle comment.
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Oct 31, 2007 2:22 PM
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Well they aren't really recycling old plots - they are only acting out the old plots!
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Oct 31, 2007 2:39 PM
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. teutonicboytoyagree with you about House, which I think this season will be its bests season ever. 
">. This got me to thinking and realized last night he was right on target. There were some scenes where you can see that their relationship mimics a marriage. Despite there problems and situations they stay together through thick & thin 
. Sean and Christian fit together so well which is probably the main reason I watch this show is to see how their relationship grows over time.
and can't wait until next week's. I wonder how they will explain the other characters come to LA?