We live in a time in which we can no longer be left to our own devices. When couples are in crisis, the cost of the lawyers used to be the only concern. These days, it is recommended that each person go to a separate therapist, and then that as a couple, they go to yet another therapist for couples counseling. Having problems is expensive.
HBO has decided to be the go-to channel for Therapy-TV. Starting with "Tell Me You Love Me", they introduced the concept of therapy as a connector between several characters and story lines, all dealing with sexual issues. The therapist herself was also a character, with issues to deal with and a relationship of her own. I remember being slightly put off by this - in the same way that kids are horrified when they see one of their teachers at the grocery store or getting gas. It's almost easier to believe that they are super-humans, void of the mundane chores of daily life, and certainly never having to feed themselves or go to the doctor.
The new series, "In Treatment", takes this concept even further. The therapist, Paul, is the central character, and almost the entire series takes place in his office. He is so well-played by Gabriel Byrne, that my sense of discomfort about seeing his fallible, human side is lessened, but still there. Individual sessions are shown nightly, 5 times per week, one patient per day. It almost feels like it's in real time. The week always ends with an episode about Paul, with him seeing his own therapist, with whom he has a somewhat volatile past. Sometimes it is almost too many layers to bear, with present problems and past relationships vying for center stage.
The episodes with the patients are absolutely riveting. They are so well written, and the characters are real enough to be believable, but dramatic enough to be entertaining. The fact that the show can hold your attention with just two or 3 people in dialog, often times giving long speeches to one another, tells of how good the writing is. Monday is Laura, a smart, sexy, young and beautiful anaesthesiologist who suffers from transference, believing that she is in love with Paul. Tuesday is Alex, an Air Force pilot filled with aggression, anger, and guilt - and one of the most compelling patients, brilliantly played by Blair Underwood. Wednesday is Sophie, a 17-year old Olympic hopeful gymnast, with a dark, self-destructive side. Thursday is Jake & Amy, a couple at odds with each other and unable to communicate. And Friday is Paul, with his therapist Gina. I like all of them for different reasons, but Alex and Sophie are my favorites, and the ones that never fail to surprise me.
By shifting the point of view with the camera, you get to be both therapist and patient. You feel Paul's struggle to control his emotions when patients try to push him, and you feel the patients' yearning as they continually ask Paul "What do you think?" and wait on the edge of their seats for his answer. There is a lot of close focus on facial expressions and body language, so that each actor has to engage fully, at every level, to play these characters. It's interesting to be a viewer without an omniscient point of view, as interactions are limited to the weekly sessions.
In my opinion, this is the best show on television at the moment. The only thing that doesn't jive is that the sessions are meant to be 50 minutes, but the show is only 25. Shouldn't we only have to pay half-price?
