We kick off this week with a little more action than we've seen in awhile, especially after last week's quiet and focused episode that will probably give Edie Falco the Emmy that she most certainly deserves. Paulie is looking to pull in a few g's, and hitting a Colombian spot that is supposed to be wide open for the taking. Of course, this leads to not only his groin injury (which led to some comic relief later on in the show), but some more problems between Bobby, Vito, and the gang. I was happy that Silvio ended up being the one taking charge of the family, but it is becoming more and more apparent that this is going to be a problem, and he's not making things easy for himself.
I thought that seeing Melfi bump into Carm at the grocery store was a great way for the two of them to see one another, and Father Phil is present and accounted for at the hospital, too. While the Soprano kids seem to be taking a big brunt of the public issues with Tony being in the hospital, Meadow looks to have the straightest head on at the moment, even with her mother around. Should we be surprised to see Christopher taking a stand and looking to make himself (and the family) some money, while Vito, Bobby, and Paulie are all seemingly looking out for themselves? Sure, Christopher wants his thing to look good, but he at least seems dedicated to the whole thing, and not looking to take advantage of the situation - we can't say the same thing for the others.I can see Carm seeing Paulie and Vito handing over the cash and then looking grim in the elevator for what it really is, and maybe going as far as to let Tony - or someone else - know what is going on there. The previews for next week look like they're going to off someone else, but if we know this show, that doesn't mean it's going someone hugely important. But it's all about dominoes falling over here, and if people are taking their own directives and looking to make themselves look good, then most certainly nothing can come of this situation.
As far as the family reunion goes, I truly thought Tony was going to walk up the stairs and go "into the light" there. I thought it was curious that he appeared to recognize the woman in the doorway, but thought nothing of seeing Tony B, the host, at the walkway. This most certainly looked like he recognized that this was it, and was pulled out of it as he heard Meadow proclaiming her love for her father through the wind. I'm also thinking we need to put two and two together with the Alzheimer's diagnosis meaning either that Tony heard the discussion about his potential brain damage, or that his subconscious is recognizing these problems, and he really does have a disorder that he's now going to wake up into.
I found myself very, very torn about the possibility of Tony's death this season, as unless there is some sort of complication with his gunshot wound, he seems like he'll be reappearing outside of the hospital, you'd think. I suppose that was part of the story, to get us all hyped up and thinking that Tony would die (or be dead already) and we'd see the demise of the family. We might see the latter, without the former, now - or it'd go on over his dead body.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-27-2006 @ 12:44AM
Erik said...
I has hysterical when Paulie walked into the room after Meadow told him to be positive and he screwed it up. I loved how Tony's signs reacted to the stress from hearing about work related issues from Paulie.
Next week looks to be an excellent episode - I can't wait to see how the AJ situation pans out.
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3-27-2006 @ 3:49AM
Don Wilson said...
Holy crap, what a great episode!
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3-27-2006 @ 8:00AM
John said...
Did any one think that the woman who was in the doorway of the house, with her back toward him, could have been Gloria Trillo? After watching the episode from last week again, the voice of Tony's wife on the phone in the dream sounded alot like her.
Philly Leotardi is bringing up the Tony B thing again, so that will probably resurface.
Brilliant writing this season! Of all of the dream episodes in this series, this was, by far, the best!
Edie Falco should win an Emmy for her performances in these past 2 episodes, she was fantastic.
Did anyone pick up on the similarity in the way Vito walks & Fred Sanford?..........LOL.
Can't wait for next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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3-27-2006 @ 8:16AM
Chris said...
I thought the women in the doorway looked a lot like Tony's mom, the hair and dress were very similar
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3-27-2006 @ 8:33AM
Gene said...
I also thought the woman in the doorway looked an awful lot like a younger version of Tony's mother. Really interested to see how the Alzheimers plays out and AJ's actions. Terrific episode!
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3-27-2006 @ 9:20AM
KT said...
It was a great episode - so much going on. Paulie's yakking could force someone toward the light! Also, Christopher going on and on about his film with Tony propped up in the chair like that, looking like he was thinking that maybe he made the wrong decision to come back. I loved Silvio's character this week. I also thought that was Young Livia in the doorway of the "reunion" mansion. Wondering what will happen with AJ and if Finn will spill the beans about Vito...that can't turn out well. Can't wait for next week.
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3-27-2006 @ 9:25AM
jimmyb said...
right on folks.....i think it was tony's mamma too..notice the hair bun...very motherly..
glad some humor is back...Paulie is too much,,
"madohnn" too funny.....but also too bad he's getting wacked soon...real family is getting involved with family family...did you see in the preview of next week..carmela says something about watching out for paulie...and i think meadows boyfriend is finally going to say something about vito....and she'll make sure her father knows at first chance...how ironic for poor Sil...first chance as acting like a boss,,,and he gets a panic attack...to funny...and one last thing..
notice tony b. outside the house? not inside...too different final destinations...but witch is which?
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3-27-2006 @ 9:40AM
Tucker said...
Gene and Chris, I completely agree - I think it was Livia. Unfortunately, they couldn't give us a better glimpse if it was, since the actress, Nancy Marchand, passed away in 2000.
I also agree that the whole Paulie-in-ICU scene, from start to finish, was brilliant.
"Remember, Uncle Paulie, you've got to be positive"
"OOF! Madon! He looks terrible!"
"Uncle Paulie! Stay Positive!"
"I know, but nothin' prepares you for that shit!"
And Tony banging on the wall asking for him to shut up - very nice touch. Interesting how, ultimately, it was a very specific combination of work and then family that brought him out of the coma. The work stuff stressed him out and made him want to move toward the light, but realizing his family was there and needed him brought him back from flatlining.
Damn this show is just too good.
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3-27-2006 @ 9:51AM
Alan said...
first, that was one of the best episodes ever, i was so nervous i thought tony was dead.
I for sure think it was Tony's mom, but much younger in the house.
Here's my analysis- I felt like the contrasting Tony going to the house with a suitcase- meaning business that wasnt his, and Carmela's conversation with Melfi about the childeren growing up and basically being part of this whole thing, and Tony- this wasnt really where he would have wanted to go, it was his fathers business and he got sucked in and now the kids are getting sucked in.
There has to be significance to this Finnerty guy, a meaning behind it.
And did you see Tony's face when Chrissy told him he owed him the opportunity for the movie- that was so classic.
I'm so happy he's back!!!
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3-27-2006 @ 10:02AM
mamaloo said...
I keep thinking: what is Vito trying to intimidate Finn? He's the bosses future son-in-law! Is he nuts? And even if Tony were to die, does he not think that Meadow has sufficient connection and loyalty to deal with him?
What a creep!
And I love how the guys with more moxie than brains are the ones envying the top job, while Syl, who has brains and experience making the big decisions, rightly appears to be afraid of leading the family.
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3-27-2006 @ 10:23AM
missie said...
i didnt see any engagement ring on meadows hand. how is it that so much time could go by for janice to have a baby, and meadow not get engaged to finn by then?
me thinks that aint gonna happen ever. he is holding on to her for the sole reason to protect his behind from vito and his 'cigar smoking attitude' towards him.
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3-27-2006 @ 10:25AM
missie said...
i didnt see any engagement ring on meadow's hand. i dontthink it is going to happen. how is it that some much time can elapse for janice to have a baby with bobby but not for meadow to be engaged to finn?
he is only with her to cover his butt from vito's cigar smoking attitude towards him, he gone once vitos gone
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3-27-2006 @ 10:26AM
missie said...
i didnt see any engagement ring on meadow's hand. i dontthink it is going to happen. how is it that some much time can elapse for janice to have a baby with bobby but not for meadow to be engaged to finn?
he is only with her to cover his butt from vito's cigar smoking attitude towards him, he gone once vitos gone
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3-27-2006 @ 11:02AM
John said...
As a fan who avoids all form of spoilers, I am really mad at HBO for killing the cliffhanger experience of last night's phenomenal episode! The show ends with Tony in a state where you don't know if he's still going to be permanently brain-damaged along the lines of his condition when Christopher visits him to discuss his movie. Then after the credits roll, the preview gives away too much about Tony's recovery!!!
Damn it, HBO, thanks for killing the suspense!
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3-27-2006 @ 11:03AM
Adam said...
When I first heard of the ultimate demise of the series, I have said that Tony would likely try to quit the mob. Over time, I have said that he would likely try to quit by going into witness protection. This year so far has confirmed my thoughts that he will leave, however, the method of his leaving, I am not so certain. Its no secret Tony hates his “job”, and the dream sequence confirms that he did not like who Finnerty was (Finnerty the manifestation of Tony’s criminal self). Tony’s dream showed him that he is and always was someone other than the criminal, a family man who above all else, loves his family. The season opener with Eugene Pontecorvo wanting to quit the mob to get out of the whole scene foreshadows what will happen with Tony. Eugene wanted to save his son, and ultimately killed himself so that his wife could take the money and go to Florida with the kids getting the son out of the influence of the drugs. Eugene was a soldier and was caught between the power of the mob family structure and the FBI. Tony woke up and whispered to Carmela that he was different. Tony will grow increasingly weary dealing with turf battles, ambitious underlings, and the influence of the NYC mob. Tony will also see AJ deteriorate and will ultimately attempt to leave the family to save AJ from taking the same path as Tony had done, showing the double standard he has on quitting when he wants to quit . The question is, whether he will get out alive. What Tony told AJ about not trusting friends, that friends will betray Tony reveals that Tony’s “friends” will betray him in his attempt to exit the family.
Also, the people inside the house at the end of the show were all of the people who Tony killed, and who have died around Tony. That woman was likely the younger Livia. Tony B was outside because he was too newly killed and he tried to usher Tony S in because he represents Tony S’s ultimate betrayal.
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3-27-2006 @ 11:19AM
Lynstir said...
The woman inside the "reunion" definitely seems to be Tony's mother and, although it's unfortunate that Nancy Marchand passed away, it goes along with the whole mystery Tony is dealing with. We don't really see her and neither does Tony. It wouldn't be much fun if they showed us everything. BUT having Tony B. (the GREAT Steve Buscemi) greeting him was CLASSIC.
But not as classic as Tony's reaction to Paulie's voice. Irritating him so much that it "breaks through" his coma. And of course Paulie was his usual self in not noticing anything but his own problems while Tony's monitors were beeping more and more.
It was pretty funny too when Christopher was yammering on to Tony (can you imagine coming out of a coma from a gunshot from your Uncle and having people talk to you about the problems they're having?? Talk about an overload for the brain!) about the movie deal. The look on Tony's face ~ was it from the coma or from being disgusted??
One last thing ~ wasn't the reason Tony wouldn't give up his briefcase (to Tony B. at the reunion) was because he kept saying his whole life was in there? His whole life as Tony Soprano, not Kevin Finnerty? I thought that's why he wouldn't give it up ~ he wasn't ready to go to the reunion. Let me know if I misunderstood this.
No wonder we all love this show.
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3-27-2006 @ 11:41AM
ken said...
ADAM!! what a great post...i think that the entire thing about Eugene is right on the mark. You did leave out Carmela though!! She went to the shrink and basically is set up for the same thing as Tony (rise or fall?). She clearly has come to some terms in her own mind about her own decisions. However, now she is dealing with the reality that her kids are in the middle of this..the question now is what is she going to do about it.
it's all about family!!! truly an amazing show
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3-27-2006 @ 11:52AM
mamaloo said...
Adam, fantastic read of the situation and where the story may be going based on where it's been. Either you're a writer who just f*$ked his confidentiality agreement or wonderfully perceptive. I enjoyed reading that - it made sense.
Lynstir, I think the briefcase meant many things: on the surface I think it was Tony's actual life force, which he was unwilling to part with at the time, on another level. I was also his life as a gangster, which he felt wasn't really his (hence its attribution to Keven Finnerty) but which gave him a kind of security to stay connected to. Also, with the briefcase containing his life as a gangster, giving it up means accepting death - and we all know how you get out of the mob. On some level, Tony knew that giving up the briefcase meant ceasing to be: ceasing to be alive, ceasing to be Tony, ceasing to be the boss.
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3-27-2006 @ 11:56AM
Guido said...
The briefcase symbolized his life.. if he gave that up, he would have died.
Great episode with a somewhat slow middle, but a great beginning and end. Not surprisingly it's Paulie that sold this episode.
It's hilarious that Paulie nearly killed him but sqwauking on and on.
One thing that really came out of this episode is the shelfishness of everybody.
Paulie wants all the money, Vito wants to be the boss, Christopher wants his movie, Sil wants to be "skip", Bobbie wants his money.
Mayhem is a perfect title, because without Tony in the picture, this family is in chaous.
My hope is that Tony will recover quickly, and not be stuck to a vegetable state he's in now.
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3-27-2006 @ 12:02PM
Scott said...
What to make of Tony's "dream" wife mentioning on the phone that she would come out to be with him and that the kids were with Carmela?
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