Thx for this, Kate! I am in the middle of episode 1 and already struck by the lack of touch, of affection between father and son. We need this show now, and wise framings of it like yours.
I’m SO jazzed you wrote about this Kate. I haven’t finished, so I’m holding out on reading this piece until then. There was a great interview on Fresh Air with the director/writer/star who has a very personal drive to capture the loving but curbed affection between father and son. Plugging the interview as a companion piece.
Thanks for writing about this, Kate. I’ll add a link to this piece to my Adolescence guide at TeenHealthToday.com.
I’m looking forward to sharing “Talk To Your Boys,” the book Joanna Schroeder and I wrote together - with you. It comes out Sept. 9th, and it’s very similar in tone to this piece!
Hi Kate. Thank you , as always, for your insights. The series was astounding. Crushing. I watched it late at night and alone. I could not sleep. I wanted to share a little of my reaction to Episode 3. You mat remember that I was a child therapist for 20+ years and I experienced the kind of in-your face rage you see on the screen. I agree that it would be different in some important respects if the therapist was a man. But there are common features, too. It is very hard to encourage a child to talk about rage, despair and helplessness (let alone their sexuality) in a 4 session evaluation. Actually unfair in most circumstances. And when the child is left alone after each such encounters, well, you can imagine... I think the therapist went too far in encouraging him to trust her. It is no surprise that when he realizes that she is not coming back and he has exposed his weakness and shame and growing guilt, that he wants to hurt her. Believe me, it is shattering on both sides of the desk. Only she gets to go home. It is a near impossible situation for them both and you don't know if the kids prison they send him too can treat him longterm. Perhaps they do and that helps explain why eventually changes his plea.
It is wonderful to hear from you! And I love your thoughts on Episode 3. (Which was my favourite.) I sensed that Jamie was flirting a little bit with her in his own way, and thought that was an interesting dynamic. And I was also very surprised when she abruptly ended the session and declared that she would not be coming back. It felt very manipulative. Anyway, long time since we’ve been in touch! I’d love to catch up sometime. Hope you and your family are doing OK.
Thx for this, Kate! I am in the middle of episode 1 and already struck by the lack of touch, of affection between father and son. We need this show now, and wise framings of it like yours.
I’m SO jazzed you wrote about this Kate. I haven’t finished, so I’m holding out on reading this piece until then. There was a great interview on Fresh Air with the director/writer/star who has a very personal drive to capture the loving but curbed affection between father and son. Plugging the interview as a companion piece.
Thank you for writing this
Thanks for writing about this, Kate. I’ll add a link to this piece to my Adolescence guide at TeenHealthToday.com.
I’m looking forward to sharing “Talk To Your Boys,” the book Joanna Schroeder and I wrote together - with you. It comes out Sept. 9th, and it’s very similar in tone to this piece!
I can’t wait to read your book! And I hope that you will do a guest interview on my Substack when it comes out. 🙏🏼❤️
Absolutely!
Hi Kate. Thank you , as always, for your insights. The series was astounding. Crushing. I watched it late at night and alone. I could not sleep. I wanted to share a little of my reaction to Episode 3. You mat remember that I was a child therapist for 20+ years and I experienced the kind of in-your face rage you see on the screen. I agree that it would be different in some important respects if the therapist was a man. But there are common features, too. It is very hard to encourage a child to talk about rage, despair and helplessness (let alone their sexuality) in a 4 session evaluation. Actually unfair in most circumstances. And when the child is left alone after each such encounters, well, you can imagine... I think the therapist went too far in encouraging him to trust her. It is no surprise that when he realizes that she is not coming back and he has exposed his weakness and shame and growing guilt, that he wants to hurt her. Believe me, it is shattering on both sides of the desk. Only she gets to go home. It is a near impossible situation for them both and you don't know if the kids prison they send him too can treat him longterm. Perhaps they do and that helps explain why eventually changes his plea.
It is wonderful to hear from you! And I love your thoughts on Episode 3. (Which was my favourite.) I sensed that Jamie was flirting a little bit with her in his own way, and thought that was an interesting dynamic. And I was also very surprised when she abruptly ended the session and declared that she would not be coming back. It felt very manipulative. Anyway, long time since we’ve been in touch! I’d love to catch up sometime. Hope you and your family are doing OK.