A review of Nip/Tuck, a powerful drama on FX network
Hot surgeons. Sizzling sex. And grisly, bloody surgery.
It may sound like a strange combination at first, but FX network's prime time drama Nip/Tuck is a fascinating, addictive show. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and go back and rent Season 1 on DVD and watch the show in order from the beginning. There's just too much going on for you to jump in at Season 4 (available on DVD) or Season 5 (which premiered in the new Macnamara-Troy Hollywood office on October 30 2007).
Nip/Tuck: Cutting Edge Drama
The series revolves around two plastic surgeons, Sean Macnamara (Dylan Walsh) and Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) and their Miami-based cosmetic surgical practice. It is not exaggerating to say that with scenes involving bizarre sex practices, shocking violence, and hard-core language and nudity, this show is one of the most cutting-edge dramas ever to hit the small screen. The show doesn't have an "MA" for maturity rating for nothing- in fact, it probably made the censor people wish for a more XXX rating!
The show makes powerful statements about gender equality, political correctness and human emotion and dysfunction. The characters are strong, melancholy, and passionate, if flawed in true, believable ways. One thing is for sure: you will never be bored by this show. You will cry, laugh, be jaw-droppingly shocked, and you may even be furious at times- but you will never be bored.
It's a tangled web that is weaved season by season by the excellent, creative writing team at Nip/Tuck. Working beside them is a crack team of special effects experts, making the surgical procedures bone-chillingly realistic.
Nip/Tuck: Guest Stars like Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna
Guest stars have included Rosie O'Donnell, Anne Heche, Alannis Morissette, Kathleen Turner, Brooke Shields, Madonna, and a slew of other phenomenal (and often not-seen-enough) actresses and actors.
In fact, in Hollywood it is becoming quite the feather in your actor's cap to have appeared on the edgy drama. (careful what you wish for, Hollywood- your character may end up being the one who got bit by your dog in some beastiality freak show episode- yikes!) This is a show where corpses, racist skinheads, homophobes, sado-masochists and beyond co-exist- sometimes in the same episode.
But the intent of the writing of the show does not seem to be only to shock. This is a side effect of taking chances in writing modern television drama instead of cranking out the same-old, same-old network scripts. Although it has a tendency to depict the worst of humankind, Nip/Tuck actually manages to capture quite poetically and poignantly the best of the human condition as well. We find ourselves in some of the show's characters more often than not.
If you only see one new TV show this year, make it Nip/Tuck.
Click here for a review of FX Network's drama Damages.
