Jennifer Melfi

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Jennifer Melfi
First appearance	The Sopranos (episode 1.01)
Information
Gender	Female
Age	mid 40s
Occupation	Psychiatrist
Title	Dr.
Family	Aida Melfi (mother) Joseph Melfi (father)
Relationships	Richard LaPenna (ex-husband)
Children	Jason LaPenna (son)
Portrayed by	Lorraine Bracco
Created by	David Chase

Dr. Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco, is the psychiatrist of fictional mob boss Tony Soprano and one of lead characters on the hit HBO TV series, The Sopranos.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Dr. Melfi is probably the closest person to truly understanding Tony Soprano. Over the years, Tony Soprano has been able to confide in Melfi many things that he has told no one else... not his associates and certainly not his wife, Carmela. However, Melfi and Soprano have an unusual, on-again-off-again relationship. He inwardly fears Melfi prying into his life during their sessions, but he also fears the results from not dealing with the problem. As a result, she watches him go through frequent mood swings during their time together, sometimes acting playful, other times violent – sometimes acting responsive, other times being cold and distant.

For her part, Melfi has tried hard to help Soprano as much as possible, half chalking it up to some sort of visceral thrill of helping a gangster but also trying to resist the idea that she has romantic thoughts about the man — she wants to keep their relationship professional. Melfi, in addition, has an ongoing battle with alcoholism. However, while she has so far resisted Soprano's constant advances, which she is both attracted to and repelled by at the same time, Soprano no longer wishes for their relationship to remain strictly professional, as he seems to see her as the one thing that he is unable to truly have and, while continuing to pursue her, also resents her for it.

Melfi's son, Jason LaPenna, has a recurring role in her life as he is her only child. Jason's father is her ex-husband, Richard LaPenna.

In the Emmy-winning third season episode "Employee of the Month", Melfi is raped in a parking garage. After the rapist was freed on a technicality, she had to resist the desire to have Soprano "squish him like a bug", instead deciding not to cross that line.

Melfi also sees a psychiatrist and colleague, Dr. Elliot Kupferberg (played by Peter Bogdanovich), on a regular basis.

v • d • e

The Sopranos

Characters

Tony • Dr. Melfi • Carmela • Christopher • Uncle Junior • Meadow • A.J. • Jackie Jr.• Janice • Silvio • Paulie Walnuts • Bobby "Bacala"
Johnny Sack • Vito • Adriana • Furio • Tony B. • Ralph • Big Pussy • Livia • Artie • Rosalie • Phil • Hesh