Entry 9:

Dear Joel, Peggy, and Glen,

Even though Slate invited us to comment from four shrinks' perspectives on the psychotherapeutic treatment of Tony Soprano, in truth no matter what we say about it, the writers are always grooming Jennifer's interventions to serve a wonderfully unfolding story line. So in one sense, any claim of foul that we make about Jennifer introducing Carmela into Tony's therapy, or referring her to Dr. One-Shot Krakower, or recommending books on the art of war, or now unconsciously setting up an encounter between Gloria and Tony doesn't matter--all of these acts are being crafted as carefully plotted steps toward a much bigger drama. One of my patients--also a die-hard Sopranos fan--pointed out what should have been obvious to me, that Gloria is not only 40, single, and beautiful, she is thoroughbred Italian. She is no "gumah," no Russian "whooah." She is a woman who can readily go toe to toe with Carmela and Jennifer in their comparable class structure. More important, she is now the third woman emotionally linked to Tony who occupies the same therapeutic office space--Dr. Melfi's office. All three womens' psyches converge there and now must confront the fact that each of them in their own highly private ways has a powerful attraction to and agenda for Tony Soprano. Just as important is that on some level he knows this, too. Baby, the fur is gonna fly.