Nurse Jackie: Season Five

For those following this acclaimed Showtime-aired series centered on the personal and professional life of Jackie Peyton, R.N., these jaunty episodes will be a welcome hit of pharmaceutical-grade dramedy. Edie Falco has grown more firmly into the title role, one that has perfectly suited her tart and tangy persona from the start. Her Jackie is now healthier—if not happier—and back at All Saints Hospital after a stint in rehab. Unfortunately, the atmosphere that helped foster her spiraling addiction and criminal drug-seeking behavior are obstacles to staying clean. Egotistical Dr. Prentiss (Morris Chestnut) is named E.R. chief, and leggy resident Dr. Roman (Betty Gilpin) alarms everyone with her ineptitude and unbridled sexuality. Series-long characters Dr. Cooper (Peter Facinelli) and chatty neophyte nurse Zoey (Merritt Wever) develop in ways that will be sardonically satisfying to longtime fans. Jackie is now divorced, casting off relationships and making room for adorable cop Frank Verelli (Adam Ferrara), who falls hard for her. Deftly uniting medical drama and comedy, Nurse Jackie continues to upset convention with its off-kilter pathos. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2013 fifth season, extras include cast and crew commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (T. Fry)