The series that makes you happy to watch other peoples’ heads get shrunk, In Treatment is back for a second season, starting tonight. The new sessions bring us a fresh group of patients, as Gabriel Byrne’s Dr. Paul Weston speaks in soothing tones to:
• Mia (Hope Davis), a successful lawyer coping badly with middle-aged loneliness;
• April (Milk‘s Allison Pill), a twentysomething architecture student diagnosed with cancer she’s not sure she wants to have treated;
• Oliver (Aaron Shaw), a 12 year-old caught in the middle of his parents’ impending divorce; and
• Walter (Frasier‘s John Mahoney), a high-powered executive prone to panic attacks.
As it was last season, each patient gets his or her own episode — a half-hour HBO session — with a fifth installment given over to Dr. Paul’s own therapy visit to his mentor-shrink, Gina, played by the ever-serene Dianne Wiest.
If I had to narrow it to two stand-outs, I’d pick April, a sullen girl barely hiding her cancer fears behind denial and hostility. Pill’s performance captures all the shadings of a creative young woman who’s decided she’s doomed to die.
And if you only know John Mahoney as Frasier‘s lovable grump dad, you’ll be bowled over by Mahoney’s transformation into a tough-as-nails executive who keeps himself so busy as a corporate control-freak, he can’t see the damage he’s doing to himself.
In Treatment is simply the most addictive TV show on the air (in the cable wires?). As I settled in for a new round of advice and repressed memories, I was reminded of the therapist’s famous last line in the Philip Roth novel Portnoy’s Complaint: “Now, vee may perhaps to begin, yes?” Yes.
Grade: A
Please tune in tonight for the back-to-back sessions with Mia and April and let me know what you think, will you? Thanks.
I’m in tv heaven! I forgot that In Treatment starts back tonight. Thanks for the reminder…I can’t wait to see this new cast…hope they measure up to the spectacular first season.
I just finished watching the 3rd disc of season one and I am completely enthralled. I really didn’t think I was going to like this show, but the writing and the remarkable performances are just blowing me away. And besides, you just can’t go wrong with Dianne Wiest!
I watched every episode of season one. It was fantastic. Last season the standouts, for me, were Blair Underwood and Mia Washikowski (I know that is spelled incorrectly). Enjoyed tonight’s episodes and am really looking forward to Mahoney’s performance. Every review as mentioned it as a standout.
This show is addictive! It is very well written and acted. A couple of other things that amaze me are the sets and the costumes. They also add a lot to the story lines. The look on Paul’s face last night when he read April’s note was profound. I can’t wait to see tonight’s 3 episodes. Thank you HBO for bringing back this series.
i never thought i would like a show like that, but it’s so addictive!! since the first episode i just can’t live without these sessions anymore! can’t believe the show is back.. yesterday was awesome and i cant wait to see the new episodes today!
Wonderful, wonderful show. And it started off just as strongly as it left last season. Hats off to the writers and actors. Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Amazing amazing show! I just started watching Season two, and it honestly makes HBO totally worth the monthly fee. Seriously, you get what you pay for, and HBO is worth the money!
This one is lovely. Ever saw this one’s profile on —– WealthyRomances com —– , just for millionaire & celebrities.
It seems to me that “In Treatment” has actually surpassed itself this season. Everyone connected with the series must be very, very proud indeed.
I have to give a shout-out to Hope Davis, whose Mia is so cringe-inducing I almost can’t watch a full episode with her. That’s some acting–a character who is real but completely manipulative and self-involved. I love it.
I don’t know, but I’m hooked and intrigued with each character, including Paul. Paul is human, with his own issues. His character portrays alot of compassion and strength and conflict. That’s what makes it more interesting, I like to see him cross the boundary as he does and reaches out to his patients. He is genuinely concerned, I just can’t wait to watch each session. A variety of dysfunction, insight, real stuff, that’s what therapist are for.
This weeks’ episodes was a half-box of kleenex – between the incredible acting of John Mahoney as Walter and the wonderful job by Oliver, I was emotionally drained. Gabriel Bryne is the BEST – but then again, so is the supporting actors. Kudos again for another amazing year. Hope the summer goes fast so that I can enjoy In Treatment sooner rather than later.