The fifth season of Nip/Tuck premiered on October 30, 2007 and concluded on March 3, 2009. The unusually lengthy interval, for this season, was a direct result of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike.[1][2] The season consisted of 22 episodes.

Nip/Tuck
Season 5
DVD cover for Part 1 (left) and Part 2
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkFX
Original releaseOctober 30, 2007 (2007-10-30) –
March 3, 2009 (2009-03-03)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 4
Next →
Season 6
List of episodes

Cast and characters

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Main cast

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Special guest stars

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Recurring cast

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Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byPatient portrayerOriginal air dateProd.
code
Viewers
(millions)
Part 1
601"Carly Summers"Charles HaidRyan MurphyDaphne ZunigaOctober 30, 2007 (2007-10-30)3T64014.34[3]
In the fifth season premiere, Sean and Christian settle into their new plastic surgery practice in Beverly Hills and struggle to build it from the ground up.
612"Joyce & Sharon Monroe"Charles HaidRyan MurphySusan Griffiths & Merilee BraschNovember 6, 2007 (2007-11-06)3T64023.33[3]
Sean and Christian learn about the glamorous side of fame and the price that people are willing to pay for it.
623"Everett Poe"Richard LevineLyn Greene & Richard LevineMichael Des BarresNovember 13, 2007 (2007-11-13)3T64033.56[3]
Sean and Julia learn more about their family dynamics as Sean resists Eden Lord's advances.
634"Dawn Budge II"Charles HaidJennifer SaltRosie O'DonnellNovember 20, 2007 (2007-11-20)3T64043.21[3]
A series of unfortunate events unfold for an unlucky Dawn Budge, who seeks reparative surgery from Sean and Christian.
645"Chaz Darling"Sean JablonskiSean JablonskiJai RodriguezNovember 27, 2007 (2007-11-27)3T64053.40[3]
While a patient inspires Sean to take his relationship with Kate in a new direction, Eden uses extreme methods to persuade Christian to perform surgery on a friend.
656"Damien Sands"Charles HaidHank ChiltonIan BuchananDecember 4, 2007 (2007-12-04)3T64062.49[3]
Christian, jealous over Sean's newfound fame, convinces Sean to tape a reality show based on their careers as plastic surgeons, with desastrous results. This episode is a satire of reality television.
667"Dr. Joshua Lee"Brad FalchukBrad FalchukGeorge CoeDecember 11, 2007 (2007-12-11)3T64072.52[3]
As Sean tries to regain his youth through his relationship with Eden, a violent and traumatic event causes Julia to question her relationship with Olivia.
678"Duke Collins"Elodie KeeneLyn Greene & Richard LevineJoel McKinnon MillerDecember 18, 2007 (2007-12-18)3T64081.94[3]
After suspecting that something more than just their Secret Santa game is going on, Sean confronts Christian and Julia about the secret they have been keeping.
689"Rachel Ben Natan"Charles HaidJennifer SaltMaggie SiffJanuary 15, 2008 (2008-01-15)3T64092.19[3]
As Julia's health worsens, Christian falls back into old habits. Sean hires Gina as the new McNamara/Troy receptionist in order to get back at Christian.
6910"Magda & Jeff"Craig ZiskHank ChiltonSelma Stern & Robert GantJanuary 22, 2008 (2008-01-22)3T64102.84[3]
After Sean takes on an agent, his role on "Hearts 'n Scalpels" is expanded. Meanwhile, a suspicious Christian questions why Gina moved to Los Angeles and is working at McNamara/Troy, and what her motives might be.
7011"Kyle Ainge"Dirk Wallace CraftBrad Falchuk & Hank ChiltonJeff HephnerJanuary 29, 2008 (2008-01-29)3T64112.89[3]
Christian attempts to cope in the aftermath of a death. Meanwhile, Colleen feels threatened when another talent agency shows interest in Sean's acting career.
7112"Lulu Grandiron"Brad FalchukBrad FalchukDonna MillsFebruary 5, 2008 (2008-02-05)3T64123.34[3]
Eden looks to Sean for help after getting into business with Kimber and Ram.
7213"August Walden"Sean JablonskiSean JablonskiStephen J. OliverFebruary 12, 2008 (2008-02-12)3T64132.71[3]
A television critic gives Sean a dose of the ugly side of Hollywood.
7314"Candy Richards"Richard LevineJennifer SaltJennifer CoolidgeFebruary 19, 2008 (2008-02-19)3T64142.98[3]
Tragedy strikes the McNamara/Troy family after Julia learns what has caused her ill health.
Part 2
7415"Ronnie Chase"Brad FalchukRyan MurphyMichael ScheckenowitzJanuary 6, 2009 (2009-01-06)3T64153.12[3]
As season five continues, McNamara/Troy faces an unexpected, serious medical crisis. Christian decides to settle down with one woman and Sean discovers a new love in a moment of extreme vulnerability. In the premiere episode for this second segment of season five, Sean's physical and emotional well-being is greatly impacted after he survives the attack from Colleen. Meanwhile, Christian gets some troubling news.
7516"Gene Shelly"Richard LevineLyn Greene & Richard LevineJohn FleckJanuary 13, 2009 (2009-01-13)3T64162.53[3]
Christian and Liz grow closer when his chemotherapy makes him ill and she becomes his caretaker. Sean reconnects with his broken family.
7617"Roxy St. James"Lyn GreeneJennifer SaltDina MeyerJanuary 27, 2009 (2009-01-27)3T64172.68[3]
Sean tries to deal with his feelings for Julia. Christian meets someone who gets what he is going through.
7718"Ricky Wells"John Stuart ScottBrad FalchukBrando EatonFebruary 3, 2009 (2009-02-03)3T64182.70[3]
Matt gets jealous when Sean and Raj starts to develop a father/son relationship. Christian and Liz try making things work.
7819"Manny Skerritt"Dirk Wallace CraftRyan MurphyMisha CollinsFebruary 10, 2009 (2009-02-10)3T64192.33[3]
Sean's hiring of a new anesthesiologist leads to trouble. Kimber goes to extreme measures.
7920"Budi Sabri"Hank ChiltonRyan Murphy & Hank ChiltonChi Muoi LoFebruary 17, 2009 (2009-02-17)3T64202.40[3]
Sean and Teddy explore their relationship and Christian relates to a patient with a unique condition.
8021"Allegra Calderella"Sean JablonskiSean JablonskiElaine HausmanFebruary 24, 2009 (2009-02-24)3T64212.10[3]
Christian makes arrangements to secure his family's future after he's gone. Liz prepares for the wedding.
8122"Giselle Blaylock & Legend Chandler"Lyn GreeneLyn Greene & Richard LevineWendy Glenn & Graham ShielsMarch 3, 2009 (2009-03-03)3T64222.39[3]
Christian searches for immortality and Kimber reacts to the news of Liz and Christian getting married.

U.S television ratings

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Season Season premiere Season finale Viewers
total
(in millions)
Viewers
age 18–49
(in millions)
Date Viewers total
(in millions)
Viewers
18–49
(in millions)
Date Viewers total
(in millions)
Viewers
18–49
(in millions)
5th – Part I October 30, 2007 4.3[4] 3.5 February 19, 2008 ??? 2.41[5] ??? ???
5th – Part II January 6, 2009 3.1[6] 2.4[6] March 3, 2009 3.8 2.4 ? ?

Reception

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The fifth season received very positive reviews from critics, holding a 87% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes,[7] the highest-rated series of the show on the site.[8] It was praised for its use of humour, with Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe writing "The plastic-surgery drama just keeps on spinning smart, tart, funny, tragic, sexy, grotesque tales about vanity and contemporary American life",[9] whilst Charlie McCollum of the San Jose Mercury News wrote, "The shift in setting has resulted in opening episodes that are so wickedly funny and energetic that Nip/Tuck seems like a whole new show – or at least one that has recaptured its past glory."[10] Ryan Murphy received praise for the show's change of location from Miami to Los Angeles, with Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times writing "Ten minutes into the season premiere of Nip/Tuck and you have to wonder what those deeply disturbed plastic surgeons were doing wasting four seasons, and all that unexplored sexual tension, in Miami when they so clearly belong in Los Angeles",[11] whilst Brian Lowry wrote for Variety that "A change of venue has helped Nip/Tuck get much of its mojo back."[12] Rick Porter, at Zap2it, wrote "The actors are relishing the change of scenery and all that it brings, and [Ryan] Murphy himself seems more engaged as well."[13] Some criticism was aimed at the show s continued use of sexual content, with Ginia Bellafante of The New York Times writing "For four seasons Nip/Tuck danced around the idea that sex creepily ought to stay within the province of family life's pre-existing perversions; now it is saying so more directly, and with home-baked fruitcake."[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Strike over, Hollywood writers head back to work". CNN.com. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on April 13, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  2. ^ Handel, Jonathan (2011). Hollywood on Strike!: An Industry at War in the Internet Age. Los Angeles, CA: Hollywood Analytics. p. 580. ISBN 978-1-4382-3385-7. Archived from the original on July 12, 2001. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Nip/Tuck (FX): Ratings Recap". Ratings Ryan. December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "Top 20 Cable TV Show Weekly Nielsen Ratings October 29 – November 4, 2007". Tvbythenumbers.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  5. ^ Fitzgerald, Toni. "Media Life Magazine – 'Envelope, Please: Gary Busey for ...'". Medialifemagazine.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  6. ^ a b "'Nip/Tuck' Carves Up Competition in Winter Premiere". TV Week. July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  7. ^ "Nip/Tuck: Season 5 (2007-2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  8. ^ "Nip/Tuck". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  9. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (October 30, 2007). "Scalpel-sharp 'Nip/Tuck' slices into La-La Land". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  10. ^ McCollum, Charlie (October 30, 2007). "McCollum: Move to Hollywood injects life into 'Nip/Tuck'". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  11. ^ McNamara, Mary (October 30, 2007). "Getting Real in L.A.". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  12. ^ Lowry, Brian (October 30, 2007). "Nip/Tuck". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Porter, Rick (October 30, 2007). "Nip/Tuck". Zap2it. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  14. ^ Bellafante, Ginia (December 18, 2007). "The Quest for Beauty Gives Way to Ugliness". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2020.