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Jeers: HBO's Stuck In Treatment

Gabriel Byrne by Lacey Terrell/HBO

Jeers to HBO for its borderline obsession with shrinks. The cable net's new five-nights-a-week drama, In Treatment, has its breakthroughs, among them Gabriel Byrne's skillfully subtle work as a therapist with his own issues. But anybody who's sat through the soul-baring sessions on The Sopranos and Tell Me You Love Me may feel like they're trapped in a recurring nightmare. HBO's psychological fixation is rivaled only by its fetish for series about sex (Tell Me, Real Sex, etc.) and showbiz (Entourage, Extras, etc.). That gives me an idea for a treatment I could pitch to HBO: "Showbiz Sex Shrink"!

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Posted by

Bruce Fretts

Jan 28, 2008 9:59 PM

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I never watched The Sopranos. After watching a full week of In Treatment, I found it mesmerizing. Gabriel Byrne is terrific in it, as are the actors playing his patients and his own shrink.
Posted by Marci Feb 2, 2008 10:10 PM Report Abuse

What an odd jeer. I see no comparison other than therapy is involved. I find the concept intriguing and the show involving. One on one therapy and only the therapy has not been shown before. The acting is exceptional and the setting just right. This is therapy after all.
Posted by cejwin Feb 3, 2008 12:43 PM Report Abuse

Showtime already has "Showbiz Sex Shrink" in the form of Head Case which is awful. But you are wrong about In Treatment which is remarkable for its ability to compress into a half hour strong drama. It reminds me of serious stage productions, where much information has to be communicated without losing the emotional depth. It's much stronger then Tell Me You Love Me.
Posted by Michael O'Faolain Feb 4, 2008 3:13 AM Report Abuse

Love the show
Posted by pidee Feb 7, 2008 10:28 PM Report Abuse

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