In Treatment: Season Three

In Treatment: Season Three

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: Blistering drama and a pinaccle of television acting and scripting, in its third season 'In Treatment' has lost none of its theatre-like power. Gabriel Byrne is extraordinary as conflicted psychoanalyst Paul Weston.

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When people go to a psychiatrist, the common conception is that the patient does the talking to the professional. The professional is seen as somewhat numb, business-like. The genius stroke of 'In Treatment' is that it reverses that.

The set up of the series shows us the individual therapy sessions between an eminent analyst (Gabriel Byrne in a constant tour-de-force as Paul Weston) and his clients.

They're shot in real time enabling us to watch the whole half hour session with these fascinating characters over Paul's weekdays. The best episodes, by far, are the last ones of the week whereby he sees a therapist himself.

In the first season, double Oscar winner Dianne Wiest played his old associate who also analysed him. In the third, it's Amy Ryan who was so gritty in 'Gone Baby Gone' but totally different here.

What takes place between Byrne and Ryan is pure drama as they trade punches and take hits like boxers circling each other looking for a way in. Their work is dangerous, vital and addictive to watch.

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