Ranking Every HBO Drama Series From Worst To Best
8. In Treatment
One of HBO’s most intriguing series is as methodical and measured as the profession it follows. In Treatment, which ran for three seasons from 2008 before returning in 2021, is a true psychological drama, following weekly therapy sessions between a psychiatrist and his patients, before seeing the psychiatrist revert to his own therapist later in the week.
The series, starring Gabriel Byrne in the first iteration and Uzo Aduba in the second, is a serious actor’s dream. It’s nothing but dialogue, and chewy stuff at that, with the characters by nature talking through serious problems and dilemmas. Performers from Amy Ryan to Mia Wasikowska, Josh Charles, and John Mahoney have taken to the therapist’s couch to lock horns in a heavyweight acting stand off.
And then there’s Dianne Wiest as Byrne’s therapist, turning the tables on the taciturn shrink as we delve further under his skin every Friday.
Like real therapy, it’s an investment - when airing, it dropped five days a week, and the story built slowly, rather than grand changes. It’s daring, difficult, and brilliantly made.