Dear Phil,
I think the massive cultural shift you describe is unmistakable. I have to wonder if what we are seeing is that the acceptance of The Sopranos by the culture at large (It’s the most watched cable show ever!) is influencing the way the characters in the show are accepting Tony’s therapy. What began as a conceit of the genre (i.e., a Mafioso visiting a psychotherapist) has become a staple in American entertainment. In the decade of the ‘90s, I can think of at least four films depicting this conceit: Mad Dog and Glory (Bill Murray sees a shrink), Analyze This (Robert De Niro visits Billy Crystal), Faithful (Chazz Palminteri calls his therapist on the phone for advice), and Grosse Point Blank (hit man John Cusack sees Alan Arkin for therapy). In fact, we now have the postmodernist development of one film commenting on the other–remember in the first episode of The Sopranos’ second season that Tony sees a male therapist only to be told, “I’ve seen Analyze This; I’m not treating you.” The cinema and television are media that create cultural mythologies. Once they are established, audiences find them acceptable and even irresistible. One that is currently irresistible is the idea that a tough mobster is really a softie underneath who is as conflicted and vulnerable as the rest of us. As you say, Phil, a cable show has no obligation to depict reality. In fact, part of what we are reacting to in our discussion of the therapy is that Dr. Melfi is treating him as though his pathology is based on neurotic oedipal conflict when he is obviously much more disturbed than that. The cultural mythology of the medium trumps accuracy!
Glen
