“The Patient” shouldn’t work. The premise — a serial killer kidnaps his therapist and demands treatment — sounds like a dark “What About Bob?” sequel. Most of the limited series takes place in a basement. In reaching for symbolism, it touches down on the sacred territory of Auschwitz.But work it does, and that’s why TV is a creature of results, not concepts (or, as they say in sports, that’s why they play the games).
Powerfully, carefully acted by Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson, laden with themes of guilt, remorse and redemption, the new FX limited series streaming exclusively on Hulu deepens as it moves through its 10 episodes (at approximately 30 minutes each, they’re easily digestible). The nuances of the script come into focus along with the subtext. Even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing, it remains rewarding to the end.
Carell plays Dr. Alan Strauss, who isn’t in the best shape when we meet him. His wife, Laura (Laura Niemi), just died of cancer. His adult son, Ezra (Andrew Leeds), has embraced Orthodox Judaism and looks down on his dad’s comparatively liberal faith. Into his office walks Sam (Gleeson), a pale, lanky young man with high cheekbones and sunglasses. After a few sessions, Sam decides to take the relationship to the next level. He abducts his doctor, takes him to a basement bedroom, chains his ankle to the floor and explains that he wants to stop killing people. Could Alan help?
What follows is a lengthy psychological power struggle between a doctor who isn’t quite sure he wants to live, and his patient who feels compelled to kill. Like most, Sam reacts negatively to perceived slights and signs of disrespect. Unfortunately, where others might ruminate and stew, or even curse out their enemy, Sam converts his grudges into murder by strangulation. Alan’s compulsion to help is twofold. Even in these desperate straits, he wants to do his job. He also decides he wants to survive.
The relationship isn’t without dashes of humor. Sam is a restaurant inspector; he’s also a foodie. When he returns to his doctor/prisoner at night, he often brings fine cuisine — Thai, Indian, Vietnamese — and raves about what they’re about to eat. This killer has an odd touch of courtesy. Gleeson plays Sam as an angry, awkward guy with deadened eyes who speaks in flat intonations. Meanwhile, his mom (Linda Emond) lives upstairs. She would rather her son didn’t kill, but hey, he’s her son.
卡雷尔扮演艾伦与本能sympat的混合体hy, muffled fury and professional pride. The latter comes into play as he imagines himself in session with his own late therapist, Charlie, played by a wonderfully straight-faced David Alan Grier. This is where Alan explores some of his dreams and daydreams, which gravitate toward images of the Nazi death camps. “The Patient” has more than a passing interest in Judaism, particularly the ways in which the faith informs Alan’s morality.
Created by Joel Fields and Joseph Weisberg (“The Americans”), “The Patient” takes dramatic risks in building a symbiotic relationship between two characters desperate for change. Life and death — potentially, many deaths — lie in the balance.
M“The Patient”: Limited series. Starring Steve Carell, Domhnall Gleeson, Linda Emond, Andrew Leeds and Laura Niemi. Created by Joel Fields and Joseph Weisberg. (TV-MA. Ten episodes at approximately 30 minutes). First two episodes streaming on Hulu starting Tuesday, Aug. 30. Subsequent episodes released Tuesdays through Oct. 25.