Nip/Tuck: Briggitte Reinholt (6.3)

It feels almost redundant to bring it up, but Nip/Tuck always had stunning music selections throughout its one-hundred episodes. Briggitte Reinholt does that now-familiar Nip/Tuck trick of connecting a song to a specific storyline. Here, we have two genius song choices. The first is Nasty by Janet Jackson (totally appropriate in its kinkiness), used throughout the Mike transvestite story. The second is that truly haunting and gorgeous In the City by Cromatics, which is used so well alongside scenes of the death and carnage orchestrated by Teddy. Song selection is so important on a show like this, and when done well it completely raises the greatness of the episode.

The moment where Teddy, wearing a hideous latex mask, murdered Briggitte Reinholt with dozens of leeches has to rank up there with the most absurd moments this show ever did. But, for some reason, it's not an absurd that fails. While something like the teacher who bit her students last season bypasses 'nutty' and slinks into 'junk' territory, this story worked. It's why I brought up the song selection. Via that pulsating synth line and the frenetic camerawork, the whole scene became suddenly creepy and effective in its nuttiness, and I loved the whole damn thing.

The idea of masks radiated throughout the hour. Matt is still robbing convenience stores in his mime get-up. Christian can't admit his feelings for Kimber. Teddy's various identities melt together, and she explains why she enjoys 'trying on different personalities'. And Mike creates a façade in order to excite Kimber in bed. It's an interesting tone that the episode sets, tying together all the characters instead of just throwing random bits of madness at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Annie's storyline was nuts, but again it worked. She has Rapunzel syndrome, in which she's been eating her own hair so heavily that she's now balding and has a giant hairball stuck in her gut. Hah! Damn, that was wacky. It's a great idea, though, and showcased just how selfish Julia and Sean are that they allow their daughter to become so screwed-up right under their noses.

The patient subplot didn't entirely work, but I guess it did similarly fold into the concept of the episode. Briggitte Reinholt was that rare Nip/Tuck hour which levitated above its inherent looniness. There were so many elements here that could have easily spiraled out of control, but somehow it all held together. Loved the humor in the Christian/Mike/Kimber story, loved the Annie madness and Teddy is suddenly becoming a fascinating villain. Good job, show. A

Credits
Guest stars Rose McGowan (Dr. Teddy Rowe); Mario Lopez (Dr. Mike Hamoui); Lee Garlington (Briggitte Reinholt); Kelsey Lynn Batelaan (Annie McNamara); Julio Oscar Mechoso (Hans); Scott Atkinson (Steve O'Brien); Sumalee Montano (Dr. Wu)
Writer Sean Jablonski Director Dirk Craft