bbbutler-37914 If you live in Cabot Cove, I'd advise that you NEVER interact with Jessica Fletcher, the mystery writer turned homicide detective in the series Murder She Wrote. In spite of it's small town setting, EVERYONE who meets or has interaction with her becomes a victim or suspect in a murder. That's just too much for any one cozy New England town to accommodate.Similarly, if you live in the Hamptons (a much larger demographic), you can be sure that meeting or having any interaction with Dr. Henry (Hank) Lawson, the main character in Royal Pains, will guarantee that you may suffer from some exotic malady or injury. This in spite of the statistical probability to the contrary. Hence, being a viewer of the series, not a character in it, makes it much more likely that you will neither suffer the fate of many in the cast nor become swept up in the Sturm und Drang of the various romantic and familial relationships therein. Not only that, but you will also pick up on some great medical vocabulary and may become entranced with the clever "McGuyver-like" inventiveness of Hank's character. Warning: do not practice medicine, especially diagnose medical conditions, like Hank does. This series is NOT a reasonable substitute for a medical school education or a good model for choosing romantic partners.While this is not genius, groundbreaking TV screen writing a la Madmen or Twin Peaks, it is nevertheless good entertainment, suitable for "obsessiviewing" on the available video streaming service of your choice. Good character and plot development without leaving you unsatisfied with simple cardboard characters or nauseatingly predictable outcomes. It's fun TV. Don't expect more.UPDATE: Now having gotten deep into Season 4, I see two more interesting trends. First, there seems to be a subliminal running commentary on the state the medical profession in the US and its conflicts as an art/science (Hank's take) vs the business of medicine (his brother, Evan's take). I'm not sure if the writers are simply making observations about the eternal struggle of humanitarian concern vs the commercial impulse in the microcosm of the medical profession or they are actually promoting a vision that is neither the Affordable Care Act of 2014 nor the free market version of medicine of the ACA's opponents. Secondly, as I mentioned before, each episode is a medical education for the literate masses in the form of certain exotic syndromes or complex conditions that are demographically impossible to be represented in such a small population as the Hamptons; nevertheless they still manifest constantly--again, just as magically as dead bodies pile up every time Jessica Fletcher of Cabot Cove appears. If you're in the general vicinity of Hank Lawson, M.D., the likelihood that you may spontaneously faint, become dangerously dehydrated, experience a TIA, cardiac arrhythmia, etc., escalates exponentially, especially if you're a pretty female or rich and attending a gala event involved in some sort of "do or die" project, enterprise or competition.So, yeah, it's both fun and educational, though it still requires the standard "suspension of disbelief."

jeanm-69706 Truthfully, the main reason is Campbell Scott. What's not to like???!!!And the lady who plays "Divya" Remy Shetty I so love watching her play this part. Please let me know if she has anything else to be seen in soon?The series is funny, sad, and always amusing. Of course I also like the other players, the man who plays"Evan", and "Hank", "Jill" and all of the cast, and yes the extras. An excellent escape from the real world.Thank you so much for creating Royal Pains, I do hope there will be more!!!Jean

Mzepess Great show. The writing makes you fall in love with the characters. I watched 3 seasons nonstop on Netflix and never got bored. This has never happened. Mark is an amazing actor/director. The well written story lines are engaging and interesting. This show keeps you coming back for more. Also as a nurse I am impressed will the pain staking details and accuracy of the medical aspects. The acting is superb. I love the new faces added each episode. Lots of good actors on board this project. Not too much gore. Enough to make the scenes seem real. This show is tasteful and makes me want to visit the Hamptoms and become ill! Lol

bjarias 'Royal Pains'... .. yes, it did eventually become exactly that!! Maybe 6 stars - the entire series is like an hour-long, weekly video presentation for super-luxury real estate in The Hamptons (and designer clothing and accessories for women). With some very good performances, and some blatantly awkward ones as well, it must be said that casting for this series was mostly to blame for its failings.. yea, and lots of the writing was pretty poor too. One of the best performances is from Brooke D'Orsay. Every time on-screen, no matter the circumstance, standing head-and-shoulders above, she is just so spot-on in her role as Paige Collins (no wonder she's now appearing on several other shows). Streaming is probably not the best way to view this type of series. There's LOTS can become tiring VERY quickly when viewed without a weekly break (notably several of the more annoying and poorly acted characters). Now halfway through season 5.. and it's lookin very doubtful will be able to hang on till the finish (even with the much-used capability of streaming-forward). This would have been a considerably better production had more 'real-world' situations and people been allowed to surface on a more frequent basis... and should the catch-phrases 'concierge-medicine'..and especially 'Hank-Med' never be heard again.. that would be more than agreeable. PS.. did eventually finish season 5.. and all I can say.. can't help die-hard fans.. but for anyone else maybe thinking of buyin season 5 episodes.. do not bother!! Its gotten way-off-track.. this show REALLY should call it quits, and take the money and run.