The Cure for the 'Mad Men' Void: 'In Treatment'

The secrets we keep

The lies we tell

The truth we hide

It all comes out.

Season 3 Trailer

The intense, almost claustrophobic HBO therapy drama, In Treatment returns for its third season on Monday October 25 at 9 p.m., and just in time, as far as I'm concerned, because I’ll be anxiously using sessions with Dr. Paul Weston (Gabriel Byrne) to fill the philosophical/intellectual entertainment void that Mad Men left behind in the wake of the conclusion of its too brief fourth season. (Ironically, the advertising copy for this season's In Treatment -- listed above -- sounds like it could also be applied to Mad Men.)

For the uninitiated, In Treatment is a series of regular “appointments” for each character. There are new characters each season, with the exception of Paul who has been in all the episodes. You watch that character’s session on his/her day/time each week, watching all the patients' sessions or just the ones that happen to interest you. At the end of the “week,” Paul visits his own therapist and reflects on what’s been happening.

Here’s the schedule for the sessions/installments:

Monday

9 p.m., Sunil: A retired math professor from Bengal, who moved in with his son and his son’s American wife in New York City, is struggling with the recent death of his wife.

9:30 p.m. Frances (Debra Winger!): A recently divorced actress can’t seem to remember her lines and has been experiencing anxiety because her sister, like their mother, is dying of breast cancer.

Tuesday

9 p.m. Jesse: The HBO write-up for Jesse says he’s “a gay teen, full of creativity and angst” who “wrestles with his identity and his relationship with his adoptive parents.”

9:30 p.m. Paul: The therapist himself submits to his own therapy from Adele (Amy Ryan from The Office) because he wants her to give him a prescription for sleeping pills, only Adele makes him confront the skeletons in his closet.

Season 3 Preview

HBO Teases with 'In Treatment' Promo

Season 3 Tease

The new promo from HBO for the third season of the intimate talk therapy drama In Treatment gives us no insight into what the new season may bring, other than a tan sofa with four red toss pillows artfully perched on either side.

The third season of the series, filming now, is supposed to star not only the wonderful Gabriel Byrne as the main character, Dr. Paul Weston, but also Amy Ryan (from The Office) who'll be Paul's therapist, replacing Dianne Wiest who won an Emmy for her role as Paul’s therapist Gina. Additionally, Debra Winger will be one of Paul’s patients.

No formal air date has been announced.

'In Treatment' Greenlit for Season Three

Remember several months ago when those who have a particular affinity for the insightful, and, at times emotionally sharp HBO therapy drama In Treatment were sending bars of Irish Spring soap to lobby HBO execs to renew the show with its Irish star, Gabriel Byrne, in the leading role as Dr. Paul Weston?

Don't know if it was the strong scent of the soap or not, but HBO recently announced that In Treatment will have a third season. Three cheers for intelligent dramas. According to Reuters, the show will start shooting early next year in New York.

Image credit: HBO.