The Patient
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Oddly enough, love is in the air in the latest episode ofThe Patient.
Alan also gets an opportunity to speak about his deep and complicated love for his family.
I guess the Beatles were (mostly) right.
In the context ofThe Patient, all you need is love … and a rescue party.
The love that Sam speaks about is a more nebulous, communal concept of love.
A sign hes a pretty chill dude in real life.)
Sam says the concerts bring him a sense of community, togetherness, and peace.
The central concept of Chesneys No Shoes Nation is love.
In one of his memories, Sam asks, Is this how therapy works?
The answer is just as layered as that laugh.
But therapy does not occur in a vacuum.
And they can also call upon the authorities when something goes horribly wrong in a crisis situation.
Alan has no such luxury.
He is completely on his own with only wits, instinct, and decades of experience to guide him.
This episode establishes Alan as the fulcrum between the two men.
Being the healer he is, he effectively endears himself as both therapist and friend to the suffering Elias.
Carell is tasked with speaking to a disembodied voice and making every emotional note sing.
He does, which gives Alan time to learn more about Elias.
The robotic voice demanding that the phone be charged is a touch that is both hilarious and horrifying.
Chesney is touring in California, and hes not going to California.
Thankfully, Sam does as Alan says and stays at work for the rest of the day.
This gives Alan time to chat with Elias.
The two men, desperate and fearing for their lives, begin talking about the people they love.
Elias recalls coming home to care for his mother when she had cancer.
Elias wants Alan to write down a message to his parents just in case he doesnt make it.
A short, simple word that speaks volumes.
Its a universal human emotion that comes to the forefront even in times of despair.
Alan reflects upon this memory as he waits for Sam.
Sam returns home with a sound machine and places it just inside the door where Elias is being held.
It seems important to note that Alan has given no identifying information away about Sam to Elias either.
Alan reminds Sam that his four-month gap of murder abstinence is impressive.
(Okay, its not completely the same, but there are similarities!)
Realizing that continuing to talk about the situation isnt working, Alan encourages Sam to visit his ex-wife.
In a moment of bold confidence, Alan asks that Sam unplug the sound machine.
As Sam rounds on Alan, Alans face morphs from a look of fear to one of stoic insistence.
After Sam storms out, Alan and Elias are left to chat once more.
The moment provides a sweet beat of connection in a sea of despair.
Thats all the time we have for today, but Ill see you at our next session.
So what will his next move be?
He was always … just … Sam.
I love the touches of dark humor in this series.
