Psychotherapy as a Plot Device
From: Glen Gabbard
To: Jodi Kantor, Margaret Crastnopol, Phil Ringstrom, and Joel WhitebookPosted Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, at 3:16 PM ET
Who are these people?
In response to Peggy's comment that the writers have settled for psychotherapy as a plot device, I would argue that it's always been that way. Historically, psychotherapy appears in so many films for the same reason. It gives the audience a chance to see a hidden side of the protagonist that we otherwise wouldn't see. So it is with Tony's therapy since the first episode. It's true that Dr. Melfi becomes a character in her own right and the therapy itself becomes a subplot, but people don't watch The Sopranos primarily for the psychotherapy scenes.
I think I have to agree with Peggy's view that the therapy is not helping much. After all of Tony's pangs of conscience about Gloria's suicide, you'd think he might have learned a thing or two. But Valentina is simply a Cuban version of Gloria. At some level, he knows this can't end well, but he can't help himself. His triumph over Ralphie is just as powerful a motivator as his conquest of Valentina.
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Glen
Psychotherapy as a Plot Device
From: Glen Gabbard
To: Jodi Kantor, Margaret Crastnopol, Phil Ringstrom, and Joel WhitebookPosted Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, at 3:16 PM ETGlen O. Gabbard, M.D., is a professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and author of
The Psychology of The Sopranos, inspired by this discussion. Philip A. Ringstrom, Ph.D., Psy.D., is a senior faculty member at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. Joel Whitebook, Ph.D., is on the faculty of the Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. Margaret Crastnopol, Ph.D., is on the faculty of the Northwest Center for Psychoanalysis. All are practicing therapists as well.
Remarks From The Fray:
Back in the saddle again ... Tony does not resist an affair with Valentina out of respect for Ralphie, but out of repulsion—the repulsion of occupying the same sexual space as his friend/rival. His desire for Valentina increases as he uncovers intriguing and repelling details about Ralphie's sexuality. Having only one degree of sexual separation between himself and Ralphie is disturbing, but this is mitigated by the knowledge of Ralphie's sexual passivity. The incestuous bartering with his sister for the juicy details provides a second once-removed conduit. Finally, Tony himself draws a parallel between his feelings for Valentina and the racehorse, which elicits a slap from the former, raising questions of Tony's own masochistic desire. Eck, ECK, EQUUS!!!
Carmela evidently shares her husband's sense of horseplay (or is it play of horse sense?)--
--clearly a ponytail is not always just a ponytail
-- socalchango
(To reply, click here.)
Tony's discussion of Ralphie with Melfi had all the hallmarks of Tony's constant manipulation of her and other people. He timed his inquiry for the conclusion of their session because: (a) he wanted to probe her limits with him; and (b) he knew that, at the end of a session, she would be preoccupied with her next appointment and thus less likely to be deliberate or on her guard with her answers. Lack of predictability and being three steps ahead of other people are the cornerstones of Tony's relationships with people -- it's how he maintains his power. The whole exchange with Carmela at the end of the episode discloses that Tony realizes that he has underestimated Carmela (or taken her for granted as an element in his life) and that he will now be more careful and watchful. Tony communicates this to Carla, and also (in a way) salutes her ingenuity in stealing from him -- by taking "his" money, she has elevated his respect for her.
-- M. Casey
(To reply, click here.)
I don't think it was honor among thieves that drove Tony to say he had already taken Ralphie's horse. I think it was a pun. He had already taken Ralphie's horse. He didn't want to take Ralphie's whores
-- Tony
(To reply, click here.)
(11/4)
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Remarks From The Fray:
Back in the saddle again ... Tony does not resist an affair with Valentina out of respect for Ralphie, but out of repulsion—the repulsion of occupying the same sexual space as his friend/rival. His desire for Valentina increases as he uncovers intriguing and repelling details about Ralphie's sexuality. Having only one degree of sexual separation between himself and Ralphie is disturbing, but this is mitigated by the knowledge of Ralphie's sexual passivity. The incestuous bartering with his sister for the juicy details provides a second once-removed conduit. Finally, Tony himself draws a parallel between his feelings for Valentina and the racehorse, which elicits a slap from the former, raising questions of Tony's own masochistic desire. Eck, ECK, EQUUS!!!
Carmela evidently shares her husband's sense of horseplay (or is it play of horse sense?)--
--clearly a ponytail is not always just a ponytail
-- socalchango
(To reply, click here.)
Tony's discussion of Ralphie with Melfi had all the hallmarks of Tony's constant manipulation of her and other people. He timed his inquiry for the conclusion of their session because: (a) he wanted to probe her limits with him; and (b) he knew that, at the end of a session, she would be preoccupied with her next appointment and thus less likely to be deliberate or on her guard with her answers. Lack of predictability and being three steps ahead of other people are the cornerstones of Tony's relationships with people -- it's how he maintains his power. The whole exchange with Carmela at the end of the episode discloses that Tony realizes that he has underestimated Carmela (or taken her for granted as an element in his life) and that he will now be more careful and watchful. Tony communicates this to Carla, and also (in a way) salutes her ingenuity in stealing from him -- by taking "his" money, she has elevated his respect for her.
-- M. Casey
(To reply, click here.)
I don't think it was honor among thieves that drove Tony to say he had already taken Ralphie's horse. I think it was a pun. He had already taken Ralphie's horse. He didn't want to take Ralphie's whores
-- Tony
(To reply, click here.)
(11/4)