Ep 11. What The Day Brings

In "What The Day Brings," the eleventh episode of Nurse Jackie's second season, the show explores the layers of addiction and the cyclical pull that addicts feel as they try to get clean. The titular Jackie is struggling to maintain her newfound sobriety, but she's faced with temptation at every turn. Meanwhile, her friend O'Hara is dealing with the fallout of her own addictive tendencies, which threaten to destroy her career.

The episode begins with Jackie attending her first Narcotics Anonymous meeting. She's visibly uncomfortable as she sits in a circle with other addicts, listening to their stories of struggle and triumph. When it's her turn to speak, she admits that she's scared and uncertain about her ability to stay clean. But she also recognizes the importance of the NA program and vows to stick with it.

Meanwhile, O'Hara is dealing with a crisis at the hospital. A patient has complained about her prescribing practices, and the hospital has launched an investigation. O'Hara is furious, insisting that she did nothing wrong, but her friends and colleagues worry that her addiction to painkillers may have clouded her judgment. Jackie is sympathetic, but she also worries that O'Hara is in denial about the extent of her problem.

As the day wears on, Jackie is confronted with several triggers, from a former drug dealer who tries to lure her back into using, to an injured patient who begs her for painkillers. Jackie resists each temptation, but she's clearly struggling to hold onto her sobriety. She finds herself drawn to the hospital's drug cabinet, where she stares longingly at the pills before snapping out of her trance and walking away.

Meanwhile, O'Hara is spiraling. She's convinced that the investigation is a witch hunt, but her colleagues are less convinced. Zoey, in particular, is worried that O'Hara's addiction is getting the best of her. She tries to broach the subject delicately, but O'Hara shuts her down, insisting that she's fine.

As the episode draws to a close, Jackie and O'Hara have a heart-to-heart. O'Hara admits that she's scared and overwhelmed by the prospect of losing her medical license. She also confides in Jackie about her own struggles with addiction, and the two women bond over their shared experiences. But when Jackie offers to help O'Hara get clean, O'Hara shuts her down, insisting that she doesn't need help.

The episode ends on a bittersweet note, with Jackie once again attending an NA meeting. She's still struggling, but she's determined to keep fighting. As she shares her story with the other members, she's struck by their collective strength and resilience. It's clear that the road ahead will be long and difficult, but Jackie is finally starting to believe that she can make it through.