In Treatment: Is it ok that we're standing this close?Previously: Part One, Part Two

Emily Gould: Ok, I'm caught up now -- have you seen the episode where he goes to see his own therapist yet?

Elisa Albert: Amazing. Yes. And truly it was the reason for continuing to watch. Loved especially how Paul challenges and tests her in much the same way as he is continually challenged/tested by his own patients. Was such a primal scene. And Diane Wiest i've adored since "Parenthood". Anyone?

But since then, nothing. I can't watch. Not, like, emotionally-can't. Literally: can't. My frickin' cable is malfunctioning and the benevolent support team at TimeWarner has offered me a fourteen-hour window sometime next month when they may or may not come and possibly fix it. (And what, pray tell, am I supposed to do to occupy myself during said fourteen-hour window if my cable isn't working?)

What's sadder: that my cable has been out for two days or that I'm sad that my cable has been out for two days? I'm having some feelings about my feelings. Help.

In the absence of anything else to talk about, I will therefore resort to base gossip: Britney's therapist? The one who got her committed? As identified in all the rags as one Dr. Deborah Nadel of Santa Monica? Only slightly off point, but guess what? Totally my high school shrink. Which explains. So. Much.

Emily: Ha! Have you ever had the conversation with any of your shrinks about what it would take to get committed? I never had until recently. I had been hedgy about spitting something out (uh, uncharacteristic, n'duh), and she was like "why did you hesitate?" and I was like, "I was thinking that would be the one thing I could say that would make you be ethically obligated to call the men in the white coats to cart me away." She laughed -- I mean, she didn't GUFFAW, but she definitely CHUCKLED -- and was like "that will never happen."

I have to admit, I was sort of disappointed.

Anyway, I have only seen one episode of 'In Treatment' post- Paul's visit to Diane Wiest, who is aging really well. I found that it was harder to take him seriously now that we know all his fallibilities. Not to ruin it for you, but his next visit with Laura, his responsible-adult-in-charge facade kinda cracks.

Anyway, I'm sorry about your cable! I didn't have cable -- or TV for that matter -- for four months recently and it was sort of cleansing. Towards the end, though, I stopped having anything to talk to anyone about. Don't let that happen to you.

Previously: Part One

Elisa Albert: "Dude, one of the things I've been, ah, addressing in therapy is my tendency to open right up and overshare immediately, without demanding my trust be earned, etc. so that i not infrequently wind up having my emotional ass handed to me by pretty much whoever. So screw that, I'm not sharing deep/dark secrets.
(Maybe tomorrow.)

Emily's right about the in-love-with-shrink cliche, but it's such a rich cliche, as cliches go. I don't think it's necessarily even a carnal love thing; the prospect of another human being who is de facto always on your side, who validates your feelings and does not judge, and with whom you are free to be absolutely honest = LOVE. Especially in contrast to the difficulties of a two-sided relationship in which one must compromise, take responsibility, and maintain a sometimes-uncomfy level of vulnerability.

You know how some Christians describe Christ's love? Perfect, whole, accepting, forgiving. The closest thing I can imagine is my favorite shrink (I've had a few over the years, as geographical-shifts necessitate). And let's not forget: you only see this person once a week. The less you see someone, the easier they are to love. (Who's fucked up now, hombres?)

Anyway, I've heard the kashrut for such things is that the therapy relationship stops, two years must pass, then the therapist/patient can run off together and live happily ever after. Until each begins therapy with someone new..."

Emily Gould: "I agree with Elisa, Tahl: expecting us to air our dirty laundry just because we're watching a show about therapy? Come on. (Maybe I'll show you one dirty sock, but I'm not about to spill my guts. They're not nearly as interesting as Blair Underwood's character's guts! He killed some children!)

Anyway, maybe I'm immune to the charms Laura's shrink-love storyline cause I've never felt that way about a therapist. Even though mine validates my feelings etc, I've never thought of her as nonjudgmental. I worry a lot about her approval, actually! And the approval of ... pretty much everyone else, including anonymous strangers! Actually, that's one of the things we talk about. Hmm.

What did you think of last night's episode? I guess we're meant to be anticipating the moment when the fighter pilot character's bluster breaks down and he shows a human sliver of guilt for what he's done. Last night, though, seemed to just be about laying the groundwork for this moment, and I have to admit, it didn't hold my interest. I did enjoy the moment towards the end when he flat-out asked his therapist for advice and was frustrated when he was denied. Doesn't he understand that therapy is all about getting the input you need to figure out what you need to be doing on your own? Or was the therapist ethically remiss -- should he have given him the potentially life-saving input he needed? Of course, the stakes weren't really that high for the audience. After all, we know he won't fly back to the scene of his crime and be harmed -- after all, he has to show up for next week's session."