In Treatment Review

IN TREATMENT REVIEW/ Allison Luthy

HBO SERIES TAKES A NEW LOOK AT THERAPY

By Allison Luthy

“In Treatment,” HBO’s new series about therapy, reuses the old, tired format many other shows follow, but in a way that makes the material seem fresh and interesting. It is essentially the new “Grey’s Anatomy” focused on psychology, with a smaller cast.

Each episode has the same premise—a character goes to Paul, the psychoanalyst, for therapy, or he goes to a friend and gets therapy. In this setup, it is very much like every other medical television show. Someone shows up at the office with a problem and the main character has to figure out what the problem is and fix it before the end credits start to roll.

The plotline is very simplistic and lackluster, but like a simple black dress, it allows its jewelry—the writing and the performances—to seem brighter in comparison. Although the audience knows what to expect in every episode—there will be a person with an obvious problem, which turns out not to be the real root of the problem—the ending always comes as a surprise.

Gabriel Byrne stars in this show as Paul, the psychoanalyst giving therapy sessions. He brings depth and emotion to this seemingly bland therapist. The role, which could have been boring with the wrong actor, is given energy through Byrne’s quietly intent way of talking to his patients. He seems at times like a teacher who already knows the answer to a problem and is trying to help his patients reach it on their own. Byrne’s previous work includes “Vanity Fair” and “The Usual Suspects.”

“In Treatment” offers viewers the unique opportunity to get inside a therapist’s mind. In one episode, Paul comments, “If patients could see what I really think about them, if they could see inside my head—they’d run for the hills." By viewing this show, people can finally breach the gap between themselves and the person calmly taking notes across the room.

The character of Laura helps achieve this effect by confessing her love for her therapist, Paul, putting him under considerable emotional duress. Melissa George who plays Laura with a subtlety befitting someone who is unsure if her love will be requited. Her prior roles include “30 Days of Night” and a recurring role on the television hit, “Alias.”

The premise of “In Treatment” is based off of the Israeli television show, “Be Tipul,” which garnered much approval when it was released in 2005. The plotline of “In Treatment” does seem to drag at times, but the rest of the show more than makes up for it. Hopefully, “In Treatment’s” cast and writers will get the recognition they deserve come next Emmy season.