In Treatment

TELEVISION There is nothing I like more than character-driven dramas and HBO is serving up five sessions a week with its new serial In Treatment. Gabriel Byrne is commanding as the therapist, Paul, who offers perspective and ultimately gets involved in his patients' lives. There is no better way to see the multiple sides of these characters than when they're alternately introspective or combative with Paul as he attempts to make them aware of what their behavior means and from where their motivations evolve.
The acting is engaging, diverse and always thought provoking. Patients show up once a week on the same day. Laura (Melissa George) shows up each Monday to discuss her problems with men and complicates matters in the first episode by confessing her fantasies of Paul. Alex (Blair Underwood) is a navy pilot with father issues who challenges Paul every Tuesday. Wednesdays are reserved for Sophie (Mia Wasikowska), a smart teenage gymnast that resists therapy after a supposed accidental injury but may have family issues causing her rebelliousness. The next day a mismatched Jake and Amy (Josh Charles, Embeth Davitz) try to work out the imbalances of their marriage. On Fridays Paul visits his therapist Gina (Dianne Wiest) where we hear not only what is bothering him but his perceptions of the past week and how his own life has influenced the advice he gives, which may ultimately serve his own purposes.
The confinement of the meeting room is the perfect setting for this drama. There is nowhere to go other than to stay focused on the conversations. The camera has more options than you'd think but is best when the discussion heats up and slowly moves in on the characters' faces, not only for inspection but closing in on what may be the realization of their seemingly meaningless stories.
The writing is smart, insightful and becomes more engrossing with each scheduled visit. Make an appointment each night Monday through Friday at 9:30 to catch the next session.