Nip/Tuck

Naomi Gaines

Season 2, Episode 7, Aired 8/3/04

Episode Summary

When local model Naomi Gaines is raped & disfigured by an attacker named "The Carver", Sean decides to repair her injuries on a pro-bono basis, thrusting McNamara/Troy into the local media spotlight, trying to overcome the slander caused by Bobbie Broderick. After getting caught sneaking into the house late at night, Matt lies by telling his parents he was studying with Ava's son Adrian. Adrian is forced to play along with the subject when Julia invites them all to dinner. Adrian reveals Matt & Ava's relationship, causing Julia to lash out at Ava & Matt. When Matt becomes uncomfortable with his increasingly demanding relationship with Ava, she reveals to him the secret that his mother is keeping from him.moreless

9.4

EPISODE RATING: Superb

226 votes

Your Rating: 10

"Perfect"
Your Rating: 9.5

"Superb"
Your Rating: 9

"Superb"
Your Rating: 8.5

"Great"
Your Rating: 8

"Great"
Your Rating: 7.5

"Good"
Your Rating: 7

"Good"
Your Rating: 6.5

"Fair"
Your Rating: 6

"Fair"
Your Rating: 5.5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 4.5

"Poor"
Your Rating: 4

"Poor"
Your Rating: 3.5

"Bad"
Your Rating: 3

"Bad"
Your Rating: 2.5

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 2

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 1.5

"Abysmal"
Your Rating: 1

"Abysmal"

Rate It

Watch Online

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Dylan Walsh

Dr. Sean McNamara
Julian McMahon

Dr. Christian Troy
John Hensley

Matt McNamara

Fan Episode Reviews (8)

See All

Truth

9.1

"Superb"

By napen, Sep 16, 2008 Report Abuse

El primero de una triloga de captulos imperdibles (al menos para m). La verdad, decir la idem es tan importante, y no ocultarla creo que ms. Naomi hace de esto un festn y decide mostrarle al mundo su verdadera cara (disfrazada tras esas cicatrices). Decide apartarse de todos los miedos y se enfrenta a la temida verdad. Lo mismo hace Julia al fin con su hijo, o l la obliga a. Al fin Matt lo sabe y esto seguramente desencadenar un suceso de hechos bochornosos, la hecatombe.
La verdad sale a la luz, la temible y tan necesaria (demonaca y violenta) verdad.moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
0 0
Carver? I Don't Even Know Her!

9.9

"Superb"

By maxpower03, Dec 14, 2007 Report Abuse

Famke Janssen just won't quit it. She's already stolen the show, but now she's running with it too. The writers have created such a venomous woman, but one you can't help but love. There's nothing more appealing on these kinds of shows than a female character that can run circles around every other character, wrapping them all around her little finger, while barely breaking a sweat.

There's a major incestuous vibe between Ava and Adrian, as well as a volatile, violent aspect to their relationship too. Adrian is the definition of disturbed, and comes off isolated, alone, screwed up and generally unaware of how to act around people. All of this is because of Ava though, who's pure evil. Her calculated "you're not too old for a backhand and I'm wearing heavy rings" was so demeaning to him. She's just crazy.

The dinner party bringing together the McNamara's and the Moore's was a disaster waiting to happen. It wasn't surprising when Adrian spilled the beans about Matt and Ava's affair, but the aftermath was one of the greatest Nip/Tuck scenes in history. Joely Richardson completely rocked it as she yelled at Ava, and Famke Janssen was so deliciously evil, throwing Julia's "sex shame" in her face and generally treating her like dirt. I loved Julia getting right up in her face and throwing her the hell out. But, as always, Ava had another trick up her sleeve, and later told Matt that Sean isn't his father. Man, she's pure evil.

If the Ava story wasn't epic enough, we also had two great subplots. The Naomi Gaines story introduced the terrifying Carver, and Leslie Bibb was perfect in her guest role as the young model whose career was ruined by a brutal rape attack. I also loved the resolution to the Bobbi Broderick storyline. The writers could have easily dismissed her as a crazy old shrew, but they actually made her both endearing and understandable. They even kinda gave her a happy ending.

An awesome episode from start to finish and featuring another show-stealing performance from Famke Janssen as crazy Ava. Naomi Gaines set up several major storylines, and did so perfectly.

Director: Craig Zisk
Writer: Sean Jablonski
Rating: A+moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
1 0
Julia: "I put an alarm in this house to keep monsters out, when shockingly the true monster was right in front of my face the entire time!"

10

"Perfect"

By Tim_Bronx, Aug 14, 2006 Report Abuse

This season has really hit its stride, with many issues reaching their boiling point today.

The confrontation between Julia and Ava was riveting, and Julia's aghast reaction was extremely believable. Ava showed she has some serious guts today; first talking to Julia very openly about her and Matt's sexual relationship, and then throwing back in Julia's face the sexual problems Julia and Sean are having. I was happy Matt defended his mother, and it looked like Matt was finally ready to break things off with Ava. That is, until Ava dropped the ball and told Matt who his real father was.

The final scene between Matt and Julia was effectively emotional and an exciting pay off to all the build up we've had over Matt's paternity. Matt's confusion and anger about having his whole life shaken upside down was very apparent first as he yelled at Julia, and then when he broke down in Sean's arms knowing that Sean wasn't his real father. I fear it's only a matter of time until Sean finds out the truth as well.

Leslie Bibb did a wonderful job as Naomi Gaines today, our main patient of the week who was brutally attacked by a serial rapist called The Carver. I loved Naomi making Bobbi Broderick feel like an idiot about her liposuction complaints. Naomi is a real victim; Bobbi never was. While I did sympathize with Bobbi in the end, I still was appalled when she admitted she didn't follow any of Sean's suggestions to stay healthy after the operation. She made such a huge scandal about how her stomach turned out when really it was all her fault and she knew it. That's pretty unforgivable in my book.

Final Notes and Quotes

- Adrian is insanely jealous of Matt's relationship with Ava, and from walking in on Ava and Matt having sex to telling Julia about Matt's new relationship it looks like he's trying his hardest to break the two of them apart.

- Adrian's attachment to Ava reminded me a lot of Brenda and her crazy brother Billie on Six Feet Under, with both relationships having incestuous implications (On Six Feet Under it turned out to be false. I'm still not sure about Adrian and Ava's relationship though).

- Adrian: (to Matt) "What would be great is if you could come quicker so I could get some rest."

- Character Tidbits: Christian was born in June 1964.

- Julia: (to Ava) "Never touch him again, or I swear to god I'll kill you. Now get out of my house!" I think that's the maddest we've ever seen her.

Final Rating: It just keeps getting better and better. 4 out of 4 stars.

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

DO YOU AGREE?
2 0
Mother Knows Best Written by Sean Jablonski Directed by Craig Zisk

9.0

"Superb"

By shawnlunn2002, Oct 31, 2005 Report Abuse

If you enjoyed the antics of Bobbi Broderick in the previous episode, then you'll be delighted to know the disgruntled lady is back and upping the ante on McNamara and Troy. Although we already know it's her own fault, Sean still points out that the media are more interested in salacious scandal than the actual truth itself. Not only has Bobbi's flashing techniques affected trade but she's making sure obligatory fliers, rotting piles of meat and intrepid Channel 9 news reporter Andrea Hall are all there to get McNamara and Troy to own up to an act they aren't responsible for.

While Sean whines about Bobbi's vindictive campaign, Christian isn't one to sit and pout and takes affirmative action by seeking out and seducing Andrea Hall, while offering her a real victim's story, hence our main patient of the week.

Naomi Gaines, an aspiring model who was horrifically attacked and raped in her own home by a serial slasher known as The Carver. Unlike Kimber, Naomi actually looks like she enjoys a healthy meal and guest star Leslie Bibb is wonderfully cast in such a fascinating and sympathetic role, it doesn't take a genius to see why Sean wanted her on the books. Not only does he seem to like doing the pro-bono work, but to him (and everyone else), Naomi is a genuine victim.

While Christian thinks o the publicity angle a lot more, Naomi's plight s the only thing that snap Bobbi out of her personal mission to ruin the firm, especially after Naomi berates her on victim hood. It's from this instant that some light is shed and you finally begin to feel sympathy for Bobbi. I'm glad she admitted to Sean that it was her own doing that her recovery was botched and it was incredibly decent he decided to use her as a reference on the cons of plastic surgery. I'm not sure Christian would agree with that recommendation but it does open up the possibility of future appearances for the character which isn't the worst thing to happen on the show (she could be the new Mrs Grubman, minus surgery addiction).

As for the Naomi plot, this Carver is instantly made into a scary threat. More strikingly is the message that he leaves behind after his rapes and mutilates his victims beauty is a curse on the world. If Sean and Christian are all about removing the self-hatred people feel about themselves, then this sick freak is on the opposite side of the scales. It doesn't need to be said but this is a thread I can't wait to get into.

Fascinating continues to be an overall feel in this episode as the Matt and Ava relationship continues to crank up that much more. It took very little time for Adrian to stir up shit and almost every scene prior to his outburst backs up my statement. How to cause trouble between your predatory mother and her jailbait lover? Well if you're Adrian that means trying to get in bed with them, trying to make out with said toy boy (after asking if he wants to jack-off a couple of hours early) and revealing all in front of toy-boy's mom. That ought to do it.

Well it did and when looked like Matt was about to escape from Ava's clutches, she sinks her claws in just further by revealing Matt's true parentage. Bitch! As a result, we get a kick ass confrontation between Matt and Julia, who's forced to tell him the truth and even though she should've been honest with Matt in the beginning, he had no right to call her a whore The moment where Sean walked was nail-biting and it was clever how he told him about Ava as a subterfuge. I like Sean a lot but this proves he really has no idea about what goes on in his family, though at the same I am dreading what happens when he uncovers this particular secret.

Also in "Naomi Gaines"

Not a Patient: Mrs Deckland wanted a facelift but Bobbi's campaign and meeting with Sean and Christian made her change her mind.

Adrian (to Matt): "What would be great is if you could come quicker so I can get some rest".

Sean (re patient): "She's in my office. You saw her?"
Nurse Linda: "You don't forget that face".

The Carver has so far gone for women and it was interesting how Bobbi picked famous victims as false patients for the surgeons. Marion Crane, Sharon Tate and Kitty Geneves, for example.

Naomi (re smiling): "I don't know if I can't or because I don't want to".

Some character bits: Ava had Adrian when she was 16, Christian was born in June 1964, Naomi had booked her first cover prior to her attack and there's an incest vibe between Ava and Adrian. I just know it.

Matt: "Chill with the attitude. I'm not here to take your shit"
Adrian: "You're boring me".

Leslie Bibb who played Naomi was a regular on Ryan Murphy's previous show, Popular. I'll admit I never liked it at first but it's far better than The O.C. or One Tree Hill. I approve of Murphy pulling in previous actors, especially when great in roles like this.

Ava: "You're confusing personal attention with ground rules. The truth of the matter is you are denied nothing"
Adrian: "Really Mom. When I asked you and Matt to keep it down while you were humping the other night, you didn't do that for me. That's denial".

We saw Andrea Hall exposing an asbestos outbreak on Channel 9 news. She's got possible recurring character status written on her.

Julia (to Ava): "Don't you ever touch my son again or I swear to God, I will kill you. Now get out of my house".

Bobbi: "What happened to you?"
Naomi: "I was attacked in my home by a man who raped me and carved up my face".

Julia: "Don't talk to me like that. I am still your mother"
Matt: "You're not my mother, you're a whore. Even if you did hit me, it would still be true".

Standout music: "Hayling" by FC Kahuna.

Could this possibility be the best episode in Season 2 so far? It's definitely up there. "Naomi Gaines" was an intense, revealing hors, laced with so much suspense; the next instalment can't come quick enough.
moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
0 0
Truths are revealed that aren't wanting to be known, and revelations discovered that will shake up Nip/Tuck well into this season...

10

"Perfect"

By untouchable57, Jul 18, 2005 Report Abuse

The seventh episode in the second season of Nip/Tuck, and this week's installment continues on largely from the huge bombshell of the previous episode, that Ava has a teenage son. That's right, Ava, a mother. Yet another fantastic idea on the writer's part, and to make things worse, Adrian Moore isn't like the other kids...

When ill and told to lie down he offers to join Matt and his mother in bed, before later on being unashamedly rude, and trying to kiss Matt. His expressions tell the stories of a thousand words, and despite seeming "troubled" his smugness and actions make him a hard character to like. He does stir things up however, and he did without a doubt add to the episode's appeal.

The patient of the episode this week is the young Naomi Gaines. After Julia reading about her survival from being attacked and raped by a villan called "The Carver", Sean decides to give her a consultation, and when the time comes, announces him and Christian will do it for free. Essentially repairing victims is what the duo do every episode to an extent, and a look over the patients will only confirm that, but it was more than refreshing this week to have a real victim. Add in some emotional scenes and some brilliant acting by Leslie Bibb, and it was hard not to feel sympathetic and amazed at the same time towards her survival.

The truth also emerged this week about Bobbi Broderick. After the supposed mishap in the previous episode it was revealed that it was self induced, and Broderick was really to blame for all the bruising. Her story of self pity marked a complete contradiction from her character in the previous episode, and in a way, a bit of a letdown. More so as she was such a good baddie in the last episode. Regardless, the acting by Jill Clayburgh was once again on top form, and I for one, will miss her as a patient.

In true Nip/Tuck style, it would not be a complete episode without some disruption at the McNamara household, and thankfully, we were not forgotten on that front.

You knew immediately when Julia invited Adrian to dinner things would soon go pear-shaped, and they did, when it was him who revealed to her the relationship between Matt and his mother. In what only contributed to Adrian's demonic and somewhat eerie mind, his expressions and just general bad-ass attitude was priceless, causing yet even more friction between Julia and Matt. Joely Richardson did a superb job of acting out the response any mother would (or should) have, as did
the rest of the dinner guests.

Sean's response should be interesting...moreless

DO YOU AGREE?
1 0

Write a Review

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

Trivia
ADD TRIVIA
- When Andrea Hall finds out that Christian is 40, she says that she would have guessed 36. The episode aired exactly one week after Julian McMahon's 36th birthday. Edit
- Newspaper article: Serial Rapist Carves Another Victim By Hoot Maynard. An unknown assailant who raped and robbed one woman and molested and robbed another two weeks ago has struck again. Days after the attack on Mrs Jawcrak, Hardacre, 24, raped a teenage girl the court was told. Police Detectives are "repelled" by details of the case. Edit
- Featured Music: "Hayling" by FC Kahuna (Matt & Ava in bed/Adrian walks in) "Sidewalk" by 7-Hurtz (Naomi Gaines consult with Sean & Christian) "Ciao" by Cinerex (Christian seduces reporter Andrea Hall at bar) "City Ports" by Forss (Matt/Ava/Adrian at Ava's pool) "Skin Trade" by Duran Duran (Naomi Gaines' facial reconstructive surgery) "State of Mind" by Aaron Kaplan (Matt/Adrian talk in Matt's room/Adrian kisses Matt) "City Ports" (Reprise) by Forss (Matt breaks up with Ava/Matt confronts Julia about his paternity) Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- Famke Janssen is credited as a Special Guest Star. Edit
- Jill Clayburgh receives the 'and' credit. Edit
- This episode marks the first mention of "The Carver". Over the next couple of episodes and third season this storyline would get bigger and bigger. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Julia: From now on, you´ll have to earn your own privacy in this house, Matt. There are gonna be no more secrets between us. Matt: Then why don´t we start by the one you´re keeping from me? Julia: What are you talking about? Matt: Ava told me. You´ve been lying to me, my whole life, about who I am. Julia: Ava is a manipulator, Matt. You cannot believe anything she tells you. Matt: Christian´s my real dad, isn´t he? Julia: What? That´s crazy. Matt: I´ve seen the way you two look at each other, how close you are. He even said he thinks of me as a son. If you want me to be honest with you about my life, then tell me the truth. Is Christian my real father? Tell me! Julia: Yes. Edit
- Ava:(to Adrian) You're not too old to get a backhand and I'm wearing heavy rings. Edit
- Adrian: Does anyone want to put sunscreen on my back? Edit
Allusions
- Help by adding allusions to this episode. Add allusions