Original subtitles

Take me back to the first thing you remember.

We'll pick up where we left off again next Thursday, Mrs. Moskowitz.

Thank you, Dr. Fisher.

I'm so sorry for falling apart like that.

Oh, it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Emotions are a part of life. The good ones and the not-so-good ones.

Andrew will see you out.

Won't you, Andrew?

Yes,

Dr. Fisher.

Thank you, dear.

My pleasure.

You have such good manners, Andrew.

That was quite the walk.

Mrs. Moskowitz must have parked a very discreet distance from my house.

Well, actually, she just needed to collect herself before she was heading

to her car.

I hope you were able to resist the urge to engage in any unsupervised therapy

with a patient.

Oh, I wouldn't consider a pep talk psychotherapy.

Well, as your clinical supervisor and supportive mentor, I...

Thank you.

Here he comes.

When you established a patient-doctor relationship, everything you do, every

word you say, every face you make, every glance at your watch, means something to

your patient.

I agree completely, but I'm still a human being.

Well, not to your patient, you're not. You're an object.

And as a psychologist, your responsibility is to be a...

Helpful tool, not a dangerous one.

So you're saying I should try to be a screwdriver and not a shotgun?

Precisely. But maybe we could work on using less phallic metaphors for our

work?

Didn't Freud say sometimes a screwdriver is just a screwdriver?

But what is a screwdriver not a screwdriver?

When you use gin instead of vodka.

Oh, hi, Dr. Fisher. I didn't hear you come in.

Oh, Andrew, please. I've told you that James is just fine.

There's only room for one doctor in this office.

Dr. Fisher.

Dr. Fisher.

I never grow tired of that.

Well, all this talk about screwdrivers has made me thirsty.

Any takers? Oh, thank you, dear.

Andrew. Um, none for me, thank you.

Do tell me you're staying for dinner.

I'm making my pot roast.

I've got a lot of session tapes to review.

Oh, Andrew.

You're breaking my heart.

I'll brain check.

Thank you, though.

Goodbye, Dr. Fisher and James.

Such a nice young man.

So you've said.

Have I?

Only a time or two.

Well, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Perhaps. Care to elaborate, Dr. Fisher?

Well, I know I'm just a simple professor of thermodynamics, but I do believe that

I can sense the presence of potential energy.

Oh, it makes me wonder what you must think of my judgment.

Potential energy. I think you used that line on me in graduate school.

Well, as the good Dr. Albert Einstein said, if it ain't broke.

And don't fix it.

At least you're a good cook.

How was your day, my dear?

Oh, it was all right.

Andrew still has a few things to learn.

You can save him a little.

Yeah.

There'll be a little on the fridge for lunch tomorrow.

Ugh.

Amen.

My God.

How can an entire class have such a poor grasp of entropy?

Well, if you taught lectures as well as you did other things, most of your

students would have a Nobel Prize by now.

I've never been so aroused by a backhanded compliment before.

I was talking about your cooking.

And I could see the look on my mother's face as soon as the hostess walked me to

the table.

I saw that look a million times growing up.

The one that says, Well, there.

You've gone and embarrassed me again.

What did she say when you sat down?

She wouldn't say anything in front of her friends.

That would have been vulgar.

She just needs to show the look.

And I'm back to being a pathetic nine-year-old with wet bed sheets and

imaginary friends I talk about in front of company.

Has there ever been a time in your life when you haven't felt that judgment by

her?

Honestly, the only time I could remember her showing...

Anything resembling pride was the day I married Alan.

And that had everything to do with him and who his family is.

Honestly, I think she can't figure out what he sees in me.

What do you think Alan would say he sees in you?

Oh, he's told me more than once that he doesn't think that someone like me

existed in real life.

What do you think he means by that?

He calls it our delightful alchemy.

You see, Alan had to hide some parts of him because he felt

different, ashamed.

But I have those same parts in me.

What sorts of parts?

We love each other above all others, but sometimes there are others.

You have affairs.

Affairs are what my mother and father used to have when they've lost whatever

brought them together in the first place.

Alan and I have adventures.

So, you have these little adventures together?

We didn't used to.

But we've found that we have more fun when we play on the same team together.

If that makes sense.

You enjoy bringing other people into your marital bed, as it were.

You don't need to be so polite, Dr. Fisher.

You see, if Alan and I meet someone we feel that spark with, we go out and take

them somewhere nice, and we fuck them.

Together.

That sounds deviant, saying it out loud, doesn't it?

I don't like the word deviant.

It makes it sound like there's a way people are supposed to be.

Ooh, I like that.

Thank you, Dr. Fisher.

Anyway, I don't mean to make it sound like we go out there trapping poor men

and women into our web of lust.

Obviously, this involves a lot of discretion and tact.

Trying to read the right signals can be tricky.

It involves strong communication skills.

Before... During and after our fun.

I can imagine.

But I'm just curious.

How did you two know that this was something you could do together?

A lot of it was just dumb luck that we found each other.

Trying to read the right signals and then taking a leap of faith.

Quite the leap.

The rewards made it all worth it.

That's our time.

I didn't mean to pry.

If I overstepped, I apologize.

Oh, please.

You don't need to apologize.

I don't feel judged by you, Dr. Fisher.

Thank you.

Shall we meet again next week at the same time?

Yes, that's fine.

Yes, you may enter.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Blake.

Dr. Fisher, do you mind if I get ready for our next session?

All right, Andrew. We were just leaving.

You see patients together?

That's right. As part of my clinical training, Dr. Fisher joins me to observe

and take notes.

Interesting. Could you join us sometime?

I would love a chance to experience both of your perspectives.

Well, typically I wouldn't bring another person into an established therapeutic

relationship. I find it complicates things more than it helps. I see. If

you'd like to discuss it, I have some time this afternoon.

That's not necessary.

That makes sense. All right. Let me see you out.

He calls it our delightful alchemy.

You see, I wouldn't have to hide some parts of him because he felt different.

Here's what my mother and father used to have when they've lost whatever brought

them together in the first place.

Alan and I have adventures.

You have these little adventures together?

You don't need to be so polite, Dr. Fisher.

You see, if Alan and I meet someone we feel that spark with, we go out and take

them somewhere nice.

And we fuck them.

Together.

That sounds deviant.

Saying it out loud, doesn't it?

Well, things have been pretty much the same.

I did have one more of those spells where I just couldn't remember how I got

to the park and why I was even there.

And all those people running around, and I'm holding a stick. I mean, what for? I

don't think it's happening.

Dr. Fisher, should I continue?

Oh, yes.

You were saying the last thing you remembered.

Yes. The last thing I remember is sitting down on the bus, looking out the

window at a woman walking with her dog.

And she seemed very happy.

Yeah.

Anyway, I heard this shrill voice saying, excuse me, ma'am, but we have to

clear the theater for the next showing.

Apparently, I'd sat through an entire double feature, walked to the box

office, bought another ticket for the same show.

I don't

know.

Yes.

Mm hmm.

Fisher?

Is everything all right?

Yes.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Moskowitz. I've been feeling a little under the weather

today. I should have rescheduled with you. It was careless of me.

I had a feeling you were preoccupied.

It's entirely my fault.

Why don't we consider today a wash?

We could meet again as soon as you'd like. How would tomorrow afternoon be?

That would be fine, I suppose.

Thank you. I do appreciate your understanding.

Why don't I see you out?

Is everything all right, Dr. Fisher?

Um, yes.

We're ending early today.

Mrs. Moskowitz is going to come back tomorrow at three.

Very well.

Mrs. Moskowitz, I'll walk you to your car.

Thank you Andrew.

Hey, Mrs.

Mosswood said you were feeling under the weather. Is there anything I can get for

you? Tea, perhaps?

No, thank you. It's just been a challenging week.

Care to talk about it?

I hardly think that would be appropriate.

Thank you.

I'll be fine Why don't you take the rest of the day off? I can manage alone for a

while Understood Let me know if you change your mind

Rose dear, are you okay?

Yes darling, just a long day at work.

You seem so distant.

getting that. I'll be there in a moment.

Hello, Dr. Fisher's office.

Actually, I'm not Dr. Fisher, but I can grab Dr. Fisher for you. One moment.

There's a Mr. Jarvis on the phone. He found you in the phone book. He'd like

to schedule a first visit.

Hello, Mr. Jarvis. This is Dr. Fisher.

Yes, this is Dr.

Rose Fisher.

Yes, can I help you with anything?

All right, well, I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding? Was he looking for a different kind of doctor? You could say

that. He was looking for a Dr.

Robert Fisher or a Raymond Fisher.

Certainly not a Rose.

You know, when James first saw me listed in the phone book under Dr.

R. Fisher, he said I was just looking for trouble.

I mean, I don't think it should matter whether or not you're a woman. You're an

excellent doctor.

Don't patronize me, Andrew. Of course it matters.

I was just trying to give you a compliment.

Well, I don't need that from you.

Oh, sorry. I forget I said anything.

Why does it matter?

What? Tell me why it matters that I'm a woman.

Is this a pop quiz on transference or countertransference?

Let's see.

To the patient, you're not just you.

You're their parent or spouse or the teacher they used to fantasize about

with after class.

That's a bit of an oversimplification, I suppose.

And conversely, the patient will trigger emotional reactions and the... And the

therapist. And if you can't be honest about those feelings, you'll be less

than helpful. You'll be dangerous.

Well, I seem to be very dangerous to you lately.

It's a good reminder for anyone. And you need to protect yourself, too.

So...

Were you protecting me from Mrs. Blake the other day, or vice versa?

Mrs. Blake engages in compulsively seductive behavior.

She was trying to get a reaction out of you, and she succeeded.

I think she was getting to you more than she was getting to me.

What do you mean by that?

Dr. Fisher, I know you pride yourself on being unflappable, but everybody has

their little tells, little cues that give them away, and I think I've gotten

a pretty good sense of you.

If you're trying to psychoanalyze me to deflect from what Mrs. Blake was doing

to you... Who's deflecting?

What does Mrs. Blake do to you? What do I do to you?

You? What do you mean?

Oh, I forgot. We're only supposed to pick apart our relationships with our

patients. We're not supposed to look too closely at ours.

I don't think this is an appropriate time to... Explore our dynamics?

I can be honest if you can be.

Well, I... Oh, hello, you two.

Don't mind me. I just had a run-in with a drinking fountain.

You should see the other guy.

I'm sorry.

I was way out of line. This isn't... This isn't about you. I mean, some of it

is. I think I understand.

Maybe you do some of it.

Look, I think I should terminate this mentorship.

I actually got a great offer from Dr. Levin at the VA hospital, and I think

I'd be a fool to turn it down.

That sounds like a swell idea.

You'll get so much hands-on experience there.

Yeah, it'll...

It'll be a great opportunity.

Look, if you need a letter of recommendation or anything... Rose,

dear, have you seen that new tie of mine?

The burgundy knit one with the squared off bottom?

I should go.

Yes, I think that would be best.

Thank you, dear.

Thank you, dear.

Of course.

There we are.

What would I do without you?

Well...

What a delightful surprise, but there's a department head meeting that I am

beyond late for I was just running in for a quick change

I'll

tell you what though.

I'll bring home dinner and dessert

Oh,

I will.

Meow.

I believe I have reservations for June.

Or am I too late?

You know I can't stand roses.

I know.

I'm so sorry to have run out on you earlier. That was literally the last

thing that I wanted to do in that moment.

I know. A professor without tenure is a professor without free will.

Well, I'll drink to that.

So, how are things going with Andrew?

Things seemed a little uncomfortable when I was in earlier.

We've made a mutual decision to terminate our mentorship.

That seems sudden.

Well, he got a terrific career opportunity, and honestly, I feel like

I've taught him everything I can.

Interesting.

That all it is?

I know what you're going to say, but there's... There may be a Littleton.

It's very professional.

If you say so.

Look. I've thought all day about how to talk to you about this and whether or

not it's even worth talking about now that he's gone.

I don't know how to read you right now.

I'll take that as a compliment, Dr. Fisher.

I think I have a new theory.

Care to hear it?

Of course, Dr. Fisher.

It's all about this here chow mein.

I would stake my professional reputation that this here is the best chow mein

this side of the Pacific Rim.

Wouldn't you agree?

Oh, fully.

And if you told me today that this is the only meal that I could order for the

rest of my life, then I would be delighted and I would die a happy man.

Go on.

But through some unforeseen event, should one of these here egg rolls...

made its way into my plate and into my mouth.

I would not be disappointed.

I would see that as a wonderful byproduct of the dinner-eating

experience.

I see.

Well, so far all of these foods have come from the same kitchen, but what

would happen if, say, one of these grapes made its way onto your plate?

That would depend on how well that grape complemented the rest of the meal.

This one is lovely.

Jane, I love talking to you about food.

But if you're talking about what I think you're talking about, I'm ready to ditch

the metaphors.

Consider them ditched.

What do you have in mind?

Late night session?

No, but I'll get it.

Andrew, what are you doing here?

Someone very wise once reminded me how important it is to be honest about your

feelings.

your thoughts, Dr. Fisher?

You know that little theory of yours, Dr. Fisher?

Yes.

I may have an idea of how to put it to the test.

Are you ready for everything tonight? I am ready for sure.

Right on cue. I think he's here.

Hello,

Rose. How are you?

Good to see you.

Do you want to join me?

I would love to.

Thank you for spending time with us.

That was a genuine laugh.

Are you looking spiffy or something?

Currently.

Let's not. Let's not sing that song. We'll let that one go.

I think of it every single day. I think too. Wow. Whoops.

Okay, great. We're not even... Yeah.

Whatever sounds happen. There's noise.

There's fun.

Mm-hmm.

At some point, yes.

Yeah. Yeah, probably.

Mm. Oh.

Ha ha ha!

Hmm.

Hmm.

mm-hmm

Mm hmm.

Hmm.

So, I'm new to this.

Where do I start?

Let's start from now.

Tell me how you're feeling sitting here this very moment.