tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post8617071856282329133..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: In Treatment: Week three in reviewAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29111625900605811852009-04-28T02:21:00.000-04:002009-04-28T02:21:00.000-04:00As a therapist, I am delighted that there is final...As a therapist, I am delighted that there is finally a TV show that depicts a brilliant therapist as opposed to the buffoons that have been portrayed on every other show prior to In Treatment. <br />I am new to this site and have been enjoying the intelligent and insightful dialogues.<br />Thank you HBO for having the smarts to "get it right".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-12620541754294368842009-04-24T18:00:00.000-04:002009-04-24T18:00:00.000-04:00In answer to anonymous's complaints that Paul is a...In answer to anonymous's complaints that Paul is an unrealistically bad patient, there is a saying in my line of work that teacher's make the worst students. Perhaps therapist's likewise make the worst patients.Cinemaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12742365356939303431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17852327496249944892009-04-23T06:34:00.000-04:002009-04-23T06:34:00.000-04:00I heard that the turtle starting acting like a tot...I heard that the turtle starting acting like a total diva around the set and started making demands for more lines, so they wrote its part out of the show. That's why we only saw a box this week. <br /><br />In addition, I did a frame-by-frame breakdown of the turtle-box farewell scene and I couldn't find any tangible evidence of any turtle being inside what I believe may have been just an empty box.Mike Fnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63978169486455179362009-04-22T18:54:00.000-04:002009-04-22T18:54:00.000-04:00The characters who break my heart on this show are...The characters who break my heart on this show are the ones I love the most; so this season, that's April and Walter, with Oliver close behind. Mia's hard to like, but I love Hope Davis and nobody does prickly and pissed off like she does. I really hope we get a third season.aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14731706747402949232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81852279867749135462009-04-22T17:13:00.000-04:002009-04-22T17:13:00.000-04:00makes sense, but he does the same thing every week...makes sense, but he does the same thing every week. It wasn't just this session although it might have been a little worse. I agree that there is a motive behind it, a defense mechanism perhaps, but it's making him an unlikable person to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31322548513405370322009-04-22T15:31:00.000-04:002009-04-22T15:31:00.000-04:00I personally took Paul's attitude at the top of hi...I personally took Paul's attitude at the top of his session with Gina as a deliberate (if not carefully thought out) attempt to torpedo the session. <br /><br />By coming in full of angry bluster and leading with an incredibly grim personal situation ("My father's dying"), he's desperately trying to put off/ignore Gina's confrontation of him regarding Tammy, which he surely realizes is coming. His demeanor in the first few moments before he sees Tammy come out of her sessions is not the same as his demeanor going into the office. Maybe he's also angry at Gina and "her rules" that he should have to feel guilty at all. <br /><br />The irony is that by plunging in like that (he had been otherwise reluctant to even acknowledge his father's situation), he wound up having one of the most significant sessions he's had with Gina - and she still let him know she was only granting him a temporary reprieve with Tammy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24769171732044149162009-04-22T12:18:00.000-04:002009-04-22T12:18:00.000-04:00Orion 7 - thank you so much for letting me know yo...Orion 7 - thank you so much for letting me know you had the same technical problem. I didn't call Comcast because I wasn't sure if the problem wasn't simply due to the rather old television. But now that I know for sure, I'll call Comcast today if the problem is still there. Thanks again!Oaktown Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00811331454878606058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82464838480674761852009-04-22T09:17:00.000-04:002009-04-22T09:17:00.000-04:00Oaktown Girl,
I had the same problem you did with...Oaktown Girl,<br /><br />I had the same problem you did with Oliver's episode on Comcast's On Demand. I put in a call to my local cable Customer Service, but I don't know if they can do anything.Orion7https://www.blogger.com/profile/09735367578291157583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42886411022719490242009-04-22T02:00:00.000-04:002009-04-22T02:00:00.000-04:00Ebeth, Oaktown Girl, dez - Thanks for the kind wor...Ebeth, Oaktown Girl, dez - Thanks for the kind words. <br /><br />As for the show, I'm still worried about Oliver's turtle. I'm scared something is going to happen to it, and Oliver is going to be really devastated, and it's all going to be a metaphor for how his parents aren't taking care of him at all. That boy's sadness tears my heart out.<br /><br />Sometimes for fun, I try to imagine that Jake and Amy are the parents we're dealing with in the Oliver story, and I'd have to say that I think Jake would be the counterpart to Bess and Amy the counterpart to Luke. Anyone know if that's how it was in the Israeli version? I defintely imagine Jake as the more nurturing parent.<br /><br />Michael - Allison Pill was in Milk and also in a "controversial" show NBC quickly gave up on a few years ago called The Book of Daniel.LAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44462395055012044042009-04-21T21:48:00.000-04:002009-04-21T21:48:00.000-04:00I have to agree with Beth
"Paul's histrionic tant...I have to agree with Beth <br />"Paul's histrionic tantrums with Gina lack credibility as compared with his mild charming personality"<br /><br />I'm finding myself becoming more annoyed each week watching Paul turn from a sensitive and insightful therapist into a ...well i can't use the word i would like. The dichotomy is a little much. He uses Gina as a punching bag. The minute he walks in the door he starts spewing out all his anger. He's rude and insulting. He doesn't know how to be a decent human being when he's the patient? There's a difference between expressing anger and working through it and what he's doing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87859654551722314052009-04-21T21:25:00.000-04:002009-04-21T21:25:00.000-04:00@beth, I don't think Paul is bi-polar. His mood s...@beth, I don't think Paul is bi-polar. His mood swings have external triggers.<br /><br />@LA, sorry to hear about your workplace. How frightening!<br /><br />Re: Walter--I love how he handed off his bag to Paul in the beginning, how Paul called him on it, and how Paul handed it back to him at the end with Walter subtly acknowledging the exchange.<br /><br />I also fear that with only four eps left, things will feel too rushed. At least we have the show back, though!deznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6962893163362521192009-04-21T19:40:00.000-04:002009-04-21T19:40:00.000-04:00First off: LA - so sorry to hear the news about wh...First off: LA - so sorry to hear the news about what happened at your work place.<br /><br />As for the show, the acting continues to be excellent all around (how great is that kid playing Oliver?), and the stories pull you in. This is one of the few shows in my "can't wait to see" category. I share Alan's concerns about this shorter season possibly forcing the stories to move too quickly. I'll guess we'll just have to hope for the best.<br /><br />So far the patient I'm enjoying watching the most is Mia. I'm just eating up the interactions between her and Paul. Plus, we got to hear that beautiful Chopin piece.<br /><br />Technical question: I was watching via Comcast On Demand, and the Oliver episode had very shoddy sound quality. Especially in the beginning some key words were completely inaudible and I'll have to try to catch a live repeat. Anyone else experience a problem with that episode on Comcast?Oaktown Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00811331454878606058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88571110286642437462009-04-21T18:13:00.000-04:002009-04-21T18:13:00.000-04:00LA - I'm so sorry about your experience last week....LA - I'm so sorry about your experience last week. I work in a hospital, too and couldn't imagine how we would feel if that happened here. <br /><br />On topic? I haven't watched yet this week. I watched weeks 1 and 2 over the weekend. Week 2 Oliver made me cry with the name calling - that actor is doing a great job. All of them are. I put off watching the show because I wasn't sure if I was up to it, but once again, it's so fascinating and well written. Love it.Ebethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24607779896277518212009-04-21T16:12:00.000-04:002009-04-21T16:12:00.000-04:00Maybe this season wasn't cut short. It seems as if...Maybe this season wasn't cut short. It seems as if season 2 of the Israeli series has the same number of episodes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-710387592094377382009-04-21T14:51:00.000-04:002009-04-21T14:51:00.000-04:00Also, Alan, do you know if the show is doing bette...Also, Alan, do you know if the show is doing better this season rating-wise? I really don't know how to access to such stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86010495718595200132009-04-21T14:45:00.000-04:002009-04-21T14:45:00.000-04:00The Oliver's parents grate me tremendously. They a...The Oliver's parents grate me tremendously. They are borderline torturing the poor thing, I just want to punch them to dust. <br /><br />Here is the thing, I think if they were Jake and Amy, like they were supposed to be in the Israeli version, then maybe I could have worked up sympathy for them - because now I know them. But here, I have no idea why they are such horrible people. I think re-assigning the part to different people might have been the wrong choice here. <br /><br />Also, I vote that all characters in In Treatment should be women between ages 16 and 22. Cancer is optional, but recommended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64114597389197180742009-04-21T13:54:00.000-04:002009-04-21T13:54:00.000-04:00Daniel, I don't remember the specific numbers, but...Daniel, I don't remember the specific numbers, but they were incredibly small even by HBO standards. I think well under a million viewers per episode.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23277241409229469512009-04-21T13:42:00.000-04:002009-04-21T13:42:00.000-04:00Alan, what were the ratings like for last season, ...Alan, what were the ratings like for last season, ballpark-ish?Daniel Linehanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02335350444357953729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41522391228893254282009-04-21T12:04:00.000-04:002009-04-21T12:04:00.000-04:00Alan, thanks to you I started watching this show a...Alan, thanks to you I started watching this show and I'm totally hooked. One of the things I love is that it's so well-written that I find myself feeling like it's a whole hour of therapy, even tho the show isn't even 30mins long. And thank you for the comparisons to last season WRT Mia's fantasies vs. Laura's. I didn't watch last season, so I know only a little of the backstory but obviously missed all the delicious nuance in the relationships. When Mia started to fantasize about how Paul would've crossed the line with Laura, I was cringing and a little shocked that he was encouraging her to elaborate. What you said about the contrast in how Paul deals with it now vs. last season makes sense but I'm still going to ask my Godfather about it since he's an avid fan of the show and a retired psychologist. <br /><br />And I think HOLA DEA totally nailed the turtle thing. Just four weeks left? Gahhh, I wish my favorite shows could have longer seasons! With a show like this it doesn't seem like seven weeks is nearly enough time...Whiskeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75267286362421150072009-04-21T07:37:00.000-04:002009-04-21T07:37:00.000-04:00They cut the season shorter than last? Bah, humbug...<I>They cut the season shorter than last? Bah, humbug.</I><BR><BR> <br /><br />Yeah, seven weeks instead of nine -- or 35 episodes instead of 43. <br /><br />Given the ratings for last season, I'm kinda grateful we got a second season at all. But I do wonder if the pace will start to feel rushed at some point, and I wonder if the writers will leave more issues unresolved this time, hoping there might be a third season where more of the patients can continue.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82473935067124253392009-04-21T07:33:00.000-04:002009-04-21T07:33:00.000-04:00"Maybe there is also something to the fact that th..."Maybe there is also something to the fact that the turtle this week was concealed in a box"<br /><br />After watching Breaking Bad this week, I'm just relieved the box didn't explode ...<br /><br />ozAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-78950961168214330022009-04-21T07:29:00.000-04:002009-04-21T07:29:00.000-04:00I'm struck by how much more I notice the rules and...I'm struck by how much more I notice the rules and boundaries of the therapeutic relationship this season. I imagine this has a bit to do with how much better Paul and Gina have been as therapists this time around. They both have definitely stepped up their games. <br /><br />This week carried a particularly strong transaction motif. Bess brings cookies to Paul for caring for Oliver's turtle, but excuses the gesture as something else, possibly out of pride. After arriving hours later than originally scheduled, Walter tries to pay Paul extra in cash up front for seeing him under special circumstances, reminiscent of how Alex would pay for his sessions last season. Mia gets upset about Paul being late for their session, but the anger seems to relate more to another perceived debt that Paul owes her, as indicated with how differently she treats the transgression when Paul notes about making it up the following week.<br /><br />If we are to accept Oliver and Paul's observations of the turtle this week as applicable to the other patients, it should be clarified what the "turtle shells" would be for each one. They aren't literal homes. Keeping with the analogy, the things each of these patients carry with them, the scenarios they choose to dwell in, would be the "turtle shells", but as homes, they are not tenable. To her session, Mia carries an envelope with Laura's deposition, an act which serves to represent her preoccupation with Paul's romantic life. Mia fantasizes about having a life together with Paul, a fantasy which Paul apparently does not share.<br /><br />April's project is a product of a great deal of toil and effort, but she hates it. Instead of submitting it, she reschedules her appointment with Paul, brings the project to the session, lets the time expire on the deadline, and then proceeds to smash the project in front of him. Similarly, she is avoiding treatment for her lymphoma despite the urgency of her condition, and Paul speculates that it may be indicative of a suicidal tendency. In this week's session, she describes the burden she assumes in protecting her autistic brother Daniel, and how she regards her home as the one transient moment in which Daniel was not there.<br /><br />Last week Oliver mentioned how his backpack is always weighed down with school books, because he can't afford to lay them down at either of his parents' places, for fear of leaving something behind when he goes to see the other parent. Likewise, he carries his thoughts and anxieties by himself, refusing to share them with Luke or Bess for fear of what would happen when it reaches the other parent. Oliver is trying to carry his parents' marriage on his back.<br /><br />And poor Walter, who seems burdened with the most emotional baggage, and Natalie, the one person left who had helped him carry that weight is pulling away from him.<br /><br />Four weeks doesn't seem like that much time.HOLA DEAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1895910979176607462009-04-21T06:35:00.000-04:002009-04-21T06:35:00.000-04:00@other Michael:
With regard to April, the counter...@other Michael:<br /><br />With regard to April, the counter-dependency (psych jargon just picked up) thing isn't something that can be dealt with in the way a rational person would step through it. It's like telling someone with depression to cheer up or not see everything in their life a negative light because it's depressing.<br /><br />Similar to her cancer, there's a cognitive dissonance (am I using that right?) between what she knows and how she chooses to interpret it. As the previous sessions alluded to, she knows the cancer is fatal but here she is doing nothing about it. And with telling her family it's the same thing.<br /><br />On some level it's just her own fear or neuroses that keeps her from revealing her condition to her mother. <br /><br />I wouldn't call it myopic as if she's weighed all the pros and cons. It's just some overwhelming fear of the worst if - God, forbid - she actually asks for help and attention and care from her mother.<br /><br />That is all. Thank You, come again.Apunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68112718982496096372009-04-21T03:05:00.000-04:002009-04-21T03:05:00.000-04:00Paul's histrionic tantrums with Gina lack credibil...Paul's histrionic tantrums with Gina lack credibility as compared with his mild charming personality even at the doorknob with Mia.<br /><br />The mood swings make him appear bipolar... maybe that's what we'll discover...he is his mother's son.bethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5188006490379795652009-04-21T03:03:00.000-04:002009-04-21T03:03:00.000-04:00(the other Michael)
Last year the theme was "dadd...(the other Michael)<br /><br />Last year the theme was "daddy issues", this year it's looking like "abandonment issues".<br /><br />Mia feels abandoned by Paul, April feels abandoned by her parents in favor of her brother, Oliver is abandoned by his parents during their divorce, Walter feels abandoned by his daughter, and Paul was abandoned by his father.<br /><br />April, though, just kills me. She so desperately wants her parents to have some happiness so she refuses to tell them she has cancer, and is willing to die for that? Talk about short-sighted, any parent would rather hear the bad news and have their kid go through chemo in order to try to save their life, than the "ignorance is bliss" tactic she's working now.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15001530336692435773noreply@blogger.com