Review - Nurse Jackie, Season 3, Episode 7 - "Orchids and Salami"

Airdate: Monday, May 9, 2011, 10:00 pm ET/PT

Rating: ★★★★★

What kind of religious playing cards include a picture of the patron saint of the Internet? Is there even such a saint? It’s almost laughable that that’s the saint Jackie (Edie Falco) picks out of the remaining deck. One of the character traits I love so much about Jackie is her unfailing devotion to her kids and the ease with which she handles their problems. Watching her calm Grace’s fears about choosing the wrong saint for the Saint Pageant at school is a beautiful thing. I also love that Kevin (Dominic Fumusa) recognizes Jackie for what she’s worth.

Kevin: “You’re a good mom, you know that?”

Jackie: “Yes I do.”

Review - Nurse Jackie, Season 3, Episode 7 - "Orchids and Salami" 1

Dr. O'Hara (Eve Best) checking out the book Thor (Stephen Wallem) is reading, Ava Gabor's memoir, "Orchids and Salami," which is coincidentally the name of this episode

Jackie knows what Bill’s (Bill Sage) deal is, so why does she continue to meet him at the diner to buy drugs? And that outrageous price he charges her! Where in the hell does she get that kind of money? Drug addicts do what’s necessary to get their fix and it seems Jackie’s no different. She always finds a way out of things when she’s caught too, so it’s no surprise when Sam (Arjun Gupta) sees her in the diner with Bill and confronts her outside, she easily lies, telling him “He’s an epileptic I helped a long time ago so he’s not a friend, I don’t know him, end of story.” When Sam extols Bill’s virtues as a drug counselor, Jackie whips out her cell phone and pretends it’s her husband calling. What’s the matter, Jackie? Things getting a little too close for comfort? A fake phone call solves everything, right? I don’t think so.

Possibly one of the funniest scenes in “Orchids and Salami” is when Thor (Stephen Wallem) and Zoey (Merritt Wever) are standing outside All Saints, waiting for Kelly (Gbenga Akinnagbe), the new nurse, who supposedly runs to work shirtless. In a style reminiscent of Michael Buffer, famed wrestling and boxing announcer, Thor and Zoey proclaim:

Thor: “Ladies and gentlemen, on your left, the original nurse without borders, 5’10”, 190 lbs.”

Zoey: “Not shirtless!”

Thor: “Unfortunately!”

Zoey: “Mr. Kelly Slater!

Thor: “And on the right, from…

Zoey: “Queens…”

Thor: “No, but is that where she was born?”

Zoey: “Don’t know. Probably. But maybe not. Jackie’s very private.”

Everyone, including Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith), is enamored of All Saints’ new nurse, except for Jackie of course. Who wouldn’t be when he’s telling stories of delivering a baby in a cave, and buying drinks for everyone the night before. A bacon martini, Zoey? Really? When Akalitus realizes Kelly used to work at Bellevue, where her adversary Lilly Chung works, and he knows First Lady Michelle Obama, she tries to pump him for information. Akalitus’ facial expressions when Kelly extols Chung’s virtues, and tells her she reminds him of the First Lady, are spot on. I appreciate that the writers didn’t feel the need for dialogue at that point, because Akalitus’ looks were enough to convey her thoughts.

Jackie’s in trouble when Kevin accidentally finds the dental floss container with Jackie’s stash hidden inside. He calls Jackie but she lets the call go to voicemail as she retrieves some Roxy hidden in her sock. How many hiding places does this woman have?! I’m a little puzzled when she doesn’t take the pill, but instead, hides it in her bra.

Review - Nurse Jackie, Season 3, Episode 7 - "Orchids and Salami" 2

Jackie (Edie Falco) asks Zoey (Merritt Wever) to take Walker (Daniel Yelsky) to the cafeteria while his mom's being treated

Zoey exhibits a great deal of compassion for a 12-year-old boy, Walker (Daniel Yelsky), whose mother is brought to All Saints unconscious after a night at a concert. What surprises me the most is Jackie’s nonchalant reaction to hearing Dr. O’Hara (Eve Best) state a litany of different addictive medications found in the mother’s body. When Jackie tries to tell Walker how difficult it is to be a mom, he stoically says, “She’s a f*cking drug addict, ok?” I wonder if she’s contemplating what her girls would say if they found out about her addiction. I guess not since she hijacks a Fentynal delivery from Kelly meant for oncology.

Being the liar extraordinaire Jackie is, she talks her way out of trouble with Kevin by telling him the dental floss dispenser was old— very old—from a car trip the family took long ago. She backs that up with the 30-day sober medal that was in the velvet box of pills Bill gave her in “Rat Falls,” along with a sad story she supposedly heard in her AA meeting that morning, about a woman who stole some drugs off her dead husband’s body. Umm, we all know that’s not where she heard that story. And does Kevin really believe her? The look on his face says no.

Review - Nurse Jackie, Season 3, Episode 7 - "Orchids and Salami" 3

Zoey (Merritt Wever) contemplating what to put in her anonymous nursing blog, "Nursing It Yo."

Funniest banter is when Dr. O’Hara comments about Zoey’s blog.

O’Hara: “Oh, by the way, blog without an l…bog.”

Thor: “That means toilet.”

O’Hara: “Precisely.”

Watch Nurse Jackie, Mondays at 10:00 pm ET/PT only on Showtime.

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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!