TVSquad

It's hard to believe, but there are only 27 episodes of Nip/Tuck left. Not that many, is it? Granted, those final installments will be spread over the next three or so years, but it's really not many if you think about it.

As you may recall, when season five of Nip/Tuck was initially greenlit, FX ordered 22 episodes. Prior to that, no season had aired more than 15. I was ecstatic at the time and when season five finally arrived, I couldn't contain myself. Then the writer's strike hit and suddenly, 22 turned into 14. Eight episodes remain and the "disturbingly perfect drama" finally returns to FX to wrap up its fifth season on Tuesday, January 6th at 10PM ET.

Last we saw the McNamara/Troy family, tragedy had struck in numerous ways. The mid-season premiere, "Ronnie Chase," picks right up where the season left off last winter.

You remember the image - Sean was operating on Annie (following her car accident with Christian), Colleen Rose snuck into the operating room, and stabbed Sean in the back four times. It was easily the most chilling Nip/Tuck moment since The Carver got to Christian in the season two finale. Sean just lay there, gasping for breath, choking on his own blood.

I'm not spoiling anything by telling you that, yes, Sean lives, and in the aftermath of the attack, it seems that nothing will be the same for McNamara/Troy. The season resumes four months later (following a brilliant montage/refresher showing exactly how Colleen was able to get to Sean) and Dr. McNamara finds himself in a wheelchair, unable to operate and completely unsure of himself.

It's a remarkable set-up, but more than anything, it serves as a re-boot for the series, sending Sean off on an entirely new career path - teacher and mentor. It works very well as a premiere, rather than just the "next episode."

Elsewhere, Christian figures prominently in the new plan for the rest of the season as he battles an unforeseen and completely unexpected health crisis. However, believe me when I say that it is not what you what expect - especially considering his "sexual" lifestyle.

Absent from the show's return are Julia and Kimber, however they're sure to be popping up sooner rather than later. Especially Julia - it's revealed that she's none too pleased with Sean after finding out that he lied to her while she was still amnesiac following Eden's attack.

However, as I mentioned, rather than deal with his own health and lingering family issues, Sean appears to be ready to push forward as a mentor to young Dr. Raj Puresh - a cocky, 17-year old prodigy with fingers far nimbler than either Sean's or Christian's. The presence of such a young, fresh face walking around the office speaks volumes to where the show may be going. The potential for much of "Conor McNamara, 2026" to come true is actually set-up and at one point, Sean even tells Christian that "it does suck to think that we're closer to the end than the beginning." Quite the statement when you consider that Nip/Tuck has been on since 2003 and as I said, has only 27 installments left. Sean and Christian are falling victim to the one thing their job strives to combat - age.