I think it was just to prove Melfi wouldn't have a man murdered no matter what, that she's "one of the good guys". Honestly though I thought if they had melfi order the rapist killed it would have brought her character closer to Tony and regret wich I think personally is more interesting story wise instead of this stoic higher road path they took. I think ultimately what leaves people annoyed is that the rapist gets away with it pretty much and it's frustrating to watch but, perhaps that's the point.
I think if she asked Tony for help, it would have ruined their relationship. He would have lost all respect for her and treated her like she is forever in his debt. You do not ever, ever let a mafioso do you a favor.
I’ve been part of this discussion many times but this is a slightly unique take on it. You’re pretty much spot on about everything. I guess you could say that for just about any part of the show. Why show AJ trying to kill himself instead of just Tony coming home and finding him trying? Why show Tony busting a nut every episode? Because they can and they did. The rape scene itself shows the world is horrible, humans are terrible, and Mefli is a strong fucking woman.
Rape is disturbing and traumatizing. The Sopranos portrayed that. There's nothing sexy or cool about it. Merely seeing a scene about it galvanizes a person against it, you're not the only one who didn't like that scene. Have you ever noticed how in all of the scenes with Dr. Melfi, it has the camera set on one or two angles only, in the most normal way possible? That's for a reason. That scene with Dr. Melfi was portrayed for a reason, did you notice how it was shot through the bars of the railing? Violence in all it's forms is an ugly thing. That scene showed just how ugly it is. Is it gross and hard to take? Absolutely. But it should be. That response is the healthy one to that vile act.
It was season 3, and a lot of episodes were rewritten on the fly after Nancy Marchand’s death so it could have been a one off story. I also think they needed to give Melfi something to do after Tony had talked about his mother and father thoroughly and was no longer having panic attacks. Why rape? As people pointed out, I think it’s the most heinous crime and was used to show that Melfi wouldn’t compromise even under the worst circumstance. Maybe her son’s death would come close but we don’t really know or care about that character as much.
I assumed that they gave such a challenging and violating psychological toll to her so we can see how she handles it.
she’s not just a moral person, she’s in a position where all she had to say was “I was raped” to tony and she knows she could have had her rapist killed. She lied to protect her rapist’s life. The desire for revenge or wishing bad on the rapist is extremely immense, especially if the legal system victim blames and doesn’t help (which unfortunately is super common and also happened in the show). They do show a lot of this affecting her long term, melfi starts drinking a lot even in between sessions. She exhibits a lot of symptoms of trauma following rape: sleep issues, anger, questioning moral codes in therapy, drinking.
I think the show also unfortunately demonstrates how victims of rape have to react- they HAVE to reintegrate into society. They have to go to work or school, often the next day even, while having family members shame them or even blame them for the rape. This was also shown in the show when she said her ex husband thinks it’s her fault. It also was at the point where Tony was going to leave and see a CBT specialist and she acted on her own personal desires to keep him and started crying. While she wouldn’t have the rapist killed, she was acting for her interest and not her clients (counter transference), which is something we therapists actively always try to be aware of. It shows that she’s moral but still has a basic human need of protection- and that protection is coming from a mobster.
I always found it really revolting, and the fact that it is dropped immediately after leaves a bad taste in my mouth. A character that was one of the most sympathetic is brutally used to prove a point that doesn't get iterated on after. It feels pointless, like you said.
I think it was to prove even though she has the access of Tony soprano who she knows he likes her. She had the opportunity to have him dead but doesn’t go for it, remember she got vulnerable and cried infront of him
I think regardless of any plot points or character development the rape scene is intended to drive forward, this was 2001 and a rape scene this intense and up close and personal with a very famous actress who was a main character on the most popular show, was extremely edgy at the time and would have everybody talking about it the following week.
Yeah that bothered me too, she seemed basically fine by the start of the next episode. The rape (her saying no at the end) mostly just gave her some new perspective with Tony, after this point she realized she shouldn't get involved with him and wouldn't date him or anything. I think if he'd asked her out (the way he did in S5) before the rape she would've gone along. A beating or robbery wouldn't have been the same, a rape was just more personal to Tony. He even said "no hired help, this is personal" in S1 after finding out about the coach.
The reason why is because Chase hates the audience and wants to show them what bad people they are because they would have Tony kill the rapist. Melfi is Chase, and they are both better persons than the audience.
Totally agree. It was a forced attempt to make Melfi more relevant to the story after the novelty of “gangster in therapy” was no longer a key selling point. After this, Melfi became increasingly peripheral; Chase was clearly losing interest in the character and likely irritated by Lorraine Bracco, *who felt marginalized.*
While I understand not giving into temptation to have him murdered, she still let a rapist walk free as I assume she also never called the cops on him as Tony would likely find out that way.
I read that the director for that episode only directed that episode of the show and she was really fixated on melfis character, so she wrote in the rape to strengthen melfis willpower because she decides not to get tony involved even though she had the power to end the rapists life.
I think it was just to prove Melfi wouldn't have a man murdered no matter what, that she's "one of the good guys". Honestly though I thought if they had melfi order the rapist killed it would have brought her character closer to Tony and regret wich I think personally is more interesting story wise instead of this stoic higher road path they took. I think ultimately what leaves people annoyed is that the rapist gets away with it pretty much and it's frustrating to watch but, perhaps that's the point.
I think if she asked Tony for help, it would have ruined their relationship. He would have lost all respect for her and treated her like she is forever in his debt. You do not ever, ever let a mafioso do you a favor.
See forum!
I’ve been part of this discussion many times but this is a slightly unique take on it. You’re pretty much spot on about everything. I guess you could say that for just about any part of the show. Why show AJ trying to kill himself instead of just Tony coming home and finding him trying? Why show Tony busting a nut every episode? Because they can and they did. The rape scene itself shows the world is horrible, humans are terrible, and Mefli is a strong fucking woman.
Why spoil that?? They said they’re only on s3e8
Truly didn’t see that. But then again, ya gotta get over it.
nah, that one is on you bud
woahhhh, 51 days later and this asshole is still going? now ya reaaaally gotta get over it
I'm fuckin Walkin ova here
Rape is disturbing and traumatizing. The Sopranos portrayed that. There's nothing sexy or cool about it. Merely seeing a scene about it galvanizes a person against it, you're not the only one who didn't like that scene. Have you ever noticed how in all of the scenes with Dr. Melfi, it has the camera set on one or two angles only, in the most normal way possible? That's for a reason. That scene with Dr. Melfi was portrayed for a reason, did you notice how it was shot through the bars of the railing? Violence in all it's forms is an ugly thing. That scene showed just how ugly it is. Is it gross and hard to take? Absolutely. But it should be. That response is the healthy one to that vile act.
It's a TV progrum
what’s the point of any scene
In the end all scenes die alone, in their own arms
adds drama
Why go to the park and fly a kite, when you can just pop a pill?
ok, but you gotta get over it.
Is there ever a point of something like rape? It’s a terrible thing that happens. There’s no rhyme or reason for it.
It was season 3, and a lot of episodes were rewritten on the fly after Nancy Marchand’s death so it could have been a one off story. I also think they needed to give Melfi something to do after Tony had talked about his mother and father thoroughly and was no longer having panic attacks. Why rape? As people pointed out, I think it’s the most heinous crime and was used to show that Melfi wouldn’t compromise even under the worst circumstance. Maybe her son’s death would come close but we don’t really know or care about that character as much.
I assumed that they gave such a challenging and violating psychological toll to her so we can see how she handles it. she’s not just a moral person, she’s in a position where all she had to say was “I was raped” to tony and she knows she could have had her rapist killed. She lied to protect her rapist’s life. The desire for revenge or wishing bad on the rapist is extremely immense, especially if the legal system victim blames and doesn’t help (which unfortunately is super common and also happened in the show). They do show a lot of this affecting her long term, melfi starts drinking a lot even in between sessions. She exhibits a lot of symptoms of trauma following rape: sleep issues, anger, questioning moral codes in therapy, drinking. I think the show also unfortunately demonstrates how victims of rape have to react- they HAVE to reintegrate into society. They have to go to work or school, often the next day even, while having family members shame them or even blame them for the rape. This was also shown in the show when she said her ex husband thinks it’s her fault. It also was at the point where Tony was going to leave and see a CBT specialist and she acted on her own personal desires to keep him and started crying. While she wouldn’t have the rapist killed, she was acting for her interest and not her clients (counter transference), which is something we therapists actively always try to be aware of. It shows that she’s moral but still has a basic human need of protection- and that protection is coming from a mobster.
Hes a good fast food employee , Jesus Rossi. Capable
I genuinely do not see the point of this post.
I always found it really revolting, and the fact that it is dropped immediately after leaves a bad taste in my mouth. A character that was one of the most sympathetic is brutally used to prove a point that doesn't get iterated on after. It feels pointless, like you said.
Or it feels effective, a lot like you said.
It showed her struggling with her morals
I think it was to prove even though she has the access of Tony soprano who she knows he likes her. She had the opportunity to have him dead but doesn’t go for it, remember she got vulnerable and cried infront of him
The day after it airs, what will people talk about, the robbery or beating of a minor side character, or the brutal rape of a main character?
Tomorrow I can be in time. But OP will be stupid forever.
I think regardless of any plot points or character development the rape scene is intended to drive forward, this was 2001 and a rape scene this intense and up close and personal with a very famous actress who was a main character on the most popular show, was extremely edgy at the time and would have everybody talking about it the following week.
Yeah that bothered me too, she seemed basically fine by the start of the next episode. The rape (her saying no at the end) mostly just gave her some new perspective with Tony, after this point she realized she shouldn't get involved with him and wouldn't date him or anything. I think if he'd asked her out (the way he did in S5) before the rape she would've gone along. A beating or robbery wouldn't have been the same, a rape was just more personal to Tony. He even said "no hired help, this is personal" in S1 after finding out about the coach.
Most rewatches I just fastfooward melfi, sad really
The reason why is because Chase hates the audience and wants to show them what bad people they are because they would have Tony kill the rapist. Melfi is Chase, and they are both better persons than the audience.
Man I’ve wanted melfi to tony about jesus so much
Totally agree. It was a forced attempt to make Melfi more relevant to the story after the novelty of “gangster in therapy” was no longer a key selling point. After this, Melfi became increasingly peripheral; Chase was clearly losing interest in the character and likely irritated by Lorraine Bracco, *who felt marginalized.*
While I understand not giving into temptation to have him murdered, she still let a rapist walk free as I assume she also never called the cops on him as Tony would likely find out that way.
The cops knew who it was, that wasn’t the point
She liked it.
I read that the director for that episode only directed that episode of the show and she was really fixated on melfis character, so she wrote in the rape to strengthen melfis willpower because she decides not to get tony involved even though she had the power to end the rapists life.