NURSE JACKIE is the Summer’s Right Medicine
July 21, 2009 by Kath Skerry
Edie Falco stars in NURSE JACKIE on Showtime
NURSE JACKIE continue to be the highlight of my Monday night TV lineup. Hell, it’s one of the highlights of the whole summer. With every episode Edie Falco further cements her lock for an Emmy. There is nothing false about her portrayal of the complicated but good Jackie Peyton. Here’s a woman who is a secret drug addict, who cheats on her wonderful husband, and yet I have nothing but sympathy for her. Despite some of her well meaning, but dastardly deeds, Jackie is a good person. She’s managed to get herself into some complicated situations, but rather than hope she finds her way out – away from the drugs, away from her cheating ways – I find myself rooting for her not to get caught. A lesser actress wouldn’t be able to pull off such a complicated role and she wouldn’t be able to elicit such sympathy. Edie Falco asks us the audience to love Jackie despite giving us, at least on the surface, reasons to truly dislike her. I say bravo!
The supporting cast continues to shine as well. There’s not a character that I’m not a fan of – well, there’s Mrs. Akalitus – but I don’t think I’m supposed to like her. Coop is brilliant and oblivious at the same time. O’Hara is sassy, self absorbed, and a good friend. Eddie is a bit whiny but with a good heart. Mo-Mo is the no-nonsense gay that every girl needs. And finally, my favorite of the All Saints staff – Zoey. Come Emmy time I hope Merrit Wever is recognized for her pitch perfect performance of the first year nurse with a lot to learn and a lot to teach. Her performance of Zoey compliments Falco’s Jackie at every turn. The sharp verse the soft. The jaded verse the enthusiastic. The rules breaker verse the by-the-book goodie two shoes. Zoey has so much to learn from Jackie, but at the same time she reminds Jackie of what is was like to not be burdened by all the BS that comes with the job, and with life.
NURSE JACKIE is worth calling your cable company to order Showtime. It’s my can’t miss cable show of the summer.
I don’t know if there is an audience here on GMMR to talk about the show every week, but if you want to, just let me know in the comments. If you’ve been watching NURSE JACKIE, tell us what YOU think of the characters, the cast the recent plot developments. Loving it, hating it or somewhere in between?
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LOVING Nurse Jackie. The combo of NJ and Weeds is the best thing to *ever* happen to a Monday! At first part of me really wanted to dislike Jackie for cheating on her seemingly wonderful husband, but, as I’ve watched it more, my sympathy for Jackie has increased tenfold. Kevin may be a saint for staying home with the kids, but he doesn’t have to be Mr. Mom, why doesn’t he get a job?! And his disdain for anything cultural or “highbrow” is more than tiring. He’s so insulted when O’Hara tries to help out, but the family is obviously struggling financially. He just seems like a typical prideful man that wants no part of rising above his clearly blue collar roots, and, for that, I forgive Jackie in her unashamed desire for more for herself and her kids. Similar in many ways to MLP’s Nancy Botwin, Jackie is a flawed human being, and an imperfect mom, but, at the same time, a complex and ultimately likeable female protagonist. Hope this show doesn’t go away anytime soon!
I really love nurse jackie, Edie Falco is brillant. It is a nice gem this summer.
ps kevin works at or owns a bar.
I haven’t given it a shot yet mostly because I just can’t stomach Edie Falco. I’ve heard nothing but good things so in a moment of extreme boredom I might watch it OnDemand, but if it went away I wouldn’t miss it. (sorry!)
I am enjoying NJ. I will admit to watching the sneek on demand on Friday nights instead of waiting for Mondays. Do I love the show? No. But I watch every week. And Edie Falco is a jem.
I think the show is very good, very well scripted and very very well casted. I feel no sympathy for Jackie, I feel bad for her husband who has a job as well, and seems very nice (so far, we may learn the deep dark secrets later). Definitely on of the summer’s most enjoyable show (my top so far is True Blood)
NJ is GREAT…the reason Jackie is so likable is that she says ALL the things anyone has ever wanted to say to someone…especially ER nurses. The show is hysterical. It is the one really goood laugh that I get all week and I can’t wait for the next episode…PLEASE don’t take away my NJ
and by the way Jackie doesn’t want your sympathy…she doesn’t give a sh*%&t what you think