Empathie: Recap of episode 2 of season 1

Florence Longpré and Thomas Ngijol in Empathie (c)actuanews

After a pilot episode that laid the groundwork for a series focused on the complexity of human beings and our inner struggles, Empathie returns with a more ambitious second episode. This time, the series chooses to dive directly into the core of the characters' traumas, particularly those of Suzanne. We discover part of her past, her youth, but also the grief that has been eating away at her since the tragic loss of her wife and daughter. A deeply moving and profoundly human episode.

Suzanne Bien-aimée: The Origins

Episode 2 opens with the celebration of a historic achievement: Guylène Bien-aimée, played by Linda Malo, becomes one of the few Black women to be sworn in as a lawyer and also becomes a partner at one of the world's largest law firms. Close-up shots and lively music highlight the magnitude of this achievement, making Guylène the center of attention.

What is interesting is how the series uses music as a real thread connecting the scenes: its presence enhances the scene, while its absence subtly signals to viewers that a moment of tension or drama is approaching. For example, a few minutes after Guylène's celebration scene, the music stops and the viewer discovers that Suzanne was abandoned in a dumpster as a baby and that Guylène rescued her..

This side of Suzanne's story helps us understand her work as a psychiatrist better. From episode 1, her ability to listen and her empathy are illustrated in her interactions with patients. These traits, which are still present in episode 2, could explain how she copes with being abandoned, justifying her determination to never abandon others and to take the time to understand them.

However, although Suzanne is attentive and understanding towards her patients, she does not show the same degree of empathy towards everyone.

In this episode, Suzanne seems out of tune with the bourgeois milieu in which she finds herself. During the dinner, this discomfort is conveyed by a slow-motion shot, contrasting with a blurred background in which the other characters are engaged in lively conversation. To the rhythm of Candelier's melody, Suzanne gets up from the table, unable to stay any longer. The lyrics of the song and her imagination, which depict a scene in which she lets go of the chandelier and lets herself fall, convey her desire to give up everything and her melancholy.

Furthermore, her unhappiness does not seem to be limited to her childhood. Later in the evening, we see Suzanne drinking several bottles of alcohol while clutching a photo of herself with a pregnant woman.

The bluish, almost nocturnal light accentuates the depth of her distress and the isolation she finds herself in. It is a way of expressing pain without dialogue, but with deeply moving visual poetry.

Empathy: A Look at Social Norms

In this episode, Empathie explores the issue of social perception and what society defines as “normal.” During dinner, one character describes the Mont-Royal Institute as “society’s trash bin,” a place where “society’s anomalies” are locked away. The institution is associated with a prison, and shortcuts are taken when referring to the people who live there.

An intriguing point is that Suzanne's father, played by Martin-David Peters, subsequently questions the very notion of normality: what is normality versus abnormality? This question prompts viewers to reflect on the weight of social judgments and the rejection of difference.

Nevertheless, Empathie does not limit itself to exploring emotions: the series also questions social pressures and gender discrimination.

This critical approach also extends to the world of work. Suzanne, as a woman and a superior, encounters ordinary sexism, particularly from her colleague Émilien. He interrupts women when they speak, thinks that Suzanne looks down on him, and, when confronted by her, blurts out: “It's not my problem if you're too emotional to work here,” after Suzanne tells him that she feels he is questioning her legitimacy or that of her position. Through her character, the series denounces the microaggressions that women can suffer in male-dominated environments.

At the same time, the episode explores the vulnerability of other characters. For example, Mortimer, whom we discover through his CDs and his relationship with his violent mother, embodies silent suffering and the reproduction of violence.

The final scene shows Suzanne throwing away the photo of her wife, while Mr. Dallaire renounces his hallucinations, even though they were his only source of comfort. The return of the ballet dancers, in a rotating room, symbolizes the fragility and beauty of human imbalance.

Conclusion

More than just a psychological drama, with this second episode, Empathie establishes itself as a reflection on humanity, its contradictions, and its limitations. By combining human psychology and social criticism, the series offers a subtle analysis of our current society.