In Treatment: The Complete Third Season

The one thing you should know about the HBO series "In Treatment" is that the show is a commitment. With multiple weekly episodes following four different stories, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series doesn't follow the rules of most TV dramas. However, when a show is as good as "In Treatment," the commitment is well worth it.

At the center of all the stories is Dr. Paul Weston (a superb Gabriel Byrne). Paul is a therapist for Francis (Debra Winger) - an aging stage and screen actress - Sunil (Irrfan Khan from "Slumdog Millionaire") - a recent widower and immigrant living with his son - and the best story of the bunch, Jesse (Dane DeHaan) - a gay, adopted 16-year old who was recently contacted by his birth mother. Weston is also the subject of another story as he goes to his own therapist (Oscar winner Amy Ryan) to deal with his ex-wife remarrying and his potential onset of Parkinson's disease.

While the talky scenes between doctor and patient might become monotonous and boring, "In Treatment" keeps the tensions high and makes us care about what these people are talking about and, of course, what they're going to do as each episode unfolds. This is best seen in the Jesse episodes, as Byrne and DeHaan are masters of volleying the dialogue written by Sarah Treem and directed by out director Paris Barclay. Will Jesse seek out his birth mother? Can we believe that Jesse is as sexually promiscuous as he says he is? DeHaan keeps the pain and hurt that Jesse is feeling just under the surface and is, in a word, riveting.

The third season is now available on DVD and Blu-ray and is a must for anyone who loves great character drama. The four-disc set is short on the extras but with material this good, who cares?

IN TREATMENT
DVD
$59.99
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