In Treatment (HBO) (2008)

About In Treatment

"In Treatment" is an American HBO drama TV series produced and developed by Rodrigo Garcia. The show, released in 2008, is based on the Israeli series BeTipul created by Hagai Levi. It offers a unique take on storytelling by primarily focusing on weekly sessions between a therapist and his patients, revealing the human psyche's complexity.

Making / Production

Though the series "In Treatment" is an American adaptation, it meticulously maintains the source material by Hagai Levi from the Israeli series BeTipul. Each episode is almost like a stage play, playing out in real-time, and the set design and audio were carefully crafted to offer an intimate view into the fraught yet transformative therapist-patient dynamic.

Actors

• Gabriel Byrne as Paul Weston, is transformative in his role as a therapist. His nuanced portrayal realistically showcases both his professional detachment and personal attachment to his patients.
• Dianne Wiest as Gina Toll, plays Paul's own therapist and mentor with compelling credibility. Her careful and empathetic approach to her role provides important insight into Paul's character.
• Mia Wasikowska as Sophie, is depicted as a young and troubled gymnast, Wasikowska demonstrates an impressive range and intensity, making the audience deeply connect with her character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The show was filmed in a specially constructed studio designed to appear like a therapist's office.
• Despite the format of the show being a series of two-sided conversations, the writers had a rule that the dialogue could not stray into areas of overt psychoanalysis.
• In Treatment was the first series to premiere on HBO on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Awards

"In Treatment" has received several prestigious awards. Notable among them was the 2009 Golden Globe Award that was given to Gabriel Byrne for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama. The show was also nominated for numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Gabriel Byrne) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Dianne Wiest).

Quotes

• "Time's up - it's an absurdity. A few scribbles on a piece of paper and everything's changed." - Paul Weston
• "Next to God, therapists know everything, don't they?" - Laura Hill
• "I'm not a shrink... I hate that word... I'm a guide. A Sherpa." - Paul Weston

Music, Soundtrack

• The opening theme music is "Therapy Session" by Christopher Tyng.
• Various subtle background scores were used to enhance the intensity and emotionality of the scenes.