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<i>Nurse Jackie</i> – “High Noon” Review and Photos. Save Our Saints.

  • By

  • May 17, 2015

  • 7 mins to read

Season 7, Episode 6

Air Date: Sunday, May 17, 2015, 9 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“Hey sweetie, I know that I can be a little bit flaky sometimes and sometimes even I don’t know what’s going to happen next and it is scary. It’s scary for me. I can only imagine how scary that must be for you…yeah sweetie, I’m here.” – Jackie

Zoey and Thor cook up a plan.

After Jackie (Edie Falco) leaked the story about All Saints Hospital being turned into condos by a group of Norwegian investors in last week’s episode, “Coop Out,” Karlsen (guest star Jeremy Shamos) warns her she needs to “cooperate” if she wants her nursing license back. And now that our beloved Coop (Peter Facinelli) is gone, things return to normal at All Saints Hospital. Or do they? Not if Zoey (Merritt Wever) has anything to say about it.

The opening scene of “High Noon,” Jackie’s “cravings dream,” is very telling of what she is going through at this stage of her sobriety. Having never been an addict, I can only imagine how difficult it is for Jackie not to give in to what her brain and body are telling her—especially with a fix at the ready courtesy of her heroin addict patient, Vinny Raven (guest star James McMenamin). Good thing Jackie has daughters Grace (Ruby Jerins) and Fiona (Mackenzie Aladjem) to keep her on the straight and narrow.

Job well done–selfie time!

I totally adore the relationship between Jackie and Dr. Bernard Prince (special guest star Tony Shalhoub), Coop’s replacement. Thanks to brilliant dialogue, courtesy of episodic writer Carly Mensch, their banter is not only entertaining, but fun to watch. The chemistry between Falco and Shalhoub is spot on; it’s almost like their characters have known each other for years despite having just met. Jackie and Prince are like two peas in a pod—she’s a drug addict and he likes to drink a tad too much. I admit he scared me a bit when he offers to give Jackie a “boost.” No way did I expect what his boost consists of.

Nurse Jackie’s very own Norma Rae.

During Jackie and Karlsen’s conversation, she learns a piece of information about the future of All Saints she knows she must pass on. But can she do it without affecting her agreement with Karlsen? Jackie is desperate to get her nursing license back even if it means going against her friends. The next best thing to giving herself away is to surreptitiously give Zoey some advice. Who knew our nurturing, sweet Zoey could turn into such an “angry Viking princess,” as Karlsen refers to her? Although I called Jackie “Norma Rae” in my review of “Coop Out,” I should have reserved the name for Zoey, who, along with Thor’s (Stephen Wallem) help, stages a walk-out. Wever proves, once again, why she won the Emmy® for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her performance in Nurse Jackie. Her portrayal of Zoey is brilliant as she not only gives Karlsen a piece of her mind but leads the E.R. nurses in a protest. Kudos to director Adam Bernstein for his choice of camera angles and lighting; Zoey looks almost angelic and childlike in certain scenes when her face lights up with enthusiasm for the task at hand. In my mind’s eye, I could see her clapping her hands with glee.

With the nurses unavailable, it’s up to the doctors to treat the patients. It is so funny watching Prince and Carrie (Betty Gilpin) stumble around the E.R. trying to find medical supplies and insert I.V.s. For a moment, it almost appears like Prince may not be who he says he is. What a wonderful commentary “High Noon” provides on the importance of nurses. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you just how crucial it is to have a trained nurse taking care of you and assisting your doctors.

Other Observations

Is it what Vinny tells Jackie about saving him that stops Jackie from using or is it her girls? It had to be difficult for Jackie when she accidentally overhears Grace and Fiona’s discussion about her sobriety. What an eye opener!

Overall

What can I say other than “High Noon” is another high caliber episode of Nurse Jackie. Wever steals almost the entire 30 minutes of “High Noon,” although Wallem is a close second. I love the Sally Field imitation he does of a scene from the critically acclaimed movie Norma Rae. I certainly never expected what Gloria (Anna Deavere Smith) does although I respect her for it. With the entire nursing staff under arrest, will the temps be able to handle the E.R.? Plus, it looks like Karlsen thinks Jackie is involved with the nurses’ strike so what will that mean for her nursing license? I’d love to discuss “High Noon” with you. Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave your comments below.

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

Follow the show on Twitter, using hashtag #NurseJackie, as well as @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.

All photos courtesy of Davie M. Russell © 2015 Showtime Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

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!

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!