Monday, Nov. 03, 2008
In Treatment, "Alex — Week Eight"
HBO's talky psychiatry serial was uneven, but it paid off spectacularly in this climactic episode. Paul (Gabriel Byrne) has been treating Alex (Blair Underwood), a bomber pilot troubled by an accidental civilian bombing incident who ultimately commits suicide. Over the previous seven weeks, Alex has shared stories — of sometimes dubious plausibility — about his tough-as-nails father (Glynn Turman), who in this episode confronts Paul about his son's fate. Turman's performance is absolutely stunning, as he deftly and subtly mimicks his son's worldview and mannerisms as though he and Underwood really were father and son.
(HBO)