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Episode Recap: "Dr. Joshua Lee"
Where do I start? So much happened in this episode that my head is spinning. I guess I'll start with the ending: Matt catching himself on fire and jumping off the balcony into the swimming pool. Call me a drug novice, but I am guessing Matt was freebasing cocaine or crack or "cooking" meth and since he was so out of it, he accidentally set himself on fire. Can we assume since he was carefully trying to read the "how to" instructions that when Matt and Kimber would do their drugs, it was Kimber who was the expert? Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark. Nothing Sean and Christian can't surgically fix, we can assume. But I did feel bad for the newly-crowned Burger King employee Matt. Kimber really laid the honesty on him when she packed up her things and left him: "I can't move forward carrying your dead weight" and then "I never loved you, Matt. I told you I did, but I lied. And I'm really sorry. I hope some day we can be friends." You knew Matt was going to go ballistic after Kimber told him she made an agreement with Christian that he'd give her plastic surgery to make her beautiful again only if she left Matt. Then salt was added to the wound when Christian asked him to leave, grow up and "consider yourself an orphan!" Two words: Tough love. John Hensley did a first rate job showing Matt's decline into helplessness. Matt sure was lucky that pool was a balcony’s jump away.
Not so lucky were Julia and Olivia. All that "dyke-basher" (Gary Basaraba) had to hear was the two of them having a lovers' quarrel by the ATM and boom — hold up! And not just a "give me all your money" kind of stick-up. More like a "let's get into the car and drive to six ATMs just to keep getting more and more money but all the while scaring the crap out of you at gunpoint" kind of robbery. At least he drove away after leaving them in their bras and panties in the woods without physically harming them. The experience was obviously a rude awakening for Julia. First she bought a gun, then she went target practicing with big shot Christian, then she showed up at Christian's door and kissed him, desperately declaring: "I need you. Make love to me. Take care of me." I guess Liz was right. Julia's "gay phase" was indeed a phase. We shall see.
When it comes to phases, Sean's mid-life crisis continued. I loved it when, after Sean admitted to Christian and Julia that he was having "an affair — sort of" with Eden (AnnaLynne McCord), Julia told him: "You have had sex with another barely legal girl." You tell him, Julia. It was nice to hear Sean tell Aidan (Bradley Cooper) earlier that he was "cutting off girls born after '79 — this was an exception." I was glad Sean admitted to Christian and Julia his reasoning: "I'm 42 years old. My knees creak when I walk. I get up to pee twice a night." Of course Eden helps his aging ago. Sean's "flame was dying" and Eden "reignited" him like "a bucket of gasoline." Just keep that gasoline away from Matt.
Back to Eden: She bugged me less in this episode. Mind you, she still bugged me, just...less. I enjoyed when Sean took Aidan's advice to not give as much attention to her. Seeing Eden all jealous of the young blond vixen Sean was flirting with at Aidan's bash was a pleasant site. Especially after hearing her tell Sean post their "get it out of our system" screw: "I don't date guys with gray pubes." She has such a charming way with words. You knew Sean was going to try to remedy that situation. Enter Aidan and his Indian doctor who administers "I.V. push treatments" rather than plastic surgery. By the way, that Aidan sure is good at yoga, eh? And good for Julia for laying it on the line with Eden: Stay away from Sean or she'll make sure Olivia sends her to "a reform school far, far away." But how's she going to spearhead that project when she's sleeping with Christian?
My least favorite storyline was the "Nip/Tuck meets X-Files" sub-plot. I was very happy when it seemed that Dr. Joshua Lee (George Coe) was an escapee from a nursing home with Alzheimer's disease and his alien accusations were all in his head. I was satisfied that the microchip embedded into his back was supposedly there acting as a "LoJack" so that they could find him if he escaped again. But then we found out that the earlier "daughter Wendy" (Hudson Leick from Melrose Place) was a fake and that his real daughter Wendy (Robyn Moran), was there towards the end, suggesting he really was a victim of alien abduction. Ugh.
One other complaint:
More John Schneider please. That Ram Peters cameo was just a tease. We knew he'd take Kimber back, both as an "actress" and in the sack after she kicked the meth habit and got beautified. Let's see if Ram continues taking Kimber in and providing babysitting service for Jenna at his porn palace.
But there were more things I enjoyed, like this week's P.J. Bloom musical gems:
— "Not a Pretty Girl" by Ani DiFranco, played during Kimber’s corrective surgery.
— "Rabbit Fur Coat" by Jenny Lewis, with lyrics like "I was of poor folk, but my mother had a rabbit fur coat" heard while Kimber was watching an old porn clip of herself and then stealing a fur coat at a store.
— "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, overheard at Aidan's party, while Sean walked thru feeling like a dirty old man.
— And best of all, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler underscoring Matt's meth-cooking debacle. As soon as I heard the first few chords, I said out loud: "Uh uh! Not 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'!"
For the most part, I thought this episode was a return step in the right direction, with just about every character learning a lesson. I especially liked Christian this week, with him being more in control and confident, especially when he and Julia visited Sean in the hospital after Sean's adverse reaction to the ecstasy Eden gave him. Since Sean thought he was having a heart attack, it was more agony than ecstasy. But that hospital room scene between Sean, Christian and Julia with Sean apologizing ("I'm sorry if I scared you guys") was a poignant portrayal of three good friends. Now if Olivia and Eden can leave L.A., I'd say "good riddance."
Let me know what you all thought. It's interesting to read the varying opinions each week.
You can check out Nip/Tuck-related videos in our Online Video Guide.
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Dec 12, 2007 2:54 AM
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That's sad about Matt, but it's not surprising considering how things have shaken out in his life for the last two years.
Julia/gun: Why is it that some people think they'll protect themselves with a gun if a similar situation involving violence happens? If the same situation did happen, do you think Julia would be quick enough to pull her gun from her purse and turn the tables on the perpetrator? Nope.
Christian's comment about dipping into pool of young girls (when Sean was in the hospital) had my wife and I rolling. Great quote!
Finally, regarding music played during the episode, as much as I like the Joan Jett song, how many young people actually would play that at a party vs. newer music?
Overall, good episode....
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Dec 12, 2007 8:27 AM
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There were actually a lot of nice moments here...
I usually don't pay attention to the music but "Total Eclipse of the Heart was awesome, especially when it cut off when Matt jumped in the pool.
I don't know whether Kimber really loved Matt. It was touching last season when Sean spoke to Kimber and she tearfully said that she was trying.
I loved Christian in this episode. Especially when he threw Matt out and said to consider himself an orphan. I love how he and Sean are as Matt's "fathers". It's like they consider themselves almost like a couple with the two of him as his parents and Julia as just an external thing.
I really think Sean and Christian are soulmates, even if it's not in a romantic way.
I also think if this show wants to be good, having Bradley Cooper in every episode should be a requirement. He brings it to every scene he's in.
I really don't like Julia. Sean shouldn't have even called her, just Christian.
I don't like the idea of Julia's relationship with Olivia as a "phase". I like the idea that Julia could be attracted to different people without labeling it lesbian or straight, with each relationship having different benefits. I did think that Joely Richardson did a great job playing such a strong woman during the whole gunpoint thing.
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Dec 12, 2007 8:44 AM
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Loved Christian in this episode...as I have all of this season.
As for the rest: I forgot how much I hate Kimber til last night. Too much of this show has been consumed with Matt's problems. Julia is just unwatchable. And Eden is a bad caricature.
But please do something else with Sean. He and his gray pubes are just pathetic. Its painful to watch him.
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Dec 12, 2007 9:01 AM
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I think matt was trying to cook up some meth on his own, since he had no money. Looked like he had the cold medication that is used, but I am not sure if he really had enough necessary ingredients (we see a lot of anhydrous ammonia theft in this area, which is used in the process, but I also have limited manufacturing knowledge). I recall saying, "I'll bet he blows up."
Also, wasn't one of the conditions of Christian's agreement to do work on Kimber that it would only take place after she signed custody of the baby over to him? What happened there? (I missed a few minutes in the middle of the show, including when the woman picked up the old scientist).
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Dec 12, 2007 9:20 AM
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Yes, Matt was trying to cook up some meth in his hotel room. It's infamously unstable--supposedly, meth labs explode all the time. Seeing him read the directions reminded me of the episode when he tried to circumcise himself. He is a true DIY-er.
And yeah--I also heard Christian tell Kimber she had to give up Jenna, but he didn't bat an eye later on when Matt told him she took Jenna away. Continuity error?
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Dec 12, 2007 9:53 AM
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I too thought that Christian's condition to Kimber was that she leave Jenna. I don't even remember hearing anything about Matt until Kimber told Matt later.
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Dec 12, 2007 10:18 AM
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I really feel for Kimber. She was in love with Christian until the Carver kidnapped her, undid all of her surgeries, and basically brainwashed her. That's how she ended up at the church, and everything spiralled from there.
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Dec 12, 2007 10:19 AM
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I thought the same thing that one of the requirements for doing Kimber's surgery was that Christian got Jenna! I don't think I missed where she said no to that. I thought he would say something about it when Matt was there.
I LOVED Christian in this episode. It reminded me why I have loved him all the past seasons. He was strong and confident and knew exactly what to do to handle Matt, Kimber and Julia.
Sean and Eden gross me out! Why can't Sean go and have a "normal" relationship. He can't be Christian.
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Dec 12, 2007 10:45 AM
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I thought it was really funny when Sean explained his relationship with Eden, and Christian said that that was what he did for years.
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Dec 12, 2007 11:06 AM
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And for those that mentioned in previous episodes about what happened to Wilbur and Conner, at least Conner cried last night.
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Dec 12, 2007 11:07 AM
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I love this show. But I have some questions. When did the Sean/Eden thing decide to happen?? I know he was having his fantasies, but he kept thinking logically about the deal. Then they end up in bed?? What happened to the actress he was dating? Either I missed something, or forgot something.
I think that when Kimber was being mean and telling Matt that it was over, when her back was to him, her face kept going into an expression that seemed that she hated to be doing that and did care for him. But, that said, why is she so bent on getting back in the porn industry? I thought that it was to support her meth habit, so is she not off meth?
And John Schneider is another one of those actors that have gotten completely hot with age.
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Dec 12, 2007 11:19 AM
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I agree that this episode was definitely a return to form for Nip/Tuck. WWFan, I think Matt was trying to make his own meth as well. Even though I wasn't surprised that Matt ended up on fire, I was a little surprised that he was trying to make his own meth, especially considering the emotional state he was in.
I was also surprised Christian didn't have the custody agreement papers for Kimber to sign before he did the surgery, like the way he surprised Kimber with the pre-nup papers for Kimber to sign before they were going to get married (or did Kimber surprise him? I can't remember...)
Even though I was a bit confused by the Dr. Joshua Lee story line, I did love his proof of his clarity : ..."The Celtics are good again!"
Can't wait until next week, what with Julia in the closet and all 
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Dec 12, 2007 11:19 AM
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Regarding Christian and Kimber: Yes, he did say that Kimber would have to sign over custody of Jenna to Matt. I think this is why he exploded the way he did when Matt told him that Kimber took Jenna with her.
Speaking of Jenna, every time they say that baby's name, I can't help but shake my head. It is bad enough that her mom is a porn star, but to be named after one to boot. Poor kid.
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Dec 12, 2007 11:22 AM
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Great episode!
Matt was definitely cooking meth. Breaking open psuedophed capsules and the beaker was a dead give-away. I also paused the TIVO and read the intructions. Scary deal!
I really hated Eden until this episode. It was nice to see Sean play her so well! It will be interesting to see if she continues her quest for Sean.
Julia and Olivia are tired and boring to me. I would love to see Julia scoop up Matt and leave town, not coming back until they both are back to normal - is that possible?
Kimber is a waste of a scene to me. She used to be Eden and is now something horrifying and scary. She did promise to sign over custody of her child to Christian so I expect that little slight to come back into play soon!
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Dec 12, 2007 11:56 AM
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