Nurse Jackie – “Managed Care” Review. Vultures All Around.

Season 7, Episode 8

Air Date: Sunday, May 31, 2015, 9 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“I need a party; otherwise, today will forever blow.” – Zoey

Nothing like a wedding celebration to bring these two adversaries together!

Writer Abe Sylvia penned an extremely emotional episode with “Managed Care” and director Jesse Peretz expertly brings Sylvia’s vision to fruition. From Zoey (Merritt Wever) and Carrie’s (Betty Gilpin) fun new relationship, to a cancer patient’s unwillingness to fight for his life and the revelation tying him to Dr. Prince (special guest star Tony Shalhoub), I switched between grinning and a tear or two trickling down my cheeks.

Nurse Jackie has a way of addressing real life hot button topics within the dark comedy and “Managed Care” does just that with not one, not two, but three very different yet emotional plot points. First is the news of Thor’s (Stephen Wallem) same-sex marriage to Reuben (guest star Kevin Cahoon); the second involves the hotly contested question of dying in hospice vs. participating in drug trials that may or may not extend the patient’s life; while the third addresses the difficulty of landing a new job as an older person without a formal education.

Grace is an expert at manipulating Jackie.

In the beginning of “Managed Care,” during a shopping trip, Jackie (Edie Falco) informs her eldest daughter Grace (Ruby Jerins) about her recent engagement to Eddie (Paul Schulze). Grace’s reaction surprises Jackie but can you blame Grace considering the role Eddie has played in Jackie’s life? Grace always finds a way of turning things around to her advantage, though, and Jackie always seems to give in, most likely due to guilt. Nice boots, Grace. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? Speaking of addictions, I wonder what happened to Grace dipping into mommy’s pill stash? Are Nurse Jackie fans supposed to believe Grace is walking the straight and narrow now?

I love Zoey and Carrie’s newfound relationship. They are so much fun to watch! Carrie used to be so self-absorbed while Zoey’s friendship with Jackie was very one-sided. Carrie and Zoey now have a healthy rapport where both are equal and relishing what the other brings to the relationship. It doesn’t matter what they do, they always enjoy themselves. While some fans may be worried Zoey will resume her friendship with Jackie, I highly doubt that will happen. It’s a shame, really, but Jackie has done too much damage to their friendship and Zoey has learned the hard way that Jackie is not to be trusted. I’m happy Carrie and Zoey have become best buds because Zoey has been mourning her friendship with Jackie, so to speak, and Carrie is fresh off her romantic dalliance with Coop (Peter Facinelli), albeit by choice. They both need quality girl time. It is so much fun watching Carrie running around the E.R. pushing Zoey in a wheelchair. Too bad Gloria (Anna Deavere Smith) cuts the fun short with her disturbing news about the status of All Saints.

I’m thrilled Thor gets his happy ever after with Reuben.

Although I got a kick out of Zoey and Carrie planning a wedding reception for Thor and Reuben, the actual party, while beautiful and touching in most respects—especially the individual couples’ dancing—depressed me at the end, but not for the reasons you may think. Jackie learns something about Dr. Prince that explains his radical behavior. Since his introduction in “High Noon,” Prince has had a rather flippant attitude, something I don’t believe is common among doctors. So I wasn’t surprised when he agrees with Jackie’s plan concerning his patient Joe (guest star Tim Guinee). That is, until Prince turns down Joe’s request to help him die at home. I never expected the reason why and even though it makes perfect sense, it doesn’t make me happy. However, I love the way Joe and his wife (guest star Maddie Corman) come together by the end of “Managed Care,” and appreciate the spin episodic writer Sylvia puts on the story line. Having watched my daughter deal with her father’s cancer and his stay in a hospice, as well as my brother’s same-sex marriage, I can assure you this episode comes as close to reality as possible.

Funny lines

Thor walks into the E.R. and announces he and Reuben are married. Zoey to Thor: “Akalitus just told us the world was ending and you made it all better.”

Carrie to Thor: “I can’t believe you had a gay wedding without us! How dare you?”

Thor to Zoey and Carrie: “I will not fall victim to catastrophic bad taste because of your failed relationships.” Right on, Thor! Who wants “comfy moccasins, Tennessee Williams themed napkins, or “a stripper” at their wedding reception, anyway?

Carrie: “I have 14,000 songs on my iPhone. I’m a party in a purse.”

Other Observations

After all these years, it is distressing to watch the statues and benches being carried out of the chapel. For that matter, I’m sad this is Nurse Jackie’s final season. This season, in particular, has been top notch, and I’m sorry this is the last we’ll see of our favorite nurses and doctors at All Saints Hospital once the series finale airs.

Even though Karlsen (guest star Jeremy Shamos) has repeatedly assured Jackie in the past few episodes that he will get her nursing license back, I don’t believe him. And despite telling Jackie in “Managed Care” he’ll handle it once they get through escrow, he still hasn’t talked to his “friend on the nursing board.” Something tells me he doesn’t plan to. I’m pretty sure he is using Jackie to get what he wants, and once that’s done, what reason does he have to help Jackie then?

Overall

Gloria does her best to convince this adminstrator (Ali Ahn) she’s qualified for the job.

Even though Thor “hates disco,” I thoroughly enjoyed watching Thor and Reuben dancing their first dance together as a married couple to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.” And, how fitting is it that the last thing to take place in the chapel is a wedding celebration? I’m very upset at what happens with Gloria’s job search. Her on-the-job education is worth far more than a piece of paper. Do you think this is the impetus for what Gloria tells Karlsen? “We’re only in escrow, Mr. Karlsen; a lot can happen in 90 days.” Does Gloria have something in particular up her proverbial sleeve? Since Zoey tests Jackie’s urine as instructed by Gloria, why does she dodge Gloria’s question about it at the party? Is Zoey hiding something? I’d love to discuss “Managed Care” with you. Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave your comments below.

Tune in to the remaining four 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.

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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!