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« Nip/Tuck
Episode Recap: "Duke Collins"
Just like last week, I want to start with the ending. How many of you were reminded of the final episode of The Sopranos with that quick fade to black? I kept thinking something shocking or tragic was going to happen since I knew it was the final minute of the show. "Silent Night" was heard in the background simultaneously with a dramatic beat, while slow camera shots of each character were shown. Once Eden walked in with her fake smile and Sean looked down, avoiding her, the one thing I expected to happen was for Julia to collapse and that would be the cliffhanger since we won't get a new episode until January 15th. What was that liquid that Eden added to the fruitcake she made and then fed to Julia? It seemed like Julia was getting queasy or dizzy periodically throughout the second half hour, but she never passed out. And nothing shocking happened at the end. At least with this fade to black, I didn't think my cable suddenly went out like I did with The Sopranos (that was more of an abrupt cut to black).
Speaking of that fruitcake scene, AnnaLynne McCord as Eden morphed into this classic Carol Burnett character when she delivered that line to Joely Richardson as Julia after feeding her the tainted fruitcake: "Mom doesn't really like it." Dramatic pause, followed by: "It's all your's," as she exited. I had to TiVo back four times, I was laughing so hard. With each passing week, the Eden character bugs me less. I'd still be happier with her off the show, though. We all knew the 18 year-old wouldn't be going to reform school like Julia wanted. What was Julia thinking inviting Eden to Sean and Christian's for Christmas? That fruitcake went right to her head.
While I am mentioning moments that made me laugh, the Julia-and-Christian-almost-getting-caught-in-bed-together-by-Sean scene was also funny. Christian stuffing Julia into the closet and then doing naked standup push-ups against the closet door killed me (but I was like: "Umm...Julia just came out of the closet”). Sean to Christian: "What are you doing?" Christian: "I always do this after I m*sturbate. It makes sure I hit all the muscle groups." Nice save...until Sean called Julia's cell to see if she wanted to buy a Christmas tree with him and it rang inside the bedroom. I was glad Sean figured it all out later. Now that Sean knows about Julia and Christian, all Julia needs to do is break the news to Olivia. Won't be pretty. But Sean hasn't given his official blessing to his NSL (Non-Sexual Lover) Christian yet, so that may be put on hold for now.
I always know I'm going to enjoy the episode when I see Lyn Greene and Richard Levine in the opening credits as the writers. It usually means that the patients will be even wackier than usual. Mary Pat Gleason was hilarious as "Christmas Carol," the leader of the caroling group of Screen Actors Guild members that got attacked while singing and asked for corrective surgery in exchange for free caroling performances at McNamara/Troy. Seems they saw the ad on the SAG bulletin board about the Hedda Grubman Cosmetic Surgery Fund. Somehow I just knew Liz wasn't going to gel with their constant merriment: "Go away! Bah, humbug!" Sean: "Ebenezer Cruz, where's your Christmas spirit?" Liz: "I love that our savior was born. I just hate the party we throw...and the music!"
Another wacky patient was Duke Collins (Joel McKinnon Miller), the department store Santa who claimed he was shot in the face by a little boy (Daniel Polo) who was so upset about not getting the Nintendo, iPod or digital camera he kept asking for that he shot Santa. Not quite. That little boy was Duke's son, as revealed at the end by Duke's estranged and P.O.'ed wife (Jackie Debatin). Regardless, I bet that faux-flashback scene scared off potential department store Santas. And some current ones. Very clever way for the patients to merge, with the wife attempting to shoot her ex-hubby but hitting the caroler dressed as a certain snowman instead. Cue the carolers singing "Frosty the Snowman" as the paramedics wheeled him out on a stretcher.
And then there's Matt. We knew he'd survive the Nestea plunge he took last week after the unfortunate meth lab explosion. But after second degree burns over 30% of his body, we also knew Sean and Christian would fix him up. I'm guessing they send severe burn victims to rehab facilities post surgery? After feeling abandoned and alone after Kimber dumped him last week, who else could Matt turn to besides fellow burn victim Rachel, his rehabilitation counselor? That was Maggie Siff from Mad Men underneath all that prosthetic makeup as Rachel. It did not surprise me when Christian offered Rachel some pro bono surgery. Too bad for Matt that she said no. If Rachel could be made beautiful again, he could use her to make the evil Kimber jealous. Of course Kimber wants custody of Jenna, now that she and Ram Peters (the once again under-used John Schneider) are getting married...after both of their divorces are final.
I liked that Christian, after he gave Matt tough love last week, was the supportive daddy this week. Unlike Sean, who played the tough card this week, but changed his ways after he witnessed the poor father/son relationships between Santa Duke and his son. That caused Sean to visit Matt, equipped with a small wooden box that was left for Sean after his father left him. A box of dreams, don'tchaknow. But Matt affectionately told Sean to keep the box: "This is for your dreams. I've got to find my own." Yeah, Sean. As long as you stop dreaming of Eden.
I bet all of you who've been wondering where the heck the kids have been hiding were pleased to see Annie, Wilber and Conor all at the coffee table playing Hungry, Hungry Hippo. Hopefully, they won't have to witness Julia's inevitable passing out scene...in four weeks. See you then!
You can comment below and check out Nip/Tuck-related videos in our Online Video Guide.
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Dec 19, 2007 5:03 AM
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Good recap. My first thought was is Eden trying to kill her. Second thought was no, what if she's pregnant. Just wish they told us what that liquid was.
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Dec 19, 2007 5:36 AM
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I have no clue what Eden put in that fruit cake. This is going to be very interesting. And it was odd that Julia invited her to Sean and Christians Christmas party.
I also cracked up at the Julia-and-Christian-almost-getting-caught-in-bed-together-by-Sean scene. But my favorite part was Christian telling Sean how he wanted to cuddle "with himself" after he m*sturbate. And then the look on Christians face after Sean told him he would waite till he is done. By the way Christian has a very cute butt.
Did anyone else think that before they showed Rachel, it was the butt guy? Or was I just the only one? Oh well.
Im so glad that we gotten to see Annie, Conner, and Wilbur. I was wondering during the whole episode of the whereabouts of those 3 kids.
About the music....when Eden was making that fruit cake, my old high school choir use to perform and act out that song "Fruitcake" at our Christmas concerts.
By the way, I had no idea that a new episode of Nip/Tuck will be in Jan. Ok it makes sense since that next week is Christmas, then the week after is New Years. See ya next year.
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Dec 19, 2007 7:26 AM
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Excellent episode as usual. My favorite laugh out loud part was when the head caroler was telling the story of what happened to the others, she said I speak "crip" so I was able to communicate with them. I got my cracker a*s out of there. I was rolling. All the scenes with the carolers were priceless!
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Dec 19, 2007 12:20 PM
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I was really confused by the Santa getting shot by his own kid storyline. He took money out of an account intended for his son to pay for his surgery. The wife finds him, has the boy apologize, then she blames him for putting the gun in the kid's hand which she then uses to attempt to shoot him again. And Sean's upset that Santa wasn't completely truthful about who shot him? Or about where the money came from?
Wasn't Hedda Grubman Jewish? Or was Christian being funny when he said "Mrs. Grubman did love Christmas"?
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Dec 19, 2007 12:36 PM
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The past two episodes have been great. Great recap Dave as I totally agree with you on the Eden character. Have just loved Christian lately, but I've got a bad feeling he's going to be left heartbroken over Julia!
Bummed we have to wait until 1/15, but at least Rosie will be returning & she's just a hoot!
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Dec 19, 2007 3:42 PM
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Loved Christian - as usual. Did you notice the look that he gave Kimber as he left the "porn stars" Xmas party? Christian will find a way to get Jenna away from her.
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Dec 19, 2007 4:57 PM
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I think Julia is pregnant also, and Eden's murder attempt by slow-acting poison will mask what's really happening, then the poisoning will threaten the fetus's life as well as Julia's. I was sure when the "Silent Night" scene focused first on a longing Christian looking at Julia/Olivia, then the scene focused on Julia during the "mother and child" voiceover. In the January 15th episode preview, Christian and Julia are still very close, so if they're pregnant and she loses the baby because of Eden's cruel viciousness, they'll be devastated! 
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Dec 19, 2007 5:01 PM
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Dave, you are frickin' hilarious! Eden did turn into Carol Burnett's Nora Desmond character after she dropped that liquid into the fruitcake!!
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Dec 19, 2007 5:39 PM
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If Rachel is Maggie, then I'm guessing she will eventually have the surgery. Otherwise, why hire a recognizable actress? It's just like the CS girl, Cara Fitzgerald played by Keri Lynn Pratt. Matt gets mushy over a disfigured girl who turns out to be cute.
Did anyone else find it a little weird that Matt chose to spend Xmas with an obviously Jewish woman (ok, not as weird as a severely disfigured woman) over his family?
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Dec 19, 2007 6:11 PM
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I didn't like last night's episode because the look on Sean's face when he found out about Christian and Julia. What a betrayal. It is like a brother sleeping with his brother's ex. Nothing good will come from this. I love Dylan Walsh, I felt his hurt and betrayal. I am glad that they are giving this show a break!
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Dec 19, 2007 6:41 PM
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His FAMILY is very weird and I don't blame him for wanting to stay far,far away.
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Dec 20, 2007 7:10 PM
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Rachel last's name is Ben Natan, not Bennetton. Literally, it means, the son of Nathan, but is a typical Israeli last name. Similarly, I do not know any Smiths or Coopers with those actual professions. Thanks for the excellent recap and commentary.
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Dec 24, 2007 12:51 AM
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