Summary of the patient’s section 3: The Patient has certainly caused a surprise with its judicious mix of exposition and elements of suspense. Although the former has taken precedence over the latter in the first three episodes, the end of “Issues”, episode 3 of the patient’s season 1, indicates otherwise. Until now, showrunners had a lot of control over the story in a stable environment. With the introduction of a new element, things are set to change. Episode 3 had revealing details about Sam’s violent past and somewhat explained his behavior in the present. Steve Carrell really dug deep to play Alan and bring out his own inner pain over losing his wife. He has not really behaved like a hostage and shown exemplary professionalism. The episode also gave us the identity of the resident upstairs. Read our recap and final explanation for episode 3 of The Patient on Hulu.
Summary of the patient’s section 3:
Section 3 – “Issues”
We pick up right from where Episode 2 left off; the person going down the stairs. It turns out to be Candace, Sam’s mother. But wasn’t she dead? I mean, both of Sam’s parents, as he had told Alan earlier, had expired. So he lied about this too. Is there any shred of doubt left before we start calling him a sociopath? The house is hers, and Sam came to live with her after an acrimonious break-up with her partner, Mary. But one of the most surprising things about her entrance is the lack of surprise. Of course she expected to see him downstairs, but the stony face with a mixture of nervousness suggests that Sam had already told her he’s bringing him there. This little detail in itself proves how protective she is of her son and won’t give him up easily even if he does something morally wrong.
As the conversation continues, Candance is forthcoming about her admiration for Alan and the work he does. She read his books, The Cactus and Mirage, after her husband left her to cope. She found the book relaxing and they helped her journey to overcome the tectonic event in her life. Even though she insisted Sam read it too, it didn’t have the same effect it had on her. Instead, Sam tried to do “real therapy”, to which Alan replies, “This isn’t real therapy”. We know where this is going. Anyone taken hostage would normally be desperate for any person he sees other than their captor to call the authorities and help him. Alan does, but Candace is strong in her defense of her son. She says she doesn’t indulge in Sam’s choices – including this kidnapping – but she doesn’t want to confuse her son.
He needs Alan and she needs to give him a chance to improve. Candance believes that Sam is doing her best to stop his impulses and create a new life for him. Alan must do his best to help “his baby”. At night, Sa arrives after work. Usually he brings food from one of the restaurants he has inspected. Pho, it’s this time and it’s “unlike Alan’s ever had”. Alan informs Sam about his meeting with Candace. Sam is so sure her mother is standing up for him that he hasn’t even changed his expression. He also explained why he didn’t mention her. The idea of mothers in therapy is almost like an obsession. One way or another, professionals tend to link every problem to something to do with the patient’s mother. But Sam makes it clear that his problems have nothing to do with her.
Alan once again asks Sam to take a leap of faith with him and untie him. He makes his case by saying that Sam would be able to overpower him quite easily given the difference in their physical prowess and age. Alan doesn’t pose a physical threat to Sam, but the young food inspector isn’t ready to do that yet. The therapist accepts defeat – for now. The session starts at noon. He asks about Sam’s father, who used to beat him. Sam still has nightmares about his abusive father mercilessly beating him around the house. He even “left” the family when Sam was about fourteen. For some reason, I don’t buy this narrative. I don’t think he “ever left” if you catch my drift. Hopefully there will be a sensational reveal later in the season.
Sam tells of an incident when his father got a deal for large quantities of sealant for the kitchen and bathroom. When he told him to break it, Sam didn’t understand. He actually had no way of knowing. And started beating him. Sam also says a word about his mother – how she took responsibility and stood shoulder to shoulder with him in all of this. Alan has another flashback as he meditates the next day. It’s Ezra’s marriage. The rabbi announces that the chatan’s mother will give a toast, but it turns out that Beth is going to sing a song. The rabbi sternly reminds her that women don’t sing in their family, but she persists and gets up on stage.
Disapproving whispers spread and people begin to get up and leave. Alan and Sam have another session later that day about the manager. Sam reports that there isn’t much change in his feelings toward the manager, and Alan expresses an idea. He suggests that Candace sit with him in the next session – family therapy. This step will be beneficial for both of them – dealing with both of their traumas. Sam is protective of his mother, saying she’s had enough, but Alan says it will be helpful. The journey ahead for Sam will be easier if Candace is around. The next day she is there with Sam. She begins to describe Sam’s father. Her disposition is calm and understanding.
Candace explains how she and Sam sought refuge with each other and stood up to her father. He could be a little too intense at times. Alan asks Sam to help his mother by reminding himself that he will not act on his violent impulse and thus protect his mother. He must no longer become a source of pain to her. She asks him if he would do it and Sam reluctantly agrees. Sam is back with dinner the next day. “Pastitsio”, is next for Alan, who really enjoys the dish. Sam says he went back to the place with the manager, but unfortunately there’s still no change in how he feels about him. Alan’s presence should be a test for Sam – whether he really helps him. It looks like there is some progress, but more work needs to be put in. Sam explains why he does what he does to people.
Patient Episode 3 “Problems” Ends, Explained
It comes from a place of trauma with his father. Sam likes to “discipline” people who are not kind to other people. His father did the same to him and now he has the same tendency to lash out and go to extreme measures to get people back “in line”. There is some commotion upstairs the next day. Alan calls out to Candace, but she doesn’t answer. In another flashback, it is revealed how Beth went ahead with the song at the wedding, much to the dismay of Ezra and his in-laws. She was this defiant, rebellious kind of woman with a strong will. But it’s a happy memory in Alan’s mind and that’s all that matters to him. The flashback is bookend with Beth breathing. Alan, his daughter and Ezra sit around her as she succumbs to a terminal illness.
It’s time for dinner again and Alan gets up and waits to see what Sam has brought him this time. Alan’s dinner routine has been quite extravagant and out there recently with Sam bringing him all sorts of delicious food. But this time the cat has dragged in something truly terrible. It’s the manager, his hands, legs and mouth bound with tape. Sam drags him inside to the other room through the rain. Not a word is exchanged between him and Alan, who watches in shock and anticipation of what is to come. So that’s the ending I was talking about, which for once would bring strong undercurrents of tension to the story. It had been missing until now, when the conversation and character development took on more importance.
We have to ask ourselves this question – is the therapy really helping him, or is Alan becoming disillusioned by the situation he finds himself in? Nothing has really changed with Sam. He still has the same violent thoughts and has even acted on them to kidnap the manager. Yes, he hasn’t murdered him yet, but what’s to say that won’t change going forward? Alan is on a slippery slope and his professionalism doesn’t help much. Will the situation change in the future? Tune in next week to find out!
The patient trailer
