TVSquad

(S04E07) This episode was a bit of a departure for Nip/Tuck. It wasn't bad, I loved it. It just felt different. In some scenes, it was a even real tear-jerker which is very odd. With this show, if your eyes well up, it's usually because of a graphic surgery scene and you're cringing... not because you actually feel sad. Let me say this though. At first, when I heard the news that Rosie O'Donnell was in talks to give Dawn Budge new life in a Nip/Tuck spin-off, I thought it sounded ridiculous. Well, she sold me on the idea in this episode. O'Donnell is funny in this role. It suits her very well and I think the series could be pretty good if they do it right.

Lot's going on though and as I mentioned, one was the return of Dawn Budge. What brings Dawn back into the fold? She was ear-jacked. Is this for real, like a ripped from the headlines thing? Some guy flying around on his motorcycle with a straight-edge razor, slicing women's ears off and stealing their expensive diamond earrings? Well that's what happened and Dawn elected to use a genetically altered mouse to grow her a new ear. His name was Vincent. (Get it? Get it? Ha!)

Liz finally occupied a decent chunk of the story this time around. We haven't seen her much since her kidney was stolen, and unfortunately, that's why she's back. The kidney she has left is failing. Sean found out he was a match but he lied to Liz until the very end of the episode. It was interesting how they explored Sean's fears and guilt. Everyone around him was so willing to donate if they were compatible and Sean was terrified at the idea of it. We don't get to see Escobar feeding Sean advice in every episode, but it's times like this that you can feel the guy at work, coaxing Sean to only fend for himself... even though we don't see him. In the end though, Dawn gave Liz one of her kidneys. The scenes prior to the surgery with Liz and Dawn were the ones that sold me on O'Donnell's character by the way.

Alright, moving on. Why didn't they kill off Burt? Christian could have left Burt's stroked-up body to die on the table. But he didn't because Christian is a good guy. Wait... no he isn't. He lied to Kimber and feigned interest in her beliefs just to screw her again. He's a terrible person! But he would've given Liz his kidney if he was a match. He's good! He's bad! Back and forth. Christian Troy may very well be the most complex character (read: most likable jerk-wad) on TV. You never know what he's going to do next and this was the most up and down episode for him in a while. Are we ever going to get back to the "he might be gay" storyline though? If not, that died fast.

Few other interesting points:

• How long do we think it takes for Matt to realize that Kimber is screwing him just to get back at Christian?
• I was really surprised that Christian openly admitted to Kimber that she's the only woman who makes Christian feel like the most important man in the world when they're in bed together. What does that say about his relationship with Michelle?
• Anyone see the previews? I don't want to give it away, but one of my favorite Nip/Tuck characters returns next week. If you want to know, click here. Not the best picture, but the die-hards will recognize the face.

And in closing, another classic from the mouth of Dawn Budge.

Dawn (on the Van Gogh hanging in her bathroom): "Every time I take a dump now, I feel artistic."