Royal Pains is a comedy-drama television series that centers around Dr. Hank Lawson and the concierge medical practice he establishes in the Hamptons, HankMed. The show features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities, motivations, and challenges. This article delves into the key players of Royal Pains, exploring their backgrounds, relationships, and development throughout the series.
The Central Figure: Dr. Hank Lawson
Dr. Hank Lawson, portrayed by Mark Feuerstein, is the heart of Royal Pains. A talented and compassionate ER doctor from New York, Hank's life takes an unexpected turn when he is fired for prioritizing a young patient over a wealthy benefactor. This event sets him on a new path, leading him to the Hamptons, where he reluctantly embraces the world of concierge medicine.
From ER to Concierge: Hank's Journey
Hank's journey begins with a moral dilemma that costs him his job and his engagement. After saving a supermodel at a party, he attracts the attention of Boris, a German nobleman, who offers him the opportunity to become a concierge doctor. Despite his initial reservations about the Hamptons' elite, Hank is drawn to the potential of helping people and the prospect of a connection with Jill Casey, a local hospital administrator.
Hank's Character Traits
Hank is characterized by his strong moral compass, his dedication to his patients, and his down-to-earth nature. He is often seen driving his classic Saab 900 Turbo convertible, a symbol of his less materialistic lifestyle. Despite his success in the Hamptons, Hank remains grounded, occasionally injecting "Jerseyisms" into his speech, a nod to his New Jersey roots. In "Keeping the Faith", he reveals that he is Jewish.
Challenges and Transformations
Throughout the series, Hank faces numerous challenges, both personal and professional. In the third season finale, a rift with his brother Evan leads to Hank leaving HankMed. Later, in the fifth season, he struggles with dependency on pain medication following surgery. However, Hank's commitment to his patients and his relationships ultimately guides him. In the series finale, he chooses to pursue a relationship with Jill in Africa, turning down Boris' offer to be his personal doctor.
Read also: Intestinal Health with Royal Canin
The Brotherly Bond: Evan Lawson
Evan Roth Lawson, played by Paulo Costanzo, is Hank's younger brother and the self-proclaimed CFO and Public Relations Manager of HankMed. Evan's character is a stark contrast to Hank's, as he is more materialistic and eager to embrace the Hamptons lifestyle.
Evan's Role in HankMed
As Hank's business partner, Evan is responsible for the financial and promotional aspects of HankMed. He often engages in questionable schemes to promote the practice, sometimes against Hank's wishes. Despite his flaws, Evan is fiercely loyal to his brother and genuinely wants to see HankMed succeed.
Relationships and Growth
Evan's pursuit of attractive women, particularly Divya, provides comedic relief throughout the series. He is also portrayed as having a weakness for his father, Eddie, often overlooking his flaws. Evan's relationship with Paige Collins evolves from a fake romance to a genuine marriage, though their ambitions sometimes create conflict. Over time, Evan matures and learns to prioritize his relationship with Paige over his own desires.
Development and Challenges
Evan's character undergoes significant development throughout the series. He transitions from a somewhat immature and impulsive individual to a more responsible and caring partner. He faces challenges in his relationship with Paige, his family, and his own ambitions, ultimately learning valuable lessons about love, loyalty, and personal growth. He is appointed Interim Hospital Administrator of Hampton Heritage in Season 7 by Boris.
The Dedicated Physician Associate: Divya Katdare
Divya Katdare, portrayed by Reshma Shetty, is Hank's intelligent and capable physician assistant (later Physician Associate). She is an integral part of HankMed, providing essential medical support and often acting as the voice of reason.
Read also: Good Design According to Dieter Rams
Breaking Barriers
Divya's character is defined by her determination to pursue her passion for medicine despite her parents' expectations. She initially keeps her career a secret from her family, who expect her to marry her childhood friend, Raj, and work in his business. Divya's struggle to balance her cultural heritage with her personal aspirations is a central theme in her storyline.
Professionalism and Personal Life
Divya is a highly skilled and dedicated medical professional. She is initially brushed off by Hank, but quickly proves her worth, becoming an indispensable member of the HankMed team. Her personal life is complicated by her family's expectations and her own desires for love and independence.
Growth and Independence
Divya's character arc involves her breaking free from her parents' control and forging her own path. She ends her engagement to Raj, faces financial challenges, and ultimately finds love and fulfillment on her own terms. In Season 5, it is revealed that Divya is pregnant with Rafa's baby. In the final season, she is pregnant with her second child, a boy and Raj is the father. She is also accepted at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and begins studying to become a full-fledged doctor.
The Compassionate Hospital Administrator: Jill Casey
Jill Casey, played by Jill Flint, is Hank's on-again/off-again girlfriend and an executive-level administrator at Hamptons Heritage. She is a strong and independent woman who is dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare in the Hamptons.
A Shared Passion
Jill shares Hank's passion for helping others and is a constant advocate for her hospital, which is often looked down upon by the Hamptons elite. Her relationship with Hank is complicated by their differing priorities and her past experiences.
Read also: Ernst Dieter Beck: A deep dive into his crimes
Personal Struggles
Jill's past relationships have left her wary of commitment. She is still legally married to her ex-husband, Charlie, which creates further complications in her relationship with Hank. Despite these challenges, Jill is drawn to Hank's kindness and compassion.
A Rekindled Romance
In the series finale, Hank travels to Africa to reunite with Jill, rekindling their relationship. This ending suggests that their shared values and mutual affection will ultimately lead them to a fulfilling future together.
The Socially Inept Doctor: Jeremiah Sacani
Dr. Jeremiah Sacani, portrayed by Ben Shenkman, is one of the physicians brought to HankMed by Evan after Hank temporarily resigns. Dr. Sacani is an excellent physician, but is extremely socially inept.
Professional Prowess
Jeremiah is portrayed as an excellent physician, but he struggles with social interactions. He often feels uncomfortable around people, preferring to distance himself. He is shown to have a small amount of hero worship for Hank, whom he desperately wants to impress.
Personal Growth
When Divya's house needs to go under construction, Jeremiah offers to share his home with Divya. He, at first, finds it very difficult to share his personal space with her. He later realizes she is nesting and becomes more comfortable with her there. It isn't until Season 5's "Bones to Pick" that Jeremiah admits to Divya how much he cares for her and her friendship. Also in Season 5, Jeremiah officially resigns from HankMed after feeling like he was manipulated and used by Hank when Hank asked him for a prescription for pain medication after his head surgery. After Hank gets back from being a helicopter doctor, he asks Jeremiah if he wants to continue being the HankMed Director, which Jeremiah says he does.
The Mysterious Nobleman: Boris Kuester von Jurgens-Ratenicz
Boris Kuester von Jurgens-Ratenicz, played by Campbell Scott, is a mysterious German nobleman who plays a significant role in Hank's life.
A Catalyst for HankMed
Boris's invitation to Hank to become a concierge doctor sets the stage for the creation of HankMed. He provides Hank with a place to live and refers many patients to him.
Secrets and Intrigue
Boris is an enigmatic figure with many secrets. He is later discovered to have a genetic disease that has affected his family for generations. Boris's wealth and influence allow him to bend the rules and manipulate situations to his advantage.
Other Notable Characters
- Paige Lawson (née Collins) (Brooke D'Orsay): Evan's wife, an upper-class woman who initially hires Evan to be her fake boyfriend.
- Eddie Lawson: Hank and Evan's father, who has a complicated relationship with his sons.