Royal Pains – Only the strong survive

As any avid television watcher can attest, serialized programs usually pull out all of the stops as they head into their season finales. Is that a rule or something? Perhaps I’ll Google it later. Well, as luck would have it, Royal Pains is no exception to this particular regulation. It’s pretty interesting because this show isn’t quite as dramatic as some of the serialized fare of networks like CBS and FOX. No, this program is typically upbeat and jovial which makes it all the more shocking that something so detrimental transpired in last night’s installment.

Instead of just heightening the suspense, let’s just get right down to it — Jack died. Did your jaw just drop? If so, close your mouth before your teeth dry out. I’ll admit that I was surprised myself. I’m not even going to pretend to have expected Jack’s untimely death. On the contrary, I was downright taken aback. You see, when I watch Royal Pains, I never ever anticipate anyone dying. I mean, whenever Hank’s around, people typically tend to live happily ever after. In fact, I’m not even sure that people are capable of dying in the Hamptons. Perhaps it’s a law … that and eating caviar for breakfast.  Nevertheless, the writers wasted no time in setting up some grim drama for the finale with Jack’s bereavement. Who could have seen it coming?

He spent the episode with Jill on the boat. While I was happy to see Jill get a bit more to do in this episode, it became increasingly apparent that trouble was on the horizon. At the conclusion of last week’s installment, Jack was shown vomiting into the ocean. In this particular installment he seemed resolute in trying to hide his sickness although Jill was able to see through the facade … not that it was hard considering he collapsed on the dock. Sheesh.

As usual, Hank was there for Jack when he was taken to the hospital, and once again their friendship was showcased. It was a touching scene as Jack thanked his friend for being there for him, and even though he was visibly frail and obviously weak, I didn’t think for a second that he was going to die. In fact, I thought he had learned his lesson. Sadly, he had to learn it the hard way. What this means for Hank is anyone guess, but if I had to guess, I’d say this doctor may need one himself. I don’t think devastation is the word when it comes to what he is feeling.

Elsewhere, Evan offered Divya financial assistance, but after observing the variety of high quality fashionable clothes she was sporting throughout the episode, I’m thinking that perhaps Evan should keep his money in his piggy bank. Sister girl dresses pretty damn nice for a woman who’s supposedly broke. Perhaps she has a sugar daddy on the side. Now, how’s that for a storyline! Alas, the producers still won’t return my calls. I can’t imagine why.

Speaking of Divya, we did get to see her handle the customary medical case of the week when she dealt with a pretty shop owner with a bad case of liver infection caused by the energy beverages she insisted on drinking. Once again, I find myself wondering whether or not the cases in Royal Pains  can actually happen in real life. Anyone of you have a master’s degree in, I don’t know, health of something? Answer that question for me.

And that’s about it. So, with next week’s highly anticipated season finale looming ahead, we have some questions to ponder as usual. For starters, how is Hank going to handle Jack’s death? What’s the future hold for HankMed? Will Divya accept Evan’s offer? Furthermore, what’s going on with Boris and his shady cousin? That definitely kind of flew over my head. Feel free to sound off below!

Clacked by Jaylen Christie
on Feb 16, 2012 @ 04:55 EST5EDT