Royal Pains Mid-Season Premiere Episode Review

Royal Pains’ third season mid-season premiere will be showing on January 18. The hit series with 7 million+ viewers has already been renewed for a fourth season, which will begin filming in New York later this year.

The show follows Hank (Mark Feuerstein) and his brother, Evan (Paulo Costanzo) medical practice, HankMed, which they decided to open to the wealthy class of The Hamptons when Hank was wrongfully blamed for one of his patient’s deaths. When one of the town’s administrator, who Hank has an off again on again thing with, asks him to be a resident doctor at the hospital, Hank devotes himself both to the care of the upper-class and less fortunate patients while maintaining his new lifestyle.

Paulo Costanzo is really what initially caught my eye about this series. Despite its horrible reputation since it’s a show that was popular to hate, I became a big fan of his after his portrayal of Michael on the Friends spin-off, Joey. He has the same charisma with Evan, but is a completely different character. It’s good to see he isn’t being typecasted as the nerdy character. Mark Feuerstein does a great job as Hank, working wonderfully as a likable and noble protagonist, but one who isn’t without flaws.

Kyle Howard is another favorite of mine who is featured in the show as one of the hospital’s doctors. This might be the most serious role I have seen him in. Even his performance in the sitcom, My Boys, had comedic relief from his character now and again. It’s an interesting touch and I definitely look forward to the range Howard can show. Picking up from the last episode, Wilmer Valderrama, guest stars as the unconscious patient, Eric Kassabian, who was given the wrong medication, nearly costing him his life. It’s great to see Wilmer Valderrama still acting since he really hasn’t been up to much since That 70’s Show ended. Like Howard, he is shown in a far more serious light. Royal Pains could be a chance for many actors with a history of portraying goofy characters to show range in their acting abilities.

I can’t say that I’m completely captivated in the show or characters. Still, it is engaging enough to keep you watching. It’s a bit lighter than most medical shows with some of the subtle comedy and carefree atmosphere with the show’s setting, yet there are still enough conflict and story developments to keep things interesting.


Review by Kelsey Z.