I watched the last episode of this HBO series, surprised that I was a little sad that it had ended. If you read my blog often, you might know that I was disappointed with the initial episodes, in which various couples with sexual and intimacy problems enter the office of sex therapist Dr. May Foster. The idea of the series was to realistically portray the lives of the couples, both in and out of the bedroom. Frank, graphic sexual encounters took place–some passionate, some sad, some exciting, some dull.
One of my criticisms was that the show was too realistic–like life, but with the boring parts left in. The series also started out humorless. Even in my office couples can be in the throes of dissecting a fight and dissolve into laughter. So it was nice to see that in later episodes, directed by Melanie Mayron, an actress who had appeared on a similar series called “Thirty Something” a decade and half ago, inject a little irony.
I won’t give away the content of the last episode, but I liked what Dr. Foster had to say to one couple who are looking into the abyss of their marriage. “A therapist can turn on the light, but it is up to the couple not to flick it off again. They must find the courage to be happy.”
What creates happiness in a marriage? Sometimes working through the bitterest disappointments and finding out that you still love one another can create an intimacy the couple is certain nothing can disturb.
At least, that is how it is on “Tell Me You Love Me,” and in my own marriage of 21 years.