This is a surprising show on HBO. I was really dumbfounded when I discovered that there will be 43 episodes of In Treatment. Wow, 43. These are only half hour shows, or almost half hour shows, but still. That is just incredible.
In Treatment is based on the Israeli series Betipul. Gabriel Byrne plays Paul Weston, a psychologist trying to deal with his patients while going through some personal problems. Each show focuses on a different patient. Mondays feature Laura, an anestheologist infatuated with Paul. Tuesdays feature Alex, an ex-fighter pilot traumatized by events that happened a few years ago. Wednesdays feature Sophie, a suicidal teenage gymnast with Olympic aspirations. Thursdays feature Jake and Amy, a couple in couple’s counseling. Fridays feature Gina, Paul’s own therapist and mentor that he stopped seeing 8 years ago for some reason.
I’ve always loved psychology. This show really feeds that need. The sessions are almost verbatim of what would happen in a real session. This show is about characters, not actions. It’s a very smart show and I am also very surprised that Marky Mark is the executive producer. Marky Mark has had success with Entourage so it makes sense that he decided to try out other projects.
This is a great show. I really liked it. I find that it’s best to watch it a few episodes at a time. I recommend this show.
In this session, Paul gets the other side of the story of what happened between Alex and Laura. Alex is making progress, but constantly needs to remain in control of the situation. Paul finds these sessions hard.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
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Alex comes by in advance for his session. He drops by Laura’s check. Alex insists on paying the extra 10 minutes.
Alex always makes a big deal about paying Paul. Paul remarks on this. Alex tries to figure out how much money Paul makes. He comes out with an arbitrary 24K$ a month. Paul says that if he buys him out, he’ll only have Alex as a patient. Alex didn’t like that comment. I wonder why Paul said this. I think it’s because he still upset about Laura. It doesn’t help that Alex keeps reminding him that he is involved with her. He tells him that all their sessions begin like this.
Alex dropped by the base. He couldn’t get into the base because he forgot his ID. The guy at the gate says that Alex isn’t on the approved list. He lost his temper. He didn’t get into the base. That is why he is early for his therapy session. Alex says that his shitty week started on Saturday. Alex wished that Paul would have warned him about Laura. He slept with Laura on Saturday. Paul says that he can’t discuss other patients’ therapy sessions with Alex. She invited him over for dinner. Dinner was just an excuse for sex. Alex doesn’t say what happened between them.
He asks Paul is he ever jerks off to something what his patients have told him. Paul says that he does masturbate, but doesn’t get into any details. He says that he didn’t give a good performance. He kept mentioning his wife. It turned Laura off. He came very fast.
Alex wants to know if their stories match, his and Laura’s. Paul says that he felt humiliated because of his bad sexual performance, so he belittled Laura by constantly mentioning his wife. He belittled Paul by dropping of the check and throwing his money on the table, to make Paul feel small. To regain some form of control of the situation.
Alex gets up and makes some coffee. Paul wants to get back to therapy. He tells him that they are onto something.
Alex wants to know if Paul can actually help him. Paul can’t answer the question. He tells him a Jewish parable. He says there is a way to cross the abyss. By small steps and increments. Alex says that it reminds him of relying on his instruments. When pilots get vertigo, they are taught to keep their eyes on their instruments. Alex says that this is what got him into this situation. He relied on his commander. Paul says that he wants Alex to rely on himself.
Alex says that he thinks that he’s going to f*ck Laura again. He tells Alex that he is belittling Laura again. Alex wants to know if he can make it with Laura. Their time is up. Alex is surprised. Paul shows him the door. Paul opens the envelope and looks if there is anything else in it. He only finds a check.
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Relevant Posts
- In Treatment S01E01
- In Treatment S01E02
- In Treatment S01E03
- In Treatment S01E04
- In Treatment S01E05
- In Treatment S01E06
- In Treatment S01E07
- In Treatment S01E08
- In Treatment S01E09
- In Treatment S01E10
- In Treatment S01E11
- In Treatment S01E12
- In Treatment S01E13
- In Treatment S01E14
- In Treatment S01E15
- In Treatment S01E16
memoirs on a rainy day 
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