With it still being winter – at least in some areas of the United States – it certainly doesn’t hurt to feel warm again when watching an episode of USA’s Royal Pains. How do they manage to keep everything looking so damn sunny? I often find myself wondering whether or not a wintertime exists in the Hamptons because if it doesn’t then I may consider retiring there … provided that I can find a trailer home to live in because I certainly can’t afford a mansion. I digress.
It was a fun filled night for Hank and company in a sizzling episode that definitely provided the comedy in addition to a little drama. Let’s start with the medical case of the week, shall we? Having minored in theatre back in college, I was particularly thrilled to learn that this week’s circumstance involved a sick actor participating in a hot summer outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Apparently he’s been suffering from a shortness of breath and (royal) gastrointestinal pains. It’s soon revealed that his stomach has been turned upside down. Sheesh! Is that even possible?
Needless to say, Hank saves the day … as usual. However, it seems that saving his buddy Jack is proving to be quite a challenge. With a case of lupus that doesn’t seem to be improving, Jack fires Hank because his insurance cannot cover two GP’s. Naturally, this concerns Hank because he believes Jack will simply give up on his treatment. Well, no one knows you better than a friend, right? It turns out that Hank had reason to be concerned, because later Jack decides to go on a temperate fishing trip with the severely underused Jill and ends up vomiting into the ocean. That’s what happens when you mix crabs with gin. The again, maybe it’s just the lupus. Either way, his condition is certainly worse than it was in last week’s episode. I’m no doctor, but I think it’s safe to say that Jack needs to take Hank’s medical advice. Not only is Hank his doctor, be he’s his friend.
One of my favorite things about this show is the friendship between Hank and Jack. There’s nothing like solid camaraderie, and the chemistry between Mark Feuerstein and Tom Cavanaugh is worthy of note. Their friendship is believable, and that’s a good thing. Here’s hoping that Jack will take it easy before he ends up worse.
Elsewhere, my second favorite character on the show, Evan, lands a part in the aforementioned production with nothing more than a single line. I actually laughed out loud when I heard this. As someone who began acting with less than a paragraph of dialogue in a community theatre production of The Graduate, I can certainly attest that having less to say is no fun. However, it isn’t the amount of dialogue that one has, it’s how they use what is given to them, right? Motions of oceans and sizes of waves … or some mumbo-jumbo like that. Anyway, Evan gets his big break when he has to deliver a monologue of sizeable proportions. Luckily, Paige is there to lend him a hand when he stumbles though it.
Speaking of Paige, Evan is torn when the director of the production offers her a two-month internship overseas to paint for him. Another obstacle in their relationship? That’s television for you! Still, I’m sure they’ll be able to weather the storm. They made it this far, right?
Finally, saving the best part of this show for last, pretty Divya goes out on a date with Van Dyke in an effort to cope with Raj attending the warm-weathered production with a hot date. Sadly, Van Dyke thought there could be something between him and Divya, but she dashes those hopes and he leaves feeling hurt. I don’t blame him. That Divya is a hot piece of … um, beauty? Seriously, Reshma Shetty is quite the looker. Maybe she’s born with it. Then again, maybe it’s Maybelline. Either way, the girl is fine.
And that about does it. I do believe there are only two episodes of Royal Pains left before Psych arrives to take its time slot. With that being said, we do have a few questions to ponder. For starters, will Jack survive his lupus? Will Jill get her own storyline? Seriously, the woman is wallpaper, people! How will Evan cope without Paige? And does it ever get cold in the Hamptons? Inquiring minds want to know … and by inquiring minds I mean mine! Somebody find me a weather report or something! Feel free to sound off below!
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Feb 09, 2012 @ 12:49 EST5EDT
