The TV Chick

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on the All Saints crew and I, for one, am really glad they are back. Nurse Jackie’s season four premiere “Kettle Kettle Black Black” starts with Jackie in rehab (crazy way to start the first few minutes of a premiere) and then flashes back to show us how she got there in the first place. At the end of last season, Jackie hypocritically kicked her husband Kevin out for having an affair and continued to fall down the rabbit hole of drug use. The marital troubles have a big impact on her already affected kids, and this season is no different. Grace has become a makeup wearing sassy teenager and while Fi remains her sweet self, there’s obviously more there than meets the eye. And we add into the mix the new boss in town, Mike Cruz (head of the company that bought out All Saints, played by Bobby Cannavale) who wants to change things up.

One big change Cruz makes this season is Akolitus’ position and new responsibilities. I don’t want to spoil too much but let’s just say she may wear some scrubs. Cruz also clashes with Jackie a bit and for good reason. Then we have O’Hara, Jackie’s best friend and confidant, who is worried about her painkiller addiction. She bails Jackie out of a pretty sticky situation (let’s say it involves drugs and almost-sex with guest star Billie Joe Armstrong) which is what eventually leads her into rehab. And O’Hara is going to have a very interesting story of her own this season, too.

Adding to Jackie’s ever growing web of lies is Eddie, who is still around and now wants to actually date Jackie. Way to wait a long time, dude. Of course, Jackie rebuffs which leads Eddie to drunkenly confess to Kevin that he and Jackie had an affair. So it’s safe to say, Jackie’s life is pretty messed up. I’ve said this before but the genius behind Nurse Jackie is that we are truly rooting for an adulterous drug addict. And even though she goes to rehab, she’s still pretty resistant to change.

But the story is not just about Jackie. It’s about the hospital crew, too. And Merritt Wever (Zoe) continues to be an absolute comedy gift and goddess, adding straight faced, much needed one-liners to dramatic situations. I think my favorite line from the premiere was Zoe complimenting someone’s scrubs at a very unfortunate moment.

Overall, I loved the premiere. The new season takes a very different and interesting direction, which I am very excited about. So much of the show up until now has been Jackie hiding her addiction and the fact that she is going to have to finally come to terms with it makes for some very good drama. I am curious to see what happens with Fiona and Grace. And will Thor finally get some sort of love interest? I truly adore this hilarious cast and I am glad Nurse Jackie is finally back. I think it’s going to be one hell of a season.

Nurse Jackie premieres tonight at 9 PM on Showtime!