Filmmakers often do not let their characters speak as much as they would in real life. It's a stylistic method. Since film is primarily a visual medium, it is often more powerful to tell the story through images and actions rather than through dialogue. I think that's a reason why the filmmakers (or the writers) decided to let them talk very little when Soprano enters the room.

I loved the Sapranos for the psychological insight and complex character development. Tony and Dr. Melfi's relationship was by far the most engaging part of the show. As a social worker and arm chair psychologist, I found your insights so entertaining and informative. Please continue analyzing the show as I can not wait to watch more!

Love the idea of this new series. It kinda goes without saying but Chase is probably ramping up conflict for scriptwriting reasons

You should pick this back up! I love sopranos

Very interesting! Please continue analyzing Dr. Melfi!

Love this branch of podcasts. Its such a good idea Dr Kirk! It gives such informative comparison/contrast methods concerning therapy and what is good and what is awful. Please consider more of these..

I know this is an old video, but I thought she said, "Dr. Melfi" because he said "what part of the boot are you from, Hon?" I think it was the "Hon" part.

Hello Dr. Kirk, I have found a total gem hidden on your channel, the Sopranos!! 😀😀 Long time ago i watched this tv series, was so awesome!!😀😀 I think new generations doesnt even know about this kind of tv series , however, i really love them!! Thank you for this episodes!!😀😀 P.S. Can you do some episodes about Frasier? I loved that show too from the 90´s 😀😀

So I'm 10 months late, but just want to let you know that I LOVE this topic! I love the Sopranos and the relationship between Dr. Melfi and Tony. I think the writer used these therapy sessions for the viewer to understand Tony's psyche, but your POV is very interesting. Please keep doing these videos..

this is suer interesting, i'd love to see this series kirk!! love your videos

Please do more on Melfi.

Hi dr Kirk. Thanks for the video. It was quite educational and entertaining. I am a psychodynamic orianted phd student of clinical psychology from iran. I wish I could access more of your material but sadly because of sanctions I have no way of paying for the subscription.

Very cool and interesting series!

Heads up for the future you should mention to podcast listeners it’s better to watch/ listen on KZfaq - enjoyed the episode!

Many of the “bad choices” identified by you from a therapist's point of view (for example, Melfies elitist language) make a lot of sense from a storyteller's perspective. In order to make the film/tv-show exciting, strong contrasts resolving in constant conflicts between the characters are important for the film dramaturgy. I agree, Sopranos makes fun of all the characters and I love the kind of humor!

did you ever watch HBO’s “In Treatment”, Dr Kirk? I believe it was written by therapists and it’s nearly entirely scenes of fictional therapy sessions. Would love to see your commentary on that...whew!

Your take is fascinating! A show like this one is trying to do much more than only be realistic. Of course as a scripted show it intends to provide drama and conflict for entertainment purposes, but this show tries to go much deeper in the way that very good literature tries to do which is to use style, tone, metaphor and symbolism to inform us of and explore meaning, character motivation and themes.

Yes, this is very interesting to follow!

May I suggest you watch the BBC/ Amazon series Fleabag and do the same? She ("Fleabag")is a complex and brilliantly thought out character. Her therapy session is clearly meant to be humourous yet I can't help but think there could be some intriguing insights into a psychologically complex and slightly troubled female character. The second season is the best and easily binge-watched, although you need at least a recap of the first season for context. Just a suggestion for future content!

It's funny about the chairs thing. Because I thought psychologists did that either to make it feel like less of a structured space so people felt more relaxed, or possibly to estimate how assertive a patient is. Either way I figured the right answer was to just sit in the one that looks the nicest because that seems like what a relatively well adjusted person would do. And no, it's not because of like grandiosity or something that I'd be like ''Oh I'm gonna snag the best chair in the room to show these peasants what for.'' It's just that a choice of chair is a relatively inconsequential part of life so I figured I'd treat myself.

This is an incredible show

Great idea, I look forward to it

I hope you get back to making this series!!!

wish you'd do more on Sopranos!

Dr Honda could have been very helpful for Tony becoming a happier mob boss

Please analyze- In Treatment!! I loved his style, minus the hyperbolic ethic violations- it was great.

The Sopranos is a good show

What are your thoughts on the movie 50/50 and the therapy scenes that are in that movie?

So interesting, love this! Have you watched the HBO series " In treatment"? -- I would love to see your reaction to it.

I know it's a book not a movie or tv show, but would love to see the psychology of Educated!

I would LOVE if you continued this, I hope it’s not too old

do more!!

Very interesting:)

I Saw many clips after your first discussion on the sopranos, and Tony was an awful personal he killed, lied, deceived, hurt, assaulted many people. He even assaulted and threatened dr. Melfi. He seemed like a vicious psychopath to me, and dr. Melfi was often very considerate and tried to be helpful to him.

Mooooreee. Love it

شخص يتابعك من المغرب بالتوفيق اتمنى لو كان الفيديو مترجم باللغة العربية

His goal is to find his shinebox

I’m interested in learning about the psychology of the other therapist sessions from the Soprano. I agree with your analysis of Dr. Melfi, hella passive aggressive, the ego battle and power struggle.... sheesh!

You asked about our differing lenses so to your point about Tony’s attempt to demote Dr. Melfi with that comment about them getting married. I guess from a female perspective the only way i could imagine appropriately handling that comment would be to ignore it. But considering the contextual layers here.. we live in a patriarchal society, Dr. Melfi wants to be in control of this session. (I would assume she’s supposed to be in charge but maybe not after listening to you talk about your style). Tony is pretty obviously a machismo type of dude.. To me, it seems imperative she try to take control. I wonder if from a male perspective, you feel more comfortable to allow someone to take the power than a woman might because in some senses, women are already at a disadvantage. You’re also older than I am, so maybe that contributes to the differences in our world views. I guess I feel like the power balance has a lot to do with perception of appropriate response.