(S06E14) When we were first introduced to Chrissie's concept of Cleaver as a flick, I never really thought it'd see the light of day. But when the red carpet was rolled out this week, it looked like not only would it do that, but it could have been Christopher's shining moment in the family. As it turns out, maybe that last part isn't going to be the case. My prediction last week about Christopher's screen time turned out to be off base - so far, at least - but based on Tony's reaction to how the "boss" character in the film was portrayed, and how the portrayal resembled some of the events that had happened in the last few years, maybe Christopher might not see that much more daylight after all.
I'm very much into the disarray that the New York family is having right now. Aside from the fact that no one really seems to want to show real leadership skills, they're not exactly looking like model mob citizens compared to what the Jersey boys are doing right now.
Longtime fans of the show that have a wish for lots of bloodshed, or at least the death of a character every so often would have to have enjoyed this week's episode. Gerry Torciano being taken out certainly threw me for a loop. Not so much that one of the potential bosses got whacked, but how it was done. When Sil started speaking silently, and in the same half a second he's sprayed by blood, I was a little freaked out that something really off base had happened. I mean, the way this show goes with dream sequences and all that, it wouldn't have been out of the realm of possibilities. But the shot after shot fired into Torciano let us know that the man with the haircut wouldn't be taking the reins in New York.
Follow that up with an agonizing death for Johnny Sack, who has managed to make friends with a former doc gone con before passing on. I guess cold-blooded killer to cold-blooded killer can work out for the best, no? Seeing the man cruise through cigarettes while in the hospital didn't even strike me as odd, for some reason, and seeing Ginny go ballistic about it almost made me feel bad for the both of them. Johnny, because his wife was storming off at a time when he might never see her again, and Ginny because her husband wasn't taking any beter care of himself as he slowly died in the prison hospital.
Going forward, it'll be interesting to note whether or not Little Carmine even contemplates taking over the family. His weakness got him more or less shipped to Florida the first time around, and even he knows how Tony feels about coming to him this second time. Tony must be seeing some serious problems for his crew if he's desperate enough to ponder having Carmine take over. With Phil Leotardo seemingly wussing out in New York, and bosses seemingly happy to kill others in their same space, someone's got to step in and set things straight. Unfortunately, this might just put Tony in a worse position than he already was, as Johnny was able to hold off the New Yorkers from coming after him in the past, but he's gone now.
With a show as complicated as The Sopranos, I wouldn't normally think that something as simple as a hug and a pat on the back could be a bellwether for what would come next. But after the anger apparently shown to Tony by Carm, and the fact that others might have thought Tony had - or wanted to have - his way with Ade, then he's going to do whatever it takes to close the loop there. That goes probably double given the fact that she apparently met her maker in a forest, all courtesy of Tony, Christopher and Sil. In any case, the previews seem to show something of the unraveling ilk on the Jersey side of the river next week, with Paulie either being taken out to sea or being involved in something locally. Needless to say, talking about how he beat cancer in the face of the news that Johnny had died in the hospital was far beyond rude, whether or not anyone said anything to him about it.
The big downside I think we'll continue to have is that there are so many characters to love - or love to hate - that when they're not shown week in and week out, we're wishing they were there. It just seems so abrupt to see the fight between Tony and Bobby last week and then no appearance by Bobby and Janice (maybe they're still on vaca), and I'm hoping we see a lot more about AJ and his new family. Did you see the body language between them in the church at the christening? Not exactly looking good for him on that front, no?
I'll give this week's episode a six. I loved the inclusion (or conclusion?) of Cleaver, and think the character development that it set in motion was great. Seeing Tim Daly get smacked in the face by Christopher again brought back such happy memories, and a public killing of a boss all rounded out the episode really well.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-16-2007 @ 1:51AM
Matt said...
To be fair, we did see Bobby and Janice for about one second in the church at the end of the episode. Bobby looked good as new, too, so it seems a couple weeks minimum have passed since their scuffle.
Anyway, I think I'll be in the minority and think that Christopher will make it to the end. He's such a key character, and killing him is too easy and comfy of a solution to wrap up the Chris/Tony/Ade arc.
But, with The Sopranos, you never know.
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4-16-2007 @ 3:25AM
Borat said...
Great episode, so different from the first one yet so quintessential Sopranos.
I think it's great that they brought the Adriana storyline back...it's definitely not over yet.
Christopher's terrorist dealings are also going to worry Tony...couple that with the fact Tony thinks Chris hates him, who knows?
I just love the way the mobsters on the show dress. Great suits...I know it's been that way always, but somehow it just stood out a bit a more for me in this episode.
Btw, did anyone notice that John's Indian doctor was the same guy who has been in 30 Rock and Weeds? The guy is getting quite a few roles.
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4-16-2007 @ 4:03AM
Kurifurisan said...
Bobby and Janice were also at the Cleaver premiere...fyi.
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4-16-2007 @ 5:27AM
andrew said...
I am so surprized that TV Squad gave a good review to a show owned by AOL/Time Warner, that aires on a network owned by AOL/ Time Warner
TV Squad is owned by AOL/Time Warner. Why do the bloggers never say that ?
TV Squad= AOL/Time Warner
TV Squad= biased. Now go buy some Sopranos DVD's that this corporate blog gives away.
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4-16-2007 @ 9:47AM
Guido said...
biased .. lol ... who cares dumbass..
My guess is that this is all building towards a Christopher vs Tony finale .. and I for one think it will actually be Christopher taking out Tony to end the series.
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4-16-2007 @ 11:37AM
Ellen said...
Janice was at the premier, RED lipstick, taste for blood??? Also maybe AJ's girlfriend is pregnant? Needed to eat at the after party...Meadow is w/out Finn, set up perhaps for the family as her true calling?
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4-16-2007 @ 10:30AM
Borat said...
"TV Squad is owned by AOL/Time Warner. Why do the bloggers never say that ?"
Because it's written at the top of every page?
Don't like the site? Go away.
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4-16-2007 @ 10:36AM
MacGuffin said...
I was surprised that Bobby wasn't featured in this episode too because that storyline was featured in the previously on The Sopranos thing.
I loved seeing Sydney Pollack. He really made this episode in my no so humble opinion. One of the best guest star roles ever on The Sopranos as far as I care.
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4-16-2007 @ 11:58AM
dkny said...
the show sucks - there are 6 shows left or something and still nothing really happens - a NY guy gets whacked - oh no talk about a huge moment in the show and Christopher and Tony have conflict talk about exposition man that story hasn't been flushed out enough - give me a break more set up on top of set up and enough homage to the godfather - last week was Freto in Tahoe and this weeks Christening and then elevated subway sounds to killing in a Italian restaurant come on give us some new shit. The best part was Phil at the end giving us the here we go feeling but it won’t last. Next week we’ll probably spend the first 20 minutes with Tony eating something in a bathrobe, Bobby mowing the lawn and Janice painting her nails – RED for blood - I keep watching but this show continues to be noting but a tease
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4-16-2007 @ 12:57PM
Lee said...
Once again people: If you are watching this show for blood..STOP! I don't care if it only has 7 episodes left. STOP! You will just be let down.
This show is so much more than violence. It's also one of the best drama's in years & (last night was a very good indication of this) a hilarious dark comedy. I am glad this show never panders to anyone. It keeps you on your toes looking for every subtle sign of things to come. Good for David Chase! I hope he keeps agitating people until the very end. I think we will see some resolution. I think we will even see the end of some characters, but not who we think or how we think. Real fans take it in & enjoy. Whacker or bloodthirsty fans, just go away. You can't be taken seriously anymore. You are just an annoyance.
By the way.....It is nice to see that someone who begs for blood has a comment listing that is full of grammatical errors. Parents shouldn't let their 5 year olds watch this show.
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4-16-2007 @ 1:06PM
FIREDOC said...
Nice smmary
If anyone is interested in blogging on the Sopranos on a new site --contact BostonsportZ.com
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4-16-2007 @ 1:10PM
agentmichaelscarn said...
To dkny:
This was a great episode. Tony believes that Christopher hates him, Carm all but knows the truth about Aide, the New York mob is in dissaray -- featuring not one but TWO deaths, Carm is also pissed at Tony for an alleged affair, even AJ's girlfriend trouble (which was never fully explained).
Leotardo's speech about his brother and how his family's name was changed from Leonardo, and nobody else caring. The look in his eyes suggest that he will be setting up the stage for a blood bath. He looked pissed.
Everything is bubbling under the surface -- the tension is oozing out right now. It is almost reminisent of Reservoir Dogs -- not the plot -- but the feeling of impending doom. The sound of thunderous silence; knowing that everything may fall apart at any moment. This was really a good set-up episode.
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4-16-2007 @ 1:27PM
dkny said...
Oh Lee you are so intellectually superior I can’t believe you have time to watch TV between issues of the New Yorker and catching up with your Umberto Eco study group. However, if you really think the Sopranos is smart writing you have really been spending too much time in shallow end of pool. I’m not asking for blood I’m asking for plot resolution which they have never delivered on. I do love however how someone on a TV blog is going to act arrogant about their intellectual prowess. Give me break Lee this isn’t Mensa it’s HBO – prick
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4-16-2007 @ 1:46PM
Patti said...
I bought the box set of the first 5 seasons of this show in January. It took my husband and I about a month and a half to watch it, we got completely hooked on it, bought the first half of this season, watched that, and signed up for HBO basically because we could not wait to see what happens. Its painful knowing there are only 7 episodes left. I would love for this show to continue on. Right now, the plotlines are building up for the finale. It may be a slow and painful process for some of us fans. We may not like what is going on, things not being finished up to our liking. Be reminded we don't write this stuff, David Chase does. He has delivered some of the best TV to us in the last few years with this show, so give the guy a chance. I just hope my favorite guy doesn't end up whacked----Paulie Walnuts!!
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4-16-2007 @ 2:35PM
Brian said...
dkny - I love that Lee got under your skin. Acting the way you are just proved his point even more. He, or she, is right. You shouldn't be watching this show just to see people get killed. You should watch 24.
Lee, not to burst your bubble, but anyone is intellectually superior to that, so don't get too cocky.
Obviously someone hasn't been paying attention to this show.
Let me give you some examples of plot resolution:
Big Pussy - Got busted for being a rat & killed. Done.
Furio - Almost got Carmela into bed. Before Tony found out, he took off so he wouldn't be killed. Done.
The Russian - He's gone. Maybe dead, maybe not. Chris & Paulie said it best: (Paulie)"Who the f--- knows?" (Chris) "Who the f--- cares?
Adrianna - Like it or not, she's dead. Done.
Dr. Melfi's rape: The rapist got away. She choose not to take revenge. Done.
Paulie's Tattle Tell Phase - If he would have gotten busted it would have been bad for him & worse for New York. He dodged a bullit. He's got tons of others things wrong with him than this anyway.
The Several Other Rats - The never got caught, but they died & the FBI lost out. Done.
Did Ralphie Actually Start The Stable Fire That Set Tony Off - Don't Know. Don't Care. We will actually never know because Tony was too hot headed to confirm it. So that story is done.
The tension between Tony & Phil - It's being resolved now. Pay Attention. It may end in blood. It may not. Who cares?
As for the other so called things that haven't been resolved. That's life. I'm sure we all have things in life that we wish were resolved but never are. So what?
Personally I'll be glad when this (excellent) show ends because we will never have to be subjected to a so called "whacker" fan ever again.
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4-17-2007 @ 10:25AM
const said...
paulie was disrespectful about johnny sac's demise with cancer because of the way johnny used paulie a few years ago.
Come on reviewer, show some knowledge of the show. Also, one couldn't miss bobby and janice piggying out during the permier. they cut to them more than a few times.
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4-17-2007 @ 10:51AM
Tom Biro said...
@const, I know exactly why Paulie did what he did. The point of what I said had nothing to do with that, it was that his statements weren't echoed by the team, and Tony had a lot of respect for Johnny. Doesn't mean that what he said, if it's "payback" for what Johnny did earlier, is acceptable.
As for those two at the premiere, I did catch them on the re-pass of the show, the point there was also that after the amount of storyline they were up to last week, that they didn't have more this time, it just seemed like a huge line had just fallen off.
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4-17-2007 @ 11:12AM
Kathy said...
Doesn't it bother any of you how creepy it is the way Christopher moved on after the death of Adrianna? I half expected him to suddenly go berserk and kill his new wife in that new house they bought. But cut to the "hug it out" scene between he and Tony at the end of last week's episode. It's in his eyes-he's going to go berserk on Tony for what he did to Adrianna. He's a volcano waiting to blow, just watch!
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4-17-2007 @ 11:09PM
Becky said...
I thought that when Tony and Chrissie were hugging at the end of the episode, that Chrissie had a guilty look in his eyes, like he's doing something behind Tony's back. I'm wondering if he's become a rat?
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4-18-2007 @ 9:13AM
jlb33 said...
First of all, I found the Johnny Sack death very sad. I find myself saying over and over again, "these are actually bad men" but it just doesn't seem to sink in! Also, on the New York front, I really think that Phil will end up taking over, if nothing else to revenge his brother's death (which I feel has happened so long ago and find myself thinking, "ugh, get over it!").
Second, god AJ annoys the crap out of me! Everytime he walks on screen, I cringe. He's such a spoiled little brat that it drives me crazy! I totally think he's girlfriend is knocked up!
Third, I too saw that guilty/almost hatred look in Christopher's eyes when he hugged Tony. Also, he's new "sponser" have we seen him before? I didn't remember him and he seemed to be asking a lot of questions, is he undercover FBI?? I really don't doubt that Christopher would flip, especially now that he knows that he can (somewhat) succeed at other ventures, which was possibly keeping him in Jersey. When Ade brought up leaving and moving he did not dismiss the idea, I think he wants out. I think most of them want out, its just they can't get out. I enjoy that clear struggle every week.
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