Review: Necessary Roughness, S2 E1 – “Shrink or Swim”
Air Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 10/9 c on USA
Rating:
TK is rushed to the hospital after being shot
When last we saw Terrence “TK” King (Mehcad Brooks), he was being rushed to the hospital after being shot by a crazed fan. As “Shrink or Swim” opens, he’s fighting for his life in the operating room. Of course he makes it but it’s what he says as he’s wheeled out of surgery that sets the tone for this second season premiere, telling me the wry sarcasm and witty dialogue of the first season of Necessary Roughness is back. “I ain’t dead yet, bitches.”
Dr. Dani and Matthew wait for news of TK
The second season of this fan favorite series deals with the off season for the New York Hawks, where, according to USA Network, we’ll be seeing what happens during scouting, drafting and training camp. We begin six weeks after TK is released from the hospital, with Dr. Danielle “Dani” Santino (Golden Globe® nominee Callie Thorne) in bed with Matthew Donnally (Marc Blucas), the trainer for the New York Hawks. I’m a bit surprised Dani is still hiding her relationship with Matthew from her kids, Lindsay (Hannah Marks) and Ray J (Patrick Johnson). They’re old enough to accept that their mother has moved on after the divorce. It’s a good thing Matthew is so understanding: “I know, you don’t want to bring me into their world unless I’m a permanent fixture.” Sheesh, talk about putting pressure on a guy! Although there’s that whole “sneaking around” aspect that makes their relationship “hot.” Just saying… They do make an adorable couple, though, don’t you think?
Although Coach Pernell (Greg Alan Williams) tells the press that the impending divorce of the so-far unseen team owner Marshall Pitman (who we later see is played by Evan Handler, Californication) and his wife Gabrielle (Liz Vassey) won’t affect the Hawks, that’s not exactly true as layoffs have already begun. Plus, I can’t wait to find out what Marshall will do once he finds out Gabrielle has been sleeping with the team ‘fixer,’ Nico (Scott Cohen). Marshall has also warned Nico not to help his daughter Juliette (Danielle Panabaker) anymore but we all know that’s not happening anytime soon. Nico has been more of a father to Juliette than Marshall has ever been. But helping Juliette is going to be a little difficult since she’s been off the grid for a week now, according to Tony (Mike Priewski), Nico’s private investigator. Nico ‘persuades’ Kurt (Jason Mac), Juliette’s drug dealer, to tell him a guy called wanting to buy “a bottle of Oxy and sleeping pills—enough for a freaking elephant.” This does not bode well for Juliette.
TK's sports agent, Rob Morrone, played expertly by Rob Estes
When Dani and Matthew drop by TK’s place to see how he’s doing, it appears he’s taken on a whole new persona. People are scattered all over the living room playing zen-type music on their sitars, and he’s decided to rename himself.
TK: “How am I? Zenned out like a muthafucka.”
Matthew: “Great. That’s great, TK.”
TK: “TK. TK was last year. Terrence King is gone with the wind. Reborn: King Terrence. Ergo? KT!”
Terrence may have a new name but he still has a hot tub full of young, beautiful half-naked women in his apartment so I don’t think he’s changed all that much. Plus, I certainly didn’t mind seeing his naked ass as he exits the hot tub to kiss “Mattie D and Dr. D” hello! The man is fine! While he says his near-death experience has no lasting effects, I highly doubt that. He’s not exactly the kind of man who faces his problems head on, or even acknowledges that he has problems so you know this is going to bite him in that gorgeous butt sooner than later.
TK and Morrone prepare for TK's appearance at the Hawks convention
TK’s agent, Rob Morrone (Rob Estes) is the typical in-your-face kind of guy sports agents tend to be and Estes’ portrayal is spot on. He makes you dislike Morrone within minutes of being on screen. Morrone is only concerned about TK’s public persona—having him make a grand entrance into the Hawks convention on a zip line—while everyone else is concerned about TK’s mental state and any physical limitations he may be suffering. Needless to say, being the smarmy guy he is, Morrone’s not about to take Dani’s advice, so he talks to TK about it. You know TK isn’t going to let Dani interfere with his adoring public, so he tells Dani he doesn’t have any problems and no one is going to stop him from doing what he wants to do. That’s not true, as we see later during TK’s on-air conversation with Sports Talk, the local sports radio station. Did you see how many pill bottles TK has?! I don’t think they’re vitamins, do you?
Necessary Roughness spends a lot of time with Dr. Dani’s professional life as she tackles some serious mental health issues, but her sometimes comedic family and personal life balances out each episode nicely. Such is the case with “Shrink or Swim.” The way Dani deals with her IRS issue turns quite comical when she brings the auditor some homemade biscotti. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, right, Dani? Of course, nothing ever turns out the way it’s planned, does it?
Then there’s Ray J who needs tutoring if he expects to get into college. Of course, the tutor he chooses is very pretty, as well as being smart, but his stupid move during a tutoring session backfires on him. I like that she takes him down a notch although I don’t like that they eventually end up in bed together. They haven’t even had a proper date yet. I suppose I’m aging myself by saying that but I still think things are moving a little too fast. Tell me, why is it that shrinks are so good at helping other people with their problems but can’t handle their own? I had to pick my mouth up from the floor when Ray J absolutely refuses to talk to his mother about catching him and the tutor in bed, saying, “We’re not talking about this … Mom, if you say one more word, I’m leaving!” Who’s the parent here? Looks like Dani is going to have her hands full with Ray J this season!
Memorable lines:
Matthew: “Whole new season? A whole new set of crazy.”
***
Coach Pernell about T.K.’s absence: “Oh yes, I really miss him. Like I miss my annual prostate exam!”
***
Coach Pernell: “TK’s agent, Rob Morrone, is stopping by tomorrow to let me know just how great TK is doing, but that man would lie to Santa Claus.”
***
Dani to Matthew: “I almost killed a tutor, an IRS agent, and my son—all in the same day—so don’t get too close because I’m like the Black Widow over here.”
***
TK: “Woo! Rob Morrone, my very own human jockstrap!”
TK makes his grand entrance at the Hawks convention
“Shrink or Swim” comes to an end with the Hawks convention in full swing as thousands of fans welcome their favorite team members. While TK doesn’t make a grand entrance on a zip line, what happens to him makes him realize he hasn’t come to terms with his “NDE,” or near death experience as the rest of us would call it. Maybe now he’ll listen to Dani and open up about the experience.
Tune in to Necessary Roughness Wednesdays at 10/9c, only on USA Network.
Follow the show on Twitter @NecRoughness and @USA_Network. Check out the show’s Facebook page, and visit the Necessary Roughness site to catch up on full episodes, read cast interviews, play games and submit your feedback about the show via a special email form. Plus, don’t forget to submit a video of your best end zone dance for a chance to win $25,000!
All photos © 2012 USA Network, an NBCUniversal, Inc. affiliate. All Rights Reserved.
Linda
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