Season 2 of Nip/Tuck increases the complexity of the intertwining plotlines of the show, with more focus occurring on supporting characters (such as Matt McNamara, played by John Hensley), and the addition of two new antagonists; Ava (X-Men’s Famke Janssen), the life-coach with many secrets; and the Carver, a violent serial rapist who slices the faces of beautiful people and begins to target McNamara/Troy for “perpetuating the myth of beauty.”
The addition of so many new plot elements has the potential to make a mess of the smooth plot progression which so typifies the series, but thankfully the creators have not fallen into the trap of over-complexity, instead weaving together a tapestry of character growth (watching Christian as a father-figure is heart-warming, even as watching him as a boyfriend is anything but) and story that will throw many surprises your way without resorting to cheap thrills or suspension of disbelief like so many other shows which purport to have complex storylines.
The tradition of complex and controversial themes continue in the second season of Nip/Tuck, and like those of the first season are used as important plot elements, and not as a cheap way of creating controversy. The surgery scenes are once again terrific, as is the choice of music used during these surgeries. The acting is of course top-notch, and the Carver especially is a worthy replacement for Gallardo from the first season as the nastiest villain we’ve seen in a while; the fact that his acting is so good is particularly impressive considering we never see his face or hear his real voice.
All in all, Season 2 of Nip/Tuck is at the very least equal to the first season in quality, story progression and overall entertainment. Despite the greater focus on the supporting cast, plot cohesion is never lost and the main characters still shine; in fact Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh seem be to enjoying their roles even more, revelling in their incredibly messed up, train wreck characters which still somehow manage to have a great deal of humanity about them.
A worthy continuation of a terrific series.
Nip/Tuck Season 2 Rating: 9.5/10
-Tim Sweeney
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