Entry 4:

Dear Phil, Peg, and Glen,

There is no doubt the Jennifer finds herself in an extremely difficult therapeutic situation. Gloria and Tony are toying with her like "great cats of prey"--contemptuously flaunting their power and defiance--and there isn't much Dr. Melfi can do. At these points, I've often found that saying the clichéd thing--for example, "you're trying to make me feel as powerless as you felt when your were a child"--falls flat and just makes the situation worse. When Tony gave her the money, however, Jennifer had a clear opening, but she blew it. The only example we've had of someone who refused Tony's money and wouldn't allow himself to be bought was the black New Jersey state trooper. And Tony was completely disoriented by the rejection. This whole thing came up at the end of an hour, when they always do, and Jennifer was caught off balance. If Jennifer was unable to firmly say no on the spot, she should have put the money aside, returned it to him at the beginning of the next hour, and explained her reasons. Instead, she is going to use the fact that the money is not going to purchase frivolous luxury items but is for a good cause--that is, textbooks for her son--to rationalize keeping it. In doing this, she is giving up one of the most crucial therapeutic opportunities that has come her way in a long time. For the discussion of the money could have been an Archimedean point for getting back into the therapy.