TVSquad

(S01E6-10) "She's a total tool...and a retard" - Sophie

We've decided to cover the entire week's offering in one review.

Laura:
So we finally get to see the gorgeous Michelle Forbes, too bad it was so brief.

I suppose it's no accident that last week when Laura was in turmoil, she was dressed in black and now, that she's decided to get married she's dressed in white. What I can't decide is if the weak attempt at symbolism was Laura's idea or the writer's. I almost lost consciousness due to being smothered by the Freudian imagery in this episode. Breast feeding, diving, upholstery, it all seemed a little labored to me, although, sometimes a plunger is just a plunger.

As much as I enjoy sexual tension, I really have very little interest in the relationship between Laura and Paul other than trying to figure out why he would continue to be her therapist when it's clear that she needs to get over him if before she can get over anything else.

Alex:
While it was obvious to all of us that Alex was coming back, I, for one, didn't expect his change in attitude. While he was still a bit of a douchebag, he seemed a little more up front about it. It was as if his trip forced him to admit some truths about himself or at least, invent some new lies.

One thing I'm starting to get tired of is Paul's tendency to make his point by telling a story about himself. I know this is a technique and most of the time the stories are fiction but I'd like to think that his patients have enough sense to see through it once in a while.

I really liked hearing about Alex's wife. I've found that you can learn a lot about a person by how they talk about their significant other. I hope his story focuses on this from now on. As for his story about his grandfather, I kept expecting Hawkeye to bust into the room and scream, "She killed the baby!"

Sophie:
Man, I do love me some cryptic phone calls.

So, I guess a theme of this series is how often patients are inappropriate with their shrink. I know Sophie needed help changing her clothes but she had to be aware of how wrong it was to ask Paul to help her. I really like Sophie's story but her refusal to acknowledge that she needs some therapy is wearing a little thin. It seems to me that all female athletes under the age of eighteen should be seeing a therapist on a regular basis and if one of them is bragging about NOT having an eating disorder then she's either lying or has a more serious problem.

One thing I liked about this episode that I haven't seen up 'til now was when Paul called Sophie on her request that he help her change. Moreover, I liked the fact that she didn't deny what he told her. She was trying to get a reaction and he called her on it. The hug between Sophie & Kate was really nice too.

Jake & Amy:
What I find amusing about Jake and Amy is how they seem to act just like every couple who is about to have their first baby. They freak out about how much things are going to change and how they're not prepared to be parents but, without fail, once the baby arrives, all those worries become insignificant. Once the reality of a new life is in your arms, you realize that you'll do whatever it takes to make this little person happy.

As pleased as I was with Michelle Forbes' acting, I thought the showdown between Kate & Paul was way too familiar. Once again, we see a therapist who listens to other people's troubles all day but can't deal with his problems at home. I mean, what decent shrink doesn't understand that infidelity isn't what causes marriages to fail, it's a symptom of the real problem?

I loved the symbolism at the end of the episode when Paul's new patient literally sat in the mess that had just been been made. It's hard to hate a show that does stuff like that.

Paul & Gina
I remember, one time, when I was about ten years old, I was at the house of a friend who's mother had recently died. At one point, the phone rang and after he picked up and said hello, he paused and then said, "No she's dead." I don't think I have ever felt more awkward than I did that day.

One thing I noticed in this episode is that Gina seems to be a much better therapist than Paul. She's really smart but doesn't condescend. She talks as well as listens and she sees right through Paul and gives him straight-up good advice. I hope this continues in future episodes.