TV REVIEW: Rush Grows Tired of His “Dirty Work”

In tonight’s installment of USA’s delectable doctor drama, Will Rush handles his usual dirty work with a skillful hand and his devilish charm intact. But something is definitely missing. Rush is growing weary of his shallow lifestyle and makes some significant changes, including supporting Sarah, saving babies, and making up with dear old dad.  It seems our little boy is growing up.

Rush Can Fix Anything

“Dirty Work” begins with Rush displaying his medical prowess again. Each week he is hit with scary call after scary call, but he flies through each one, saving lives and bringing in the cash. Tonight, a call from a teen mom in labor leads to a scary baby save. The teen pushes twice and presto, chango, the baby pops out. Rush really can do the impossible.

The newborn isn’t breathing and it looks like Rush may lose his first patient this summer. Will actually breaks a sweat in an ambulance intubating baby boy and saving his life. If only he could fix the problems in his life like he fixes patients.

If I Could Turn Back Time 

Alex is going to pay dearly for his little club delight last week. Can you say no Cabo vacation? Wifey doesn’t have a clue, performing the Alex inquisition asking about his 2:47 a.m. entrance. He says Rush just obsessed about Sarah all night. Laurel missed her man and needs a little Alex love.

Later, the extra friendly girl from the club shows up at the hospital and wants to “get together.” Alex about has an aneurysm telling her to get lost. “You didn’t have to be rude,” she comments before leaving.

Meanwhile, Rush needs a little Alex love of his own, confessing that Sarah wants to use a sperm donor to make a baby, not him. “Can you believe she’d rather have some masturbater’s child than mine?”

Alex says, “A baby’s not a prize, it’s a privilege.” Alex, you’re pretty smart for being so dumb. Bestie confides that the “chick from the other night” showed up looking for a good time. Alex wishes he could go back in time and have a do over. Rush says thank God she didn’t ask for any money. Now Alex is really ready to blow a blood vessel. He hadn’t even thought of that possibility.

Cut to next scene where club girl shows up at Alex’s house demanding five grand. She is not happy with the way she’s been “disrespected.” He scurries into the house and takes cash from the Cabo fund. Not the Cabo fund, Alex! “We’re done,” he tells her. Oh, I don’t think so.

Sarah Wants a Non-Rush Baby

Sarah and Rush seem to be in a getting back together mode with ex-girlfriend staying the night. She tells Rush she’s going to her fertility clinic to look for sperm donors. Rush is appalled saying, “Uh, I’m right here.” She’s equally appalled, not believing he’s serious. He says he’s wearing his serious face, can’t she tell? “Are you more interested in a short and stout offspring?” he asks. Good point.

Rush gets his way and accompanies Sarah to her appointment, but doesn’t get to be the donor (yet). They are looking through profiles of possible baby daddies complete with donor baby photos. Will can’t help but make fun of every picture.

“Oh, God, no. Look at the forehead. You could show a movie on that.”

Sarah says, “If this is too hard for you, you can take off.”  Rush stays. That’s one of the highlights of tonight’s episode. Rush does not rush off. He’s there for Sarah. They return back to Rush’s and Eve and Sarah sort of bond over Rush, cancer, and future plans. Eve says she wants to finish school and get her degree. Someday. That look in Sarah’s eyes says you better get a move on, girl. Someday may never come.

Rush and Daddy Make Up

Rush gets an unexpected call from daddy dearest who needs his son’s help.

“A friend got into trouble and I need your kind of help. He got into a car accident, that’s all I know.”

Will shows up and dad’s friend says “JoAnne” was the one hurt in the car accident. He leads Rush to the garage where JoAnn is half in and half out of the front windshield. Will hammers her out of the car and stitches her up. She’s remarkably in good shape. They are both married to other people, so no hospital.

Cheating husband says wife’s coming back tomorrow, so she’s got to go. Rush says no way. She needs to stay until she’s feeling better. “You surprise me, Dr. Rush. I was expecting you to be disreputable. I’m surprised.” He gives Rush his fee and includes a million dollar check for the hospital.

The mistress in the car accident calls Rush because now her lover has collapsed. He apparently suffered internal injuries and has fluid around the heart. “He can’t go to the hospital; he’s a public figure.” Will gets him transferred to a “discreet” facility, saving the day yet again.

The elder Rush shows up at Will’s and meets Eve. Sarah’s there too, and they have a cheerful reunion. Rush joins the party looking a little “deer in the headlights.” “What are you doing here?” he asks. It seems Daddy Rush wants to have a drink at the bar. He’s impressed with his son’s handiwork.

“Why is okay for Gordan Klaus to make a mistake but not me?” Will asks, referring to his dad’s car crashing friend.

“Gordon Klaus is not my son. You came to the hospital high that night. I’m not going to apologize.”

“You don’t have to. You were right,” Will admits. “I’ve spent the last six years blaming you, but you were right.” Rush looks a little tragic and sincere. That was the last thing dad expected. Looks like Rush senior and junior may end up with a relationship yet.

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

Sarah May Want a Rush Baby

Later that night, Sarah’s perusing the donors again. She sees a new baby picture, adorable, a doctor who loves 80’s pop music. Oh, Rush, you are too cute. He quotes Alex saying, “A baby’s not a prize, it’s a privilege.”

Sarah says if she does it with him, she wants a real life with him. They are cute, kissing, and cuddling, but that darn ovarian cancer is hanging over them broadcasting that a happy ending seems unlikely.

The Rush reformation continues as he flushes his stash, numerous stashes, down the toilet. Rumor has it that Zen drug dealer Manny will be back for the season finale, and it makes perfect sense now.

Let’s Give That Drug Dealer a Prize

Eve gets home to check out enrolling in college. She gets a creepy call from creepy ex-boyfriend J.P. who says “I want you back.” He asks to meet her, saying if she can look him in the eye and say she doesn’t want him, he’ll leave her alone.  She doesn’t believe him.

There’s a knock at her door. It’s him. He looks crazy and forces her into a kiss. Then J.P. violently attacks her, relenting only when she says she needs a condom. She gets her Manny-given gun and is forced to shoot him. Good job, drug dealer. I think you just saved Eve.

What do you think of this new and improved Rush? Will his transformation stick or will he back to his old ways before next week’s finale? Most troubling, what will Laurel do when she finds out about Alex? The Cabo trip not the infidelity.

Next week promises to be drama-filled. The writers have much ground to cover… J.P.’s death, Sarah’s cancer and baby quest, Alex’s club girl, and a daddy/son Rush connection.

Rush airs Thursdays on USA Network at 9:00 p.m.