Ep 1. Laura - Week One

In Treatment season 1 episode 1, titled "Laura - Week One," introduces viewers to the world of psychotherapy as we follow the journey of Laura, a successful, 30-something patient seeking help for her ongoing struggles with anxiety and sleeping disorders.

The episode begins with Laura arriving at the office of Dr. Paul Weston, a renowned psychotherapist played by Gabriel Byrne. As she walks into the sparsely furnished office, Laura appears visibly nervous and hesitant, fidgeting with her scarf and glancing around the room. Dr. Paul, poised and professional, greets her warmly and invites her to take a seat on the couch.

From that point on, the entire episode takes place within the confines of Dr. Paul's office, which serves as the central setting for the entire series. Shot in an almost claustrophobic style, the audience is drawn into the intimate exchanges between the patient and therapist, with the camera often lingering on close-ups of their faces or offering a glimpse of the various trinkets and mementos scattered around the room.

Over the course of the episode, Laura slowly begins to open up to Dr. Paul about her life and her fears, revealing that her anxiety is linked to a plane crash that occurred near her home, which left her traumatized and struggling to cope with the fear of death and loss. As she talks, Dr. Paul listens attentively, utilizing his years of experience to ask probing questions and guide Laura towards insights into her own behavior and emotions.

Throughout their conversation, it becomes clear that Laura is dealing with deep-seated issues, including self-doubt and a fear of vulnerability. Dr. Paul challenges her to confront these feelings head-on, urging her to be honest with herself and to open up about her past experiences. He encourages her to dig deep and uncover the root of her anxiety, gently prodding her to explore her relationships and past traumas.

One particularly striking moment in the episode comes when Dr. Paul poses the question, "What is it you're afraid of?" as Laura struggles to articulate the reasons for her anxiety. The camera closes in on her face as she tries to put her feelings into words, emphasizing the intense emotion that underlies her struggles.

As the session comes to a close, Laura expresses gratitude towards Dr. Paul for his kindness and understanding, telling him that she feels better than she has in a long time. However, as she leaves the office and makes her way down the street, the audience is left with the sense that there are many more issues and obstacles to come, both for Laura and for the other characters we will meet in subsequent episodes.

Overall, the first episode of In Treatment does an excellent job of setting the stage for the series as a whole, drawing viewers into the complex world of psychotherapy and exploring the nuances of the patient-therapist relationship. With its impeccable writing, deft direction, and strong performances from its lead actors, this episode is a powerful introduction to what promises to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant series.