Employee of the Month (The Sopranos episode)

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The Sopranos episode
“Employee of the Month”
Episode no. Season 3
Episode 30
Guest star(s) see below
Writer(s) Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Director John Patterson
Production no. 304
Original airdate March 18, 2001 (HBO)
Episode chronology
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"Fortunate Son" "Another Toothpick"

Episode chronology

"Employee of the Month" is the 30th episode of the HBO original series, The Sopranos. It was the 4th episode for the show's third season. The episode was written by Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and was directed by John Patterson. It originally aired on Sunday March 18, 2001.

Contents

[edit] Guest Starring roles

[edit] Episode recap

Dr. Melfi decides that since Tony has had a breakthrough in his prior therapy session, he is ready to be referred to a behavioral therapist. Tony takes offence, convinced that Melfi is trying to hand him off to someone else. She quickly changes the subject by asking Tony what is new with his life. Tony then proceeds to tell her about some problems with his children. Dr. Melfi suggests that he bring Carmela into the therapy sessions. Tony feels uncomfortable about the idea, but decides to ask Carmela anyway.

Johnny Sack quietly moves to New Jersey with his wife Ginny. They are surprised to receive a visit from Tony Soprano, who is upset because Johnny had not previously mentioned anything about the move. Johnny explains that Ginny wants to be closer to her sisters and that they already had a condo in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, nevertheless he assures Tony that he will not "stick his beak" into Soprano family business. He then invites Tony to a housewarming party, along with several other Soprano associates and captains.

Meanwhile, as Dr. Melfi leaves her office late in the evening, she is approached in the deserted parking garage by a young man named Jesus Rossi. He grabs Dr. Melfi from behind and pushes her into the stairwell where he brutally rapes her and leaves her crying for help. She is taken to the emergency room where she learns her leg is badly bruised. She also has bruises on her face. Her son, Jason, wants revenge on the rapist, but Richard (Melfi's ex-husband) tells Jason to let the police handle it. The following day, Richard phones the detectives who inform him that Rossi was released on a technicality, due to a breakdown in the chain of custody. Upon learning of Rossi's release, Melfi becomes very emotional and afraid. While buying a sandwich at a sub shop, she notices a plaque indicating that Rossi is the establishment's "Employee of the Month." In fear, she drops her soda and runs out of the building.

Dr. Melfi later dreams about buying a soda at a vending machine and getting her hand trapped in the machine (effectively symbolizing the helplessness Melfi experienced when she was raped). While trapped, she dreams of a large Rottwiler that scares her, but then she sees her rapist coming to assault her again. The dog attacks Rossi, mauling and killing him. When Melfi awakens, she feels a sense of relief. Later, she describes the dream to her therapist, Dr. Elliott Kupferberg, and realises its meaning; the large dog protecting her was actually Tony Soprano, the man who could take revenge on her behalf. However, Melfi assures Kupferberg that even though the justice system has failed her, she will not turn to him for help.

Ralphie Cifaretto begins to show a fatherly interest in Jackie Jr., the son of his girlfriend, Rosalie Aprile. During dinner at Nuovo Vesuvio, Ralph asks Jackie if he has any current love interests; he then recommends Meadow Soprano to him. Shortly thereafter, Ralph takes him to help collect money from a client who refuses to pay up, goading the man into a fight. The client swings a bat at Jackie and a struggle ensues. Jackie and Ralph manage to knock the man down, and take the money from his wallet. Hearing of this, Tony warns Ralph to keep Jackie away from the family, as he had promised Jackie Sr. he would do so.

After refusing to give up Svetlana's leg, Janice received a visit from the Russian mob. At first they ask nicely for the leg, but soon the encounter becomes violent. The Russians beat her badly and force her to retrieve the leg, which is in a locker in a bowling alley. Tony visits Janice at the hospital where she tells him that she has "found God" and has forgiven Svetlana for what happened.

When Dr. Melfi becomes tearful during Tony's next therapy session, he tries to comfort her. Tony asks her what is wrong, but she only asks him to sit back down and continue the session. Then Tony asks Melfi if she wants to tell him something. After a tense pause, Melfi declines.

[edit] First appearances

[edit] Title reference

  • Dr. Melfi's rapist is 'Employee of the Month' at a local sub shop.

[edit] Miscellanea

  • The episode's writers, Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess, won an Emmy award in 2001 for Best Writing in a Drama Series.
  • The whereabouts of Dr. Melfi's rapist remains unknown; the case is likely to remain unsolved, according to creator David Chase. This episode remains as one of the most shocking of all seasons, even for fans since the beginning. This could be explained by the violence and unfairness of the rape, against a character which was never related with violence, crime or murder.
  • Ralph makes a reference to his son Justin, whom viewers meet in "Whoever Did This".
  • Denise Borino (Ginny Sack) won her part by attending an open casting session, she had not acted professionally before.
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