United States of Tara

A major sign you are one effed up individual? Instead of swooning over your husband playing the song he sang for you on the night he proposed...

... you step outside and slice your arm open.

What a chilling scene to conclude "The Electrifying & Magnanimous Return of Beaverlamp," one I can safely say I never saw coming. As Max rocked out on stage, I assumed something foreboding would take place - perhaps a visit from Chicken, or Buck pulling a gun - but I didn't envision the dark turn we witnessed and I'm anxious to learn more about what seems to be a new alter (who wants to make it clear that someone won't win?).

This was a great episode all around. United States of Tara has painted a rich portrayal of all individuals, as the title character and her myriad issues may be at the center of it, but who out there didn't feel Marshall's pain when he cried into Lionel?

Or who isn't amused by a more confident, focused Kate making entertaining announcements to airline passengers while playfully bantering with Evan? Speaking of the latter, there's no way he's simply a new divorcee with a child. I'd say he's married, but that wouldn't be especially dramatic.

I'd also say he's actually Bryce, but that would be an outlandish coincidence, wouldn't it?

All I know for certain is the guy is hiding something. Turbulence is ahead, Kate. You might wanna keep your seatbelt fastened.

As I've noted before, I'm also thrilled that John Corbett's Max is taking center stage more this season. Literally, as was the case tonight, but Marshall was right in his analysis of what his film is really about: what kind of person falls for someone with D.I.D.? It's been a pleasure to get to know that person better over the last few weeks.

Now, though, it appears as though we have someone new with whom we must familiarize ourselves. Someone who experienced something so traumatic during her college years that the mere thought of it causes self-mutilation. Will Dr. Hatteras shake free from his poor cheese-based stupor in time to stop this alter before something terrible happens?

Or is the show about to take a truly dark turn?