The Patient
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The odds of Alan Strauss walking out of Sam Fortners basement just dropped dramatically.
Plus Alan is fading.
In fact, it almost seems as if Alan is consciously preparing to die.
Other than his daughter, Shoshanna, Alan doesnt feel as if he has any reason to live.
Alan is currently clinging to two things to keep himself afloat.
His mind also keeps wandering to images of the barracks at Auschwitz.
Disturbed by his deteriorating mental state, Alan attempts to process all of these feelings with Charlie.
And you know what?
So, in an effort to become a more self-actualized being, Alan wrestles with it all.
The camera chooses to linger on this image, and its pretty gruesome.
Watching someone viciously attack him is like watching someone murder a bunny.
And Sam is pissed.
Since Sam broke his pet therapist, he seeks out a replacement.
The counselor seems open to it and gives him his phone number.
(Cue me screaming Run!
at my TV screen.)
Sam is going through something in the wake of Eliass murder.
I thought there were all sorts of things wrong with you.
Its a fantastic line, and actress Emily Davis delivers it with a matter-of-fact air thats just too delicious.
She has no reason to suspect otherwise.
On his way home, Sam stops at a bridge.
Its implied that he briefly contemplates jumping over the railing, but he doesnt.
Instead, he heads to the nearest Staples and buys himself a printer.
Earlier in the episode, Sam overhears Alan as he attempts to recite the Kaddish for his wife.
Alans brain is way too overloaded to remember the words, so he isnt able to finish it.
In a curious moment, Sam replies, I dont feel good.
Therapy isnt comfortable; its often unpleasant and draining work.
Change is difficult, if not impossible for some people, and Sams discomfort is indicative of this process.
Unfortunately, Sam doesnt seem like the bang out of guy who will settle for discomfort for very long.
Thats all the time we have for today, but Ill see you at our next session.
Even though Sam is (somewhat) progressing, the odds are not great for his survival.
This week, Ill peg them at 50 to 1.
Even though Alan asks for privacy when he says the Kaddish, Sam eavesdrops at his door.
This is not empathetic.
