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Royal Pains – Back that thang up!

What is the secret to crafting a feel-good television show? Apparently the minds at the USA Network know. The fun just never stops on 'Royal Pains,' and this episode proved to be no exception ... although, there was one story that wasn't particularly cheerful. Somebody get me a damn tissue!

- Season 3, Episode 13 - "My Back to the Future"

royal pains

Ah, vacation. How I treasure thee. Am I the only one that gets jealous whenever I view an episode of USA’s sunny Royal Pains? I certainly hope not because last night wasn’t any kind of exception. I don’t know what it is about attractive physicians and picturesque surroundings that seem to tick me off, but it never fails. Glued to my flat screen for yet another fun chapter in the life of the doctors of HankMed, I found myself once again immersed (and envious) of these characters, but that certainly didn’t take away from my divine interest in this particular installment. To that end, let’s begin, shall we?

This week’s episode began with a funeral with all of the main characters in attendance. Needless to say, I definitely lifted an eyebrow. Who died? Who kicked the can? Who had a dinner date with the man upstairs? More on that later. Last week’s exciting installment dealt with the devastatingly beautiful Divya (played by the devastatingly gorgeous Reshma Shetty) dealing with an annoyed Hank after revealing her affiliation with Hampton’s Heritage. It seems he came to grips with it. After all, she was  only working there to handle some financial issues. It seems those issues haven’t disappeared. Last night, Divya tried to sell some of her family’s expensive vintage china to help get out of trouble, but trouble found her when a thief stole her fancy ware.

I didn’t know there were bandits in the Hamptons. Go figure!

Anyway, it turns out the thief didn’t get very far. He ended up crashing his Jeep, demolishing the priceless china, and sending a ten foot metal pole straight through his chest. Where the pole came from is anyone’s guess, but I typically try not to wonder about such things when I’m watching fictitious programming. Divya and Jill went all McGyver on the thief and figured out a way to save him … with their bare hands and a gadget or two. Jill told Divya that Hank would be proud … as if she really needs his approval.

Question … is it just me or are the writers struggling to give Jill something to do? To me, she was kind of just, I don’t know, wallpaper in this episode. She was more of a sidekick to Divya than an ally. I’d like to get your opinions on that. Moving on.

With Hank out of commission for a back injury (which, in turn, gave Mark Feuerstein an opportunity to direct this episode), my second favorite character, Evan, turned to Paul Van Dyke as a temporary replacement for making housecalls. From the moment Paul insisted on wearing a lab coat and being called Dr. Van Dyke, I knew trouble was on the horizon. Can this man get any more arrogant? Well, apparently, he can. It was all fun and games at first when Van Dyke started bringing in the retainers for patients of HankMed. It seemed Evan saw dollar signs, but as he soon discovered, money doesn’t make the world go around … although, in my opinion, it damn sure greases the gears.

Finally, Jack’s health continued to deteriorate, and Hank was by his side every step of the way. Their friendship is something that I treasure, and anyone who knows me will tell you that I value all of my friends. It was refreshing to see Hank trying to lend Jack a hand despite his issues, which, by the way, was the source of that funeral scene at the start of the episode. It was nothing more than a hallucination caused by his back pain. Some believe Tylenol helps with that, although my doctor said Mylanta.

So, with the next episode of Royal Pains a week away, we’ve got some questions to ponder. For starters, is Jack going to die? Oh, I hope not, but one can never tell. What will Divya do to escape her debt? Will Jill get a storyline of her very own? And what new get-rich scheme will Evan cook up for HankMed? Inquiring minds want to know! Feel free to sound off below!

Photo Credit: USA

9 Responses to “Royal Pains – Back that thang up!”

February 2, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Sounding off. Royal Pains seem to bring on a lot of aches among the actors (i.e. heart aches, body aches,etc.) The show is very interesting and captures the audience attention. It leaves you wanting more and with anticipation. Why? Because you never know what is going to happen in the Hamptons. And yes, bandits are everywhere. No hood is excluded!!!

Thank you Jaylen for keeping your reader updated. We always enjoy reading your recap. You have such an extraordinary way of summarizing the sitcom!

February 2, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Those are very kind words. Thanks! I like writing for CliqueClack! Keep reading my recaps, and keep watching the show! :-)

February 2, 2012 at 4:17 PM

I agree.I like Jill’s character a lot and wish they would give her a storyline of her own. We still know very little about her as a character. We know she has three brothers and seems annoyed by her family. But other then that we know nothing. With 3 episodes left in the season it does not leave much room to explore much.

February 2, 2012 at 4:27 PM

Right! I don’t anticipate Jill getting any more character development this season. However, there’s always next season, right? My two favorite characters are Divya and Evan. I like Divya a lot actually. Still, I think Jill should be explored more. She does get screen time, this is true. I just think she could use a bit more development. Who is your favorite character?

February 4, 2012 at 10:56 AM

Who was the thief who got the metal pole through his chest? Was it Steve Howey? It looked like him to me. Hubby says no. Can you confirm?
Thanks!

February 4, 2012 at 12:49 PM

Hubby is correct. LOL It wasn’t Steve. He did guest star on an episode of USA’s ‘Psych’ though. Close enough, right?

February 4, 2012 at 1:24 PM

Thanks Jaylen. Who was it though?

February 4, 2012 at 1:47 PM

It was Jake Lacy – I just figured it out. It was Joanna Garcia’s TV husband on the show Better With You, rather than her TV husband on Reba. :-)

February 4, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Well, there you go! Glad I could help…or not. LOL

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