Enfermeira Jackie

Medical shows can be quite interesting with the patients, but with it being a Showtime series, I knew they would make it more intense. Plus with Edie Falco from the Sopranos and OZ; I thought it had a very good chance of being an enjoyable show.

I watched all 5 seasons recently and it definitely hooked me in. I was worried I wouldn't see Edie as anyone other than Carmela Soprano. Nope. It was all Nurse Jackie. She was so good as a drug addicted pathological lying nurse; I found myself hating her at times. Despite her flaws she is a great nurse with the patients best interest in mind (most of the time)I love Dr. Cooper (Facinelli). He is just brings a comedic aspect to the show that is needed and appreciated. Then you have Zoey (Wever) who brings an awkward presence that cannot be beat.

I would recommend Nurse Jackie as comedy/drama with great actors and story.

This was one of my favorite shows of all time but it felt forced starting at season 5. We lost characters that brought so much to the show and gained characters that cheapened it. Cliche after cliche, unrealistic storylines and unnecessary nudity from a character we're supposed to respect. It became apparent that the writers were grasping at straws to keep people interested, but the show was perfect as it was.

WOW. I watched episode 1 of Nurse Jackie this morning OnDemand. I LOVE her INSTANTLY! Edie Falco has brought to life a character I can really enjoy. The supporting cast is not full of stereo-typicals, and they compliment the show. I am so looking forward to next weeks' episode! I have heard a lot of comparisons of Nurse Jackie to Dr Gregory House. I doubt any of these critics watched the show. Being injured & dependent on Pain Meds is where the likeness ends. Dr. House is a louse. Nurse Jackie CARES. She has HEART. She FEELS. The show reminds me of the original E/R from way-back-when. The one with Elliot Gould, Jason Alexander & baby-face ACE...a young George Clooney. I really enjoyed that show too.

If the show were real, I would trust Nurse Jackie with my life...just not my Pain Medication. Please give this show a real chance & watch it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Preamble: People complain about the "unrealistic" nature, over the top drama and even the campiness despite going on to love any other movie or tv show. Every piece of literature takes creative license to bend reality. To say this show is bad because it is unrealistic is to say Sherlock Holmes is irredeemably horrible.

Now for the review, the show is unbelievably intriguing, drawing you in to the downfall of Jackie. The campiness contrasts amazingly with the horrifically dark storyline. Jackie is not a "strong female protagonist." You can watch it and just cheer for women mindlessly as Jackie tells everyone what for, however it's pretty obvious Jackie is a narcissist and menace to her family. There's nothing wrong with watching a show mindlessly. It's entertainment, not a math exam, however it's more enjoyable to rewatch and realize the vile stuff Jackie does. Just watch the show, to understand how much of a conflicting antihero she is, versus reading about it through some schlub on the internet.

For my final point, Edie Falco is phenomenal. She went from a morally just woman in an amoral environment in The Sopranos to the complete opposite: an amoral junkie who portrays herself as an innocent nurse and loving mother. She perfectly conveys Jackie, and for that matter, any character she's ever portrayed. If you truly want to see Edie Falco be a strong, intelligent woman, watch The Sopranos, because this is not it. She portrays an horrible woman in a campy, bright world, where everything falls apart around her from her own undoing here. At the surface level, she's strong and confident, but the creators want to portray beneath the exterior something darker.

In conclusion, it's a great show that was only marred by production issues with contract disputes forcing actors to disappear early in the show. I do not want to count production companies being production companies against the show, but it is what it is. Amazing characters, acting and deeper meanings that aren't necessary to obsess over to enjoy. If you watch this show, and think it was a soap opera, or ill conceived, then maybe rewatch it with a critical view of the protagonist, as hard as it is to hate Edie Falco.

I must say give a big thumbs up for the new hit Showtime series "Nurse Jackie" which features one of the best and most hard working TV actresses around Edie Falco. Unlike Edie's award winning days as Carmela Soprano the elegant and naive mob housewife on HBO's "The Sopranos" this time her character is more blue collar yet she still has a dark nature to her no matter how caring she is. Edie is Jackie Peyton a nurse who charms and lights it up in this dark natured and raw funny comedy series one of the better made for TV in a long time.

Jackie is tough and outspoken and tells the doctors like it is in the ER she certainly has a caring heart for all patients. Yet she's hardly a saint her life and work doesn't come without problems for one she's trying to cope with a bad back that gives her chronic pain. This problem has lead her to become a pill popping and snorting addict which the scenes vividly display. Also she's having a bump and grind love affair with the hospital pharmacist(Paul Schulze)who's also her pill provider. Also the drama is always at an interesting and tense pacing while she deals with Dr. Cooper(Peter Facinelli)who's a cocky young hotshot who thinks he knows it all. Plus juggling a friendship with a gay nurse and fellow co worker Mo-Mo(Haaz Sleiman)as with most jobs she also puts up with a wicked witch of a supervisor who's watches her every move and turn while she trains up and coming nurses. And to top all that off she has her marriage to manage with hubby(Dominic Fumusa)and plus raise her two daughters.

So that sounds like some interesting stuff for the goings and happenings of a New York city hospital and it shows that this is one nurse with a complex and mixed up life. As always Falco shines and the supporting cast blends in well, it looks like Showtime has found another winner for a TV series. This is one drama that shows the pains and drama stress of real life and it shows how it's connected with work life something that many can relate to. So big thumbs up for this smart, outspoken, and visually raw and emotionally affecting new series.