First-time watcher: does therapy make Tony worse?
Just wrapped my first watch, still processing how good this series is.
First, everyone talks about Tony / the guys, but I found myself drawn to the female characters. For a series about masculinity, the women carry the heart of the show. Curious whether people see it the same way.
Another thing I can't shake: every insight Tony gains in therapy gets weaponized. He learns emotional vocabulary in session and then uses it to manipulate others. He reflects on his childhood pain and then goes home and enacts damage on his own family / kids. I don't think therapy makes him better - just more dangerous. Maybe Melfi accidentally creates a more effective and dangerous sociopath.
What did you think? Is Tony's therapy arc the most tragic part of the show?