Employee of the Month (18 Mar. 2001)

Dr. Melfi is brutally attacked, and when the justice system lets her down, she must consider asking Tony for help.

Director:

John Patterson

Writers:

David Chase (creator), Robin Green,

Stars:

James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
James Gandolfini	...	Tony Soprano
Lorraine Bracco	...	Dr. Jennifer Melfi
Edie Falco	...	Carmela Soprano
Michael Imperioli	...	Christopher Moltisanti
Dominic Chianese	...	Junior Soprano (credit only)
Steven Van Zandt	...	Silvio Dante
Tony Sirico	...	Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri
Robert Iler	...	A.J. Soprano (credit only)
Jamie-Lynn Sigler	...	Meadow Soprano
Drea de Matteo	...	Adriana La Cerva
Aida Turturro	...	Janice Soprano
Federico Castelluccio	...	Furio Giunta
Joe Pantoliano	...	Ralph Cifaretto
Peter Riegert	...	Ronald Zellman
Richard Romanus	...	Richard La Penna

Storyline

Things are not going well in the garbage wars and Tony decides to put one of his own men in charge Richie Aprile' old crew, ousting Ralphie Cifaretto who has been in charge temporarily. At least part of the reason he replaces him is that he let Jackie Aprile Jr. help him beat up a client when trying to collect a debt. Dr. Melfi meanwhile is brutally attacked and raped in the stairwell of her office building. When the police are forced to release the suspect due to procedural errors on their part, she is outraged and seriously considers asking Tony for his help. As Tony had warned her, Janice learns there is a price to pay for refusing to return Svetlana's stolen leg.

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Plot Keywords:

rapist | rape | gangster

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Silvercup Studios - 4222 22nd Street, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brad Grey Television, Chase Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Tony Soprano is talking to Ralph Cifaretto outside the pizzeria, the positioning of Ralph's coffee cup and spoon continually alternates in-between shots

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Quotes

Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: Jennifer, civilization...
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Oh, don't worry, I won't break the social compact. But that's not saying... there isn't a certain satisfaction in knowing that I could have that asshole squashed like a bug... if I wanted!

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Connections

References Gladiator (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Oops!...I Did It Again"
(uncredited)
Written by Max Martin & Rami Yacoub
Performed by Britney Spears

User Reviews

Plenty to take in

While all sorts of odds and ends occur, such as Johnny Sack buying a home in Jersey, the focus is on Dr. Melfi, who is brutally attacked and raped in the stairwell of her office building. Her one consolation is that her attacker is quickly caught. But shortly after, she learns he is free on a technicality. Should she tell Tony about the attack? Her attacker works at the local fast food joint, and is even employee of the month. Bracco is magnificent in this episode, which is rightfully all hers. While the episode is harrowing and dark, there is room for a little humor, in the form of a series of Ginny Sack fat jokes as told in the back room by the boys. As one punch line is being dropped, Johnny Sack abruptly enters, and wonders who the boys are talking about. Priceless. She so fat, she live in two zip codes.