In Treatment 3x09

Sunil begins his session preparing tea, and ridiculing the reality show Survivors, before he tells Paul he has been trying to make an attempt at expressing his frustrations. He says it’s like learning how to throw a curveball in cricket with your other hand. Then he speaks with the same excited repulsion about his daughter-in-law’s exercise regimen. Paul is trying to get Sunil to admit that he is drawn to her. He deflects the question a few times by talking about his son’s attraction to Julia instead. Sunil continues talking about honor and shame, about family and dignity. His Brahmin upbringing couldn’t be more different than Western instant-gratification consumerism. When Paul again explains he gets the feeling Sunil is fascinated and intrigued by Julia, Sunil laughs hysterically, hands him the check and leaves. What a treat these two together in one room! They are both aware of their cultural differences, but can’t break through each other’s barriers. Intellectually Paul can sympathize with Sunil’s devotion to dignity, but won’t be able to convince him of Western analytical notions about conflicting emotions, being repelled yet attracted by the same thing or person. Sunil for his part understands that Western culture is driven by desires for fulfillment, but finds this pursuit of happiness a sign of weakness, as immoral has having an affair. I wonder if they will ever find common ground, entrenched as they are in each their own worldview.