There are series, or rather miniseries, that can be analysed from relatively convenient and simple points of view. That is, where giving a brief account of its plot or how it is perceived by the audience is enough... However, I was able to see The Patient on FX, and frankly I have the feeling that if this production had been made by HBO or Netflix, even AMC; it would be on everyone's lips and winning awards at every festival there is...
Steve Carell's role in The Patient is truly outstanding. A psychotherapist, who himself comes from a Jewish faith, but who keeps out of the professional environment any vestige that is not purely scientific, one day has to face the most challenging decision of his life... His wife, who has recently died of cancer, the unhappy and estranged relationship with his eldest son, who has become an orthodox rabbi, and the fact that he has to fight for his life every day. Why should a therapist be fighting for every day of his life?
One day, without warning, a patient arrives at the practice. He seems anxious, visibly in need of help and with intense and noticeable internal conflicts... That's where the miniseries begins its plot... Imagine for a second being a mental health professional and suddenly, a serial killer with totally altered values and perception of reality walks into your office. Clearly, you don't know it at the time, of course, but the most powerful and important fight you will ever have to fight has begun....
We have to remember that psychopaths, within the film industry, have been exploited quite often, the violent behaviour and ways of these individuals. But personally, I had not come across a script that gave free rein in 10 episodes to show how the mind of a psychopath integrated into society can go to the very abyss... He kidnaps, murders, kills, tortures but wishes ‘with all his heart to stop...’ Even knowing this, the therapist decides to continue with this patient? Evidently not of his own free will...
Kidnappings, physically witnessing a murder, dealing with the bounty systems and twisted valleys of the co-star, who is also a murderer, is not only part of the plot but vital to the development of the multiple plot twists we will see in just 10 episodes. It (the miniseries) is capable of moving you to tears, of making you angry, of scaring you with its excellent sound design and photography, and it is also one of those immersive productions that takes the audience into account when it comes to post-production. It will seem strange to read what you're about to read, but this series feels like voyeuristic practice... Trust me when I say, The Patient is murky but it won't leave you indifferent. Recommended.