10 TV Characters Who Changed In Unexpected Ways
6. Dr. Melfi (The Sopranos)
The basic idea of The Sopranos is "what if a mob boss went to therapy?" So of course, the therapist in that situation probably wouldn't come out of such an experience the way they went in. Enter Dr. Melfi, the therapist to one Tony Soprano.
Dr. Melfi is the audience's look into the mind of someone they otherwise probably wouldn't even try to sympathize with, and for good reason. The show is very clever at making you see the human side of Tony Soprano, while also making clear that nothing he says or does justifies or excuses the crimes he commits. All of which is portrayed through Dr. Melfi trying to get into his head and sometimes try to survive being around him.
The most shocking part of her development comes right at the end of the show. Dr. Melfi learns that sometimes criminals will just use the therapy they go through to justify or reinforce their lawbreaking worldviews. So, not wishing to be in any way affiliated with Tony anymore if she can't stop him from breaking the law, she kicks him out of her office for good.
When first viewing, most audiences probably expect Tony to be the one to break off their relationship, but the fact that it was Melfi was an excellent twist for the last season of the show.