(S06E19) After last week's big development with Christopher being offed by Tony Soprano, we were probably due for a letdown as far as developments go, but that was definitely not the case. Meadow decided that she felt like being part of the storyline for the first time in awhile, and we all knew that A.J.'s situation was bound to go one way or another, but how quickly might have come as a surprise.When it comes to the drama classification, this show always makes the cut. But this week, for some reason, I felt like it meshed even more than usual with that genre with all that went on throughout the episode. When it all boils though, the family ties were what made this show so successful, and they're what keeps the drama flowing. Except for the fact that we've all got to wait two weeks to see how our Sopranos is going to get ready to close up shop, I think we're in for a quality run that everyone can get behind.
Stepping into A.J.'s situation, there had been some predictions made here and in the comments, including A.J. ultimately taking over the family, getting himself killed, or committing suicide. Looks like, at least for the moment, that the first option isn't going to be the case. He probably isn't going to be too much of a target for anyone to off him while he's in the hospital, but some part of me really does feel like he could ultimately kill himself, or try again, if he's left to his own. I've gotta say that the moment when Tony came back to the office and everyone was all quiet, it was funny to see him try and break the ice with the guys, and hearing them all try and relate - poorly, at that - was even better. Unfortunately, A.J.'s suicide attempt appears to be a big part of the undoing of the positives that Tony and Carm had been having in recent weeks, and even he mentioned it to Dr. Melfi.
Earlier this week, Lorraine Bracco was on the CBS Radio show that used to the "Imus in the Morning" program, and when she wasn't saying "you know" between phrases, she did say that we would "be surprised" by how things turn out with regard to her Dr. Melfi character. I really took that into consideration this week when she was sitting down with her own therapist, especially as she was hearing about how one study being done with sociopaths showed that they had a higher re-arrest rate than those who hadn't had any therapy at all. That would have been a very easy "out" for her when it comes to Tony, but I'm wondering if she's going to turn out to be a "fighter" when it comes to her patient after all.
Remember how we'd been talking about "bad old Tony" really coming out? That's definitely the case here, although in the world of Sopranos, perhaps the bashing in (out?) of Coco's teeth was perfectly justified as it was only caused by the man's harassment of Meadow. Seeing Tony walk into the restaurant had me reminiscing to a particular scene from the Godfather series that some of you might be familiar with, just without the pistol in the bathroom. Seeing Tony knock Coco's teeth out was one of the more violent things we'd seen in awhile. Following that up, however, with a loose tooth being caught in the cuff of Tony's suit, and you've got a fantastic set of circumstances that had me - disturbingly - laughing out loud. The look on Tony's face when he attempted to grab it from the cuff was great, and I'm not sure if it's worse that I got a kick out of it, or that Chase & Co. knew we would.
Phil Leotardo is definitely setting the stage for a grand finale, with or without the fireworks. Little Carmine doesn't appear to have anyone else on his side, sans Tony, and the previews are definitely showing Sil taking a stand with Tony and the crew. A lot of people had suggested in the comments in past weeks that Silvio would become the big man here, and I have a feeling that this will definitely come to be, but maybe not in the way we're guessing. I just can't see Tony taking Phil's 25% offer for the asbestos dumping, but a strike at the worksite hurts Tony, Carmine, and Phil, and only Tony is "responsible" for the situation. Is it at all possible that he could be undone as the boss of the Soprano crew by his own lieutenants?
I'm going to give this week's episode a six on TV Squad's ratings scale of 1-7. I thought it worked Meadow back into the picture well, and her "we're Italian" speech to A.J. was more than fitting. Finally finding out who her "mystery" date was definitely interesting for all parties, and was great in driving the plot forward. A little bit of a spike was driven in between Tony and Carm, punctuated with the repeated throwing of her new watch that Tony brought back from Vegas. If he's going to be in trouble with his other "family," too, then perhaps this isn't the time for them to have marital issues. At the very least, I can see Tony ending up on the defensive, as foreshadowed by Phil's shunning of him at the doorstep right before the show's close. Any thoughts and predictions from all of you?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-21-2007 @ 12:02AM
Marc said...
I loved the episode! Does anyone know what song AJ was listening to when Meadow came into his bedroom to talk?
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5-21-2007 @ 1:10AM
DavidM said...
couple very scary scenes this week...AJ attempting suicude was rough, but I had look away when Tony went "American History X" on Coco and the 'curb'.
There is definetly a war brewing for the last two episodes, and I'm curious where Little Carmine is actually going to come down in the end
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5-21-2007 @ 1:44AM
bmellin said...
Any show that incorporates Yeats's "The Second Coming" into its story is far, far superior to anything on television. One can only hope that the last episode will allude to Shelley's "Ozymandias," which would be fitting in terms of the transient, perverse empire that Tony has built and, presumably, will leave behind with his death at the conclusion of the show.
Nice treatment of depression and suicide tonight, especiall with Carm's unwillingness to accept Tony's attempt to say that he's depressed. Who knows if he's being manipulative or not? The sepia tone images of the show this year sure suggest that the POV of this season is certainly a depressed one, and we usually get the story from Tony's POV, so depression seems likely for both Tony and AJ; Carmella's unwillingness to accept the diagnosis is understandable and contemptable . . . no matter what, it's one of the least endearing positions she's ever taken on the show.
Depression probably isn't an appropriate diagnosis for Tony, though: his behavior is indeed more that of a sociopath--always has been. That's one of the tensions of the show that is particularly interesting, to me: can a sociopath gain a conscience, and, if so, what will be the consequences? Tony tells Melfi that he's a good guy, and then he kicks in the teeth of a character a couple of minutes later.
In fact, the promise of this impossible change of character (i.e., overcoming sociopathy) eclipses the run-of-the-mill plot point with Phil. Phil and his crew are sociopaths--Phil so much so that he gets off while watching the "pervert" Vito get whacked brutally. Tony, however, will never be as base as Phil. So, in some ways, it'll be interesting to see if the completely sociopathic Phil will kill Tony or if Tony will defuse Phil's objectives.
BTW, has every episode this season begun with Tony waking up in bed?
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5-21-2007 @ 2:14AM
Doug Nelson said...
It cracked me up that Syl was reading "How to Clean Anything". Is he planning something messy, or just keeping his professional skills sharp?
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5-21-2007 @ 6:11AM
Clint said...
I thought it was a decent episode. I kinda have to admit I didn't want AJ to surface. Thought that woulda been a great plot twist if he succeeded.
Doug, I caught Sil reading that book too and was laughing out loud.
Gotta admit, I really don't know how they're going to end it, but there's a part of me that has this feeling I'm going to be let down by the ending.
http://www.tvdeuce.com
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5-21-2007 @ 8:30AM
mrzer0 said...
Just wanted to add a couple of my own thoughts. Silvio previously despised the role of #1. While he may be the automatic choice for new leader should something happen to Tony, I feel confident that he would step aside and let someone else deal with it.
A few seasons ago, you may recall Paulie's aspirations for head of the family. Venturing off on his own with the help of Johnny Sack, etc. Ultimately (and obviously), nothing became of it. Also, while on the topic of Paulie, earlier this season, you may recall Tony wishing to "take care of" Paulie, if he [Paulie] would just fail his "test." His test being that of ratting himself out to Tony about who told Johnny Sack about the "90 pound mole on her ass" joke. But Paulie stood true to his game. He "neva' said nothin'" I think Paulie knew he was being tested, but I don't get that resents Tony for it.
I don't know what will happen to Tony specifically. Every prediction I've ever made about the Sopranos has been 100% wrong it seems. And the prediction that Tony winds up dead or in jail just seems too obvious for Chase & Co. to go with as a series finale. I definitely smell a mob war coming on between Jersey & N.Y. (at least Phil's family). But then again, see my previous statement about every prediction I've ever made being wrong.
*shrug* just some thoughts.
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5-21-2007 @ 8:48AM
Lala said...
What was the significance of AJ's fascination with the sleeping pill commercial (Abe Lincoln and Mr. Beaver)?
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5-21-2007 @ 8:49AM
D said...
If you're going to reference the preview for the next episode, give us a warning first. PREVIEWS ARE SPOILERS!!!
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5-21-2007 @ 9:08AM
Steve said...
Was I the only one that was botherd by Dr. Kupferberg water bottle.
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5-21-2007 @ 9:40AM
Gissell said...
I thought last nights show was excellent! Esspecially because I just finished a Lit class and I read and analyzed those poems this semester.
But I had an insane idea, and well I wonder if its at all plausible, so tell me what you think... I am started to think that Tony is in a comatose state, and that he never really woke up from the gun shot. That maybe people are coming to his bed side talking to him and he is taking those ideas and acting it out in his mind. I mean who knows what goes on in a vegetative state?? I just feel that there are too many things up in the air for there to just be 2 episodes left!! Don't you agree??
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5-21-2007 @ 9:39AM
Gissell said...
I thought last nights show was excellent! Esspecially because I just finished a Lit class and I read and analyzed those poems this semester.
But I had an insane idea, and well I wonder if its at all plausible, so tell me what you think... I am started to think that Tony is in a comatose state, and that he never really woke up from the gun shot. That maybe people are coming to his bed side talking to him and he is taking those ideas and acting it out in his mind. I mean who knows what goes on in a vegetative state?? I just feel that there are too many things up in the air for there to just be 2 episodes left!! Don't you agree??
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5-21-2007 @ 9:38AM
Enrique said...
People at my house mentioned the weird water bottle too...
Info about the drug commercial:
http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2006/08/sleep_tips_from.html
It's a commercial for Rozerem, which is a sleep inducing drug. The significance is that AJ wants to just 'go to sleep' himself or it's that he think she needs more meds...
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5-21-2007 @ 9:45AM
Keith McDuffee said...
@Gissell: I think you're onto something there. The drug ad for a sleeping drug, the sunset looking like the lighthouse from last season, the fact that we keep seeing Tony wake up in bed this season -- it's all adding up to this being a dream.
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5-21-2007 @ 9:57AM
mel said...
I think the commercial was evidence of the conversation the guys were having earlier - that "kids today" have more things affecting their mental health, ie: pharmaceuitcal marketing.
Why was Patsy's kid so clueless at dinner with the: "what was that all about?" comment... it indicated that Meadow's date was not aware her family was connected.
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5-21-2007 @ 10:01AM
retired desert lady said...
felt sorry for AJ...couldn't watch him put bag over head.. Mrs. Soprano a bit too hard all around in this episode. "I don't know what it's for?" come on!
I noticed Melfi's shrink doesn't seem to actually look her in the eye but his eyes are focused somewhat downward...pause for thought.
only one laugh in this episode for me and that was the "plate of mushrooms" comment to Bobby.
And yes, the Italian son thing rings true in my family!!!!
we girls know better.
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5-21-2007 @ 10:21AM
Sue said...
The song AJ was listening to was Ridin Dirty by Chamillion (sp?). I found it interesting with all the drug references as more and more people are medicating themselves. Isn't Zoloft one of the meds that causes suicidal tendencies in the young?
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5-21-2007 @ 11:49AM
david said...
Gissell -->
dont think they are gonna go that way. But, i do think it would great if they did than ended the show with christafuh smothering tony in the hospital so he could rise to power.
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5-21-2007 @ 12:06PM
Ziggyone said...
I've getting a feeling the past couple weeks that the illegal dumping of the asbestos in the duck marsh could end up being the unlikely offense that brings Tony down -- like Capone for tax evasion -- if the authorities are able to trace it to his operation. Hearing the ducks in the background while the stuff was being dumped into the water brought to mind the beginning of the series with Tony and the ducks by the pool. That would kind of bring it full circle.
It's fun trying to imagine how they'll end The Soprano's, and so difficult with this show. Like with Christopher. You knew his demise was coming, but I was in no way expecting what happened. So trivial. Then I realized, and so fitting. Like in reality. Like Lennon stepping out of his car and some loser waiting for him with a gun. It's all part of why The Sopranos is unlike anything ever seen on TV. It's heroes and villains don't necessarily go out in the cliche blaze of glory.
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5-21-2007 @ 12:40PM
Carolyn Smart said...
Did anyone else notice the further Kennedy reference when Meadow and her boyfriend were talking in the coffee shop? He was speaking of "Grey Gardens" which is a documentary featuring Jacqueline Bouvier-Kennedy's cousins. I am wondering if this is another red herring, or if there will be an assassination in a car in the final episode.
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5-21-2007 @ 12:49PM
marah said...
the general concensus among my family is that phil's going to kidnap AJ with the intent to kill him, and then all hell will break loose.
it's all very nihilistic and shakespearean. i'm surprised those references haven't been made more - king lear would be an apt comparison - where everything just spins out of control with rage and greed and illness, and in the end, everyone is alone or dead.
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