Julian McMahon

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So did the Carver kill you or what?
JULIAN McMAHON (above left, with costar Kelly Carlson): Everybody has been consistently asking, Are you coming back? I knew I was [coming back] because of contractual obligations. And after playing the lead on the show for a couple of years, I don't think they can kill you without telling you. Originally the Carver was going to go after somebody else, which Ryan Murphy told me, but by midseason he told me the Carver would come after me.

Does the series go too far?
We are too far. That's the show, that's what people have enjoyed. With the influence of reality TV, we have to pump it up even further to make dramatic TV with any kind of significance. Personally, I don't think we need to continually do that, but that's what we do. This is shock TV.

How do you get through those raunchy sex scenes?
As ridiculous as it sounds, I focus on what position I'm going to be in, how hardcore it is, what does it mean — then I'm not so giddy, thinking about how I'm naked. You know, man, I don't think anybody in their right mind wants to hang around with a c--- sock on, which is what I do quite often. But instead of being embarrassed, I just stand next to everybody and kind of rub their noses in it. I feel like Dirk Diggler.

Why are those sex scenes with Christian so important to the series?
I think the sex for my character has been a wonderful journey. Without saying the words, you see what this man is made of and what he's going through. I think we should go for as kinky and weird as we can.

What do you want to see happen to Christian this season?
I'd like to get back to that guy who is rich and making money and having lots of sex.

Does Christian really want Julia?
I think if he got her he wouldn't want her anymore. I think he's one of those people who, once he achieves something he wants, he moves on. His real relationship is with Sean. That's why it's always difficult for him when it's not working.

Plastic surgery: Pro or con?
I've always advocated that if people can do something without harming themselves physically or emotionally, then sure — it should be an enhancer of life.

What do you think of the Carver story?
Um...it's a direction.

Is it a direction you like?
Um...um...

Ryan Murphy has said that the Carver will be someone we know.
I personally think that Ryan wants to fool everybody — and it will be someone who we are not prepared for. His coup de grâce would be shocking everybody, like having it turn out to be [Sean's 9-year-old daughter] Annie.

Burning question Will Christian finally settle down this season? He certainly won't suffer from a lack of prospects: The bed-hopping doctor hooks up with the detective (Boston Legal's Rhona Mitra) who's investigating the Carver case, and later enters uncharted sexual territory (read: a four-way) with his new practice partner, Dr. Quentin Costa (Bruno Campos). And there's always the comely Kimber — now drug-free and eager for his love. ''He tries [to settle down] and he almost gets there, but there's a twist that upsets the apple cart,'' says Murphy. ''This show is not about happy endings.''