Nip / Tuck - Season 6 [DVD]

When Nip/Tuck first debuted on our TV screens in 2003, it sparked much attention from the media and television viewers for its cutting edge story, controversial plot twists, gruesome perceptions of cosmic surgery, and being completely different to anything else on TV. Nowadays we don't even batter an eye-lid whilst watching the cutting of human flesh taking place but that doesn't stop Nip/Tuck from still being one of the best programmes on television. Now it's 7 years later and the series has decided to end on the 100th episode with 6 seasons in the bag.

To put it bluntly; Nip/Tuck has, for most of it, being riding on a constant wave after wave of controversy. Whatever possible medical condition, sexual fetish, mental state or darkest corners of the human psyche existed; the writers used, abused and (at times) recycled. And why shouldn't they? It was successful in their early years and the subject matter of the programme is one that causes much debate anyway. However after season 3, with the huge plot arc revolving around the notorious serial killer `The Carver' earning much interaction from the audience to guess who he was, Nip/Tuck hit its peak and started to sink from then on. Sure, the creators tried to shake things up for season 5 by moving from Miami to Hollywood, but the controversy wave dance continued and anyone who grew tired of the same routine started to flee. Does season 6 recover enough to end the series on a high? Sadly no, but that doesn't mean the writers don't try to tie all loose ends before the grand finale.

Season 6 is divided into 2 parts; the first half starts with Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh) happily in a relationship with Teddy (Rose McGowen) but seems to be suffering with insomnia whilst being oblivious to Teddy's growing irrational and dark behaviour. Meanwhile Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) re-builds his playboy lifestyle after recovering from breast cancer and ending his marriage to Liz (Roma Maffia) rather harshly. The 2nd half lacks an antagonist to drive things along like previous seasons but it uses its last legs to tie up loose ends as well as finally give closure to our favourite surgeons.

And by `tie up loose ends' I do mean as many threads that could possibly be still hanging, not just the obvious ones such as Julia and Kimber but also some from many seasons ago that you've probably forgotten about; including Ava Moore and Escobar Gallardo. The good thing about these returning characters is that none feel like a forcedly dealt card just trying to keep the audience's attention (like what Charmed's season 8 suffered badly from), you do get the impression that the writers are just trying to make sure the story is nicely wrapped up before the end. However the delivery of each character's return don't feel right on occasion; for example Ava Moore's opening speech is pure exposition on why she' s back when in previous seasons it would've taken half the episode to get that out. In addition their return just calls forth reused plot twists and behaviour from characters that really should have moved past on from by now.

The 2nd problem with the last season is pacing, especially during the second half when it becomes clear that to end the series on the 100th came sooner than the creator's thought, or was decided at the last minute as everything including the kitchen sink is thrown at the pair of lads to make the end all the more dramatic. Not including the returning characters we also have Sean going through depression (again) to the point of doubting his partnership with Christian, Liz drops the pregnancy bomb like it means squat, Matt still goes around behaving like an idiot, and the love triangle between Julia and the lads is tossed up once more with little reason. It doesn't help that between episodes 10 & 11 they skip several weeks and important events (including Christian and Kimber's wedding) to rush forward and move things along enough for the grand finale. It doesn't work very well, instead all we feel is being pushed from behind and like we're missing out what could've been more interested than the plot developments we actually got to see.

The writers also brought up plot twists that barely stretched the 40 minute episode duration and briefly bring it up again a few episodes later thinking they don't have to carry it on in between, for example Sean begins to doubt his partnership with Christian to the point they both go counselling; this turn of events was interesting but the pair can go one episode where they're arguing like children in a playground, then drop it all for a new irrelevant plot point in the following episode before bringing it up inexplicably again in the next. It almost felt like episodes were in the wrong order or some were skipped. Some story developments (such as `plastic surgery going out of style') were showcased like they were the next big story angle but then never mentioned again. Admittedly the final episode did give a nice ending to our favourite characters, but it didn't feel like a `series' finale as everything was rushed to get there and nothing felt natural about it. The finale was bittersweet but also reflective all round.

All the actors are still top-notch here, but at this point in the game the male leads are clearly just going through the motions as they've been playing the same tune for so long. I am happy to report though that returning actors reprising their previous roles (such as Famke Janssen) slip back into their characters with little effort, making their returns more enjoyable.
Music is still used appropriately and inappropriately throughout as they do; shock value is still decent enough from the patients that come into McNamara/Troy and their dark sense of humour still enjoyable as ever.

So does the show end with a bang or a whimper? I would say more of a whimper but the ride was fun whilst it lasted. Although I am sad I won't be getting my weekly fix of Julian McMahon anymore, I do feel the programme ended at the right time. If you've been following the series thus far, there's no reason why you shouldn't stick around for the ending. For those who tuned off long ago, play the last few episodes and reflect back on the good old days, `cos as the writers are, so you might as well tag along for old times sake.

I've loved every season of Nip/Tuck! It's just like they say 'A Perfect Drama'. Nip/Tuck is one of the most unique and compelling dramas of our time and the acting, directing and writing is simply perfect. I'm so sad that it's over as it's my all time favorite show, but it was great to see some of the old characters back for the last season. My only qualm was that the last 2 episodes seemed to wrap up a little hastily. It would have been nice to see where all our main characters ended up, as opposed to only Sean, but I suppose that would have been a little too neat.
All in all, season 6 is a definite must for any Nip/Tuck fan and seasons 1-6 are a must for anybody who enjoys TV drama!

The show ended well I think, the only real problem is the choice to split the season into two halves. It makes it very confusing when there's suddenly a big time jump in the middle of the season (it would especially have been nice to have seen Christian and Kimber's wedding after all the build-up to them getting back together!) It didn't even make sense when it was airing as there was no real gap between the two halves of the season, yet they were still treated as seperate seasons for some reason. The DVD bringing them both together as one complete season is definitely the right decision, but it does make things a bit confusing and means the first half drags down the final batch of episodes from an otherwise 5-star rating

However the second half of the season is a huge jump in quality as it really focuses on wrapping up plot threads, as well as on the main characters Sean and Christian and their friendship. The episode where Christian and Sean go to therapy to save their partnership is easily one of the best, if not the best, episodes the show has ever done. The episode with flashbacks to Christian, Julia, and Sean at college is also fun, with younger Christian in particular being perfectly cast. And the ending is a real love it or hate it episode, but personally I thought it worked very well and the final scene with Christian always brings a smile to my face at how it brings everything full circle

The show DID drop in quality over the years and there's no denying that, but I think the final run of episodes and their focus on Sean and Christian's friendship (always where the show was at its best), end the series as well as anyone could have hoped for