The Sopranos: Ranking Every Main Character Worst To Best

While The Sopranos would evolve into a wide ranging drama that investigated crime, the modern family, and America itself, its initial hook was simple: a gangster goes into therapy. For the first few seasons, no relationship was more important than that between Tony and Jennifer Melfi, one of the most complex and ever-evolving on TV.

Goodfellas allum Lorraine Bracco plays Melfi perfectly. She’s simultaneously fascinated, repulsed, frightened, and intrigued by Tony. Their initial scenes see the two feeling each other out, Tony seeking a quick fix to his panic attacks, Melfi figuring out how - and if - she can help this man.

Melfi gradually becomes less prominent in a manner that feels entirely natural. Her goal is to help Tony change and improve as a man; ultimately, though, it becomes all too clear that he has no interest in doing any such thing.

The two part on fairly acrimonious terms, but more than any other character it’s fascinating to muse on what Melfi did next. While she never waded into the storm of Tony’s criminal existence, few characters can have been changed so thoroughly by entering his orbit.