Apple TV+ offers first look at 'The Shrink Next Door' ahead of Friday debut

AppleInsider

Apple on Wednesday shared a first look at upcoming Apple TV+ original "The Shrink Next Door," featuring commentary from director Michael Showalter and stars Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Kathryn Hahn.

Posted to the official Apple TV+ YouTube channel, the sneak peek runs through the limited series's plot as told by the cast and crew.

"The Shrink Next Door" is based on a true story and follows the relationship between Martin "Marty" Markowitz and therapist Dr. Isaac "Ike" Herschkopf. Ike (Rudd) slowly begins to insert himself into the life of Marty (Ferrell), taking over Marty's Hamptons home and persuading Marty to name him president of the family company. The series explores how a doctor-patient dynamic can turn into a dysfunctional relationship built on manipulation.

"Marty Markowitz and his sister Phyllis, they've just lost their parents. He's very vulnerable and feels that the walls are caving in on him," Ferrell says of his character. "Dr. Ike starts to manipulate him. He takes over Marty's Hamptons house. Marty doesn't realize how bad it is, he's just thankful that this therapist is in his corner."

The series is based on the Wondery podcast of the same name. Showalter and Jesse Peretz direct the show, with a script penned by Georgia Pritchett.

The first three episodes of "The Shrink Next Door" premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, Nov. 12.

Apple TV+ continues to build out its library of content. The service has a number of series in the works and reportedly plans to double its production slate to release one new show or movie a week in 2022.

Read on AppleInsider

GeorgeBMac

This sounds a bit like many so called "abusive relationships" -- where the abuse and the abuser are not completely one sided.  But rather, they offer benefit along with the abuse -- so it becomes far less black and white and difficult to correct.

Phantom of the Opera touched on that:  the Phantom was Christine's teacher, mentor and father figure and was responsible for her success.  But he also tried to imprison her with him in his dark underworld.

In this case, Marty wasn't simply having trouble dealing with his current circumstances, he was failing in life.  He was unable to deal with what life brought him -- and this therapist apparently guides him to overcome those problems.  But then, apparently, the therapist takes advantage of his power and becomes one of the abusers he saved Marty from.

This sounds interesting and, from the first episode, appears to be well acted and well made.  But, I'm not sure I want to watch it.  It sounds painful.  But then, real life is often painful.