Toni Collette in "The United STates of Tara"
courtesy of SHOWTIME
Edie Falco in "Nurse Jackie"
courtesy of SHOWTIME
“The United States of Tara/Nurse Jackie” (SHOWTIME)

SHOWTIME is currently airing two unique series. One is “The United States of Tara” starring Toni Collette and the other is “Nurse Jackie” which stars Edie Falco. Both of these shows are worth watching if only for the acting but with one of them you get much, much more.

Both shows are starting their second seasons and in both instances they come to this season having won critical acclaim and awards. No one can dispute that Collette and Falco are superbly talented actresses and their starring in a show brings it instant appeal.

In “Tara” Collette plays a housewife who has multiple personalities (four aside from her main one of Tara, if you are counting). Tara’s husband Max (John Corbett) and their two kids Kate (Brie Larson) and Marshall (Keir Gilchrist) are aware of these “others” and they just accept them as a part of their lives.

This year the show starts out with Tara being on her meds and having her personalities under control. But on this show, which is written by the multi-talented Diablo Cody, you can never be too safe or secure. There are sure to be surprises in store and they will come when you least expect them.

However since Tara’s life is a little more normal the plot begins to focus more and more on the children. Kate has taken an early graduation from high school and starts a job as a debt collector while Marshall is still in school and struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. To add even more to the mix, Tara’s sister Charmaine (Rosemarie DeWitt) is finally engaged to be married and has moved in with Tara and her family.

The central draw for this show is the talent of Collette. She is the sole reason to watch. The other actors are good but they only act to serve Collette. If you don’t find her fascinating then you won’t like the show.

“Jackie” on the other hand is a show chock full of interesting characters. Jackie (Falco) is a married nurse who all last season was having an affair with a guy named Eddie (Paul Schulze). As this season starts Eddie has found out Jackie is married and has even begun to make efforts to become friends with her husband Kevin (Dominic Fumusa). This does not sit well with Jackie.

Jackie and Kevin have two daughters Grace (Ruby Jerins) and Fiona (Mackenzie Aladjem). Grace is a child living with fears – fear of germs, fear of death and destruction, and fear of just about everything else. Doing what is best for Grace is a central theme of Jackie and Kevin’s lives.

At work Jackie is still best friends with Dr. Eleanor O’Hara (Eve Best) and Nurse Zooey Barkow (Merritt Wever). She tolerates the hospital administrator Mrs. Akalitus (Anna Deaveare Smith) and ditzy doctor, Fitch Cooper (Peter Facinelli).

Falco shines in the lead but the show is also worth watching for the complicated plots and the talent of the supporting cast. You could spin of any one of the “supporters” into their own series and it would be worth watching.

So make plans to tune in for the premieres of the second seasons for both these shows. “Nurse Jackie” premieres March 22 at 10PM and “The United States of Tara” premieres on that same date at 10:30PM. These are two SHOWTIME exclusives and are well worth your time.
 

 

 

 

 

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!