Your Entertainment Corner

Review: Nurse Jackie, S3, E10 – “F*ck the Lemurs”

  • By

  • June 6, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

Airdate: Monday, June 6, 2011, 10:00 pm ET/PT only on Showtime.

Rating: ★★★★★

Since when do children get to decide whether they need medication? Isn’t that the therapist’s call? And is Grace (Ruby Jerins) turning into her mother when she opts to use Xanax to quiet her anxieties? There’s a pill for everything, right? I’m not exactly sure I understand what’s going on with Grace, but I do know Jerins deserves an Emmy® nod for her performance in “F*ck the Lemurs.” The facial expressions, inflections in her voice and soft-spoken tone she uses as she discusses with Jackie what it feels like as the Xanax begins to take effect, are just … perfect.

Grace: “It’s like I’m on the edge of having ten ideas all at once, only maybe, I don’t have to have them. Like I could say “freeze” and walk right up to them and see if I want to let them in or not. I don’t think they’re ever going to go away, but if I don’t want to think them, I don’t have to.”

Jackie: “No you don’t.”

Grace: “My heart is moving a little slower. I can’t tell. But it’s ok, it’s just for now.”

The walls begin to close in on Jackie even more when Akalitus (Anna Devere Smith) revokes Jackie’s privilege to administer medication. Sure, she’ll only be on probation, but she’s infuriated that her peers might find out what’s going on. How embarrassing would that be! When she attacks Dr. O’Hara (Eve Best) for spilling the beans to Akalitus—with everyone watching and taking sides (Team Jackie vs. Team O’Hara)—I thought their relationship was over for good.

O’Hara: “I don’t talk about it because I don’t like talking about it. And I know full well that if I did start talking about it, you’d go so far underground that no one would hear your cry for help, if in fact one day you need it. What I expect from you, what I demand right now is the benefit of the doubt. I’ve said nothing and I’ve been asked.”

Kelly (Gbenga Akinnagbe) helps Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best) remove a chair from young Dylan (Liam Foley)

Way to put Jackie in her place, O’Hara! I guess Jackie will really be on the hunt now to find out who went to HR. I can only imagine what she’ll do when she finds out who the culprit is.

What’s up with Zoey (Merritt Wever) flirting with a patient? I thought her relationship with Lenny (Lenny Jacobson) was on solid ground. She’s absolutely coquettish though when talking with Kyle (Theo Stockman) about the Madagascar lemur, even going so far as closing the curtain around his bed! Her plans, if she really did have any, are thwarted, however, when Lenny comes in to ask if they’re seeing each other later, firmly planting a kiss on Zoey’s forehead.

The exchange between Coop and Akalitus about his upcoming nuptials cracks me up. It’s Coop at his best.

Coop: “Did you hear the big news?”

Akalitus: “Thor got his braces off – I know everything.”

Coop: “No, I’m getting married. Why aren’t people talking about this? So, I was thinking…”

Akakitus: “Never good.”

Coop: “I want to reserve the chapel.”

Akalitus: “I’m not a party planner. I don’t take reservations, Dr. Cooper.”

Coop: “But it’s my wedding. Maybe on my birthday. No, definitely on my birthday! Which means the date’s not flexible. Come on Gloria, this place is my life, and the chapel, the stained glass windows, the little candles, the mannequins…”

Akalitus: “They’re not mannequins, they’re statues and they’re gone.

Akalitus jumps on the opportunity to get the statues back though when Coop offers her the money he thinks he’ll be winning from the fantasy football league. Just to confirm, she asks if he’s sure and man is he! “Birthday wedding? Coop style? The sky’s the limit. People are gonna freeeak,” as he all but dances out of Akalitus’ office. I know Akalitus wants those statues back more than anything, but I’d be skeptical too with Coop offering the money. Good thing O’Hara volunteers to help should Coop’s offer fall though – especially since the priest wants $7,000 for them!

I must admit I’m as confused as Coop when O’Hara wants to know why he’s never asked her out on a date. The way she sidles up to him, sits on the corner of his desk and then kisses him is the perfect seduction. What’s up with that? Has O’Hara lost her mind? And what about Coop, jumping at the opportunity to hook up with her, practically undressing on the spot? Isn’t he supposed to be in love? Oh right, he hasn’t seen the so-called fiancée since high school. O’Hara tells Jackie what happened, explaining it as “a moment” that thankfully passed quickly. I don’t even want to go there.

Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best) approaches just as Jackie (Edie Falco) is pondering her conversation with Kevin

What’s going on with Kevin? Is he keeping some kind of secret? When Jackie tells him she’s coming home early so they can have a nice family dinner together, he tells her he won’t be home in time. Where is he going? What kind of plans does he have? All we see is him getting dressed in suit and tie, not exactly the fashion necessary for working behind the bar.  Has he finally gotten so disgusted with Jackie that he’s cheating on her?

Tune in to Nurse Jackie Mondays at 10:00 pm ET/PT only on Showtime. Next week, “Batting Practice” addresses Kevin’s problems, along with Jackie’s tenuous sobriety as she tries to get through her probation.

All photos courtesy of Ken Regan/© 2011 Showtime. 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!