Episode #1.3

Another great episode of that series!

Is it possible that 45 minutes of constant conversation won't bore a viewer? Until today I'd say it isn't, but this episode changed my mind 180 degrees! Even though I'm a person who prefers action to psychology in TV, this episode hooked me from the beginning. The tension between 13-year-old boy (possibly a sociopath?) and the shrink was quite easy to feel with those outbursts of him.

Another admirable thing about this episode is acting. Owen Cooper who plays Jamie seems like a very promising actor, who might achieve a lot seeing his performance in two episodes he appeared in so far.

And last but not least, but this series being recorded in one-shot is absolute masterpiece! I mentioned it in my review of episode 1, but I'm so impressed by that, that I felt the urge to emphasize it once again.

Jamie is interviewed by child psychology Briony Ariston, who attempts to get him to open up with hot chocolate and sandwiches, but she finds him reluctant to talk, until he expresses his real views on Kate.

Such is the way this series is going, you never quite know what's coming next, I don't think I was expecting this.

The first two were excellent, this third episode was nothing short of sensational, the level of acting here was off the scale, two powerhouse performances.

In every episode we've been taken down a path, we've seen a seemingly sweet boy, who loves his dad commit a shocking act, we now get an insight into the dark recesses of his mind, even at this age, he is one disturbed boy, the interview clearly had a big impact on poor Briony.

Erin Doherty and Owen Cooper were both sublime in their respective roles, I honestly cannot throw enough superlatives at the pair, unbelievable.

Off the scale!

10/10.

50 minutes of conversation-when that's this entertaining, you know they've done an incredible job.

This episode was absolutely phenomenal. The acting was outstanding, and as a behavioral scientist myself, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The episode masterfully tackles the impact of social media, focusing on the need for validation and the pursuit of being liked. But what happens when that validation slips through your fingers?

A big thank you to the actors, director, and writers for their incredible work. And most likely, a nod to the psychologist who contributed to making this so authentic. You've reminded me just how great television can be.

Absolutely phenomenal writing, directing and acting. The dialogue felt very grounded and raw; I enjoyed that the therapist actually stayed professional rather than trying to act as a friend to him, it's so hard but it's the reality. So often shows like this take a maternalistic approach with therapists and teachers (ie. Gifted, Shrinking, Palmer, etc) where they go out of their way to unprofessionally take the client or student under their wing, treating them as their own child. This show did it RIGHT, and it made it all the more emotional and REAL.

Obviously we all know Owen is a star in the making, if he delivered each of those monologues with little to no cuts that's unbelievable; he embodied exactly the emotions an angst filled teenager would portray when faced with such conflicting feelings. Oscar worthy all the way.

After all the choreography required in the first two episodes, this one is much simpler and yet the writing and the acting makes it one of the best pieces of screen time I've seen.

Owen Cooper is simply extraordinary. He'll earn all the praises and deservedly so, but the performance by Erin Doherty is perfect. You wouldn't expect the bouncing off and on that this two achieve. It's like prime Federer against prime Nadal.

Haven't seen the last episode yet but if this limited series had ended here nobody could complain.

And the directing simply meets everything at the top. "Only" doing what is required (the single frame is still amazing)