Erica Noughton (S02E01)

Set in sexy South Beach, Miami, "Nip/Tuck" cuts beneath the surface of the superficial world of plastic surgery, revealing the complexities and fragile nature of patients trying to mask their psychological flaws through cosmetic enhancement. Self-confident plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) enjoys all the perks of the successful and growing practice that he has shared with his best friend, Dr. Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh), since they graduated from medical school. Dr. Liz Cruz (Roma Maffia) serves as the anesthesiologist. Although Christian sometimes still uses wealth and women to satisfy his evolving needs, years of selling a phony image have taken a more significant toll on Sean, threatening to ruin his relationship with his wife, Julia (Joely Richardson), and children, 17-year-old Matt (John Hensley) and 8-year-old Annie (Kelsey Lynn Batelaan). As Sean reluctantly celebrates his 40th birthday, Christian urges him to take advantage of some of the youth-preserving treatments available at the clinic. But Sean vows to grow old naturally. Much more upsetting, however, are the occasional muscle spasms that Sean experiences during delicate surgery, prompting him to visit a neurologist. Meanwhile, after uncharacteristically failing to pick up a sexy young date at the bar, Christian realizes to his discomfort that there is not much he can do to forestall the aging process. Although he is not the father, Christian agrees to help raise the baby of his former sexual partner, Gina Russo (Jessalyn Gilsig), causing him to reevaluate his priorities. And both men must cope with the ramifications of a surprise visit from Julia's narcissistic mother, Erica Noughton (Vanessa Redgrave, real-life mother of series star Joely Richardson), who demands plastic surgery for a younger appearance. Also, the doctors perform facial reconstruction on a young woman who tells them she accidentally shot herself while drunk. But after Sean gets her to admit the shocking truth, the patient takes drastic measures. (Warner Bros. UK)