Thursday, 5 May 2011

in Treatment - As dull as dish water or TV genius?

If I am to believe what I read, the viewing figures for season one of In Treatment made The Vanessa Show look like the X Factor final, but then again it was tucked away on Sky Arts. Now season two has arrived on the much snazzier Sky Atlantic.

Based on the Israeli show Be Tipul, (imagine how poor the ratings would be if they showed that) In Treatment centers on fifty something psychotherapist Paul Weston, immaculately played Gabriel Byrne. Each episode is basically a one to one with a patient. And we follow their progress, or lack of it, through the season. I can feel you yawning already. But what, at first, seems a stifling concept turns out to be quite the opposite. Put bluntly, In Treatment is one of the best shows on the telly. Character driven, the conversations are riveting, as secrets emerge and tables are turned. Often the spotlight falls on Paul Weston, who is a deeply flawed man, add to this In Treatment is one of the finest acted shows you will come across and you have the complete package.

But the only problem is that Sky Atlantic are showing it in double episodes, where as Sky Arts put out an episode a night (Monday- Friday). This enabled the season to flow. Meaning you were only a week away from each character returning, but that's a small quibble, at least it is back. I know I haven't put forward a great case for you to give In Treatment a go. That's one of the show's drawbacks I suppose, it sounds dry and dull until you watch it and find yourself hooked.

Over

UPDATE: In Treatment has been cancelled by HBO after three seasons. However there are some reports it could come back in a different format. Possibly just focusing on the main character Paul Weston.

No comments:

Post a Comment