Jackie is still in a serious state of denial. Review: Nurse Jackie, S4 E5 - "One-Eyed Jacks"

Review: Nurse Jackie, S4 E5 – “One-Armed Jacks”

Air Date: Sunday, May 06, 2012, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

Let me start with a question: OMG, how many shoes does Dr. O’Hara (Eve Best) have?! I know she has a thing for them, but really? Jackie (Edie Falco) doesn’t seem at all phased by the massive collection when she takes O’Hara the Disney-shaped pancakes she made for Fiona (Mackenzie Aladjem) and Grace (Ruby Jerins), who Jackie forgot were with Kevin (Dominic Fumusa).

Jackie admits she’s having trouble adjusting to living alone. Worse, I can’t believe she thinks Kevin would take her back “in five seconds” if asked. Then, against O’Hara’s advice, Jackie calls Kevin to meet for lunch. What is wrong with this woman? Doesn’t she realize Kevin is furious with her? I know they both had affairs—granted Kevin’s was a fling while hers was a long term deal with Eddie (Paul Schulze) —but her being addicted to drugs adds a whole new level to the playing field. Apparently, Jackie is still in a serious state of denial.

Jackie is still in a serious state of denial. Review: Nurse Jackie, S4 E5 - "One-Eyed Jacks" 1

O'Hara and Lenny wheel a patient into All Saints

Zoey’s (Merritt Wever) new persona cracks me up. Not only is she sporting makeup, she’s wearing a hot pink sweat suit and big gold hoop earrings. All this for a second shift she’s picked up at another hospital where they’re “stylin’.” Yes, Zoey is almost rapping her words and it’s too funny; add to that her body gestures and I know you’ll be chuckling as much as I was!

Zoey is looking for a roommate so she can move out of her mom’s place, and puts up posters all over All Saints. Lenny (Lenny Jacobson) doesn’t understand because he’s asked her to move in with him numerous times. I feel sorry for him when Zoey gives him the old “it’s-not-you-it’s-me” routine, explaining, “Zoey bird needs to spread her wings.” I’m not sure I understand but I guess she’s just not ready for a full-time commitment.

Dr. Cruz (Bobby Cannavale) is in rare form this week. Not only does he want the nurses to wear standard uniforms, he finagles Coop (Peter Facinelli) into being the bearer of this bad news despite Coop advising him he’ll have a revolt on his hands if he does this. On top of that, Cruz rips down Zoey’s posters, demands she remove her gold hoops, and then cuts O’Hara off as she’s about to treat a pregnant woman Lenny brings in. Cruz, as always, does everything with a smile on his face, acting like he’s your best friend. But when O’Hara confronts him about bullying her, he tells her he’s better at obstetrics than she is! Oh no, you didn’t, Cruz! Everyone knows you don’t mess with a pregnant woman’s feelings and emotions. Could the man’s ego be any bigger?

I love that Jackie goes to Thor (Stephen Wallem) for help with her makeup prior to meeting Kevin. Actually, it’s the name of her lip liner that cracked me up—“666”—as did Wallem’s delivery of that line. Going to the gay man for help with makeup is a little cliché, but it works in this instance as O’Hara, the one feminine friend she has, is nursing another bad headache. Besides, it’s very funny.

Instead of meeting Jackie, Kevin sends a process server with divorce papers to the restaurant. After realizing Jackie is a nurse, he asks if she sees something wrong with his finger. Really? Only Nurse Jackie could be so irreverent as to do something like that but then again, this show specializes in turning dark moments into something laughable. I can’t wait to see how Jackie handles the divorce because you know she’s not going to take this sitting down.

I’m proud of Jackie for cancelling her “Jamison on the rocks, double please,” in favor of “another iced tea, turkey club and pie, any kind of pie…bring the pie first, please.” I had quite a chuckle when she devours the pie, looking around furtively as if she’s doing something wrong. Of course not many people eat their dessert first!

Jackie is still in a serious state of denial. Review: Nurse Jackie, S4 E5 - "One-Eyed Jacks" 2

Charlie finally returns Jackie's call--from the inside of his father's car

Thankfully, Jackie calls Charlie (Jake Cannavale) instead of reverting to her old ways of coping. But when Charlie finally returns her call, she’s more concerned about him than she is with her own predicament. Like Jackie, I think I hear some warning words from Charlie before he hangs up. I feel sorry for Charlie when he reaches out to his dad for some father-son time only to be offered money in its place. What is wrong with Cruz? Is he that self-absorbed that he can’t see the forest for the trees? No wonder the kid turned to drugs. Sometimes, it’s easier to lose yourself that way instead of dealing with reality. But Charlie needs to learn how to stand on his own two feet although that’s not an easy thing to do at his age. You know as well as I do, Cruz will be the first one to cry and say ‘I did all I could for the kid’ should anything bad happen to Charlie, twisting it around to make himself look like the noble parent who tried in vain to save his kid when he did nothing of the kind.

Memorable lines:

Cruz to Coop: “You know what I’ve noticed about you? You’re the most self-effacing doctor I’ve ever met. You make everyone feel as if they know more than you.”

***

Cruz, after Zoey promises not to put her phone number on her posters: “Better not or I’ll have to unleash the God of Thunder on you. You gonna bring the hammer down, Thor?”

Thor: “I’ve always hated my name until this very moment.”

***

In the chapel when Coop unveils the new uniforms:

Sam (Arjun Gupta): “Why are you such a dick?”

Coop: “I am not a dick. How many of you think I’m a dick?”

And the majority of the nurses raise their hand.

***

Charlie: “I miss my closet in rehab…on nights like this, I just like to curl up in a dark corner with a gallon of Manischevitz and some Halloween candy.”

***

Zoey: “I can’t wait to see your place.”

Jackie: “You’ve seen my place.”

Zoey: “Not with a dead guy in it!”

***

I’m not sure whether it’s the divorce papers, the shoulder pain, the difficulty of staying sober, or a combination thereof that makes Jackie go off on Zoey but for whatever reason, it’s rude and embarrassing. Zoey wouldn’t hurt a fly and now her feelings are hurt all because she expresses concern over Jackie’s shoulder. And you know Jackie won’t apologize—that’s not her style. Instead, she offers to let Zoey stay at her place until she can find a suitable roommate. Zoey’s reaction is pure Zoey and totally cracks me up. I think Zoey living with Jackie is going to provide a lot of laughs—at least I hope so. Actually, the fun already begins when Zoey starts dancing because Jackie is making pancakes for dinner. The girl has some moves! If you can call doing the running man moves, that is.

Tune in to Nurse Jackie Sundays at 9:00 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!