Gypsy Season 1 Review: A Slow But Compelling Psychological Study

"Gypsy" is one of the newest NetFlix original offerings. The show's tagline reads "Who Are You When No One Is Watching?" It stars the always wonderful Naomi Watts as Jean Holloway-- a New York suburban mom and therapist. On the surface her life is perfect. Slowly the cracks begin to emerge. Jean and husband Michael (Billy Crudup) struggle to keep the romance alive. It seems they both want to see other people (his coworker Alexis is looking good) but neither broaches the subject. Their nine year old daughter Dolly is dealing with gender identity issues. Jean's relationship with her mother is quite strained.

We meet several of Jean's clients. At first it seemed "Gypsy" will explore the struggles of each. Things instead take a stranger path when Jean (for some unknown reason) interjects herself into their lives. I'm sure this breaks some sort of American Psychological Association rule-- or at least it should. Talk about inappropriate!

Claire is estranged from her adult daughter Rebecca so Jean befriends her. A young girl (Allison) has drug issues so Jean takes her in. Sam is having issues after being dumped by his girlfriend Sidney (Sophie Cookson). Jean goes out of her way to meet the woman. Of course Jean doesnt let her patients know what she's up to (and she's almost caught on many occasions).

The main relationship of "Gypsy" (besides her marriage) is between Jean and Sam's ex girlfriend Sidney. Using the alias "Diane Hart", Jean meets and begins a flirtation. It's obvious Sidney is a free spirit and not interested in being tied down to one man or woman.

The two women seem to have feelings for each other but who is playing who? Is Jean in over her head? My money was on Sidney destroying Jean's life (ala "Fatal Attraction"). That might still happen but it seems Jean is the alpha in this relationship. How long has Jean been living a double life? She's secretly kept her old apartment for eight years. That's a good chunk of change (especially in New York). She keeps two sets of notes on her patients. Is she defrauding the insurance company? And what's up with that scene where she visits ex-patient Melissa who was just released from a mental hospital? Did they have some sort of relationship? Did Jean encourage her to burn down her parent's house? ...Soooo many questions.

In the end, Sidney shows up at Michael's place of work. She then heads to Dolly's school where Jean/Diane is giving a speech on cyberbullying. She says "Those who desire power are really trying to control one thing-- themselves" and "We might actually be someone else". OK then.

I still have no idea why Jean does what she does. Is she bored with her nice life? Is she incapable of telling the truth? Does she get off on the power she holds over these vulnerable people? Does Jean have a more nefarious plan? All we really know is she likes to drink, pop pills, have sex, and control everyone around her. My strictly unprofessional opinion is Jean has a borderline personality disorder. She seems incapable of forming strong bonds and bounces from person to person and emotion to emotion. Jean has no idea who she really is.

Grade: 4 1/4 Monsters (out of 5). "Gypsy" has received a number of bad reviews but I enjoyed the season overall. Sure the show is at times slow. It should have been edited down from ten episodes. Five or six seems adequate based on the material. Naomi Watts is quite compelling in the lead role. I just hope I never run into a therapist (or anyone else) like Jean IRL. If there is a season 2 of "Gypsy", count me in. I'm still interested to see what becomes of Jean (and Sidney) and if this house of cards will come crashing down.