Tonight on Nurse Jackie: The Wall

Jackie Peyton is nothing if not strong-willed. Granted, that will comes wrapped up in an inflated sense of self and inability to tell the truth, but the determination in whatever she does ends up being strangely admirable. Almost the point where you begin to believe in her special brand of sociopathy, as Nurse Jackie is a fighter of the highest order and one that you can't necessarily count out at anytime.

But I don't know about the possibility of leaving rehab early. This was the first major step forward the character has made, regarding her addiction and resulting stunted personal development, so there's a certain bittersweet feeling that comes from seeing her check out in half the time she was scheduled to be there. Jackie may have done the physical work, both in detoxing and the various assignments from her counselor, but sobriety doesn't come from the amount you wrote or the pain you go through in the beginning stages of rehab. It comes from time and self-evaluation, neither of which Jackie seems willing to utilize. For the first time since she began using shortly after Grace was born, Jackie has to look at herself, her choices, and the impact she's had on her loved ones. And it ain't pretty.

Once Jackie gets back to work, though, things aren't what she's used to. After years of hiding behind a steely glare and the haze of addiction, she's forced to face emotions and her discomfort is pretty easily read. In the sneak peek below, Coop and Mike approach the veteran nurse for advice on a hospital matter; rather than being as blunt or matter-of-fact as we're used to, Jackie kind of cracks. Though the environment may be the same, this isn't the Jackie Peyton of the pilot episode. Rehab has had at least a temporary effect on her state of mind, which is nice to see, but back in the stresses and temptations of real life, can it stay that way? Can Nurse Jackie manage to stay sober, even dealing with Kevin, the kids, and work?

Nurse Jackie airs tonight at 9:00 on Showtime.