What I’m Watching: Royal Pains (Season Finale)

Royal Pains: Season 1, Episode 12 “Wonderland” (B+)

This episode is a fitting finish to the first season of the surprisingly entertaining and fresh would-be “Burn Notice” clone. It’s definitely established itself as a worthwhile series on its own merit, and ended on the perfect semi-cliffhanger to entice viewers for a second season without really leaving things too up in the air and frustrating its audience. The addition of the elder Mr. Lawson as a new (as-yet-unseen) character is quite unexpected but also a nice new direction that can revitalize the show and avoid a sophomore slump. I don’t remember hearing the boys’ father mentioned much if at all prior to this, and therefore I’m intrigued to know what kind of degenerate gambler (maybe?) shaped these two very different sons, only highly motivated and driven to succeed, the other lazy and generally driven to little. What I do know is that they are great characters who are most amusing when they’re bickering with each other, each having different conversations about the same thing. Jill’s decision-making is also worthy of applause, and while Charlie sticking around might have been intriguing for a bit, it’s probably for the best that he got the boot. Now hopefully Jill and Hank can begin their romance, though a certain hallucinating blonde seems to have gotten in the way this episode. While it’s been almost ten years since her arc on “Friends,” I still think of Elizabeth as a little kid, and therefore Alexandra Holden should be dating Evan, if anyone, rather than Hank. Divya should also reevaluate her relationship choices, and seeing her imagined display of courage was nice for a second, even if it was a fleeting fantasy. “Royal Pains” should be back next summer, and I can’t wait. This is a great show.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Reshma Shetty