Candace tells us that she and her son, Sam, have been living together for a few months. She reveals that they are both single and that they are looking for a new place to live. Candace tells us that she and her son have been through a lot together, including the break-up of their previous relationship. Candace reveals that she is very sorry for what happened and offers her son support in moving on.
Candace reveals she’s a fan of his books; she suggested Sam get therapy, in fact. But when Alan begs her to call the police, she refuses. Candace doesn’t support Sam in this, but she can’t turn him in. She can see he’s trying to stop. “I know this isn’t right,” she says. “But you have to help him. He’s my baby.” ..
Alan later returns with food. He admits that he met his mother, which was surprising to Sam given the fact that Alan had previously told him she was dead. ..
Alan takes this in quietly, but we can see the wheels turning in his mind, doubting the validity of Sam’s claims. He asks Sam if he’s lying, and Sam says no. Alan then asks if he’s sure, and Sam says yes. Alan then asks what specifically made him lie, and Sam says that therapy is all about mothers.
Alan begs again to be Unchained, to no avail. So, he brings up Sam’s parents. Sam reveals that his dad left them when he was 14. Before, his dad hit him and Candace, whom he insists is a good mom to him.
Alan reflects on his son’s wedding, which was officiated by a rabbi of Orthodox Judaism. The rabbi protested when Alan’s wife went to the stage to sing to Ezra, claiming they don’t allow women to sing. Ezra also appeared uncomfortable, implying a rift in religious beliefs within Alan’s family.
After convincing Sam to do some family therapy with his mother, Alan and Candace all try a session together. In which Candace talks about how she and Sam “took refuge in each other” during the hard times involving Sam’s father.
Alan says that Sam’s love for Candace can help him in his struggle to control his dark impulses. He urges Sam to think of protecting his mother when he’s trying to squash his dark desires. ..
Candace asks Sam if he will do something for her, but he doesn’t respond. ..
Alan and Sam discuss the inspection and Alan learns that he did a great job.
Alan asks if he always feels that his victims need to be taught a lesson. Sam confirms this is true. He feels they all deserved their fate. ..
Alan calls out Candace’s name, but she doesn’t respond. Alan remembers the day of his wife’s wedding again. She started to cry when she realized half of the guests were leaving. Alan looked down at Ezra, who was uncomfortable with the attention. ..
He recalls his wife’s cancer-ridden body as he remembers the hand of his daughter. Ezra wasn’t present.
Later, Alan wakes up to find that Sam has dragged a man into the house. He locks him up in the room next to his.
The Episode Review
The Patient is an intense and fascinating drama about the practice of therapy. Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, the creators of the show, revealed its inspiration to be their own experiences with therapy. ..
Alan and Sam share a regular therapy session, but the context is different. The Patient is about a serial killer who has chained a man to a floor. At its heart, it’s about what many viewers have actually gone through themselves: a process of seeking change–of desperately wanting to and not knowing how.
