In Treatment 3x16

Another fascinating session of this brilliant show. Paul is still stunned how intelligently Adele pointed out last week that Paul has a habit of making himself feel incompetent and in need of help. He talks about Max. They had a brief bonding moment, in which Paul explained Pythagoras’ theorem (a² + b² = c²). Max acted unfazed, but Paul was delighted. Later his daughter Rosie drove Max back from Baltimore, and they have a moment talking about the situation with stepdad Steve and about Rosie’s college applications. Paul is clearly worried not being a good father, and is stumped hearing that Max and Steve actually have a lot of quality time together. It is clear, though, that both Rosie and Max care much about their father. Then Paul shifts the subject to his girlfriend Wendy. It’s been awhile since we saw or heard from her. Last time we saw them together, Paul was worried she wouldn’t leave in time before Max woke up. He had actually asked her not to visit his house because of Max, feeling it had been rough on his children when his ex moved in with another man after their divorce. He asked Wendy whether she felt he has trouble being happy. “Not when you’re with me,” she replied and kissed him. It didn’t seem like a goodbye kiss. The next time we hear about her, we see Paul clean up his place, finding a bra next to the couch in his office. She stopped by for a quick tryst over lunchtime. In session Paul admits he was actually thinking about Adele while he was lying beside Wendy. Adele doesn’t blink for a second, but Paul quickly dismisses the thought.

Much of the session is about the various passions of Paul’s patients. He envies them, because he doesn’t feel he has any passions himself. Adele indicates that Paul lives up and is engaged when talking about his latest session with Sunil. She reminds him of the dream he shared a few weeks ago. He suddenly remembers the fence in the dream was at his boarding school in England, and how excited he was being there – and how he resented going to America, just as he was enjoying his time at the school. He tries blaming his father for moving to the U.S. and then leaving him alone with a sick mother. Adele asks about the boarding school and notices that Paul didn’t sign up for any of the extra-curricular activities that he describes so vividly. She also observes that Paul blames it on his parents that he didn’t try to fit in with his classmates in the U.S. She tells him it has become a pattern in Paul’s life, to blame his parents, to cut himself off, preferring to retreat into the safety of caring for his mother rather than engaging with the outside world and discovering his passions. She points to his fake diagnosis as a means to tie Max to him, his pre-assigned explanations to draw him back from exploring new interests. Paul is struck and impressed by her confidence. She instructs him to think about why he keeps doing that, breaking himself off, holding himself back, coming up with excuses, and dismissing his own feelings. He’s confused, wondering if she means she returns his feelings. But time is up and she does not allow him to finish his thoughts. “This will be an excellent place to start next week.”