Caught a couple
of episodes of the USA Network show Royal
Pains, about a medical practice in the ritzy Hamptons. I had never heard of
the show and was pleasantly surprised by the series, which is well-written,
well-cast and well-acted.
It's always a plus
to see diversity on television, and Indian actress Reshma Shetty helps check
this box as a beautiful, competent physician's assistant.
Rather than
focusing on the obscene wealth of the patients that the doctors serve, Royal Pains features relatable
storylines about people mistaking certain symptoms for serious illnesses. In
one episode, for example, veteran Broadway actress Christine Ebersole plays a
woman who swears that she's dying because of back pain that feels like heat
shooting up her spine. After the doctors examine her, it turns out that the
problem is she was unknowingly driving around with her seat warmers on!
The show
balances comedy and drama but has a mostly lighthearted tone. One of the things
I like most about Royal Pains is that
it's a show for grownups, but it doesn't have a lot of vulgar language and
gratuitous sex, which a lot of shows on cable feel they need to resort to in
order to attract viewers. I don't consider myself a prude, but it was nice to
watch a show while I was visiting good friends and not have to feel embarrassed
when their kids came in the room.
My diagnosis for
Royal Pains is that it's worth
checking out and will hopefully enjoy longevity.
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