Hand jobs for strangers

So I tuned into HBO's latest series, In Treatment, last night. For those of you who may be unaware, the series is based on an Israeli show with the same set up and format: each episode is a 30 minute "shrink session" with one psychologist (Gabriel Byrne) and one patient. The unusual thing is that the show airs every weeknight, and patients keep their regular "appointment." For example, every Monday is always the same patient, former Alias hottie Melissa George. Tonight (and every Tuesday) will feature Blair Underwood as the patient. And on Fridays, Byrne's shrink will visit his own doc, played by Law and Order black whole of charisma (but otherwise extraordinarily talented) Dianne Wiest. Bonus points are sure to be scored when Byrne's wife, played by Michelle Forbes (BSG's Helena Cain and ST: TNG's Ensign Ro) shows up.

The format and pacing of last night's show was a little off-putting. I mean, how many 30 minute dramas are there? And completely staged on one set with only two characters talking? However, I found it interesting enough to keep checking out for a while, especially in this script-free wasteland. Maybe I just like hearing other people bitch about how miserable their lives are, even to break up the monotony of my own complaints. Maybe it's a diverting study in acting, and different enough to stand out. Maybe it's better than the tedious and caterwauling early stages of Idol. Or, maybe I just like spending 30 minutes looking at Melissa George's lips and runny mascara.