The truth wants to come out, and then there's a fear that it's going to destroy something.

Couples Therapy, S3 (but also S1 and S2) — 5/5

This may somehow end up being my favorite show of all time. If you don't know the premise, it's simple—couples go to a therapist to talk about their problems. The cameras are hidden; the therapy is taken seriously. Orna Guralnik looks at each of them, actively listening, and searching for what they're actually saying within the words they're actually using. She's a master molder, guiding the conversation, pushing them further, bringing them back. Making sure the other person is listening as well. And then the show wisely shows her own private sessions as she looks for advice from others as to how to meet these people. Wise, because it shows that this is a job that extends beyond her sessions. She can only help them if she can herself grow into what they need. I admire her. In some ways I aspire to be like her. Sometimes I, as the viewer, want her to jump up and shake these people and say "Don't you realize what you're doing?? Don't you understand what you are??" And to occasionally see her speak up and create clear boundaries is marvelous in its effectiveness, and its right-ness, though of course she can't just jump out of her chair to slap them across the face. So many of these people seem like they'd be so much happier if they just left each other, but that is not something she can say. Each episode is an entire movie, each of these couples' lives an entire universe, split into four 7-minute segments. I couldn't binge the show because each episode feels special, both because of the heaviness in each episode but also selfishly I wanted to drag it out as long as possible. Every entrance into these peoples' lives is something learned, something gained, something worth talking about. And when they succeed, you succeed with them. And when they fail, it's heartbreaking, but you also understand it needs to happen. Sometimes therapy is just building up the courage to say goodbye. Orna in that way is like an angel, guiding them to a set of doors and asking them which they want to open. She will take you as far as she can, but the final choice is yours. And in her way, in her responsiveness, she shows me a way to be, and still how much further there is to go.