This episode opens with Christopher in the hospital close to death. The police are at the hospital asking all of Christopher's friends if they know anything. They must realize that it's a futile attempt to get information from anyone. The family will care of their own justice.
As with most episodes there is a re-occurring theme that threads through the entire episode. In this case it's about hell and admission of truths. However, it ends with a hint of denial.
Christopher dies for one minute. When Christopher comes back he claims he was in hell. Most of these admissions occurred because of this revelation.
Carmella admits that her husband cheats, they choose this life and that regardless of her religion's beliefs she still wants Tony to have a vasectomy. Tony admits that he doesn't think he's going to hell because hell is reserved for the truly evil people - those who harm children and mass murderers. Tony admits that he is a solider and thus will not go to hell because everyone knows what they are getting themselves into in this life they choose. He sees himself no worse than the crooks in the finance business. Tony admits to A.J. after he lashes out verbally to his son that he reacts without thinking. Dr. Melfi admits to Tony that she doesn't see a connection between his ancestors who came over to America and took advantage of alternative opportunities to make a way in the world and how he lives his life. She also admits to her Doctor that she has crossed a line in judging Tony and that is not what she wanted to do in treating him. Dr. Melfi further admits to her Doctor that she has been drinking alone often. Paulie admits that he has done things in his past that will earn him a place in hell.
When one is confronted with one's own death or the death of someone close most people reexamine their lives and take stock of what is real. However, this introspection usually doesn't last long and soon people are back to their old ways.
Also, when needing information from someone it might be a good idea to make them comfortable first. Make them feel secure so you can gain access to what they know. Then once you have what you need you can dispose of the individual. (Dispose for us might mean we don't invite them to dinner anymore. Dispose for the Sopranos means something else entirely.)
As promised this episode ended with a hint of denial. I'm uncertain if this has happened yet but I know it happens at least two or three times in the history of the Sopranos. Towards the end of the episode Tony gets a phone call from Pussy about the whereabouts of the man that took part in shooting Christopher. When Carmella asks him what was going on Tony didn't say anything but he left in a hurry. Carmella knew something was going on. She knew somewhere in the back of her mind that Tony was leaving to be the judge and the executioner. The thing is that excites her. It's not just the money or power that makes Carmella click. It's the danger. The ultimate power grab of being with an enforcer. So, when Tony comes back she begins to seduce him and tells him that she doesn't want him to have a vasectomy after all. She might want to have another child. It didn't take Carmella long to get back to denial.
