Grade: C+ | Genre: Drama Summary: This episode had some classic Nip/Tuck moments, but it was a bit sub par on the whole. Whenever they stray from their core formula, the episode usually suffers. It's been quite a while since we checked in on Sean McNamara and Christian Troy. When we last left them, the beauty slasher known as the Carver was slicing and dicing Christian's perfect mug while Sean was busy healing from the physical and emotional scars our knife happy friend had already inflicted. With season 3 kicking off this week, questions abound. Will Christian start things off with a bang by packing his bags for the heavenly shag fest of the hereafter? Will Sean win Julia back now that he's finished diddling porn star Barbie? Will Matt finally overcome his Elektra complex and date women his own age? Actually making sure they are honest to goodness women would be a good start. I've got all your answers and more as television's most consistent drama preps you for a fresh season of bigger breasts and plummeting waste lines. Number 5 scalpel blade please.

So Christian buys the farm...or does he? The hour and a half premiere opens with Sean (Dylan Walsh) entering Christian's room, swarming with police collecting evidence, while Christian (Julian McMahon) is affixed mid-room like a bloody, used up rag. Next thing we know, they are committing his coffin to the ground, and everyone is eulogizing his heart of gold festering under the maniacal womanizing exterior. You're not buying it either, huh? At the start of the funeral, I knew that we were spinning around in someone's dream, I just couldn't pin it on who. It was Christian's dream. He was still alive, relaying his unraveling unconscious mind to Sean, with a sliced neck and a crushing sense of vulnerability after being raped by the Carver.

The ladies of McNamara/Troy reach a cross roads with their men, and the role reversal is swiftly ironic. Julia (Joely Richardson) is finally ready to cut the cord from Sean and asks him to sign divorce papers. He can't bring himself to put pen to paper as his last shred of hope for their gasping "happily ever after" disintegrates before his eyes. Kimber (Kelly Carlson), on the other hand, is through babying Christian weeks after the attack. She wants to stop letting her fingers do the walking and get him ramrodding her like only Christian can. Then he proposes to her in a very consolation prize sort of way, which she regrettably passes on. Christian, you're still getting your feet wet with this whole one-woman concept. Don't go getting crazy on us.

Nip/Tuck: Season 3 Starring: Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon, John Hensley, Joely Richardson & Kelly Carlson Buy Season 2 on DVD Related Articles Christian Troy as 007? Nine Reasons Not to Kill Your TV Fantastic Four Email this article to a friend Nip/Tuck - Season 2 DVD Box Set - 6 Discs Order now and save 30%! Amazon.com Free TV Shows Download All Your Favorite TV Shows www.TV.org Give to the Red Cross Katrina's Victims Need Your Help. Donate Today & Make a Difference. RedCross.org

The patient of the week was the sad case of the incredibly obese Momma Boone. Take the sloth from Seven, bred him with Gilbert Grape's mom and you'd still be a few pounds shy. She hasn't gotten off her sofa in three years, and her skin has become one with the fabric fibers. Disgusting stopped being a suitable description for this a couple years ago. They take out a wall to haul her off to the hospital, couch and all, where Sean and a reluctant Christian methodically work to peel her free. How exactly did she go to the bathroom? Her grotesque catharsis spurs Christian back to life again, knowing he can't let himself be crippled by the Carver.

The best part of the evening was sizzling newcomer Rhona Mitra (Boston Legal) who is a one woman CSI: Miami investigating the Carver butcherings. She slices right through Christian's bullsh%$t and oozing charm and makes him feel vulnerable again. During the reenactment of the attack, the garter belts peek out, and you know its getting good until Kimber happens into the frame, and then it becomes "no guy should ever been this bleepin' lucky" good. It's a voyeur's paradise.

Just as a quick side note, what is up with Matt's hair? He's starting to look a bit like Michael Jackson, and that's someone you reeeally don't want to get mistaken for. In the glance at future episodes, It looks like he's about to get sheered like a sheep so maybe that will cover it. Also, is it just me or was Kimber looking a little rough this week? I guess a month in a committed relationship with Christian will do that to a girl.

This episode had some classic Nip/Tuck moments, but it was a bit sub par on the whole. Whenever they stray from their core formula, the episode usually suffers. I believe Momma, our couch dweller, was supposed to come off as a tragic character of circumstance and instead was a detestable side show carnival freak, pulled off the front page of the seedy tabloids. Just looking at her diseased legs was enough to turn your stomach, and we certainly didn't need to have that as the focal point of the episode. Also, Christian was neutered from being his usual devilishly charming self for good chunk of the time, and the overall letdown shows how key Julian McMahon is to making this show work. His death wasn't believable for a second, and the whole sequence really added little to the overall push of the episode. Even though the big premiere resembled more of a slump than anything, I have no doubt they'll kick it in gear and get us back on track next week. Premieres are usually known more for playing catch up than really giving us the hard-hitting drama so ditch your worries. The upcoming episode teaser looks dangerously compelling with more Carver cutting, Kojack Matt and the hottest threesome known to man as a weekly fixture of the show's impeccable decor. You know you want to watch.

Original Airdate: September 20, Tuesday 10 E/P
Season Premiere: Episode #01 "Momma Boone"

Checkout Nip/Tuck Tuesday nights at 10 PM on FX