TV-Reviewed

Editor’s Note: This review was written during the season’s initial run. Keep this in mind when reading the following review.

This season of The Sopranos has felt scattered with no particular main storyline catching interest. The world of The Sopranos just keeps on moving as if it exists in reality with nothing seemingly going on. This episode headed in the right direction with putting out some interesting storylines that we could see evolving as the season goes on. While there was things not to like about this episode, there was still a lot to like about it.

Furio finally flies in from Italy to work under Tony. Tony didn’t tell any of the guys that he was bringing someone in, but nonetheless everybody seems to be fine with it, considering that Silvio and Paulie will be getting bumped up. The one person who isn’t very happy about this is Pussy, who will now be answering to Paulie and Silvio now. He figures that he’s been working under Tony long enough and feels like he’s being left out of everything. Of course Tony has every right not to trust him as it’s practically confirmed that Pussy is working for the F.B.I. How it happened isn’t exactly clear, but we can assume that might be the reason why he was missing for so long. Like all rats on The Sopranos you know they eventually get caught and Pussy might not be an exception. What will Tony do when or if he finds out that one his most trusted employees is a rat? Well we can only guess it won’t turn out well.

Another recurring element that popped up this episode was Tony’s blackouts and his loss of temper. The first time it’s triggered this episode is when he finds out that Janice has taken a loan out on their mom’s house, damaging the phone and coming close to hitting AJ. It becomes a bit obvious that Tony is missing not having a therapist to talk too as he finds someone else to confide too about his episodes, in doing so, Tony learns that his father had the same condition only it couldn’t be diagnosed back then. This at least gives Tony a little bit of insight into where he gets it from.

Dr. Melfi also makes her much needed return. Having thoughts about Tony and feeling guilty for abandoning him, she goes to see her own psychiatrist. Some of the best scenes in the episode involved Melfi’s sessions. It’s quite funny to Melfi attend her own sessions, because she’s almost able to identify her own faults by herself and questions her psychiatrist more then Tony, only just in a nicer way. There was an great moment where Melfi’s psychiatrist made it seem like she might possibly get a thrill or possibly is attracted to him, which really set her off, acting like Tony and storming out. In the end she decides to take back Tony as her patient. It’s great to have this relationship back, because it’s the only relationship that Tony has with anyone where he can be one hundred percent honest. The scene towards the end makes up appreciate these two as it seemed like they had so much shooting with each other. Tony trying to pretend like he’s gotten busy and that he didn’t want to see Melfi just shows you how childish Tony get around her. It was pretty funny.

Furio for the most part comes off as a super nice guy, but by the end of the episode we see just how brutal he can be. It was honestly one of the most brutal scenes we’ve seen on The Sopranos so far. Furio is no pushover.

Christopher’s pursuing acting was somewhat of a useless storyline and honestly wasn’t that intriguing. We could have done with less Christopher and more of something else. It was great to see Artie return who no matter what always brings a smile to your face as he seems to be the only pure one on the show.

It’s nice to see The Sopranos somewhat get back on track. This wasn’t the best episode of the season, but the season looks to have gotten its legs back to start heading toward some good episodes.

Rating: 7.0