Nip/tuck's greatest irony lies not within its vast web of lies, deception, cruelty, satire, and tragedy, but within the fact that most of the show's fans have completely missed the point. This show, along with The Shield, is one of the most challenging pieces of art ever crafted. The creators of the show are wise enough to understand that most will interpret the show as a glorification of sex, desire, selfishness, etc. For those reasons, viewers will either love or despise the show. But both parties are wrong. Nip/tuck is a satire of superficiality and a thoughtful portrait of human misbehavior and its damaging results. But unlike the so-called "insightful" attitudes of most satires, this series is subtle in its commentary. So subtle, in fact, that at times it seems to be promoting superficial beauty and selfishness. But underneath all of this, there is a cosmic layer of feeling and emotion that I cannot describe in words. Throughout all of the wickedness and absurdity of the events depicted in Nip/tuck, I realized that I deeply care about the characters. They have become more real to me than some actual people I know. This series could have easily been just another medical show or even trashy pornography, but it cuts too deep and sees far too much honest pain for that to be the case. It is a brilliant series and I recommend to those with the stomach for it.
Review of Nip/Tuck
