This HBO series is the story of three couples, or actually 2 1/2 couples, and their relationship problems that primarily have to do with sex.

One affluent couple, in their 30s (Sonya Walger, Adam Scott), is having trouble starting a family.  Another seemingly happy duo (Ally Walker, Tim DeKay), in their 40s and with two kids, haven’t had sex for a year.  A third girl (Michelle Borth), about to marry in a few months, finds that she has trust and intimacy issues.  She also realizes that she cannot be alone, even if that means having multiple sex partners.

All five of these rather likable folk wind up with the same sex therapist (Jane Alexander), whose own long-term solid marriage may be threatened by the reappearance in her life of her former lover (Ronny Cox).

CRITIQUE

Tell Me You Love Me is the daring 1-hour/10 episode HBO television series that features sex scenes that are one step short of being pornographic.  In fact, it’s original working title was F**k Me, Please.

Admittedly, the initial audience attraction for many with this show is to see just how far the filmmakers will push the sex envelope, and they do push it pretty far.  On the other hand, the lovemaking scenes are more functional than erotic and after the first few, they tend to get somewhat repetitive and boring, just like in your standard porno movie.

Thankfully, series creator Cynthia Mort and her writing colleagues have given us a group of multi-dimensional characters whose lives we care about, since many of their problems mirror our own.

Mort has cast a group of superb, dedicated and very brave performers, adept at conveying emotions more effectively with their eyes, rather than through lines of dialogue.

In one early scene, for example, Ally Walker, whose husband (Tim DeKay) has not made love to her in a year, discovers him in the act of pleasuring himself.  He is totally unaware of her presence and, after a few shocked, hurt moments, she withdraws back into the bathroom, quietly shutting the door.

No dialogue was necessary.  Every emotion was conveyed by the expression on Walker’s face.

In a later episode, while in a therapy session, DeKay suddenly lets all his frustrations about being a working man, a father and a husband explode, leaving Walker visibly stunned.  She later comments, “You’ve trashed our entire lives together”.

And, this is a couple that truly loves each other.

Another memorable therapy scene involves Michelle Borth and her former fiancé.  Unable to find the courage to break the relationship off with him completely, she brings him to her couples counseling session under false pretenses, then emotionally destroys the poor guy.  It’s a devastating sequence.

Ultimately, there is not one false note in any of the performances, or in this series itself.  However, if there is, in fact, a second season of this show, I suppose that, with the possible exception of the therapist played by Jane Alexander, you can expect a complete change of cast.  Story-wise, I don’t see how the current set of characters can be developed much further.

THE VIDEO

Shot in Super 16mm, the widescreen picture is broadcast sharp.  There are no noticeable flaws.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound is excellent, although there are one or two of the sex scenes where you can hear what sounds like the muffled off-screen voice of the director coaching the actors.

THE EXTRAS

Four episodes have audio commentaries with series creator Cynthia Mort and various cast members.

FINAL THOUGHT