Dr. Ben/Nick

"Dr. Ben/Nick" is the third episode of the American comedy-drama television series Louie. It first aired on the FX channel in the United States on July 6, 2010, and was written, directed, and edited by the show's creator and star, Louis C.K.

Plot

Louie tells the audience in his stand-up set that he has achieved having the body he wants, by having an "ugly, disgusting, body". But, he says he dislikes the unhealthy and uncomfortable aspect of having such a body.

He goes to the doctor's office, although he has not made an official appointment, and has only agreed to meet his old friend Dr. Ben at 2.00 PM. Dr. Ben finishes with his patient and jokingly pretends he does not know Louie. It becomes apparently clear that the doctor has a twisted sense of humor and often jokes about his patients. Louie is told to strip down to his underpants. Upon doing so, he is mocked by the doctor. He eventually removes all of his clothes and is told by the doctor he has the "worst penis he's ever seen". He gives Louie a rectal examination, but presses his finger in and out of his anus.

After finishing a stand-up set, he meets a waitress who says is waiting for black people, who she presumes will not tip her. Louie asks a black waitress her opinion, who agrees. He eats dinner with the conservative Nick DiPaolo, who disagrees with Louie's liberal views. Louie calls DiPaolo a nazi, which angers him and results in DiPaolo splashing his drink in Louie's face, getting in a fight, and DiPaolo cutting his hand. The two go to the emergency room, exchange jokes, and have a friendly chat about their personal lives. On their way home, Louie apologizes for his remarks and DiPaolo says he envies Louie's life with his kids.

He tells the audience a story about picking up his friend's cousin, who lived on a farm. Upon arriving, his cousin sees a "particularly" homeless man and attempts to help him. Louie and his cousin step in, and "correct her behavior" by telling her not to do so. Dr. Ben calls Louie at his apartment and tells him he may have "big, fat, ginger, ugly-itis." He then tells him he has AIDS, but his cancer will kill him before the AIDS do. Louie hangs up.

Reception

Ratings

The episode was watched by 720 thousand people in the United States.^[1]

Critical reception

The A.V. Club's Nathan Rabin gave the episode a positive "A−" score and praised Gervais' performance, saying "I could see people finding Gervais’ shtick off-putting. I, on the other hand, found it hilarious".^[2] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix praised the episode, also praising Gervai's performance and the drama in Louie and Nick's conversations.^[3]

References

External links

• "Dr. Ben/Nick" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Dr. Ben/Nick" at TV.com