Ep 8. The Astonishing

In season 3, episode 8 of Nurse Jackie titled "The Astonishing," the audience is taken on a journey through the various personal and professional struggles of the main character, Jackie Peyton, as she navigates the challenges of being a nurse, mother, and recovering drug addict.

First and foremost, the episode highlights Jackie's ongoing battle with addiction. Despite being in recovery, she still struggles with the temptation to use. Throughout the episode, we see her struggle to resist the urge to take drugs, even going so far as to visit a former dealer in an attempt to score some pills. Her ongoing struggle with addiction is a central theme in the episode, and it offers a glimpse into the dark side of addiction and its effects on those who struggle with it.

In addition to her battle with addiction, Jackie also faces a number of professional challenges. As a nurse, she is tasked with caring for a patient who is struggling with a debilitating illness. Despite feeling sympathy for her patient, Jackie realizes that she is unable to care for him in the way she would like due to hospital bureaucracy and red tape. As a result, she takes matters into her own hands, going against hospital protocol to ensure that her patient is receiving the care he needs.

Beyond her work as a nurse, Jackie also faces personal challenges. As a mother, she is struggling to maintain a healthy relationship with her daughters, who are growing increasingly distant from her due to her addictive past. Throughout the episode, we see Jackie trying to connect with her daughters, while also being honest about her past mistakes. It's a difficult and emotional journey, but one that is ultimately rewarding for all involved.

Overall, "The Astonishing" is a captivating and emotionally charged episode that examines the various challenges facing Jackie Peyton. It highlights the ongoing struggle of addiction and its effects on those who are impacted by it, as well as the challenges faced by healthcare workers and the difficult decisions they must make to provide the best possible care for their patients. Ultimately, it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and a reminder that, no matter how difficult our struggles may be, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.