‘ROYAL PAINS,’ SEASON THREE VOLUME 1 (2011)

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Some medical shows use a hard-to-fathom draw. Most of them are soapy dramas that fill an hour-long time slot with immoral escapades and cover-ups. The exact opposite is true of Royal Pains. True, it is not perfect but this breezy summer crowd-pleaser is sure a lot of fun.

Royal Pains, Season Three Volume 1 (2011) USA TV Show Review

The business end of HankMed may be booming but the private lives of its staff, not so much. Hank (Mark Feuerstein) spends the better part of the winter without any of his friends or family around. Instead he focuses on caring for the few patients who do live in the Hamptons during the off-season.

Brother, Evan (Paulo Costanzo) goes off on a tour of Europe with his lady love, Paige (Brooke D’Orsay). Their father (Henry Winkler) is sentenced to a correctional facility in the state of Florida for his white collar crimes. All of the brother’s family drama causes an upheaval with their benefactor, Boris (Campbell Scott) who kicks them out of their residence which happens to be Boris’ guest house, and as a result, they live in one of their wealthy patients’ summer house. Now back in the Hamptons, Evan is eager for Paige’s return from yet another trip and Hank is ready for the summer to begin so he can get back to work. Then a tour bus crashes.

‘ROYAL PAINS,’ SEASON THREE VOLUME 1 (2011). Review of the HankMed team and their latest stories. All text © Rissi JC

Evan’s lavish plans for a welcome home party are interrupted by the arrival of Hank’s on-again girlfriend Jill (Jill Flint). The pretty Hampton’s Heritage hospital administrator is back from a short-term medical mission trip, and she want to tell Hank some important news. Meanwhile, Divya (Reshma Shetty) is having her own changes in her personal life. In the aftermath of the wedding she calls off, it causes a serious falling out between Divya and her parents; and the threat of a lawsuit from her almost in-laws.

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Before barely any time has passes in this collection of installments, it’s made clear that conflict is going to be the theme. It’s something I, as a fan and happy-ending kind-of-girl, am not entirely happy about. Considering we get to see the always-adorable Libby again (our favorite hypochondriac who is now aspiring to be a doctor) and we watch as impressive guest star after guest star continue to feature in the credits, nearly all can be forgiven. Some of those guest stars include Shiri Appleby, Natalie Zea (Justified), Edward Asner and Julie Benz. Unfortunately it is Julie’s guest spot that opens the door to one of the shows more content-prone – and politically correct episodes yet.

The break up of the season (on DVD) creates more of a cliffhanger situation. For all of its usual flaws, these ten plus episodes are wonderful additions to a show that is now heading towards its consecutive fourth season. I enjoy every minute of it. I grew to love Paige and Evan just a little bit more (if writers don’t marry them off, the show will have one very upset fan); she is so cute, and I love how head over heels in love Evan is with her. The mystery with Boris becomes a little bit more mysterious and Hank discovers a revelation about his medical condition. Then, there’s Evan who is ever the business man. When it comes down to picking shows, I will definitely still be checking this one out each summer. It’s the perfect entertainment during these long winter months.

Content; In “Apple a Day,” a subplot reveals one woman became a lesbian some seven years ago and she has been living with her partner ever since then. The two of them kiss twice prompting Libby to once suggest they “get a room.” Elsewhere there is some sexual foreplay and proper medical terms used. Implications suggest both Hank and Evan have intimate relationships with their girlfriends [a nude sketch of Evan winds up being  in an art show]. There’s a few scattered profanities and secrets. Several medical procedures are completed; some of which can be nauseating depending on viewers’ stamina. Royal Pains, season three is TV-14.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

4 comments

  1. Jasmine – it really is. There are some great family dynamics with the clashing of the two brothers and yet, the show has some great comedy.

    You too – and thanks for stopping in!

    Miss Jack Lewis Baillot – it really is! I always get a chuckle from it. Overall, it is one of the more entertaining shows I keep up on.

    LOL! You sound like my mom – she cannot stand medical procedures or needles: period. I can get a tad squeamish,depending but for the most part I am good while realizing that I could never be in medicine. ;-) There are a few stomach-turning scenes in this because sometimes Hank has to improvise with whatever is at hand but it is certainly NOT in every episode.

    Really glad you stopped by!

    Rachelle – oh, I get where you are coming from. :-) Unlike you though, I don't like to look at bloody injuries. LOL!

    Thanks for stopping by – do so again soon. :-)

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