Christy

By Christy Smith

In Treatment - Alex Week 8

Posted March 20, 2008

We find out in this episode that Alex died during a training mission. Some of his Navy pilot buddies think he committed suicide. What other explanation is there when such a talented combat pilot can't pull himself out of a nosedive? I think it's possible. I also think it's possible that Alex simple froze when he found himself back in the pilot seat. He needed to stay in therapy to work out his problems.

Anyway, it certainly was interesting to see the dynamic between Paul and Alex's father. The father was just like Alex described - precise, demanding, confrontational. Alex had a lot of those traits, and they drove me nuts. He always walked into the room ready to attack Paul. Well, Alex's father did the same thing, only it was a hundred times more intense.

Of course, Paul can't tell the man what Alex said during his sessions. Patient-client privilege and all. But he tried. He started off trying to intimidate Paul by comparing psychologists to prostitutes (people who are paid to care about you). When that didn't work, he switched to sob stories about how he smothered his father and is afraid that he smothered Alex, too. When that didn't work, he played to Paul's parental sense -- what would you do if someone from another culture was trying to influence your child's thoughts?

Paul kept his cool. But it's obvious that Alex's father needs some therapy. I don't think you're ever too old to confront your demons. For about half a second I thought Paul was going to invite the man to come back next week. He refrained, which is probably a good idea. But I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Alex's father come back as a patient next season.