TELL ME YOU LOVE ME (2007 - 2008) A

Background . . . from Internet sources
Tell Me You Love Me is a television drama series that HBO began broadcasting in the fall of  2007.   It  was picked up by HBO for a second season. The first episode only attracted a total of about 910,000 viewers -- far fewer than what the network had been pulling for previous series such as Rome, Deadwood, and even the ill-fated John from Cincinnati. A month after its debut, HBO claimed the show had drawn a total of 3.1 million viewers across seven broadcasts.

The drama series revolves around three couples and their problems concerning intimacy in their relationships. All the couples are undergoing marital therapy. It general, the therapy is one dimensional. That is, it has not gone into the couples' personal problems that underlie the relationship issues. Individual therapy would probably be needed for that next step.

The couples seek the help of therapist, Dr. May Foster, who herself has relationship issues with her partner. Of all the personalities developed, I am least fond of her partner. Don't trust was he says. But then again, I don't know him that well.

The series gained early publicity because of its extremely realistic depictions of sexual penetration, oral sex, masturbation and ejaculation. Despite persistent rumors, and a notable lack of comment on the matter from either HBO or the production team, the sex scenes were finally confirmed as simulated by several individuals intimately connected with the show. Whether real or simulated, the series shows sex in many forms.

My View
This is, by far, one of the best TV dramas that deal with REAL adult relationship problems. In Thirtysomething we saw fewer (and less detailed) relationship issues being brought up and more day-to-day living experiences depicted.

If your marriage or relationship is in trouble . . . and you don't want to deal with the painful issues involved . . . then you will immediately dislike this series . . . out of self-protection. In addition, if you are the type of person that would rather "party" (whatever that means) than enter into an intimate discussion that brings you closer to other people, this series is not for you. It will be scary. But you will probably say "it's boring".

The part of the experience of watching that I'm taken with has to do with discovering the infinite variety of things people can do to themselves, and others, that screw up their lives. The series also makes for an excellent conversation piece between people who watch, and then second guess the actions the couples take in their lives. It allows people to share a common experience, discuss it, and come closer. And last but not least, it allows people to openly discuss sex . . . which is always a good lead into the real thing.