I want to go on vacation. I’ve been thinking about it more than usual these past few weeks, and watching Royal Pains really hasn’t helped ease the urge. This week was especially tempting as the Lawson brothers found themselves in balmy Cuba.

Or is it? Sure, in the second season of a successful show there may be room in the budget for a little on-location action – but when I recognized one of the episode’s supporting players, Broadway actress Amy Spanger, I second-guessed it. Would they have bothered to fly someone to an exotic location just to say two words.

But anyway, remember last week’s cliffhanger when a new concierge doctor was hired? Turns out it was just a weekend cover while Hank (unknowingly, but we’ll get to that in a second) followed Boris to Cuba. I feel duped – I should have known! TV shows often throw in a cliffhanger midseason only to have it amount to zero tension and zero drama. I think the more pressing issue though is the fact that the people in the Hamptons need so much medical attention that they can’t be doctor-less for one weekend. Yikes. 

Also remember last week when I discussed the similarities between Royal Pains and House? Well this week finds House regular cast member Peter Jacobson playing a Hamptons patient. Perhaps the NBC Universal ties run deeper than we thought.

In the beginning of this week's episode, Boris has put out the bat signal to Hank, asking him to board his private jet to come meet him. Hank assumes he’s off to Manhattan (really Hank? A private jet from the Hamptons to Manhattan didn’t cause you to raise the ‘brows just a little bit?) but he soon finds himself landing in Cuba. This is where Boris is seeking treatment for his newly diagnosed genetic disease. There is a clinical trial in Cuba being run the doctor who diagnosed him, who also happens to be an old flame. Boris wants Hank to run the pre-trial tests and give his stamp of approval. The tests are run, but before Hank breaks out the ink, he wants to do his due diligence and examine other options.

Boris isn’t as interested in Hank’s time-consuming research and begins treatment. Hank leaves, since he cannot condone this, but vows to return should Boris ever need his help. Since they leave on good terms, I can only assume Hank’s concierge contract is still intact.  

Meanwhile, Evan also finds himself in Cuba because he annoys Hank into letting him board the jet. Having absolutely nothing of value to do in Cuba, Evan spends his time scuba diving, buying illegal cigars and ends up meeting a vacationing Canadian who he successfully pursues during episode. "When in Cuba," I guess.  

As Hank boards the jet back to New York, we spot Evan on the streets of Cuba looking for his trusty cigar dealer. Instead he finds himself being thrown into the back of a car by some tough-looking locals. Since I refuse to let myself be duped again, I’m not going to worry about this. Maybe they’re Boris’s guys and are just bringing Evan back to the jet. It could happen.