My Family (TV Series)

Shrink Rap (2002)

Jemma Redgrave: Dr. Connor

Quotes 

• Dr. Connor : Are you joining us? Don't worry, Mr Harper. The first step is always the hardest.

  Ben : No, it isn't.

  Dr. Connor : Excuse me?

  Ben : I find the first step is simply the warm-up to the indignities of step two and doesn't even come close to preparing you for the hell of steps three and beyond.

  Dr. Connor : That's a very negative view of therapy.

  Ben : No, life.

• Dr. Connor : So why is your inner name Ryman?

  Susan : Harper was his name, Riggs was my father's, but Ryman was my grandmother. She chose it herself - no men involved.

  Ben : She was reared by wolves.

• Dr. Connor : Do you want to be constructive or do you want to sit there carping?

  Ben : I'll sit here carping. I come from a long line of carpers. It's where name Harper originated, you know?

• Dr. Connor : So, as we slouch onto Bethlehem, we've chosen our seats, we've learned our names...

  Susan : ...and don't forget the names of our children.

  Ben : Oh, God!

  Susan : Nick, Janey and Michael.

  Ben : Or in our heart, Huey, Dewey and Louie.

• Dr. Connor : [about Nick]  Ah, unemployable.

  Ben : What, do you think that's normal?

  Dr. Connor : Ugh. I have one of those at home. Slobs around the house all day, making plans and excuses till I'm ready to vomit. Frankly, I don't know why I married the man!

• Susan : Well, I'm very proud of our children.

  Dr. Connor : We all have to be proud of our children. It's the only thing that keeps us from killing them.

• Dr. Connor : As I was saying.

  Susan : And we are listening.

  Ben : No, you're not! You're talking!

  Susan : I'm listening in a collaborative fashion. It's part of the therapeutic process, wouldn't you say?

  Dr. Connor : No, you're simply talking. I listen to it endlessly here - talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.

  Susan : I thought therapy was called 'the talking cure'.

  Dr. Connor : And Birmingham is called 'the jewel of the Midlands'.