Customer Reviews

Royal Pains: Season One

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In some ways, the rich are no different from the rest of us: they get sick, get hurt, and need doctors to figure out what makes them ache. "Royal Pains: Season One" follows the misadventures of a doctor who finds himself at their beck and call, and it has the right mix of everything -- luxurious living in the Hamptons, weird medical crises, and a fair amount of humor.

Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein) is a successful young E.R. doctor in New York... until the day when a wealthy trustee dies because he focused on saving a dying teenager. Trying to distract him from his woes, his brother Evan (Paulo Costanzo) whisks him to an exclusive party in the Hamptons, at the palatial mansion of the reclusive, absurdly-wealthy Boris Rabanisch (Campbell Scott).

Then a woman nearly dies at the party, and Hank manages to save both her and Boris' treasured privacy. As a result, he soon finds himself drafted as the new concierge doctor for the wealthy Hamptons residents, along with Evan and a physician's assistant named Divya (Reshma Shetty). And his work often brings him to see Jill Casey (Jill Flint), the administrator of a local hospital.

Among the cases: breast implant disasters, an epidemic at a "bark mitzvah," a mystery shark bite, a hemophiliac teenager and his "cyberchondriac" girlfriend, and mystery ailments afflicting a senator's son, a ballerina, a horseback rider, a restauranteur, and a bestselling illustrator. Since Hank cares more about curing people than making money, he also provides care for people who can't afford the best -- but the person who needs his help the most may also be the wealthiest.

I normally can't watch medical shows -- every time I try, I develop a massive case of "medical students' disease" and end up having to go watch "Psych" instead. Fortunately, "Royal Pains" is relatively light on the medical gore (despite the "flail chest" episode) -- the biggest problem is that Hank's McGuyveresque medskills sometimes stretch credibility (he makes a microscope out of jeweler's loupes?).

Despite all the deadly medical stuff, the writers also include a lot of light humor (the hot tub disaster) and fun dialogue ("She is my right hand AND my left hand, and occasionally my brain!"). But there are some heavier currents woven into the story, such as Jill's struggles to open a free clinic for the poorer people of the Hamptons. And there's a running mystery about what Boris is doing, and what his motivations might be.

Feuerstein is quite likable and endearing as a kind doctor with a conscience, who cares more about curing people than for money or politics -- and the on-off romance he has with Flint is rather cute, if complicated by Jill's ex-hubby. Costanzo's bumbling Evan can be a bit annoying at times (especially in the season finale), but he does seem to be improving. And Shetty's Divya is awesome: a sharp-tongued, sharp-minded young woman who is trapped into an arranged engagement by her arrogant parents.

And there are some great supporting actors as well -- Scott's elegant and mysterious Boris, Christine Ebersole's kindly but eccentric socialite, and Ezra Miller's neglected teenager Tucker (who becomes a sort of little-brother/nephew figure to Hank).

"Royal Pains" has some areas that need polishing, but the mixture of medical drama and guilty pleasure is pretty addictive stuff. Just don't make Dr. Hank detox you.

Hank Lawson is the kind of guy you wish your doctor was: kind, dedicated, committed to helping you out. Unfortunately we live in a world that caters to the wealthy and that kind of commitment is not smiled upon. Hank lost his job in a hospital when he choose his dedicatiion to his work to perhaps looking out for that job and while we love his dignity, seeing people suffer is what makes a good television show. Luckily to his rescue comes his brother Evan, though a night at a party an opportunity comes up to change Hank and Evan's fortunes perhaps forever, or at least for a little while. Hank's quick thinking saves a woman and Evan see it to start up a business in the wealthy Hamptons with HankMed, a coinege to the wealthy and interesting cases among the rich. But you can't have a story without hitches and their problems are just beginning. Royal Pains will return for a second season, but buy Season 1 and catch up on the many fun and serious cases that came up for them, one I love was when Evan and Divya were on a sailboat far out at sea. Not what you think. Watch!

I love Hank and Evan. I personally think this show is different from your typical doctor shows on tv right now. Hank is a doctor that was let go from the hospital were he was currently worked, feeling depress his brother Evan who is funny in the show take him to the Hamptons where everything change for them. Hank became the go to doctor who goes to the clients rich or poor and with the help of his brother the business became Hank, MED. It's a very good show fresh and a little different for me.

What do we have? Another boring, "wacky" series about doctors. This time their patients are obnoxious, spoiled rich people in the Hamptons. A waste of time, effort and electricity.

The ensemble of characters with the enticing sub plots is what really makes this TV series entertaining. After viewing season one I purchased season two. It was very entertaining.

This show is well acted, well thought out, and interesting.

Our hero is an emergency room doctor who was fired after a bum rap where he had two heart patients under treatment, and one (a rich patron of the hospital) died while he attended the second.

In an attempt to cheer him up, his brother takes him to the Hamptons for a party weekend. Accidental patients pop up despite his resistance to become involved as a 'private physician to the rich', and finally he gives in and agrees to stay in the area. He winds up agreeing partly because his other job opportunities appear to be blocked off for the time being, and because a local hospital administrator convinces him that he can help take some of the pressure from the local hospital staff, who are often beset by minor problems from rich and demanding people.

The show is amusing, sexy, and seemingly well informed. I don't know what the market really is for private physicians, but whether or not it exists, Royal Pains sold the possible concept acceptably.

In an early version of this review, I wrote that the success of the show in the long term would depend on their ability to come up with a couple of medical problems per show that aren't repetitive or trite, or making the Doc look like too much of an unbelievable miracle worker at a house call. It's a more challenging writing puzzle than a hospital based medical show, or the standard murder mystery fair that USA has also been quite successful with. I'll have to say that two years (plus) later, I can report that they were right on top of my concern, and the writers have kept the show fresh both with their continuing plots, and with interesting medical conditions that don't too often stray into either "MacGyver" or "House" territory.

The character of the brother, Evan, has particularly shown well thought out and satisfying character development. At the start of the show, Evan was simply an the irritation which spurred Hank (the doctor) to start this type of practice, and provided comic relief with his wild plans for promotions. They've allowed Evan to grow into a more thoughtful and capable man, while at the same time retaining his funny side.

The writers have also taken some surprising turns with continuing relationships and plots. Early on, Evan and Divya (their nurse practitioner) seemed like the perfect long term antithetical romance. While they played with that concept a bit, they never really let it bloom, eventually moving Evan into a long term and mostly very mature relationship with an heiress. Divya's character moved into and out of the prospect of consummating a marriage arranged in her childhood, and they've now given her a separate antithetical romance with a doctor on staff at the small local hospital.

The addition of Henry Winkler to the cast as the brothers' long lost father was a savvy move. He adds a lot to the episodes he's in.

This review has covered more material than just the first season, but that's OK. The show has been very even in quality throughout. If you like the first season, you won't regret moving on the the rest.

Highly recommended.

I enjoy watching the reruns of this show and I'm glad I purchased it. I received it in a timely manner and now can watch it over and over.

I am very pleased with my purchase. It was sent very quickly and in great condition. I will buy from this company again. Love the series.

This is an awesome show. I have both the 1st and 2nd seasons now. Can't wait for season three to come out

This show probably ranks as one of the top three that USA network shows the other two of course being Burn Notice and Psych, and while there are other doctor shows out there this one with it's cast of talented actors and actress as well as special guests make it very enjoyable and worth checking out. While the first season only gives you twelve episodes the second season will give you more to wet your appetite with having eighteen episodes, and yes while there are a couple that aren't that great on whole the show will probably still entertain you and your family and friends.