Freud Season 1 Episode 3 Somnambulant

In "Freud" season 1 episode 3, titled "Somnambulant," the series continues its exploration of Sigmund Freud's early career, as he works to establish himself as a respected physician and psychologist in turn-of-the-century Vienna. This time around, Freud (Robert Finster) is confronted with a strange case involving a young woman who suffers from disturbing sleepwalking episodes. As he delves deeper into her subconscious mind, he uncovers a web of dark secrets and repressed traumas that threaten to consume them both.

The episode begins with Freud attending a lavish party thrown by one of his wealthy patients, a man named Otto Gross (Samuel Finzi). With roaring jazz music and copious amounts of alcohol, the gathering is a far cry from the stiff, conservative atmosphere of Freud's own practice. However, Freud quickly finds himself drawn into a heated argument about the nature of human desire with Gross, who advocates for a wildly uninhibited, hedonistic lifestyle.

Despite their disagreement, Freud can't help but be intrigued by Gross's unorthodox approach to psychoanalysis. He agrees to treat a patient of Gross's, a young woman named Fleur Salomé (Ella Rumpf), who has been experiencing strange episodes of sleepwalking. With no clear cause or explanation for her condition, Fleur's anxious mother turns to Freud for help.

At first, Freud is hesitant to take on the case, wary of becoming too closely involved with Gross's libertine circle. However, as he begins to explore Fleur's dreams and subconscious mind, he quickly realizes that there is much more to the young woman than meets the eye. Fleur's dreams are filled with bizarre imagery and tormented visions of abuse and violence, leading Freud to suspect that she has suffered trauma at the hands of someone close to her.

As he delves deeper into Fleur's psyche, Freud must also reckon with his own demons. Haunted by memories of his own troubled childhood and his complicated relationship with his father, Freud struggles to maintain his professional objectivity. Meanwhile, Gross continues to urge him to embrace a more unconventional approach to psychoanalysis, leading Freud to question his own beliefs and methods.

As the episode reaches its climax, Freud and Fleur find themselves caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a mysterious figure who may hold the key to unlocking Fleur's repressed memories. With tensions running high and the stakes growing ever higher, Freud must stay one step ahead of his own self-doubt if he hopes to solve the case and save Fleur from her own inner demons.

Overall, "Somnambulant" is a gripping and intense episode that delves deep into the complex and often unnerving world of early psychoanalysis. With its lush period setting, atmospheric cinematography, and strong performances from its ensemble cast, the show continues to be a must-watch for fans of historical drama and psychological thrillers alike.