Nip/Tuck: Sofia Lopez (1.4)

Like Nanette Babcock last episode, Sofia Lopez was another moving, memorable patient of the week. Played to perfection by Jonathan Del Arco, Sofia was one classic example of a transsexual and the struggles they go through in almost every aspect of their lives. Something as simple and routine to many people as a hospital visit is turned into a nightmare, with transphobic doctors willing to let somebody bleed to death because they don't want to get near them.

I really loved Sofia, and I loved how she single-handedly changed Sean's perceptions. He came off both judgmental and scared during their first meeting, but eventually became pretty caring over her and people like her, especially when he discovered he had a personal connection to the man who was behind the black market sex changes.

Meanwhile, Julia went back to school, and had an uncomfortable moment with a pre-Housewives Mary-Alice Young, who appeared to be everything Julia gave up when she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. I also already hate Jude. The fact that he immediately didn't excuse himself when he realized Sean had prepared a romantic meal was completely out of order. Who does that!?

There were several other subplots, including Matt sleeping with a porn star and Christian getting a job offer from a rival plastic surgeon. Bobolit was hilarious, and exactly the type of moron who got rich quick and has a ton of material goods around him at all times, including fast cars and trampy women. Thank god Christian didn't accept his offer in the end.

Avoiding anything reminiscent of one of those corny Blossom-esque "issue episodes", Sofia Lopez was another masterpiece Nip/Tuck hour, with an excellent central performance from Jonathan Del Arco. A+

Credits
Guest stars Patti D'Arbanville (Wallace Forsythe); Jonathan Del Arco (Sofia Lopez); Geoffrey Lewis (Dr. Marcus Grayson); Marnette Patterson (Fluffer); Phillip Rhys (Jude Sawyer); Joey Slotnick (Dr. Merrill Bobolit); Brenda Strong (Iris); Tony Colitti (Male Nurse); Mark D. Espinoza (Ron)
Writer Sean Jablonski Director Michael M. Robin