University (The Sopranos)

In the HBO television series The Sopranos, "University" (Season 3, Episode 6) is a pivotal episode that explores themes of power, control, and the brutal realities of organized crime. The episode focuses on two primary storylines:

• Tracee's Murder: The central plot revolves around Tracee (Ariel Kiley), a young dancer at the Bada Bing! strip club. Tracee, who is pregnant, suffers increasing abuse at the hands of Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano). The episode culminates in Ralph violently murdering Tracee, a shocking act that deeply affects Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), although he remains ultimately constrained by the business to take immediate action.

• Meadow's College Life: Meadow Soprano (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) experiences a taste of adult responsibility and confronts morally ambiguous situations as she navigates her college life. She befriends Noah Tannenbaum (Patrick Leitch), a mixed-race student who faces discrimination. Meadow also gets involved in a conflict with her roommate, which exposes her to the complexities of social dynamics outside the protected environment of her family.

The episode’s title, "University," ironically juxtaposes the setting of academic learning and personal growth experienced by Meadow with the blatant disregard for human life and morality demonstrated within Tony's criminal world. The contrast highlights the hypocrisy and moral compromises inherent in the characters' lives, and the widening gap between Tony's desire to provide a better life for his children and the destructive nature of his chosen profession. The episode is considered one of the most disturbing and significant episodes in the series due to its unflinching portrayal of violence against women and its exploration of the ethical complexities faced by the characters.