Just when I thought that drama-wise, this series couldn't get any better than the "two-hander" episodes starring only Bill Macy and Bea Arthur, the latter delivers a half-hour monodrama so compelling, intense and honest I was moved to tears several times.
I can only compare Arthur's monologue delivery to something out of a Tennessee Williams play -- a quality I honestly never expected to find in a TV sitcom. This episode is one of the rare instances where the lack of audience laughter -- silence, even -- is a positive trait (though Maude hardly ever misses an opportunity for a killer one-liner, keeping us laughing through the tears).
The only issue I have with this episode is that it somewhat unrealistically depicts a psychoanalysis session: I shold guess it would be highly uncommon for a patient to virtually achieve a breakthrough on their own in the first half-hour visit. This can be forgiven in light of the fact that Maude is, after all, a 30 minute TV series, so a realistic yet dreary therapy session shouldn't be expected. What is redeemable, however, is the fact that where we are left to realise that a person cannot solve all of their problems in one session, making the ending of this episode much more realistic.
In my opinion one of the best episodes of the series which showcases the strength of Bea Arthur's acting capabilities and experience; from impecable comedic timing to a non-melodramatic approach to more serious dialogue, the versatility of this performer is truly astounding.
I can only compare Arthur's monologue delivery to something out of a Tennessee Williams play -- a quality I honestly never expected to find in a TV sitcom. This episode is one of the rare instances where the lack of audience laughter -- silence, even -- is a positive trait (though Maude hardly ever misses an opportunity for a killer one-liner, keeping us laughing through the tears).
The only issue I have with this episode is that it somewhat unrealistically depicts a psychoanalysis session: I shold guess it would be highly uncommon for a patient to virtually achieve a breakthrough on their own in the first half-hour visit. This can be forgiven in light of the fact that Maude is, after all, a 30 minute TV series, so a realistic yet dreary therapy session shouldn't be expected. What is redeemable, however, is the fact that where we are left to realise that a person cannot solve all of their problems in one session, making the ending of this episode much more realistic.
In my opinion one of the best episodes of the series which showcases the strength of Bea Arthur's acting capabilities and experience; from impecable comedic timing to a non-melodramatic approach to more serious dialogue, the versatility of this performer is truly astounding.
