TV REVIEW: Rush Shows Us His Softer Side in “Learning to Fly”

Our introduction to Dr. Will Rush over the first few episodes of USA Network’s Rush has included scenes of him snorting coke, doing innumerable unethical things, and perhaps most disturbing, listening to awful 90’s music on CD’s. In “Learning to Fly” we see sad Will, vulnerable Will, adding dimension to the titled character who up till now has been a bad boy living in excess and not revealing many redeeming characteristics. Tonight was a game changer showing a kinder, gentler Rush, a hero (if you don’t look too closely) we can get behind and root for.

In “Learning to Fly” Rush gains a bipolar sidekick, tries to help best bud Alex, sheds a little light on Eve’s backstory, obsesses over business cards, and makes us all thankful for the dads that we have who are not named William Rush, Sr.  Let’s take a look at the latest installment of this summer’s best new show.

 Shady Card Carrier

This week opens with Will Rush being questioned by a gorgeous cop. “Have you ever been arrested?” she asks seriously.

“Yes, I have been arrested but never incarcerated, frequently intoxicated, sometimes celebrated but never faint hearted.” Uh oh, I think you may be headed for lock up. But wait, the “cop” is really a stripper in costume performing at a wild bachelor party.  Rush has been called to the soiree because groom to be is having a change of heart, I mean heart issues. Will has his patient snort something to slow his heart rate. Of course, it works.

Rush gives him his business card, a plain white $9.95 Staple’s special with just his phone number printed on it. Groom-to-be mocks it saying he could just call a “real doctor.” Rush leaves but not before sexy cop stripper hands him her card. It looks almost the same, no name, just a number. Rush looks perplexed.

When trusty, gorgeous assistant Eve shows up at his place, coffee in hand, Rush decides he needs new business cards that don’t make him seem like he works on a pole. He wants to “class up the joint a little.”

“The new ones should say William P. Rush, MD loudly and proudly not like someone who has a Bloody Mary for breakfast every morning,” explains the doctor as Eve hands him a Bloody Mary. Eve’s on the case to get him the most fancy pants cards ever with instructions to get herself some cards that “are slightly worse” than his.

Pictured: Tom Ellis as Dr. William Rush — (Photo by: Alan Zenuk/USA Network)

Rush Gains a Sidekick

Max Zarella, an actor who’s apparently used Rush’s services in the past, calls the doctor for a little help. He is being held against his will at a psychiatric facility because the director of his latest film sent the sanity police to lock him up. Max says the director is “a dick.”  He explains that, “He’s from Iceland, so he’s Ice – lan – dick.” The actor begs for Rush to sign him out. Will does with Max remaining affixed to his hip for the rest of the episode.

Their first call of the day is the case of The Most STD- filled Whorehouse in Cali. Rush thinks he’s treating a couple of cases of pink eye. But wait, is that a case of chlamydia I spy in the corner over there? He’s checking out a massage therapist, medically, and announces that she has gonorrhea. “I have the clap?” she asks not quite believing him. He answers, “If you’re happy and you know it.” He tells the owner he’ll treat the other girls infected for a higher price explaining that he agreed “to treat pink eye not set up an STD clinic.”

The next run is not a medical one. Rush takes Max to apologize to Icelan-dick director. He’s not buying the I’m sorry, so Max says, “You wouldn’t know an honest moment if it ejaculated in your face.” Ew, nice.

Rush plays peacemaker wondering why we can’t just all get along. He finally convinces the director to give in by saying, “Unless you’re ready to go back to Iceland to make your depressing little volcano films” you’ll need to finish that movie.

Max admits that he hasn’t taken his meds in six weeks. Rush says he needs them. It’s a little diagnosis called bi-polar disorder. The actor says he can’t act when he’s on them. One critic even called his “on meds” performance “like Keanu Reeves after a lobotomy.” Low blow, Agent Utah.

While Rush was treating the icky infected girls, Max went out on a ledge thinking about jumping. Rush tries to talk him down with,  “I’ve got somewhere I need to be.” Max reaches for Rush’s hand and leans forward. He suddenly hops back to safety saying, “C’mon, you’re going to be late. Let’s go.”

We can see why these mixed up kids get along so well.  Issues, anyone?

Pictured: (l-r) Harry Hamlin as Warren Rush, Rachel Nichols as Corrine Rush, Tom Ellis as Dr. William Rush — (Photo by: Alan Zenuk/USA Network)

All About Eve

Before Rush leaves the Best Little STD House, he runs into a creepy guy who asks all about Eve. The man from her past says, “Give Eve my best.” Rush says, “I’ll be sure not to.” Later, Eve runs into the mystery man while delivering clap-clearing meds to Rush. She looks a little nervous and scared as he approaches her. Eve-stalker says he’s made a lot of changes since she worked for him. He’s sober now. He says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wanted you to know that I know what happened was wrong. If you ever want to talk.”

“I don’t want to talk. Forget about me, like I’ve already forgotten about you,” Eve says before storming out. It seems that our doctor has a heart and “saved” Eve in more ways than one from this slimey operator. It will be interesting to see what actually went down, but it already exposes why Eve is so fiercely loyal to Dr. Rush.

Daddy Dearest

Rush gets sent on a Daddy quest by Laurel, best friend Alex’s wife. The minute we see her, we know who wears the pants in that family. No good morning, how are you? She cuts to the chase asking if he’s called his father yet to get Alex back his job. He says he hasn’t had time, but he will call Doctor Dad if she calls his ex girlfriend Sarah first and tells her Rush actually did something good for once. I’m confused. Isn’t it more of a case of fixing what you got your friend into in the first place?

Visine in, deep breath, and now it’s time to meet dad with Max in tow. Oh, you know this is not going to go well.  Corinne, Dad’s new wife, greets the two and is a big Max fan. She says it’s really nice to finally meet you to baby Rush. They share a meal with the elder Rush acting like it’s the Inquisition. He asks about his son’s living arrangements, job, and ex, Sarah. Every answer Rush gives adds another degree of disappointment in his father’s eyes.

Dad tells a story about when he first knew son was meant to be a doctor. He says young Will cut himself with a circular saw. When he saw his son sewing up his own wound he knew he would be a doctor. Or Rambo.

The uncomfortable visit reveals much, showing us how Rush lost his hospital job forced to go the “personalized” medicine path. Will says he had no choice after he was thrown out of the hospital, really “ambushed” by his father. Dad says he had no choice with son arguing he was still the best doctor on the floor. They argue loudly, Max trying to break it up, saying, “Corinne, this fish is incredible.”

The verbal blows keep coming. Elder Rush says, “After six years, you can’t own up to your mistakes.” Rush finally asks his father to help Alex, make some calls, do what he can. Rush, Sr. says, “Alex should be man enough to accept the consequences.” Dad holds up his finger condescendingly and points at Rush like he’s six, “I just gave you my answer, Will. I’m sorry. It’s no.”

Just then a  little girl comes rushing in. It’s Rush’s half sister. “Who are you?” she asks. Dad answers with,  “Just a friend of Daddy’s.” This is pretty heavy, sad stuff we haven’t seen previously from the freshman drama.

Rush can’t believe his Dad never told her she had a brother. Dad answers, “I won’t let you disappoint her the way you disappointed me.” Will asks, “Dad, did it ever occur to you that you disappointed me?”  “Never,” he answers coldly.

Rush, we see where you get some of your d-bag ways. You definitely learned from the best. Your issues are all making much more sense now.

Pictured: (l-r) Tom Ellis as Dr. William Rush, Harry Hamlin as Warren Rush — (Photo by: Alan Zenuk/USA Network)

A Happy Ending

Believe it or not, there is a happy ending in store for Rush, Max, and Alex. Max finishes his film delivering a powerful last scene where he is on a ledge (really). He says some of the same lines about flying that he said earlier when he was looking like he was going to jump. He nails the scene about choosing life, and Icelan-dick director is thrilled. “We did it!” he says. Max punches him, explaining, “It had to be done.” Rush takes Max back to the psych facility. Max says, “Come stay here with me.” He adds, “Rush you’re a great doctor. Dad was just jelly like Icelan-dick.” Rush turns him down. He’s got people to save, and STD’s to cure.

I hope that Max can come out to play in future episodes. Christopher Gartin’s portrayal was all sweet sadness and he served as a worthy banter partner for our doctor.

In a surprise twist, Rush, Sr. came through for Alex and got him back in at the hospital much to son’s surprise. Maybe that last conversation had some effect on dear, old Dad, or maybe it was that look in son’s eyes.

In the final scene, Rush is back at home with Eve presenting him with his new, super expensive cards. They are beautiful and come in a fancy box.

He eyeballs them suspiciously, saying “They’re perfect, but they’re not really me.” He pushes the box under the couch and falls asleep before he can drink his Bloody Mary. We see his eyes crack open spying the Bloody Mary. You’re pretty near perfect to us, Dr. Rush.

With this third episode of Rush, we learned so much. There were major reveals about Will and his loyal assistant, Eve. We saw a glimpse into the heart of our doctor anit-hero and uncovered some daddy issues. What did you think of tonight’s offering? Will Rush ever learn to fly or will he continue to be grounded by his past? I’ll see you back here, same time next week.  Let’s see if we can get the ratings soaring, flying to new numbers by next week’s episode “We Are Family.”

Random Notes

• It wouldn’t be a Rush episode without cute little drug dealer Manny making an appearance. He tells Rush, “You’re not my best client. You may be my favorite, but you’re not my best.” Rush needs a little blow to get “back up to even.”  He also wants Manny to babysit Max and offers ten thousand dollars. Manny won’t do it and scooters off until next week.
• Is it just me, or is Harry Hamlin killing it in recent years. He’s been a force as Jim Cutler on Mad Men, making us want Don to just throat punch him once and for all. Tonight, his turn as Rush’s cold, emotionless father had me rooting for a steak knife to the eye. Let’s hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of Daddy Dearest.
• Some of the lines in this one are so funny they rival the best Louis Litt one liners on Suits. The humor really is a highlight of the show and a necessary lighten the mood element in a sometimes pretty dark drama.

Rush airs Thursdays on USA Network at 9 pm