(S06E07) The only hitch I find in coming up with a show as popular - or entertaining - as The Sopranos is that when the plot gets a little thin from one week to another, it's more and more disappointing. Sure, seeing a hit on one of the New York crew evolve and watching Christopher have a bit of fun with Sir Ben Kingsley was a hoot, but a whole week dedicated to how Artie's restaurant is having some issues? All right, I guess.
Last week's promo showed Christopher asking Tony about heading out West with Little Carmine to work on potentially bringing in Kingsley to the slasher-meets-Mafia flick that they're attempting to pitch one of these days. Of course, that goes about how you'd expect it - poorly - but not before Chrissie spends a bit of time with a local working woman (the comments about her most likely silicone-enhanced breasts were key), and falls somewhat off the wagon. I guess at least he had the sense to call in his sponsor, right? Yeah, didn't think so.
The boys from Italy lay down the hit on Rusty Millio, putting quite a few slugs in him and his driver. I thought it was curious that his wife - who had just stuck her head out to remind him of something - didn't come screaming out the door when the gunshots went off. Yeah, they were somewhat quiet, but still. I thought the Benz rolling backward slowly into the street as just so Sopranos, very well done. And Tony's statement that he had nothing to do with the hit when Phil Leotardo asks him about it means that there's a pretty good possibility that the story about the boys from Naples is over.
In any case, this week's show was a bit too much about Artie, as I was suggesting earlier, but I think that's just the impending finality of this show coming to a close in the next year. In a good way, I guess we can see some serious problems between Benny and Artie, even if Tony has stepped in. I really really really thought that Benny was going to take him out, but there is no way that Artie's wife would let Tony live that down, especially that as it turns out, Benny's "girlfriend" and he were the ones behind the credit card scam that was just one factor hurting the Vesuvius.
One of the more comical things I found tonight was how the credit card scam seemed to reach out pretty far, and was looped into Christopher's Middle Eastern pals. Well, that's not the best part. It was more about how one of the spots that was in on the scam was a hotel, where the Jewish desk clerk / manager probably wouldn't be too happy to hear about where the credit card data was going. Or maybe that was just me noticing the irony.
Thoughts on the future: AJ manages to get his way into the family business, though probably backing into it, based on how Tony seems to be looking at his son in the previews. This whole movie business is going to be a problem for the family, if only just for Christopher and his wagon habits. Will Vito actually get whacked or are we just going to be teased about this? I think his calling of his family might just be a problem for him, especially since the boys can get to an investigator who can "track you down by the corn in your sh*t." And is it just me, or is it comical that all the Hollywood types are poking fun at award ceremony swag on a show that wins more awards than most others?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-24-2006 @ 2:39AM
Erik said...
I don't know, this isn't the first time they did a whole episode on a side business...think back to the guy who owned the sporting goods store. At least Artie has been a huge character throughout the show. Artie represents the guy who grew up surrounded by the 'life' but chose a different path...and this episode just shows how that 'life' can come in when you least expect it.
It was nice to see Artie actually win a fight for a change. It was also nice to see him go back to his element at the end. I think he finally got the point.
I'm not sure why he brought up the tab issue...didn't they wipe the tab clean after the French guy stole his money and Artie couldn't pay Tony back? Also, did Benny ever give that money to Artie? It doesn't seem he did.
And yes, I agree about the irony of who gave the CC reader and who's taking the data...
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4-24-2006 @ 2:59AM
Phil said...
Since this is going to be their last season, I think Artie's going to get wacked by Benny. Artie's really working himself into a tragic less-than-hero role. And I think Benny probably gave Artie the money. He ain't stupid enough to cross Tony, but I could see him do something stupid in a fit of rage. They're all capable of that.
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4-24-2006 @ 3:21AM
Erik said...
"And I think Benny probably gave Artie the money. He ain't stupid enough to cross Tony, but I could see him do something stupid in a fit of rage. "
So the whole, you can kill me after if you want, but I'm going to kill Artie bit doesn't make you think that he might have withheld the money? I only think Benny backed down when Tony brought up his unborn son, sort of hinting at what would happen if Benny kills Artie. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.
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4-24-2006 @ 6:48AM
nan said...
The luxury lounge episode for me was Less than Great, The whole California thing with Christopher went on way too long... Tony should have removed the problem altogether that Artie was having at the restaurant...and they should have stayed on point where Vito was concerned...Hopefully next weeks upcomig episode is better.
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4-24-2006 @ 8:10AM
John said...
I definately think Tony was hinting to Benny when he hugged him and mentioned the unborn son, perhaps implying Christopher is as loved and protected by Tony as his own real son is. Was Chris snorting Heroin or coke? I know he used to shoot up but, maybe that hooker had heroin and he of course didn't his works so he just sniffed? The previews show alot of AJ and Vito. I was wondering when AJ was going to start heading down the same road as Tony, how could he not? and poor Vito is going to be the victim of an unsanctioned Hit i think, just guessing though. poor guy he found a town with antique shops and gay guys and he is gonna get clipped... anyways I love the show, always have and really am enjoying this season... is this the final season or not? i heard they are making one more shortened season and then perhaps a motion picture to tie everything together?? anyone know?
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4-24-2006 @ 8:12AM
John said...
Also about Tony's Tab at arties rest..... I think it was just Artie Bitching and moaning and I think this was a new Tab Tony started after the old one was wiped ... either way he still owed tony a hell of alot of loot... i think it was just a way to show how weak Artie is and how strong Tony is.
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4-24-2006 @ 8:13AM
Missy said...
I thought this episode was TERRIBLE. The Artie story was putting me to sleep. The fight with Benny was not enough of a payoff for sitting through all the rest of the Artie stuff.
Where the heck is Vito? They should have continued that storyline instead of side tracking.
The Ben Kingsley stuff was funny but it was odd to me that Christopher fell off the wagon so easily without any drama. I would have thought he would have been more distraught about it.
The thing that bothered me the most was that The Sopranos (remember them? the show is named after them?) were hardly in the show at all. Very disappointing.
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4-24-2006 @ 8:22AM
John said...
Thats why I asked about what drug he was using Missy, i know most people dont think there is much of a difference between using cocaine and using heroin but there is a HUGE difference and plus Christopher was addicted to shooting heroin and he wouldn't be AS upset if he used coke, i think. I have the feeling he was sniffing coke or else he would have been alot more upset, i mean if he was sniffing heroin He would have been way more upset
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4-24-2006 @ 8:39AM
billyweeds said...
Thought it was by far the best episode of the current season. Absolutely loved the remembrance by Tony of the final episode of Season One, the dinner in the rain at Artie's restaurant, which led to Artie getting back to his roots as a chef. Very moving and evocative. Also, the glimpse of the real Ben Kingsley (for the "Sir" stuff, he's a real Hollywood player) was enlightening, not to mention funny. Tony's mention of "the Adriana card" was worth the whole hour. This episode was Nirvana for a charter "Sopranos" fanboy like me.
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4-24-2006 @ 8:45AM
amy said...
Christopher was using cocaine. He used the reside for a "gummy". More SLIPT-UP's to come, I'm sure, especially with his 'sponser' getting into the business.
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4-24-2006 @ 9:43AM
EJ said...
It's really important to recognize that the character of Artie is - and has been, since the beginning of the series - written in such a way as to be Tony's foil, or more accurately, his conscience... Examples? Think back to the end of season one when Artie flashes anger and smashes up the car after Tony finds out about Junior/Livia... or Artie's behavior at the Soprano house after Livia's funeral... or just last season, when Tony and Carm hook back up - who's sleeping poolside? Artie! Those are just a few of many examples just off the top of my head.
Artie's struggles always closely mirror Tony's, and the dialogue between Tony and Artie becomes facinating to interpret. Watch this episode again with that in mind, and you'll have a completely different perspective. This episode is not just about a throwaway side story - it (1) gives tremendous insight into Tony's state of mind, what he's thinking and feeling, the issues he's struggling with; and (2) foreshadows conflicts/events to come.
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4-24-2006 @ 9:48AM
david m said...
Based on the previews, I think it's safe to assume that AJ is going to kill Vito at Phil's request. Call it instinct. I've been watching this show since day 1 and I am fairly sure that this will play out.
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4-24-2006 @ 10:01AM
jimmyb said...
think your right on ej....arnie is the other side of tony...on life chosen....tony feels alot for him..and arnie is bitter and always seems to wanna be apart of the family..and it built to where he finally got to beat some benny, rather then him taking the beating.[ well, for a little while anyway. ]..also he's always looking for goomads, never happy.
dont worry other folks...next week phil will catch up with vito...and it looks like aj will get himself into some trouble to prove carmela right again..
and how cool was it to see ms.bacall take one on the chin for the show....what a class act.
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4-24-2006 @ 10:11AM
Dom said...
Kudos to EJ and billyweeds for seeing the episode like it was meant to be seen. Anyone who thought this one sucked is not looking at the entire plot as a whole. I loved it, and they opened so many cans of worms that you just know the next few episodes will be action packed. And about Vito, his time will come soon enough. The Sopranos has never been a show to rush through something, isn't that what keeps us watching? billyweeds, I caught that too about the storm night. That was great why for them to tie into what was another great earlier episode. And I really thought it was funny to see "Sir Ben" poking fun at himself over the whole knighthood thing. Very subtle, but if you know the backstory on that, it's hilarious.
Overall, I'd say this episode was easily one of the 5 best ever.
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4-24-2006 @ 10:19AM
Tom Biro said...
Dom, I don't think this "sucked," per se, I just thought it could have been a much better ep. There were some significantly dry points, that's all. As a fan from day one, I think that I've had a good handle on what makes sense and what doesn't. While it wasn't a "throw away" episode so much, it just left a bit to be desired, which is why Artie cooking himself at the end was so cool.
As for the 'best 5 ever,' that's a pretty big nut to crack.
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4-24-2006 @ 12:18PM
Jen said...
Amy, what is a "gummy"? I guess I am not very drug educated??? HA HA
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4-24-2006 @ 12:21PM
Jen said...
Amy, what is a "gummy"? I guess I am a little stupid when it comes to drug terms??? HA HA
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4-24-2006 @ 12:41PM
John said...
i have to say my favorite episode ever was the pine barrens, then the one when Tony kills Ralph because of pie o my
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4-24-2006 @ 12:47PM
Frank Cole said...
I'm 72 and I'm sure that Lauren Bacall is older than me; but she looked a lot younger than me. Plus she was very funny during her few moments.
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4-24-2006 @ 12:55PM
John said...
Sorry for so many comments but i just keep thinking about more things i wanna say lol Alot of the episode was surrounding Artie's place and the issues he was having. Issues directly related to Christopher, which leads to Tony... As tony said, would an of that nonsense with Benny happen had chris been in jersey to run his crew? I know the artie stuff was a little slow and we like to see plotting and hits ( which we got last night) I know it was a little slow but as someone said the sopranos takes its time... its like that joke, the old bull and the young bull are overlooking all these cows... the old bull says what do you want to do ?? the young bull says , i wanna run down there and f*ck one of those cows... , young bull says what are you going to do? old bull " i am going to walk down and f*ck all of them" the sopranos is the old bull it doesnt have to run or move fast for anyone ( like pauly in goodfellas) for people who are having doubts about this season i say give it time. as i said the whole artie thing will tie in, and u have to admitt him yelling f you at that one guy when he was yelling at his staff was funny... and when benn put his hand in the sauce, he deserved it. to all you hardcore sorpanos fans, just be patient
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