Nip/Tuck: Abigail Sullivan (6.5)

Finally, there is an acknowledgment of sorts by Sean and Julia that they are both truly awful parents. However, realization of their problem doesn't help matters. Julia is still being written as a hateful shrew, somebody who dares to throw the 'irresponsible parent' card at Sean despite how messed-up Annie became under her watch. Just three weeks ago she was eating her own hair, for God's sake! Then there's Sean, who entirely crumbles under the weight of his own personal failure. But at least with him it's partly understandable. His wife was horrifically murdered and mutilated, and then turned out to be a sleazy con artist who had designs on making him her latest victim. What a rough day for the guy.

Matt's crisis was well played, too. Especially Christian's belief that Matt being sent to prison could actually help him. Matt's problem is that he never ever learns from his mistakes, somebody who spins into whatever ridiculous crisis he can find, be it transsexual nutcases, Nazi girls, Scientology, meth addiction or petty robbery. Doing time, all things considered, seems like something he could actually grow from. I also enjoyed Kimber's involvement in his eventual arrest. While she had to lie to him to get him to that point, at least her heart seemed to be in the right place, just like Christian. Their actions aren't pretty, but it's far more impactful than feigning ignorance like Julia and Sean have done for so long.

The patient of the week offered some requisite Nip/Tuck crazy, but the performances were low-key enough to make the story work. The existence of parasitic twins has always fascinated me, and it's usually a good starting point for any kind of psychological horror story. That poor woman, you really felt bad for her nuttiness.

Abigail Sullivan is Nip/Tuck firing on all cylinders, with every character given their own individual moment to shine. It also feels like a welcome resolution to two problematic stories, the Teddy and mime-thievery arcs both heavily flawed despite having interesting ideas at their core. Also just wanted to offer my condolences to Kimber. The economy is affecting everybody, even dildo sales. Hah! A

Credits
Guest stars Rose McGowan (Dr. Teddy Rowe); Matthew Glave (Jerry); Amy Farrington (Abigail Sullivan); Kelsey Lynn Batelaan (Annie McNamara); Jose Zuniga (Detective Cyrus)
Writer Brad Falchuk Director John Scott