It does seem funny to some that I am blogging about a show that hasn't been on the air for years. But, to those who think I'm out of my mind think about this...
In the last week Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey, is embroiled in a controversy that seems to come from the pages of my analysis of this very episode of the Sopranos. Tony is trying to isolate himself to protect him from the FBI. He has decided to change his mob family's leadership structure to insure he has trusted associates that he can instruct them on what he wants them to do without making it appear that these actions are coming from him. This is not the first time Tony has attempted to isolate himself. I'm not saying Chris Christie had his staff close down those lanes on the George Washington Bridge. No one knows that at this point. But, what I am saying that if he wanted to make the mayor of that town pay for not supporting him, but didn't want to be directly accountable that would be the way to accomplish this. (Very side note - a few years ago I recall reading an article about Chris Christie. It might have been in the Atlantic Magazine. There was a picture of him and his family sitting in their kitchen/dining area. I remember giggling as I saw this picture because it looked like the same kitchen/dining area of the Tony Soprano home.)
Here are some other highlights of this episode:
If you owe someone money you need to think about how you spend money. You don't want those who lend you money to think that you are not being careful with their money. Especially if you are not paying them back.
Respect was a re-occurring theme throughout this episode. At one point Tony goes to visit his sister Janice at their mother's house when Richie Aprile opens the door. He had on only boxer shorts and a wife beater. Tony told him to put his pants on. Richie didn't. He completely ignored Tony's request. This is a not a subtle hint that Richie doesn't respect Tony. Not surprisingly they end up in a verbal fight.
Back at the restaurant Paulie and Pussy are eating. Furio joins them. The boss of New York, Johnny "Sack" (wonder what this nickname is all about?) enters the restaurant. All but Pussy stands up to greet Johnny. It's pretty obvious here that Pussy doesn't respect Johnny. You can even further assume that he probably doesn't respect any of them.
At one point Tony is shown observing others at a party in his home being held for the newly transplanted Furio. I'm sure Tony is well aware that you can learn much by just watching how others interact with each other.
It's important to find someone you can fully trust to listen and help guide you through your issues.
Tony finds out in the episode that his dad actually suffered from panic attacks. It's a simple wisdom that we tend to repeat the past. No matter how much you think you are different from your parents you still share some of the same issues.
One personal observation - when Tony is talking to Hesh (his and in the past his father's confidant) Tony is talking about his panic attacks and Hesh starts to drift into a completely different conversation. They are both talking at the same time. However, not talking about the same thing. This happened again later in the episode. I had to laugh as I have a similar situation with someone in my life. (I can't say who but if you are reading this it's not you!) It's difficult to sometimes have a conversation with this person. It was interesting and I recognized the behavior.
Christopher goes to an acting class for writers. He takes on a role that becomes very emotional for him and he cries while on stage. (He is portraying James Dean's character in Rebel Without a Cause. It was the pivotal scene at the end of the movie where he talks to his dad while clutching his dad's legs.) The next time the guy that played his dad was on stage with Christopher to begin another acting lesson when Christopher punches him in the face. Why does he do this? Adriana seems to think that it brought up emotions stemming from the loss of his father when he was a baby. I think it's more primal. Christopher cried in front of all these people. He needs to now show them he is a man. But, it's more interesting with Adriana's theory. But, I would take it a bit further. It's not his actual dad he is punching out. It's the man who is like a father to him - Tony Soprano.
Dr. Melfi is back in the picture. She decided to take Tony back as a patient. There are two scenes in this episode of Dr. Melfi with her doctor. The first time he confronted her about her feelings for Tony Soprano. She ended up cursing and storming out of his office. This is certainly just want Tony did to her in the past. (History repeating itself anyone?) The second time she is in his office she tells her doctor that seeing Tony was therapeutic. The doctor of course told her it's not suppose to be therapeutic for you - it's suppose to be for the patient. So, Dr. Melfi had some wine and called Tony for an appointment. Their first appointment back was interesting. He wanted to shock her by telling her about how he had Furio beat up some people not paying their loan to him. Tony was in the car while this was going on when Dr. Melfi called him. Dr. Melfi asked Tony how it made him feel. He said he wanted to be in there - in the action - not in the car waiting. She asked him if he would want to be the one giving the beating or receiving?
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