The episode title said it all, as once this latest installment of Royal Pains concluded, I was definitely sitting on "Pins and Needles" - and not in an enjoyable way.
From a completely misleading promo to an inexplicable encounter between Milos and Boris, I'm at a complete loss as to what's happening to this flailing summer favorite.
Let's start with my confusion over the promo for this week's episode. Let's be honest, a disproportionate emphasis was placed on the idea that Hank's apparently ongoing struggle with post-trauma pain was going to threaten Evan's campaign. From my understanding, it was supposed to be a prominent feature of this hour, which it certainly was not.
I likely would have been appalled had the promotional interpretation come to fruition, however, as there have only been one or two scenes over the course of nine episodes that have alluded to Hank's need to use Hydrocodone to sideline some of his pain. These scenes were could have been interpreted in two ways:
- Hank really does have an emerging addiction that he's trying to mask.
- Hank's secrecy is his way of proving to everyone that he's back to normal, despite insisting on returning to work before he was completely healed and managing his pain appropriately.
Either way, they really haven't warranted the problems that will seemingly follow.
Another unwarranted plot point involved Paige's quick jealousy over Divya coaching Evan for his debate. Wasn't it Paige herself who wished to distance herself from politics, including her hubby's campaign? She has something better to do now anyway with her new internship. She's really got a knack for this whole art thing.
If there's one thing about Divya and Evan that's beyond well established, it's their status as BFFLs. Seriously, they've had a love-hate relationship from the beginning and a real tendency to become joined at the hip on things they mutually adore, underdogs included.
My only request is that Paige either release her jealousy or address it head on so as not to add additional and unnecessary pettiness to the mix. There's already enough funny business taking place in the Hamptons as it is. And I'm not referring to Evan's Red Hat Club fail either.
What was with Boris feeding Milos' delusions about the elixir and the time piece? The man is in a hospital trying to heal. I know he's probably curious as to what's fueling Milos' delusions. Then again, we know there's a genetic disorder his family suffers from, all of which rob its victims of time. Doesn't this obviously read as a psychological hangup Milos could be suffering from? Definitely disappointed we didn't put this craziness at the end of "Hammertime."
Are you as confused by all the plot changes and twists? Do you think Royal Pains Season 5 can get back on track?
