E01
Pilot
The doctors operate on a man they suspect is a drug dealer trying to alter his appearance.
TV SERIES / EPISODE GUIDE
Nip/Tuck
EndedFirst aired 2003-07-22FX
Drama · Medical
Two plastic surgeons who are close friends and business partners, own an overwhelmingly successful plastic surgery practice and attempt to bring inner peace and visceral contentment to their patients through external cosmetic procedures. Although their clients aspire to cover up their pain, it is the surgeons who truly wear the masks of anguish and unhappiness, sadness and disillusionment. For more than two decades, they have shared a love for the same woman, who despite being married to one, has loved both. And at midlife, the doctors question the prosperity that has brought them so much -- and has offered so little.
FROM THE SHOW GUIDE
Season by season.
100 listed episodes across 6 seasons. Air dates are provided by TVmaze and can change.
Season 1 13 episodes
E02
Mandi/Randi
Christian and Sean operate on identical twins who want to look different from each other. In other events, Sean leaves Julia; Frisky's fate is discovered by a plumber; Christian experiences sexual dysfunction; and Matt researches circumcision.
E03
Nanette Babcock
Sean leaves an instrument inside a patient, and Christian must clean up the mess. Matt resorts to desperate measures to get the circumcision he wants, and Julia has to go to anger-management class for flushing her daughter's gerbil.
E04
Sofia Lopez
Christian meets a porn mogul who agrees to send the surgeons some business, much to Sean's chagrin. Also, a hack rival causes problems for the doctors.
E05
Kurt Dempsey
Running into an ex-lover leads Christian to a sexaholics meeting, while Sean and Julia deal with an unexpected pregnancy.
E06
Megan O'Hara
A woman who has lost 143 lbs. wants excess skin removed; Matt finds a way to woo Vanessa; Christian rethinks his womanizing ways; and a double-mastectomy patient considers reconstructive breast surgery.
E07
Cliff Mantegna
Matt's relationship with Ridley and Vanessa has unimaginable consequences. Julia's friend Jude is hired by Sean and Christian as an intern.
E08
Cara Fitzgerald
Matt is involved in a hit-and-run accident that injures a schoolmate; and the doctors face a crisis of ethics after removing a birthmark from a patient who isn't what he claims to be.
E09
Sofia Lopez II
Dr. Bobolit makes Christian an offer he can't refuse, and Christian reevaluates his relationship with Kimber. Also: Julia and Jude get personal, as do Sean and Megan.
E10
Adelle Coffin
Sean and Christian are forced to go through recertification. Also: Megan O'Hara's health takes a turn for the worse.
E11
Montana/Sassy/Justice
The doctors treat a patient who has multiple-personality disorder, Matt and Henry befriend Cara Fitzgerald and Christian gets some unexpected news from an ex-lover.
E12
Antonia Ramos
The doctors remove a woman's breast implants only to find that they contain a drug smuggler's stash. Also: Sofia Lopez joins Julia's pilates group.
E13
Escobar Gallardo
In the season finale, the doctors are desperate for a way out from under the thumb of drug runner Gallardo, and Bobolit takes on a patient turned away by Sean and Christian.
Season 2 16 episodes
E01
Erica Noughton
Set in the sexy world of Miami's South Beach, "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.
E02
Christian Troy
Sean suffers uncontrollable spasms in his hands. After he nicks a patient's major neck artery during a routine cyst lancing, Sean stops performing surgeries.
E03
Manya Mabika
Christian and Sean agree to rehabilitate a stalwart, optimistic Somali woman, Manya Mabika, who was genitally mutilated as a girl in her home country.
E04
Mrs. Grubman
Sean and Julia are shocked to discover that 8-year-old Annie is entering puberty already. While struggling with their own issues regarding aging, they try to help their daughter understand what's happening to her.
E05
Joel Gideon
While driving home, Sean is broadsided by another car and rushed to the hospital. He was saved from major injury by his vehicle's safety devices, but his view of life has changed. Inspired by a patient, Sean plans a shark-diving trip with Matt.
E06
Bobbi Broderick
While Julia enjoys socializing with "life coach" Ava Moore, Matt also makes progress working through his feelings with the alluring Ava--especially when she removes her blouse as part of a trust exercise.
E07
Naomi Gaines
Disgruntled former McNamara/Troy patient Bobbi Broderick stalks the doctors, threatens to sue them, drives away customers and tries to persuade an investigative reporter to do an expos on what she perceives as their malpractice.
E08
Agatha Ripp
When a homeless prostitute arrives at McNamara/Troy, the doctors fear she wants pro bono surgery for scars on her wrists. But she tells them she is being deified because her injuries resemble the stigmata, the wounds Jesus Christ suffered on the cross.
E09
Rose & Raven Rosenberg
Sean's life is in ruins after learning that Christian is Matt's biological father due to a premarital tryst with Julia. He ejects Julia from their house and demands the dissolution of his partnership with Christian.
E10
Kimber Henry
Having tenuously reconciled and agreed to continue their partnership, Sean and Christian consult with an exuberant newspaper journalist, Ike Connors, who wants breast implants for himself.
E11
Natasha Charles
While the doctors work with an expert ocularist to create and implant artificial eyes for a beautiful blind woman, Natasha Charles, Christian finds himself drawn to Natasha's direct and disarming sensuality.
E12
Julia McNamara
After taking too many painkillers and drinking alcohol, Julia has fallen through a glass door, severely damaging her face. At first, Sean refuses to operate on her, still bitter that she recently went to a rival plastic surgeon and got breast implants.
E13
Oona Wentworth
When a poor Latina woman arrives in Sean and Christian's office with horrible blisters on her forehead, the doctors learn that their old associate, Merrill Bobolit, is performing cheap, illegal cosmetic surgery on poverty-stricken people.
E14
Trudy Nye
Sean and Christian reluctantly accept the case of Trudy Nye, who wants her nose fixed. Years ago, her abusive husband broke it--on the same day he killed their young son in anger. Now he is getting out of prison early.
E15
Sean McNamara
Sean has been operating pro bono on victims of The Carver, a serial rapist who chooses good-looking people and carves their faces as a message to society. After repairing the face of the latest victim, Sean attracts the attention of a newswoman.
E16
Joan Rivers
Celebrity Joan Rivers, famous for having undergone many cosmetic surgeries, consults with the doctors. However, what Joan requests astonishes even Sean and Christian. Meanwhile, Sean, Christian and Julia learn the shocking truth about Ava.
Season 3 15 episodes
E01
Momma Boone
In the aftermath of Christian's attack by "The Carver," Sean must forge a new partnership to keep the practice going. The police request Sean's medical expertise for an obese woman named Momma Boone who has not left her home for over three years.
E02
Kiki
Christian and Liz perform cosmetic surgery on an extraordinary ape to help her chances of reproducing. After learning that Ava is a transgender woman, Matt questions his own sexuality and heads down a dark path. Tensions escalate at McNamara/Troy.
E03
Derek, Alex, and Gary
Sean, Julia and Christian struggle to find a solution as Matt spirals out of control. Christian performs surgery at his former fraternity house to help cover up a hazing ritual gone awry. Christian's open relationship with Kit and Kimber loses its appeal.
E04
Rhea Reynolds
Christian has doubts about the latest Carver victim's story. The wife of an Alzheimer's patient requests extensive cosmetic surgery to find a way back into her husband's memories. Sean finds himself under investigation by Child Protective Services.
E05
Granville Trapp
Christian becomes the prime suspect in the Carver case after police find a damning piece of evidence at the scene of the latest Carver attack. An HIV-positive man who suffers from facial wasting comes to McNamara/Troy to have his appearance restored.
E06
Frankenlaura
McNamara/Troy is in dire financial straits after Christian's arrest. Gina returns and forms an unexpected business alliance with Julia. Sean and Christian reluctantly become involved in a gruesome case.
E07
Ben White
A patient's extreme request leaves Christian struggling between what the medical establishment says is right and what the patient says will make him feel whole. After leaving McNamara/Troy, Sean takes his surgery skills to the Witness Protection Program.
E08
Tommy Bolton
Sean questions his growing romantic feelings for Nikki when he learns the dark truth about her past. The request for plastic surgery from a patient with Down Syndrome moves Christian to contact his birth mother. Quentin woos Julia.
E09
Hannah Tedesco
The working relationship between Christian and Quentin worsens when they have an ethical disagreement over a groundbreaking surgery. Sean doesn't want Nikki to disappear into the Witness Protection Program without him.
E10
Madison Berg
Christian and Kimber put the final touches on their wedding plans, but an unsigned prenuptial agreement casts a shadow of doubt across the occasion. Christian and Sean are stunned when Matt's new girlfriend, Ariel Alderman, reveals her racist beliefs.
E11
Abby Mays
Furious that Quentin is dating Julia, Sean resolves to do whatever it takes to force Quentin out of the practice. Christian claims to be fine after Kimber's sudden exit, but his relationship with a patient indicates otherwise.
E12
Sal Perri
A jet bound from Miami to New York crashes after takeoff--and Julia's mother, Erica, may be on board. Christian, Sean, Liz and Julia struggle to save the lives of surviving passengers, and Sean must amputate the arms of one of the crash victims.
E13
Joy Kringle
A shopping-mall Mrs. Santa Claus comes to McNamara/Troy for liposuction before the holidays, but a discovery during surgery jeopardizes her marriage to Mr. Claus. Julia must make a decision that could profoundly affect the rest of her family's lives.
E14
Cherry Peck
Christian learns the truth about Kimber's wedding-day disappearance when he receives a grisly clue from The Carver. Detective Kit McGraw brings Carver suspect Quentin in for questioning.
E15
Quentin Costa
In the season finale, The Carver attacks a sorority house as Kit grows closer to catching her nemesis. Sean, Christian, Matt and Cherry Peck are involved in separate games of torture. Julia makes a discovery. And the identity of The Carver is revealed.
Season 4 15 episodes
E01
Cindy Plumb
The doctors consider a patient's proposition. A phone sex operator wants her voice more youthful. Christian sees a psychiatrist.
E02
Blu Mondae
Sean and Julia decide about their unborn baby. A gay man wants his lover to look distinguished. A woman from Michelle's past arrives.
E03
Monica Wilder
Sean and Julia hire a nanny. Sean's desires are revealed. Liz witnesses an event that changes her relationship with Michelle.
E04
Shari Noble
Christian wants Michelle, but she resists. Sean is in a compromising situation. A patient needs a body part reattached. Christian goes with Liz to a lesbian bar.
E05
Dawn Budge
A newly rich client wants makeovers for her entire family. James blackmails Christian. Sean makes Julia a very romantic offer. Kimber convinces Matt to move out.
E06
Faith Wolper, Ph.D
Sean has trouble with a past nanny. Christian is involved with his therapist. Burt notices Michelle and Christian's affair and proposes a solution.
E07
Burt Landau
Dawn returns. Burt wants facial surgery. Kimber shuns Matt's advances but succumbs to Christian's. Sean struggles with the man he has become.
E08
Conor McNamara
Sean moves Conor's surgery up as Julia frets. Mrs. Grubman makes a final cosmetic surgery request. Julia and Marlowe's relationship evolves.
E09
Liz Cruz
Liz gets surgery to look better for her girlfriend. James uses Christian to lure Michelle into stealing another kidney. Marlowe wants his legs lengthened.
E10
Merrill Bobolit
Old acquaintances Merrill Bobolit and Escobar Gallardo need the doctors' services. All are surprised to learn Matt is married and expecting a child. Julia tells Sean about Marlowe.
E11
Conor McNamara, 2026
In 2026, adult Conor tries to mend his emotional wounds. Adult Annie remains tormented by her upbringing. In the present, Julia moves to New York with Annie and Conor.
E12
Diana Lubey
Sean agrees to a patient's perverse plastic surgery request. Christian proposes marriage to Michelle, but she questions his commitment, considering his past.
E13
Reefer
Sean celebrates Christmas without his family. Christian's 3-year-old son returns. James forces Michelle to help get kidneys.
E14
Willy Ward
Sean sells his share of the business. Gina re-enters Christian's life. James breaks free from Escobar -- but Michelle's nightmare begins. Matt tries to rekindle his marriage.
E15
Gala Gallardo
Escobar seeks a procedure for his wife. Christian and Michelle's future is threatened. With Julia gone and Matt and Kimber expecting a baby, Sean makes a life-changing decision.
Season 5 22 episodes
E01
Carly Summers
In the fifth season premiere, Sean and Christian settle into their new plastic surgery practice in Beverly Hills and struggle to build it from the ground up. New opportunities arise after they meet a slick Hollywood publicist.
E02
Joyce & Sharon Monroe
Sean and Christian learn about the glamorous side of fame and the price that people are willing to pay for it. Julia visits Sean, Christian and Liz in Los Angeles with a surprise announcement.
E03
Everett Poe
Sean and Julia learn more about their family dynamics as Sean resists Eden Lord's advances. Kate reveals a secret compulsion. Matt comes to Los Angeles with some troubling news for his fathers.
E04
Dawn Budge II
A series of unfortunate events unfold for an unlucky Dawn Budge, who seeks reparative surgery from Sean and Christian. Meanwhile, Annie and Eden start to form a sisterly bond, which unnerves Sean.
E05
Chaz Darling
While a patient inspires Sean to take his relationship with Kate in a new direction, Eden uses extreme methods to persuade Christian to perform surgery on a friend. Kimber and Matt fall on hard times.
E06
Damien Sands
Christian, jealous over Sean's newfound fame, convinces Sean to tape a reality show based on their careers as plastic surgeons. However, no one expects the drama that unfolds when the cameras roll.
E07
Dr. Joshua Lee
As Sean tries to regain his youth through his relationship with Eden, a violent and traumatic event causes Julia to question her relationship with Olivia. Meanwhile, in an effort to better her life, Kimber makes a decision that devastates Matt.
E08
Duke Collins
Sean confronts Christian and Julia about the secret they have been keeping. Meanwhile, a hospitalized Matt bonds with his rehab counselor, and Eden tries to bond and make peace with Julia. Kimber reveals her plans for the future.
E09
Rachel Ben Natan
As Julia's health worsens, Christian falls back into old habits. Sean hires Gina as the new McNamara/Troy receptionist in order to get back at Christian. Meanwhile, Dawn Budge returns for cosmetic surgery after another unfortunate incident.
E10
Magda & Jeff
Special guest stars include Oliver Platt as 'Freddy Prune,' Bradley Cooper as 'Aidan Stone,' Jessalyn Gilsig as 'Gina Russo' and Sharon Gless as 'Colleen Rose.' Guest stars include AnnaLynne McCord as 'Eden Lord,' Marlee Matlin as 'Barbara Shapiro' and Paula Marshall as 'Kate Tinsley.' Written by Hank Chilton. Directed by Craig Zisk.
E11
Kyle Ainge
Christian attempts to cope in the aftermath of a death. Meanwhile, Colleen feels threatened when another talent agency shows interest in Sean's acting career.
E12
Lulu Grandiron
Eden looks to Sean for help after getting into business with Kimber and Ram. A group of wealthy socialites hires Christian for all of their cosmetic surgery needs. And Sean discovers another side of Colleen.
E13
August Walden
A television critic gives Sean a dose of the ugly side of Hollywood. Meanwhile, Matt experiences a special bond with one of Christian's patients. And the cause of Julia's ailing health is uncovered.
E14
Candy Richards
Tragedy strikes the McNamara/Troy family after Julia learns what has caused her ill health. A visitor from Christian's past brings some revealing news. And Sean finds the price of fame to be more expensive than it's worth.
E15
Ronnie Chase
Sean's physical and emotional well-being is greatly impacted after he survives the attack from Colleen (SHARON GLESS). Meanwhile, Christian gets some troubling news.
E16
Gene Shelly
Christian and Liz grow closer when his chemotherapy makes him ill and she becomes his caretaker. Sean reconnects with his broken family.
E17
Roxy St. James
Sean tries to deal with his feelings for Julia. Christian meets someone who gets what he is going through. PORTIA de ROSSI, JENNIFER COOLIDGE and ANNALYNNE McCORD guest star.
E18
Ricky Wells
Matt gets jealous when Sean and Raj (recurring guest star ADHIR KALYAN - "Aliens in America") start to develop a father/son relationship. Christian and Liz try making things work.
E19
Manny Skerritt
Sean's hiring of a new anesthesiologist leads to trouble. Kimber goes to extreme measures. BRADLEY COOPER, MORGAN FAIRCHILD and KATEE SACKOFF guest star.
E20
Budi Sabri
Sean and Teddy (recurring guest star KATEE SACKHOFF) explore their relationship and Christian relates to a patient with a unique condition.
E21
Allegra Calderello
Christian makes arrangements to secure his family's future after he's gone. Liz prepares for the wedding. Recurring guest star KATEE SACKHOFF appears as Teddy.
E22
Giselle Blaylock & Legend Chandler
Christian searches for immortality and Kimber reacts to the news of Liz and Christian getting married. KATEE SACKHOFF, ANNALYNNE McCORD and JOHN SCHNEIDER guest star.
Season 6 19 episodes
E01
Don Hoberman
In the season premiere, Sean and Christian struggle to keep McNamara/Troy thriving in a failing economy. MARIO LOPEZ and ROSE McGOWAN guest star.
E02
Enigma
Sean makes unusual attempts to battle his insomnia. Christian and Kimber begin a joint business venture to alleviate financial strains. A furious Liz confronts Christian.
E03
Briggitte Reinholt
Sean makes an impulsive life change without consulting family or friends. A morose Annie visits from New York with a disturbing medical condition. Christian offers advice to Mike on how to satisfy Kimber and a new patient recognizes Teddy from her past. Written by: Sean Jablonski Directed by: Dirk Craft
E04
Jenny Juggs
Christian struggles with an angry patient. Sean and Christian learn how Matt is earning an income. Plus, Teddy (ROSE McGOWAN) convinces Annie (KELSEY LYNN BATELAAN) to go camping.
E05
Abigail Sullivan
Matt's crime spree catches up with him, and Julia returns from New York. Plus, Sean learns the frightening truth about Teddy (recurring guest star ROSE McGOWAN).
E06
Alexis Stone
Erica (VANESSA REDGRAVE) returns married to a younger man, Renaldo Panettiere (GILLES MARINI ), and Mike Hamoui (MARIO LOPEZ) reveals his plans with Kimber.
E07
Alexis Stone II
Both Matt and Alexis Stone (CANDIS CAYNE) request unusual surgical procedures from Christian. Julia seeks revenge on Erica (VANESSA REDGRAVE). GILLES MARINI also guest stars.
E08
Lola Wlodkowski
After a medical consult with Liz's friend, Christian contemplates his relationship with Kimber. Sean starts to heal emotionally after encountering a patient seeking perfection.
E09
Benny Nilsson
Christian's debt leads him to deception. A visitor stirs insecurity within Christian and brings joy to Sean. Christian bonds with a patient when he learns of the boy's adoption.
E10
Wesley Clovis
Sean is conflicted when the firm is requested to perform a surgical procedure on a prison inmate, Wesley Clovis. Kimber questions how far she'll go to be with Christian.
E11
Dan Daly
When Sean and Christian win a prestigious award from their alma mater, Sean recalls their college years and endures past pains. Plus, a new patient who self-mutilates due to a genetic disorder comes to McNamara/Troy for reconstructive surgery.
E12
Willow Banks
Christian refuses to perform surgery on a model who wants to drastically alter her beauty. And, awakening from a coma, a patient seeks surgery from Sean to regain his lost youth.
E13
Joel Seabrook
Following a failed suicide attempt, a new patient seeks facial reconstructive surgery. And Christian tries a risky maneuver with Kimber to heighten their marital passion.
E14
Sheila Carlton
Christian has a crisis of conscience when Kimber's mother, Brandie (MELANIE GRIFFITH), visits Los Angeles. Complications arise as Sean prepares for his trip to Africa.
E15
Virginia Hayes
A teenage girl (SANDRA VERGARA) seeks out Sean and Christian for answers about her late father, Escobar Gallardo, stirring tremendous guilt within Sean.
E16
Dr. Griffin
Secrets are revealed as Sean and Christian begin psychotherapy together. Liz and Matt divulge their own confidences when they each join a therapy session.
E17
Christian Troy II
Sean and Christian make a unique attempt to market their surgical practice to boost a lagging clientele. Christian's unconscious existential crises come to light.
E18
Edith and Walter Krieger
Julia visits Sean and Christian in Los Angeles to share life-changing news -- and rejects romantic advances from both men. Matt prepares to get married, but a past love shows up.
E19
Hiro Yoshimura
In the series finale, Sean and Christian reflect.
Show and episode information provided by TVmaze ↗. Sources & Credits.