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

Royal Pains: Season 2, Episode 1 “Spasticity” (B+)

It’s nice to have the gang back since, unlike most USA series, its first season didn’t air in two pieces spread out throughout the year and instead hasn’t been on since last August. The show looks pretty similar to last year, although there are a few important changes. Evan is struggling to keep HankMed financially afloat while Hank is getting frustrated about their father having taken all their money. The best part, as was true during the first season, is the relationship between Evan and Divya, and hearing Evan constantly talk about Divya’s marriage decision and ultimately have her comfort Evan when he needs it most is truly great. Jill seems to have a few new problems of her own now with Marcia Gay Harden scrubbing in as a bitchy surgeon out to get her because of her romantic dalliances with more than one top doctor in the area. It should be fun to see Jill get annoyed by someone other than her ex-husband, and Hank’s timing in coming to visit her was so perfectly awful. While Dr. Elizabeth Blair clearly has it in for Jill, you’d think a meeting of the hospital staff would understand the importance of a medical emergency. The guest spot by Kyle Bornheimer as Spencer the Spaz was entertaining, though I’m still convinced that having him play a jerk is the best kind of role for him as opposed to a loner klutz. The closing revelation that the elder Lawson, played by Henry Winkler, is back was great, and Hank punching him in the face is a fantastic way to anticipate the next episode.