Nip/Tuck (Season 3 - 2005)
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Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01N3EO0f3Mk
Season 3 of Nip/Tuck can also be referred to as The Carver Season. Instead of starting at the beginning of the season and working my way to the end, I'm just gonna jump right into the fun stuff that made up The Carver story line. Actually, I'm gonna start at the very end with the Season Finale episode and work backwards. I'm gonna take it a step further and review this season as if I had never seen it before.
For starters, the series thus far delivered another stand out Season Finale to go along with the first two. It's actually the best so far in completely throwing off the viewer with something they were not expecting with the amount of twist that keeps coming at us fast and furious. Ruling out Quentin as the Carver early on in the episode was a great misdirection because when he finally reveals himself as such, it's totally by surprise. Also, dragging Liz into interrogation was another great misdirection as well, because even though we knew she wasn't the Carver, there is still a hint of doubt that does make you think twice about motives that can easily be hers.
The ultimate twist of all twist is revealing that Kit (Rhona Mitra) is actually Quentin's sister and that she is actually part of all his dirty deeds. This was a great way to end the season because it all but guarantees you that you're gonna come back for the next season. Okay, this was how I felt the first time I saw Season 3. I have since seen it maybe 3-4 times. In the following years that I watched it again, it does take on a whole new perspective in how I watched it. The mystery is gone and I can't ever go back to trying to 'crack' the case before they give me all the answers. I miss that. At the conclusion of that first go-around, I would have easily given this season 5 Stars. But since then, including this time around, I'd give it 4 Stars out of 5. It doesn't help that Matt's story came roaring out of the gate for the first few episodes and then pretty much disappears until the end.
It's not until they bring on Brittany Snow as Matt's new girlfriend does it start to ramp up again. The middle of the season does seem to slow down a bit. It still gives us some great episodes, but as a whole it does feel slightly uneven because of Matt's story line to bookend the season. But with Snow on board, she does a great job of being a vengeful, delusional racist. Why was she great? Because her portrayal of Ariel as one of the most ignorant characters is pretty high on the list of ignorant characters.
A lot of memorable episodes this season for sure. Rhea (Fake Carver Victim) being awake during her operation. I've seen this done once before during the episode of Alfred H i t c h c o c k Presents where a guy was laying on a gurney paralyzed and he is scream in his minds eye to stop the guy that is about to cut him open with a electric saw and only a tear that forms in his eye saves him. The 'Leg' episode was particularly good for bringing in some heavy hitters with Bob Gunton, Anne Heche, Thomas Calabro and Joan Rivers. I particulary liked that Thomas was STILL playing a doctor. If you don't know his history, he is most famous for playing one on Melrose Place.
I'm glad they finally gave Julia something to do another than being a neglected housewife. You can only run that for so long before you start rehashing the same things over and over. By having her start her own business, it also gave both Liz and Gina something to do as well. The Plane Crash episode was really good for expanding the character of Julia even more, especially her relationship with her mother as played by Vanessa Redgrave. There is one scene that I always look forward to when watching the episode and that's when Sean, having just been asked to cut out usable skin from a victim of the plane crash says "You want me to skin her?" as he is talking to Mitch Pileggi's character. Come on, this was intentional as he is most famous for playing Walter Skinner on the X-Files. Also, the episode was directed by David Nutter who got his acclaim from the same series.
To finish off, I liked how Matt's story played out at the end and how he was able to find redemption for himself by befriending Cherry (Willam Belli). The entire scene between him and Matt was definitely a nod to Tarantino. I'm sure he would have approved of everything that takes place, right down to when Cherry rises up behind the racist father and clubs him with the shovel. As always, another exceptional season when it comes to music and selecting the perfect songs to underscore key scenes. Definitely worth a Rent.
Nip/Tuck (Season 3) DVD Screencaps
Coming soon....