When Zoey Cries, The World Cries With Her

Nurse Jackie may have to revolve around Jackie most of the time -- particularly now that she's back to full-time drug-seeking but also generally what with the show being named for her and everything -- but it's really always been Zoey's show as far as I'm concerned. I may not agree with Showtime's choice to submit the show as a comedy when it's time for award consideration (no "may not"; I just don't), but I have no quarrel with Merritt Wever's having won Outstanding Supporting Actress last year, nor with her adorable acceptance speech, and she's continued to anchor the show for me in Season 6.

Wever does especially lovely work in the latest episode with a couple of very different weepy moments. First, there's the matter of Zoey's nurse practitioner application. Zoey's indecision has meant she's left her application to the very last moment, but she knew she could count on Jackie to clear her schedule long enough to write her a letter of recommendation, and as the episode begins, Jackie hands it off to Zoey with her typical brusqueness. Zoey, overwhelmed, takes it into a exam room to read, and the combination of Jackie breaking her usual reserve for the sake of Zoey's application and Zoey's natural sensitivity, it seems only to take a few lines before Zoey is sobbing.

It's a sweet moment: not only does Zoey appreciate her mentor's having gone to these lengths to help Zoey to progress in her career; she's also moved by the evidence that Jackie really sees Zoey, and appreciates Zoey's contributions to their workplace, too. Unfortunately, it doesn't last. Jackie, high off her ass, accidentally gives a patient 100 times the prescribed dose of insulin; the patient recovers, fortunately, but then Jackie blows off Zoey's kind suggestion that Jackie attend a meeting (since Zoey could tell that Jackie's panicking was way out of character).

But that's not the worst. The worst comes after Jackie's already gone to Kevin's wedding, with Zoey cheerfully covering for her. Zoey's already had an alarming call from Grace, reporting that Jackie is attending with a guy who sold drugs to one of Grace's friends. And then Roman and Zoey are sorting through the personal effects of (Former) Sister Helen, who's just announced herself to be Nancy Wood, the DEA number thief. Except..."Nancy Wood"'s driver's license looks kind of weird. Because her photo is the one Zoey took the last time Helen was in the hospital and sent to Jackie. And all at once, the truth becomes clear, and Zoey gets a punch to the heart.

Someone show this gif to Jackie so that SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE DID.