The Best Dr. Elliot Kupferberg Quotes

Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: [during her therapy session, referring to her son] Jason's always been a well-adjusted young man
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: So, why now? Three years at Bard and suddenly, now as a senior, this epic drift, no focus, no drive, his actually talked about dropping out and joining the Forestry Service
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Well, some people thrive on solitude
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: [when she doesn't respond] Senior year, there's something about the light at the end of the tunnel can be very frightening
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: [referring to his daughter] Saskia's a senior, is she going through any of this?
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Saskia has always been highly motivated. Where's Richard in all of this anyway?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Jason barely speaks to him anymore
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Since when?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: [referring to her own experience] Right after the rape
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Jason may be feeling guilty himself: his powerless to avenge you and resents his father for the same shortcomings

Dr. Jennifer Melfi: It was a downpour. He couldn't see anything, it was impossible.
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Where are you in the dream?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: I'm there. I could observe everything. He's driving. He starts to hyperventilate. He grabs for a bottle of Prozac, but it's empty. And all the while this is happening that song from "The Wizard of Oz" is playing. He goes into a full-blown panic attack and he passes out. He crashes into this huge truck. The fact that he can't see the road ahead suggests my abandoning him.
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Who in Wizard would your patient be?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Given the fact that he's a powerful, dominating male, Oz himself.
[Elliot arches his eyebrows]
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: What, with the eyebrows already?
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: The Wizard of Oz, what memories does it conjure up?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: My parents' house, watching it on TV. Hiding under the blanket with my sister.
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Why do we love roller coasters, Jennifer? Scary movies?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: [annoyed] To experience the thrill of being terrified, without the consequences. That's very good, Elliot.
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Great film, but some terrifying moments.
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: That's very perceptive.
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: I'm concerned that treating a mobster provides you some vicarious thrill.
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: It wasn't exactly vicarious. I had to go into hiding, remember?
Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: And wasn't that thrilling?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Fuck you! You think this is funny, you smug cocksucker! Fuck you!
[walks out]

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!

Dr. Jennifer Melfi: [during her therapy session, referring to Tony] Richard was right: I've been "charmed" by a sociopath, why didn't I listen?
Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: Why do you think?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Why did I reject a good man like Richard in the first place? If you think about my life, it's so "textbook." Marry a man ten years my senior, of course Richard's gonna be "protective" and "patriarchal" and then I reject him for exactly that
Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: There's nothing wrong with wanting to be safe: it's a basic human need
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: I know Richard's right, I should get Tony Soprano... oh shit
Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: I always thought it was the other guy in the news, Little Augie Aprile
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: I can't believe I revealed his name
Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: Why did you? Does Richard know who he is?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: I think he saw it in my daytime once. That's why his been so adamant because Soprano is very "high up"
Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: And if he was some "button man", you wouldn't be treating him?
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Please with the terminology...
Dr. Elliott Kupferberg: You know psychotherapy is "limited" in the treatment of anxiety disorder, now you've medicated Soprano properly, you've helped him "gain" what "insight" in what his able to absorb... it's time to send him on to a behaviorist