Ep 9. Candyman

In Nurse Jackie season 6 episode 9, titled "Candyman," viewers are taken on a journey through the life of Jackie Peyton, an experienced and no-nonsense nurse working in a busy hospital in New York City. The episode explores the various challenges Jackie faces while also highlighting some of her more positive moments.

One key theme of the episode is addiction. Jackie is a recovering drug addict who has been clean for some time, but her past struggles with addiction continue to haunt her and shape her actions. Over the course of the episode, she interacts with several patients who are dealing with addiction (both prescription drugs and illegal substances) and must navigate their struggles while also managing her own triggers.

One such patient is a young woman named Zoey, who is addicted to painkillers. Jackie is initially frustrated with Zoey's reluctance to take her recovery seriously, but she eventually develops a sense of compassion and encourages Zoey to seek help. Another patient, a man named Eddie who previously worked with Jackie at the hospital, runs into her on the street and tries to sell her drugs. Even though Jackie resists his advances, the encounter leaves her shaken and vulnerable.

Beyond addiction, "Candyman" also touches on themes of death and loss. One of Jackie's patients, a terminally ill woman named Barbara, asks Jackie to help her end her life. Jackie is initially taken aback by the request, but over the course of the episode, she develops a deeper understanding of Barbara's reasons for wanting to die. The experience forces Jackie to confront her own feelings about mortality and the choices we make at the end of our lives.

Throughout all of these challenges, Jackie continues to navigate her personal relationships as well. Her marriage to Kevin is still on the rocks, and she continues to grapple with her feelings for a fellow nurse named Frank. In "Candyman," their relationship is tested when Frank pushes her to be more honest about her addiction struggles while Kevin pressures her to attend couples therapy.

Despite all of the difficulties she faces, Jackie ultimately rises to the occasion and proves herself to be a capable and compassionate nurse. "Candyman" is a powerful episode that showcases the many dimensions of Nurse Jackie's character and the complex issues she faces on a daily basis.