In Treatment Week 4 Laura Monday 9AM S01E16 (HBO)

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 details of Laura’s and Alex’s tryst. Laura gets graphic and Paul doesn’t like what he is imagining. It’s strange because he knows that he will get a similar story tomorrow when he sees Alex. Paul’s wife is absent for the week.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

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The episode opens up with Laura and Alex making out in Paul’s office. Or that’s what Paul sees. He was daydreaming. Laura has to snap him out of it. She is telling him about her sexual adventures with Alex. She got tired because Alex was tentative. She wanted to f*ck and Alex was just commenting on her hair. She says that he doesn’t like sex.

Alex couldn’t kiss her during sex. He lasted two minutes and then he went into the bathroom. She had to make herself cum when he came back. She was happy to finally connect with herself. Paul’s discomfort is obvious. She is doing it on purpose.

Paul says that it was inappropriate for her to sleep with his patient. Paul says that once again she had to screw another man to show him that she wanted him.

Laura says that after Alex left she was craving her mother’s cheesecake. Laura says that she split up with Andrew. He thanked her. She starts freaking out when Paul wants to know how Andrew felt about it.

Laura starts to talk about the intimacy that she has with Paul in therapy. Paul admits to it. He says that it’s not appropriate. Laura says that she sees Paul like he is. Imperfect. She wants him just the way he is.

Laura says that she hates herself. She’s hated herself for 30 years. He finds that hard to hear. She’s got so much to look forward to. Paul says that he hated himself when he couldn’t help his mother. He’s forgiven himself. It took a long time. It was like a relief. Laura wants to know. Paul was relieved when the burden of blame was gone.

She leaves. Paul sees Alex and Laura outside. Laura is looking back at Paul looking at her.

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