Television
AMERICAN CRIME
What’s Made Barb The Racist She Is?
Racism is a symptom in American Crime – a troubling and destructive one, to be sure. But, like any symptom, it has its personal roots. As a psychoanalyst, my work is to find the roots of any symptom brought into my office. And, with the multi-storied American Crime unfolding each week, the roots of Matt’s…
Read More
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
Is Optimism Easy Or Hard?
“Women are strong as hell.” This opening credits statement to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is more than feminism. It’s a reminder of something that isn’t always easy to keep in mind. That is – knowing you’re strong when you feel as though your world’s just come to a screeching halt. When women (or men) begin therapy…
Read More
AMERICAN CRIME
How The 1st Episode Is Like The 1st Session of Therapy & How It’s Not
We’re left with more questions than answers at the end of the premiere of John Ridley’s American Crime. Of course – we’ve only just begun. Yet, we start to realize that each main character has complicated secrets that must be uncovered in order to make sense of what’s happened. For me, as not just a viewer…
Read More
SNL ISIS SKIT
Why Joke About Terror & Loss?
I find it pretty shocking that the well-respected SNL would vet a skit that pokes fun at something that’s spreading terror across the globe. “Take care of my daughter…. death to America?” What’s up with the SNL ISIS SKIT? Come on. Not funny at all. In the face of the recent attacks, beheadings, and immolation why…
Read More
MAD MEN Season 7 Episode 7
Behind Every Person is a Story
What’s Jim Cutler’s?
Jim Cutler (Harry Hamlin) is a mad man full of envy. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be so bent on getting rid of Don Draper. And, he wouldn’t be making unilateral decisions to be sure no one gets in his way. Contrary to what the soon-to-be-deceased Bert Cooper suggests, Cutler’s not a leader, a team player, or anything like that. Ultimately, he wants…
Read More
MAD MEN Season 7 Episode 6
Peggy & “I’ll Do It My Way…”
Doing it her way has never been easy for Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss). For subtle but understandable reasons to me as a psychoanalyst, Peggy needs Don and yet hates herself (and him) for it. She’s just not as self-assured as she thinks she should be. Then, again, neither is Don Draper (Jon Hamm). They share this.…
Read More