Empathie (2025): Recap of Episode 1 of Season 1

Florence Longpré et Thomas Ngijol dans Empathie (c)actuanews

At the recent Série Mania 2025 international festival, the Quebec series Empathie won over the public and was awarded the “Grand prix du public”. Broadcast on Crave since early April, the series follows Suzanne Bien-Aimé, played by Florence Longpré, a criminologist turned psychiatrist at the Institut Mont-Royal. Through Suzanne's eyes, the series explores the complexities of the human psyche, the internal struggles we may encounter and the profound dialogues that ensue. A deeply moving series not to be missed!

Empathie: a captivating story

From the very first seconds, Empathie stands out for the depth with which its subjects are addressed. This isn't just another series about mental health; it's a true exploration of human emotions and a reflection on suffering, compassion and empathy.

The product of a collaboration between Guillaume Lonergan and Florence Longpré, Empathie seeks to offer a different angle on the perception of patients and the medical profession in the penitentiary environment. Florence Longpré, as actress and screenwriter, says she wants to « décomplexer le trouble mental, de plonger dans les méandres du délire psychique et de rendre tout cela plus humain, accessible, sans être plombant » (noovo.info).

Episode 1 already looks very promising and faithful to the vision the actress wishes to convey. Indeed, the strength of the script lies in its ability to balance the seriousness of the themes addressed with moments of lightness, allowing the viewer to fully feel every emotion without feeling overwhelmed.

A balance between realism, emotion, and sensitivity

The series brings a certain delicate, almost poetic setting which captivates from the very first shots. The artistic direction relies on carefully chosen color schemes and footage, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and realistic. The play of colors, often contrasting, and the varied shots enhance this feeling of intimacy, as if one were entering a space where every detail matters, where every silence has its place.

The viewer easily manages to immerse themselves in Suzanne's story, as if it belonged to them. She has a unique journey composed of internal struggles and daily confrontations with her own demons. Nevertheless, she tries to adapt to her new job and help others, even though everything seems to turn against her at first: she steps into a dish, she can't get intimate with a man she met the day before, she stains her blouse with blood when she tries to change her tampon. The writers highlight a multitude of ordinary situations, sometimes annoying, unpleasant, or comical, without overdoing it, which enhances the realism of the series.

Thomas Ngijol, a French comedian, plays Mortimer, an intervention agent at the Institute. Far from his usual roles, Thomas Ngijol explores this time to a slightly more dramatic and delicate register. Accompanied by Suzanne, Mortimer approaches compassion and empathy towards patients in a new way. We saw this with Mrs. Moisan (portrayed by Brigitte Lafleur), who is a person suffering from a psychiatric condition. However, within the institute, an opinion is made : she is a "problem case" from the penitentiary, whom they do not intend to keep in the facility, because his pathology is not psychiatric. The character played by Benoit Brière, Mr. Dallaire, also seems to be a character abandoned by the team. Suzanne will take the time to listen to the stories of these two patients and will try to help them as best as she can.

Conclusion

In summary, Empathie presents itself as a deeply human and sensitive series, which goes beyond the mere framework of the narrative to offer a sincere reflection on mental health and compassion in the penitentiary environment. Due to thoughtful direction, a balanced script, and convincing performances, particularly by Florence Longpré, the series manages to captivate and touch the viewer from the very first episode. It provides an immersion into the world of patients and healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding in the face of the complexity of mental disorders. A work to follow for its ability to blend realism, emotion, and poetry.