By James Chamberlin

June 26, 2009 - "TB or Not TB" was a big improvement over last week's fare. When I imagine what Royal Pains is going to be, this is episode encapsulated much of what I expected after seeing the pilot.

The writers haven't shied away from awkward moments. The citiots are still trying to fit in and it hasn't gone off without a hitch. Hank (Mark Feuerstein) had an uncomfortable moment with Jill (Jill Flint) when he received a call from his ex who wanted to talk about their former big day. What better way to get past your ex calling off the wedding than go on a date with a new woman? Still, Hank didn't want to talk about it with Jill, and really, can you blame him?

Meanwhile, Evan (Paulo Costanzo) got into a little trouble Boris (Campbell Scott) when Evan got a little too curious about Boris' business. Evan always seemed like the guy who liked to get his nose in where it doesn't belong. I was shocked by what Evan found swimming around.

And how about that little confrontation Boris had with Evan? Boris was cool, calm, vague, and still threatening. Campbell Scott is terrific in this role as the mysterious German nobleman Boris.

As is the case in every previous episode, Hank had two medical cases to work on and thankfully, neither one of them reminded me of House in such an obvious manner as last week's episode.

- USA

On one hand, Hank was asked to treat a restaurant chef and owner named Allison who presented risks of a stroke. She was an interesting character. You could relate to her dedication to her work and also feel sorry for how she was treated by her ex-husband. When she finally had her stroke, Hank did the best he could to treat her, even chasing after he when in a state of confusion, Allison fled the hospital and made her way back to her restaurant. It was sheer luck that Hank and Jill got to Allison in time and gave her the treatment she required to stave off permanent damage.

As for the second medical case, this was mostly handled by Divya (Reshma Shetty) and Evan, that is when Evan wasn't busy snooping around the Hamptons. Divya had issues communicating with a young woman who spoke very little English after coming here from Italy. Divya called upon Evan for help translating, but it took no time at all for viewers to realize that Evan barely knows how to spell Italy, let along speak much of the language.

Perhaps what I like most about Royal Pains is the generally light tone. There are very serious moments, but it's the lighter moments that stick with you. Perhaps the best line came from Evan when Divya told him their patient may have TB:

Divya: Valentina may have TB.

Evan: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm not getting a disease. Are you kidding me? Especially one I didn't have any fun catching.

Source: IGN.com