I don’t watch too many medical oriented programs, but I always make an exception for Royal Pains. It’s such a fun show. This week’s installment was just as entertaining as last week’s eventful premiere and offered up a resolution to last week’s cliffhanger. Aside from the few new patients that HankMed gained from the fireworks explosion, no one of importance was hurt. One thing that I did enjoy, however, was seeing the brother reunite … well, sort of.
It’s no secret that I like both of the Lawson brothers, and I’d prefer them together rather than at odds. Still, it was nice seeing Hank and Evan at least try to be civil to one another when diving their assets. There are some fans that aren’t too fond of this new storyline, but I think it keeps things fresh. This is season four, after all.
Another thing that I enjoyed about this episode is that the writers seem to be giving Jill a bit more to do. Last season, I complained about the character not getting enough screentime. However, she had a decent amount to do last night. And how about that twist involving her not getting the job overseas? I didn’t see that coming. Since she already quit her job at the hospital and sold her house, this is undoubtedly a problem. Still, maybe Hank will hire her as an assistant which would help out Divya who’s been put in the middle of the hilarious Lawson brother feud.
I wasn’t particularly captivated by the medical cases of the week although it was nice seeing a grown up Alexa Vega. I always thought she was a pretty face. No, I was more so focused on the main four characters. Each one was given their due. I think this how Royal Pains should be — giving each of the four leads an equal amount of screentime although Hank can obviously get a bit more since, you know, he’s the lead and all.
So, will Hank and Evan ever sort out their differences? Will Divya’s parents ever finally come around? What’s going to happen to Jill? Tell me what you think in the comments below!
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Jun 14, 2012 @ 08:46 EST5EDT
You were shocked by the Jill twist? Of course she’s not leaving the Hamptons. Why would they write one of the original cast members out of the show. The whole plot angle with her leaving has been tedious from the start since there was no way she would leave.
And to do it the way they did, with an offscreen phone call? Just pathetic. They should at least have given her agency and had her decide to not leave to spend more time with her family and help Hank set up his business.
I also hate the false conflict between Evan and Hank. The arc of the season will make them realize the benefits of each other’s approach and they’ll reunite in the end, merging both client bases and growing the business.
I know they need to create some dramatic tension, but the the split and Jill’s departure seems lazy to me.
*POST AUTHOR*
Considering that Jill hardly got anything to do last season, I was under the honest belief that the character was going to be written off. When they revealed that she wouldn’t be leaving the Hamptons, I was surprised. These last two episodes have thrown her a bone in terms of decent screentime. I’m happy about that.
In regards to the family feud with Hank and Evan — just go with it, buddy. It’s season four. The writers have to keep things fresh. I do understand you not wanting it to drag out all season. I wouldn’t mind a few more episodes of it before a reconciliation. Just my opinion.
I understand your point about Jill’s lack of screen time last season but that was because they were setting up the idea that she was leaving, but really what was the chance of that? They’ve never given Hank a consistent love interest and they’ve always kept her around in the background.
Besides, why would they write her out at all? She has chemistry with both Hank and Divya and in a character the fans know. Emily was a dud. Joanna Swisher’s character might have been an interesting counterpart for Hank but they dropped her when Jack died. But Jill was always there.
The problem with the HankMed/Hank split arc is that we all know it’s going to be resolved and that it was avoidable. They could have gone in many different directions. Maybe have Hank set up and run Jill’s clinic and the tension that created with his concierge patients, explore the 1% vs 99% dichotomy in the Hamptons more, etc. This just seems like bad melodrama instead of actual dramatic tension.
I have never been a fan of Evan and the split just makes him appear more obnoxious to me. During the first season I tended to fast forward through his scenes, it seemed to calm down and this season looks like I will be back on the ff button.
I agree