The Sopranos: 10 Best Minor Characters

Of all the affairs that Tony had during our time with him, his tryst with Gloria Trillo was probably the most impactful on him personally. Whilst his sexual relationships with Irina and Svetlana were damaging to his family 'bliss' with Carmela, Gloria's own story with Tony was filled with so much more tragedy and pain that it had a lasting a deep impact on Tony as an emotional person. If indeed he ever was one.

We meet Gloria inside Jennifer Melfi's office where she is the patient that Melfi has accidentally double booked with Tony. He shows an immediate interest and later finds out where she works so he can get to know her. From there on he ends up in this rollercoaster ride with a woman who has been severely mentally ill and should not be engaging with the likes of Tony Soprano in any way.

After they break up and get back together again a couple of times she and Tony break up for good, Gloria begs for Tony not to go but he has had enough. Once Gloria comes close to Carmela by giving her a ride home from the Mercedes dealership, an incensed Tony goes to Gloria's home and savagely throttles her after she threatens to expose their affair to Carmela and Meadow. Though he leaves when she asks him to kill her.

She later commits suicide by hanging herself, which Tony blames of Melfi for not helping her more.

Gloria's illness, much like Tony's own, was something that drama shows hadn't taken as seriously as they do in this day and age. So, in some ways, Gloria Trillo's role in The Sopranos was a watershed moment for people that both have therapy and are mentally struggling with themselves.