Nip/Tuck

Conor McNamara

Season 4, Episode 8, Aired 10/24/06

Episode Summary

Mrs. Grubman is back for more Plastic Surgery this time she wants Christian to preform it after she has passed on. Sean and Julia have conflicts over Conor's Surgery.

9.1

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Cast & Crew

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Dylan Walsh

Dr. Sean McNamara
Julian McMahon

Dr. Christian Troy
John Hensley

Matt McNamara

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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Here's to You, Mrs. Grubman

8.5

"Great"

By maxpower03, Mar 03, 2010 Report Abuse

After a bunch of episodes centered on kidney thieves and the Lame-Ass Landau's, Conor McNamara made for a welcome breather, especially with the tear-inducing swan song for Mrs Grubman.

I've always though Mrs Grubman was a great recurring character. Vain, plastic, and ultimately pretty sad, she was a genius representation of this show's message: that no matter what you fix on the outside, you're still the same deep down. Plus, she was always a great foil for Christian. Ruth Williamson was really spectacular here, and she got to finally display her Broadway musical pipes with her rendition of This Girl's in Love alongside Mr Burt Bacharach himself. Also of note was the awesome Mo'nique, who made for yet another great foil for Mrs Grubman. She gave a really memorable performance here, and I loved her quips ("I'll go read my Essence", "he tried to fondle my sexy booty").

While I loved the Mrs Grubman story, I wasn't completely enamored with this episode's Sean-heavy subplot. The revelation about Sean's childhood came too out of left field for me, while a lot of the flashback scenes were crazy melodramatic.

Marlowe is an interesting character. He's arguably manipulative, but I think his best interests lie with Conor, and I appreciated that both he and Julia were open to more discussion on Conor's surgery, instead of just bulldozing through an opinion like Sean is doing. Maybe it's my affinity for Peter Dinklage talking, but I thought Marlowe brought a depth and intelligence to this show that you rarely see. And I know I'm alone in that thinking, by the way.

A reasonably successful episode, but way too Sean-heavy. Great guest work from Ruth Williamson, Mo'nique and Peter Dinklage, some of the best guest actors to ever appear on this show.

Director: Patrick McGee
Writers: Jennifer Salt, Hank Chilton
Rating: B+moreless

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Julia: "You want to know the difference between God and a surgeon? God doesn't think he's a surgeon."

10

"Perfect"

By Tim_Bronx, Jun 04, 2007 Report Abuse

I've always liked Mrs. Grubman. A few episodes here and there I've found her too self-obsessed to the point of annoyance, but for the most part I've found her enjoyable. Tonight I loved her.

After two years of fighting for survival and struggling to recover from her stroke, Mrs. Grubman gets hit with cancer. But even facing death, Mrs. Grubman wouldn't stop fighting. Ruth Williamson gave a wonderful performance, bringing so much life and zest to the character. After all the energy Mrs. Grubman put into organizing her huge funeral, it was sad to see that only two people attended. Mrs. Grubman really was a good person deep down, that if she only hadn't been so obsessed with beauty she probably would have lived a happy and sociable life. Mrs. Grubman left the show just on the right note - giving her inheritance to a charity fund at McNamara/Troy. See, she wasn't completely self-involved.

I enjoyed Sean's back story, and I like the idea that after four years we're still learning new things about out characters. Sean's handicap as a child is such a vital part to who Sean is today, to why he became a plastic surgeon, that I do find it a little unlikely that he didn't tell Julia. But regardless, I still enjoyed it. It helps explains Sean's fears and reservations in the beginning of the season about Julia giving birth to Conor.

Should I even begin talking about Julia and the manny? No, I'll stick to what I liked about tonight's episode.

Christian himself was back on track tonight. He showed compassion and sympathy towards Mrs. Grubman, one of the few people who he's actually shared a deep connection with in life. His eulogy at Mrs. Grubman's funeral was well-written and acted. It's moments like those that make me love his character; where we get to see the side of him that he hides behind his mask every day.

Final Notes and Quotes

- Okay Marlo, time to go. NOW! Is it too much to ask for a few weeks of mutual harmony between Sean and Julia?

- No Matt or Kimber. They're in an episode one week, they're out the next. Great continuity.

- I loved Mo'Nique as Mrs. Grubman's nurse. When she called Mrs. Grubman "sh*t pants", I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

- The Outstanding Performance award, without a doubt, goes to Ruth Williamson (Mrs. Grubman).

- Okay, Mrs. Grubman singing during her surgery was corny, but I still liked it.

- I enjoyed the flashbacks to Sean's childhood. First time we met Sean's parents.

- Dr. Troy: "Mrs. Grubman, I'm your plastic surgeon; I won't be your undertaker."

- And now, the last words of Mrs. Grubman:
"A shot of Botox is the elixir of life, Dr. Troy."

Final Rating: The episode wasn't without faults, but the emotional performances were spot on. 4 out of 4 stars.

- Tim Bronx
Find this and many more reviews at: www.motionpicturereviews.commoreless

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woa!! :)) i cried through most of it.Not a classic niptuck episode thought.Feels more like six feet under.death,babies and dark secrets.

9.5

"Superb"

By fallenepitaph, Nov 19, 2006 Report Abuse

everything happened in this episode made me think hard about life,i even watched afew scenes again to progress through all of my thoughts.The woman(i'm bad with names) dying was a really nice come back from the first season and a great cover for the death part of the life&death theme of the episode.Learning more about Sean was great,now we know why he chosed to become what he is.The directing was really outstanding in the flashbacks.i was really scared with not seeing his face till the end.revealing what's wrong in the picture shot scene was brilliant,although what was wrong with him was way insignificant then i expected. The death of the woman and the following funeral scenes were great,Christian showed us alittle more about himself. we learned once more that he has a heart of gold.(and dick of wood?Generally if a female appears more than one single episode,she is destined to be screwed over by christian but this one was an exception,i guess.(although she came close)) The song selection was nice but it could have been much better,especially the connor surgery scene.the song itself wasnt great but combining with the scenes,it was enough to make more tears to come down.and it was really really cool to see the brown bear with sean.moreless

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Nice Episode.

9.1

"Superb"

By PaulBernardo, Nov 14, 2006 Report Abuse

It\'s nice how we see Sean as a paternal figure. I like the music that they play after the surgery (Jesus like a child - George Michael). It is suitable for the occasion. I think that it is an example to show how parents do everything for their children. That is why I gave the episode a 9.1, it is a suitable mark for what the episode transmitted. Now I\'m eager to see how Conor hands will finally be. Anyways, we know that they will look good, I mean, it\'s obvious that Sean\'s surgery will repair Conor\'s hands. Thank you!moreless

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Children And Adults Written by Jennifer Salt And Hank Chilton Directed by Patrick McKee

10

"Perfect"

By shawnlunn2002, Nov 04, 2006 Report Abuse

Christian (to Mrs Grubman): "You were obsessed with your looks and plastic surgery and in the end, it cost you every relationship you ever had".

That speech brings three words to mind: pot, kettle and black! Yes, Mrs Grubman did destroy every essential relationship in her life but Christian isn't exactly far off that mark himself given his tendencies to self sabotage and poorly treat anyone who tries to get close to him, including his own family at times.

The last time we saw Mrs Grubman (excluding the alternative reality version in "Julia McNamara"), we saw that her excessive use of plastic surgery had rendered her immobile and instead of pulling a blank slate on that important event, it's very much touched on when in Christian's office, Grubman and he hired help Avetta schedule an appointment with the hunky Dr Troy. If I were Christian and I realised that this woman was on the books again, I would be thinking "oh crap, here we go again" because let's be honest, Grubman does bring on those kind of thoughts in a person.

Two years is a long time not to see one of your regular clients and with Grubman there was a good reason. Originally she planned to visit McNamara/Troy to get some work done so she could make a public comeback after beating some of her paralysis (her improved speech more or less cementing that) but fate decided to deal her yet another ugly hand and Grubman reveals to Christian that she's developed Stage 4 lung cancer and now wants her surgeries after her funeral, which she has decided will now be her very public comeback.

While I don't agree with the way someone like Mrs Grubman tends to think, a part of me kind of admires her bizarre determination to be the best looking cadaver ever seen in a Miami funeral home and church. It's also a very obvious "up yours" to dying as well, so it's nice that she has some fighting spirit within her.

Slipping into a recurring character that hasn't been on the show for quite a while can a tricky thing but Ruth Williamson's performance not only reminded me of how much I kinda liked Grubman, though she was highly irritating but it also felt like she never left the series in the first place. There are some pretty poignant scenes between her and Christian as after the vileness of last week, he shows up to her place when Avetta tells him that she is refusing to eat anything, which Christian is able to remedy by offering her botox if she takes her soup. Once again, this is consistent with the Grubman we all know and although there are some obvious parallels between how her and Christian have and had lived their lives are predictable, these two play off each other so well, you'd be hard pressed to really mind.

I also loved how Grubman's death came about too and the manner it was handled in. Both Grubman and Avetta stopped by Christian's office, briefly chatted with Avetta then leaving to read some magazine and as Christian was about to give Grubman some botox, she simply passed away in her seat with a knowing Christian closing her eyelids shut.

Even the scenes with Christian and Nurse Linda as they did Grubman's final surgery had a powerful kick in them, which got even better as they were merged with Burt Bacharach and Ruth Williamson singing and let's just say that Williamson has an amazing singing voice that makes you wonder why Grubman didn't get a grip on her vanity and work her vocal chords. Grubman's death is also the most moving we've had on the series since Megan O'Hara's suicide in Season One's "Adelle Coffin".

I kinda knew that Christian and Avetta were going to be the only ones who would actually show to Grubman's funeral but it was still a little upsetting that not even her daughter Claire didn't come even if it gave Christian the ample opportunity to hit home on both Grubman and I'm sure somewhere in between his rant, his own foibles.

On the plus side, at least Grubman left him a pretty useful parting gift which could be used to benefit McNamara/Troy at the end of this season, when things with Michelle and Burt go further down the toilet. Also, while I don't really rate Mo'Nique as an actress, I have to admit I was impressed with her as Avetta her, especially given how low key her performance, which is strange given how OTT this woman usually is. Plus I enjoyed the friendly sniping with her and Grubman too!

The other pressing matter in this episode is the long awaited and dreaded surgeries that Sean is too insistent that Connor should have, which are further heightened, when taking himself, Connor and Annie out for breakfast, some kid makes fun of Connor's hands and when the father gets aggressive with Sean, the latter reacts by thumping him.

Although I don't overly condone, I understood why Sean did punch Mr Thompson. It's bad enough Thompson's kid made fun of Connor but not only did the father do nothing, such as getting his kid to apologise to Sean but he also acted as if Sean didn't have a right to be upset about it. When Julia discovers that Sean's altercation could be costly she orders him to apologise to Mr Thompson, which Sean grudgingly does. It turns out that Mr Thompson isn't the biggest moron in existence when he accepts Sean's apology and listens to him open up about his own fears in regards to Connor and for the first time, Sean does articulate them a damn sight better than before.

The conversation also shows the contrasting opinions Sean and Julia now have to surgery as both parents come to blows over putting their son under the knife. You can easily see why Julia is now not so open to the idea on Connor being operated on. Sean was dismissive with her at breakfast when he talked about operated on infant hands and even in the meeting with Christian, Dr Mugabi and Marlowe, none of the doctor's actually took either Julia or Marlowe's concerns quite seriously. They may not be medically trained but it's pretty damn rude to dismiss a parent's fear of her own child's safety.

Sadly for us, the writers decide to take a big cliché by having Julia kiss Marlowe when he threatened to quit as the meeting from hell. Now, I love the friendship between these two so I really have to ask Ryan Murphy and company why go there? Julia and Marlowe work better as friends, not groin buddies.

Also hands p who thought that all along Sean's obsession with Connor may have had something to do with a deformity he had a child himself? Okay, I think everyone did and in a series of impressive flashbacks, we see that Sean had a facial cleft and how not only did constant taunting drive him insane but it also caused conflict with his parents when mother Kathleen used Sean's college fund to get plastic surgery to fix his face, which in the end motivated his father Tom, who couldn't handle things to abandon Sean. To most people this would be a big deal but as a child, I could understand how much this affected Sean and I do sympathise.

That being said, I still think Connor is way too young for surgery as evasive as the ones he's having and perhaps Sean should wait until the boy is older and give him the choice. I do appreciate that he told Julia about it, which changed her mind and allowed Sean to operate on his son, in scenes that I did have a bit of trouble watching although the merging of young Sean and current Connor's surgery was beautifully done as was the gorgeous closing shot, which did tug the heartstrings. Also in "Connor McNamara"

Patients of the week: Aside from Ms Grubman and Connor McNamara, Avetta signed up for some free lipo after getting little in Grubman's will.

Avetta (to Christian): "Can I answer that one? Because there are a few things that I don't like about Driving Ms Crazy"
Mrs Grubman: "No you can't answer that, Avetta. If I wanted someone with an opinion, I would've hired Star Jones".

Christian: "I'm your plastic surgeon; I won't be your undertaker"
Mrs Grubman: "There is not an undertaker in Miami who has an ounce of your artistic talent, Dr Troy".

After four years we finally learn that Mrs Grubman's first name is Hetta and before meeting her husband she was going to be one of Burt Bacharach's girls.

Kathleen (re Sean): "This isn't about me. He's being taunted and humiliated and he's suffering".

Sean (to Mr Thompson): "Your son's an **** but not half as big an **** as his father".

We learned that Morgan plays baseball (like Sean) and is a short stop but is slower than the other kids.

Christian: "All we doctors, we got a number of tricks up our sleeves"
Julia: "That was a reasonable question, Christian".

Marlowe's defence against the surgeries included talk of how surgeries at a young age could often lead to bigger problems later on. Sean and Christian shouldn't dismiss him like that.

Christian (to Mrs Grubman): "Eating out in public, that's fantastic"
Avetta: "Baby it was like opening the gate to hell".

Avetta cracked me up with her nicknames for Grubman, which included **** Pants" and "Fatty Belt Buckles". Grubman set up a trust fund for free plastic surgery too.

Julia (to Marlowe): "Do you know the difference between God and a surgeon? God doesn't think he's a surgeon".

Chronology A few days since "Burt Landau". This episode was also devoid of Matt, Kimber and Michelle and Liz barely had anything to do. Sean: "What if they laugh at me?"
Kathleen: "They're fools if they laugh at you. Who cares what fools think?"

Standout music: "This Girl's In Love With You" by Ruth Williamson and Burt Bacharach and "Jesus To A Child" by George Michael.

This episode knocked me for six. "Connor McNamara" had everything that confirms my love for this series. I know there are some viewers not pleased with this season but not me. The quality in the writing of this episode and the characterisation was beyond perfect tonight.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- It's revealed that Mrs. Grubman's first name is Hedda. Edit
- Mrs. Grubman refers to Christian being in her bedroom under 'slightly different circumstances' and also regretting that she didn't sleep with him when she had the chance. This refers back to the Season 1 episode Nanette Babcock where Christian- under duress from Sean- offered to sleep with her if she would drop a lawsuit against McNamara/Troy. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- First appearance by Ruth Williamson (Mrs. Grubman) since the season 2 episode "Julia McNamara". Edit
- Original International Air Dates: Czech Republic: January 21, 2009 on TV Nova Edit
- Eryn Krueger Mekash, Stephanie A. Fowler, Bill Corso, Mary Kay Witt, Christopher Allen Nelson and Christien Tinsley were nominated for the 2007 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special" for this episode. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Christian: (at the lectern, reading his eulogy) 'I'm here to pay respects to Hetta Grubman. Her life was like that of any other, filled with accomplishments that should be exalted, regrets that should be learned from. Her wit and candour…' (folds up speech, and walks away from lectern) This is bullshit. (turns back to the coffin and walks toward it) Truth is, Mrs. Grubman, you were a huge pain in the ass. Pretty much everybody hated you, so much that they boycotted your funeral. You were obsessed with your looks and plastic surgery and in the end it cost you every relationship you ever had. (pause; stands over the coffin and looks at her) But I know somewhere inside, you meant well. And you were funny and honest. And you stuck up for yourself. And I loved the fact that you never let me off the hook. Life was more interesting with you in it, and… (starts to cry) and I'm gonna miss you. And I love you too. (kisses her) Goodbye, Mrs. Grubman. Edit
- (Avetta and Christian are the only people at Mrs. Grubman's funeral) Christian: Her daughter Claire? She couldn't find the time to come to her mother's funeral? Avetta: Claire called the house. Said that her mother died for her almost two years ago, when she stopped seeing her after she had the stroke. Said that when she chose vanity over family, it was too much for her to handle. (pause; laughs) Did you hear what she put on her headstone? 'I came, I saw, I conquered'. Edit
- (Sean reveals to Julia that he was born with a cleft palate) Julia: When did you have the surgery? Who paid for it? Sean: I was eight. My mother used the college money. We did it behind my dad's back. Lucky for everyone, I was a good student, qualified for financial aid. He never forgave her. He left a few months later. Julia: That's why he left you guys? Always seemed such a mystery to me. Sean: I think he felt he lost control of the family. I guess… we pushed him out. My mom worked two jobs to support us. Julia: I don't understand why you just didn't tell me. Sean: Cause I put that pathetic kid behind me! Julia: Oh no you didn't! That kid is why you're a plastic surgeon! Why did you have to keep it a secret? Sean: I couldn't let you see me as that pathetic, ugly kid. I was afraid that's all you'd ever see. Julia: In so many ways, that little kid is who I fell in love with. Sean: Only because you never saw him. Edit
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS
- Avetta refers to Mrs. Grubman as 'Driving Miss Crazy'. This is a riff on the 1989 Bruce Beresford film Driving Miss Daisy in which a cantankerous old white woman (Jessica Tandy) is chauffeured by a straight-talking black man (Morgan Freeman). The relationship between the two characters is similar to the relationship between Avetta and Mrs. Grubman. Edit
- Mrs. Grubman says that if she'd have wanted someone with an opinion, she'd have hired Star Jones Star Jones is a very outspoken and forthright TV presenter and writer, a lawyer and former prosecutor who was a former co-host on the ABC talk-show The View Edit
- Mrs. Grubman mentions wanting to be 'the best-looking corpse since Zsa Zsa Gabor'. Zsa Zsa Gabor is a Hungarian-born actress and socialite, famous for her many marriages and some infamous trouble in the late 1980s when she was arrested for slapping a police officer. Recently, her health has been called into question as she had a major stroke in early 2005. Edit