HBO has transformed from a cable movie channel into an immaculate roster of some of the greatest shows currently on television, and maybe of all time.

With “The Sopranos” gone, the future of “Curb your Enthusiasm” in jeopardy and “Entourage” and “Flight of the Conchords” on hiatus, there was a void left to be filled in the premium station’s lineup during this unfortunately long writer’s strike. “In Treatment” closes that gap and has potentially changed the face of traditional television as we know it.

Based on the Israeli show “BeTipul,” “In Treatment” airs five nights a week for eight consecutive weeks. Each 30-minute episode focuses on a psychologist, Paul (Gabriel Byrne), and the patients that he treats.

The show is an intimate and private look into the world of therapy. Each episode unfolds in real time and sitting through a session is emotionally draining and requires a large amount of focus. There’s nothing more than a conversation between people, no special effects, no theatrics, just a therapist treating patients in an office. Such a simplistic concept provides for some of the most engaging material on television in years.

On Mondays, Paul treats Laura (Melissa George), who has just left her boyfriend out of fear of getting married. She’s also in love with her therapist.

Tuesday is Alex (Blair Underwood), a pilot who wants to go back to the Iraqi school that he bombed. Wednesday is Sophie (Mia Wasikowska), a 16-year-old gymnast who may or may not be suicidal. On Thursday, a couple (Josh Charles and Embeth Davidtz) discuss whether or not to have another child. Finally, on Friday, Paul goes to see his therapist (Dianne Weist) after 10 years in order to vent his frustration about his own patients.

Every character is going through a huge crisis in his or her life, some more interesting than others. However, the writing is so well-formulated that it never comes off as over the top or unnecessarily dramatic; it comes off as being tremendously realistic. The stories are almost trance-like. While the patients sit on the couch and pour their hearts out, one can’t help but be drawn into their predicaments and developing their own opinions.

Gabriel Byrne is nearly flawless as the paid, methodical listener. He offers subtle suggestions and advice to his patients, but it’s not until he visits his own therapist that we really get to know him as a character. It’s strange to hear him talking about his patients who we know so intimately. It’s almost as if we know these people and his anecdotes are our anecdotes as well.

With such a unique and original premise, it’s no wonder Americans didn’t think of it themselves. But if Hollywood pushes the creative envelope and continues to move toward these innovative concepts, perhaps it will encourage other bigwigs to stop shooting pilots with cavemen, and emphasize creativity over convenience.

In two months, the first season of “In Treatment” will be complete, with over 40 episodes to its name. Such an accomplishment is revolutionary and unheard of, yet this is what makes “In Treatment” the finest mid-season show on TV.