Just got done watching the third (or, rather, second-produced, third-aired) episode of "Royal Pains" on Hulu. I don't have much to say about it, save three things: 1)I was glad to see Campbell Scott back briefly, 2)I was glad they finally started giving some background on Divya, and 3)It was weird to hear The Thermals' "Now We Can See," since it's now forever tied to the "Chuck" season two finale for me. Beyond that? I think "Royal Pains" is the kind of show I'm going to have on while I'm cleaning my desk or doing some other mundane task, but barring some kind of major jump up in quality, I can't see myself finding things to blog about every week.
What did everybody think of this one?
I would much rather watch a show with Divya as the main character.
ReplyDeleteChuck music, Gossip Girl actors... but this show is still not getting my attention.
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet. I just finished writing my own review (from the PA point of view).
ReplyDelete"Will it make me sweat?"
"Yeah!"
They really need to get rid of the "comic relief" brother as quickly as possible. Hopping into a hot tub with a bunch of babes and getting a rash? Really? That's supposed to be funny? He's absolutely awful, contributes nothing to the show. He barely even interacted with the main characters in this one. And Hank certainly doesn't need anybody marketing for him when he's the talk of the town and had people texting him before he even took the job. Just focus on Hank and Divya and send the brother back to New York.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I was a bit amused that, after all the MRIs and the spinal taps and so forth, his problem was something as common and mundane as a tick. I used to get those in my ears all the time when I was a kid (not quite so deep, of course). Although one has to wonder how a tick got into the middle of an open yard like that; they're usually in the woods. I suppose the city-bound writers don't have much experience with ticks.
I absolutely love Evan! The show would be boring without him. To me, he is the highlight of the show, Evan being Evan. Love the whole cast, and how their characters compliment one another. Too bad it ended, and pleased to find it again on Netflix.
DeleteI would watch a show with Boris, and possibly Divya. The rest -- meh.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the 'executive physical' tends to involve, along with the treadmill stress test, the blood work, and the spiffy iPhone eye chart, looking in the patient's ears. MEDICINE FAIL.
ReplyDeleteStill writing lengthy reviews on this one, simply to keep in the habit of writing, but I see where you're coming from Alan.
ReplyDeleteWhat bugged me about this episode is the way that the wealth of the Senator's family removed every obstacle but medical ability. By providing all of the equipment, it was like he was back in a hospital, and that isn't nearly as interesting as when he's forced to response to situations in different ways, or with on-hand supplies. It turned into your basic episode of House, and far less interesting.
Still, it's summer - that's enough for me to forgive a weak episode, especially when I thought they figured some things out in Episode 3, as filmed.
I can't stomach this show at all. Not even my love of Campbell Scott is keeping me in.
ReplyDeleteThe brother needs to go. Campbell Scott needs to stay. Both of those changes would help the show considerably.
ReplyDeleteI also find my attention wandering. I surfed the internet and cleaned up the kitchen while the show was on.
I was bored with this one, too. My interest is starting to wane with this show. I do like the concept, and rather enjoy Mark Feuerstein and his portrayal of Hank. But there is far too little of Divya, who is a great character, the main love interest is dull as dishwater, and Evan has crossed the line from "mildly amusing" to "incredibly irritating." I'm not sure how much longer I'll be sticking with this show.
ReplyDeleteof USA's 5 major original series, 3 of them star former West Wing actors
ReplyDelete...it was quite a random tidbit I noticed while watching Royal Pains this morning
I agree with all the Boris love. I'm wondering what exactly is his "plan" for Hank and, by extension, what is the show's plan for Boris? Any scene Campbell Scott's has a different kind of intensity than anything else this show does.
ReplyDeleteI can't get excited about a bunch of rich people who are too good to go to the local hospital. I hope they pay higher taxes for the little people who provide them with their lifestyle. Neither do I care about another medical show. The brother has to go, and the reluctant Doc should be recalled by the US Army to serve in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking this show a little bit. Its not as good as what I hoped, but it is easily watchable for me. I do agree, however, that the brother needs to go.
ReplyDeleteI had hope after the pilot but now... not so much, however ain't much on at 10 this summer.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the 'executive physical' tends to involve, along with the treadmill stress test, the blood work, and the spiffy iPhone eye chart, looking in the patient's ears. MEDICINE FAIL.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the fall (where he got the tick) happened after the exam.
But I could be wrong.
As I recall, the daughter described the fall as happening 'yesterday,' and the patient developed his blurry-vision, loss of football-accuracy symptoms in the extra half-hour they had because Hank and Divya were so darn efficient. So the tick had to have been in there.
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about it, the more it's a Screenwriting 101 problem, and just sad.
Good looking out on the West Wing observation. I noticed the connection with the two series on now, but Psych is out of sight out of mind, I guess.
ReplyDeleteEh. I enjoy Royal Pains. I can forgive a lot if a show is easy to watch and enjoyable. As long as it keeps on with the positive vibes and doesn't try to become something more than it is, I'll keep watching.
USA should keep the trend going and give Allison Janney and/or Brad Whitford a series of their own too...
ReplyDeleteI recently watched the 4th episode, and ended up deleting the series recording from my DVR. It hasn't really improved much, and actually, I feel like it has declined since the pilot. Maybe if they dropped the brother from the cast (doesn't he have to get back to the city to work as a CPA or something)... maybe if they dropped the mystery disease of the week concept... maybe if they didn't try to act like the main character is a genius when he really is doing very basic medical procedures (and badly)... maybe if the characters had some personality...maybe if -- -- nah, why bother.
ReplyDelete