Cortes y Puntadas

I have little patience for people who get bent out of shape about TV shows like "Nip/Tuck" that push the envelope when they are warned, up front, that the show contains material not suitable for the average viewer.

There is a lot of mindless, self-serving crap on Network TV today with all the reality garbage that only appeal to the lowest common denominator. Thankfully, "Nip/Tuck" is not one of them. What makes "Nip/Tuck" different is not that it seems like a cross between "ER" and "Jerry Springer," -- which it is -- but that it keeps the viewer engaged by being both off-the-wall and unpredictable.

Yes, all the characters on the show are dysfunctional (with the possible exception of Liz), but they are far more realistic than all the characters on "Father Knows Best" where everyone only had a good side.

On "Nip/Tuck," both the good sides and the dark sides of each character are brought to the fore. Irony has a field day on this show as those who you deemed to be stupid and insensitive turn out to be just the opposite when situations change.

The main problem with this series lies in where you, the viewer, make your entrance. You will be at a great loss to figure out what is going on now if you have not followed the show from its inception. Every successive show builds upon the events of all the previous ones, straight back to the pilot episode. For example, the turmoil in Sean and Julia's marriage was there from Day One as was the competitiveness between Sean and his womanizing partner, Christian Troy.

At the core of it all is Sean's ongoing identity crisis in which he has gone from a prudish wimp to a man at war with himself and everyone around him.

Although the tagline of the show is when Drs McNemara and Troy ask patients what they do not like about themselves, the underlying theme is about all the things that these two perplexed plastic surgeons hate about their lives. In trying to make others "feel better about themselves," they confront their own inadequacies, and invariably direct their hatred of themselves towards others.

Psychobabble aside, the show is damn funny, too!

The first time I heard of Nip/Tuck I was hesitant and reluctant to see it. Plus I felt that the show was not going to last and that it stereotypes plastic surgeons. But as I continued watching the show I got addicted to the offbeat humor, the gross surgical procedures, and its characters. Julian McMahon is sexy and gives his character a vulnerability and humanity that is not typical in sex-crazy handsome male characters. He gives his character a reason to like him and yet he will also give audiences a reason to despise him. Dylan Walsh shines as Dr. Sean McNamara. Proving himself worthy as an actor, he shows us a character with everything in the world and yet has inner self-destructive part that is hidden from everyone else.

Additional performances by Joely Richardson as a woman who may have some skeletons in her closet and is loved by both McMahon and Walsh. Excellent writing and dialogue that leads you to want more.

It's sad to watch one of the best series in television self-destruct, but that's what has happened to NIP / TUCK over the last three seasons. Season One contained some of the finest moments in television history. While not as good, Season Two had many memorable moments. Even Seasons Three and Four had worthwhile performances. However, by Season Six, all of the main characters are so decadent, they've become unpleasant and, worse, boring. Christian, while always dis-likable, at least had some interesting demons. Sean, on the other hand, has become a whiny pedophile. Julia, the weakest of the leads, has now become a caricature, as has Matt. Sad to watch, but thanks for the memories. Also, PLEASE GO BACK TO Miami!!!

This is one of the biggest surprises of my 50+ years of television viewing. I love this show! The characters are complex; the story lines are interesting and entertaining. I think the show is so well done. The special effects to depict the surgeries looks so real. I didn't watch the first season because I thought it would be superficial but it is so much more than that. I rented the first season on DVD to get caught up from the beginning of the series. It is intoxicating at times; funny, diverse, with the plots intertwining. Walsh's character is mostly good; McMahon's character is more the bad boy but they show the opposite sides in both making you love both for the all their attributes and flaws. We love flawed heroes. Thank you FX for some of the best dramas on television.

I want everyone who has access to FX to watch and give it a chance with an open mind.

I began watching Nip/Tuck by renting the first DVD of season 1 and since then I've been hooked. I'm a fan of other TV dramas like Law & Order and The Sopranos, the latter of which I think is the best drama of all time. I have to say that I never thought another drama could even come close to The Sopranos in terms of writing, direction, and acting. But in my opinion Nip/Tuck is as close as it gets. The first few episodes of season 1 draw you in by the sheer audacity of the subject matter. (I don't want to get into any details because I would hate to spoil it for anyone who hasn't watched and would like to start.) However, in episode 10 of the first season the show takes an unexpected turn and actually reveals a lot of heart. This came as a complete surprise to me because prior to that episode I watched the show as a guilty pleasure. From that episode on, I watched it because it was a powerful and gripping drama. And I must say that I haven't been disappointed with the show since. In my opinion what makes it so great is the fact that it tackles issues that are rarely seen on other dramas. And the way that the issues are presented oftentimes makes you think and form an opinion of your own. I don't think you can say that about many other shows. I haven't caught all episodes of season 2, although I have seen most of them. Luckily, the sophomore season of the show doesn't let up a bit and is as entertaining as the first. I recommend Nip/Tuck to everyone who enjoys superbly written and acted dramas but is sick and tired of the same cops, lawyers, and doctors formats that are prevalent on network television. Lastly, be advised that this is not "The OC" or "Judging Amy". This show deals with disturbing subject matter, and is not afraid to graphically portray any of it.

I just finished watching season 2 reruns on F/X and am at last caught up with the show. I felt compelled to come back to IMDb and add a comment about the second season. In one word, this show is nothing short of amazing. Just when you think that it can't get any stranger or more outlandish, it hits you right between the eyes with subject matter that would make a sailor blush. On Nip/Tuck, truly NOTHING is off limits. Every facet of human behavior, no matter how deep and dark, is covered with such brutal honesty that you don't know whether to look or turn away. However, at least for me, turning away is nearly impossible. This show is an addiction, and I'm afraid that I'll go into withdrawal until season 3 comes out. When season 5 of The Sopranos ended I thought that nothing would be able to fill that void, until I started watching Nip/Tuck. Now I can honestly say that it is the best show on television, an absolute masterpiece in its own right. I may start sounding like a broken record, but I'll say once again...do yourself a big favor and rent Season 1 on DVD. Whether you love, or even hate, the show...I don't think you'll be disappointed.