Nurse Jackie – “Coop Out” Review. A Romanian Goodbye.

Season 7, Episode 5

Air Date: Sunday, May 10, 2015, 9 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“You know, in a lot of ways, she’s probably the most important one. She made my life a living hell most of the time but the truth is, she made me a better doctor. So I guess I just wanna say, thank you, Jackie, wherever you are.” – Dr. Fitch Cooper

After Carrie (Betty Gilpin) secured a new job for Coop (Peter Facinelli) at Mass General in last week’s episode, “Nice Ladies,” I knew we would be saying goodbye to him in “Coop Out.” I just never expected the farewell episodic writer Ellen Fairey gives us. While the main story line revolves around Coop, Jackie (Edie Falco) does her best to rally her co-workers against the Norwegians. “Coop Out” also introduces the audience to Coop’s replacement, Dr. Bernie Prince, played by the inimitable Tony Shalhoub.

Jackie fixes Prince’s dislocated shoulder after he attempts to revive a dead patient.

I got a real kick out of Prince’s first scene in “Coop Out.” In an instant, the audience knows what kind of doctor he is by his unexpected actions with a dead patient. Much like his character on Monk, the Emmy® and Golden Globe award-winning Shalhoub infuses Prince with a sense of humor that puts a smile on your face. He’s very subtle in both his mannerisms and his comedic timing, making Prince a very likable character. Plus, Prince aligns himself with Jackie so, if for no other reason, I love him for that. Didn’t you get a kick out of the look on Jackie’s face when Prince calls her into an exam room to help with a patient? Pure ecstasy there although Gloria definitely isn’t happy about it. Then there’s that constant twinkle in Shalhoub’s eye. If you can’t tell, I’m a huge Shalhoub fan and am anxious to see what he’s going to bring to his role in the short time Nurse Jackie has left before it concludes its seven season award-winning run.

Karlsen is a real snake.

Jackie is a perfect “Norma Rae” as she incites her co-workers to keep their ears to the ground to learn more about the sale of the hospital. Everyone, including Gloria (Anna Deavere Smith) and Zoey (Merritt Wever), is looking to Jackie, “our behind-the-scenes leader,” to right the ship. After all, who’s better than Jackie to save the hospital? The woman is a born leader. What I didn’t expect is what Jackie does after Karlsen the Norwegian (guest star Jeremy Shamos) tells her he wants to “expedite the reinstatement of her nursing license.” Then again, there’s that closing scene where hopefully, Jackie’s duplicitous actions will reap unexpected benefits .

Coop’s farewell speech.

While Coop is excited to be leaving for Boston, Carrie doesn’t understand why he’s so happy. Shouldn’t he be upset with her for turning down his marriage proposal last week and getting him a job so far away? I think Carrie expects Coop to wallow in grief and is upset that isn’t the case. We have watched Facinelli take Coop from a young man who used to grope the breasts of the females in his life when nervous to a grown up confident doctor who knows what he wants out of life and is looking forward to the next phase. Or is he? Is this just a façade Coop is putting on? He’s never been one to share his feelings unless pushed. And what’s this about no goodbye party? Good thing Prince has a different idea about that. Even though I had a good laugh over Coop’s imitation of a Bostonian, complete with hand gesture, “Go pahk the car. I’m wicked excited,” I wouldn’t have minded one last boob grab for old times’ sake. Just sayin’.

Other Observations

What exactly does Eddie (Paul Schulze) mean when he says, “You’re not the only one with a past, Jackie Peyton?” And who is this guy he plans to sell his pharmacological samples to? I smell trouble ahead.

Overall

Instead of a look back at some of Coop’s best and worst moments at All Saints, Fairey, unlike many other writers in Hollywood, takes a different route. “Coop Out” is simply another great episode of Nurse Jackie. Unlike my weeping like a fool when Dr. Derek Sheperd (Patrick Dempsey) died two weeks ago on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, I didn’t even shed a tear over Coop’s departure. No sentimental journey here; oh no. Aside from Gloria and Coop’s rather emotional hug, and Coop’s heartfelt speech at the end of “Coop Out,” it’s a perfect ending to a nearly perfect character.

So what did you think of “Coop Out?” Were you satisfied with Coop’s send off? Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave your comments below.

Tune in to the remaining seven episodes of the final season of Nurse Jackie, Sundays at 9pm ET/PT, only on Showtime.

Follow the show on Twitter, using hashtag #NurseJackie, and @SHO_Jackie and @SHO_PR. Like Nurse Jackie on Facebook, and stay up to date with the series on its official website.

You can also follow these cast members: Gloria @AnnaDeavereS, Thor @StephenWallem, Carrie @bettygilpin, Grace @RJerins, Fiona @mackieealadjem, and Coop @peterfacinell15 using hashtag #teamfacinelli.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!