TV-Reviewed

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

How interesting that one of the better episodes this season had nothing much to do with what we’ve been watching this season. A game of poker always makes for some pretty entertaining TV. This episode was no different, after watching this episode, it might make you think twice before you gamble.

The episode started us off with a new character, Davey, who ends up owing Richie Aprile money for a poker game. When Richie comes to collect it become apparent that Davey just really doesn’t have the money. Richie actually shows a nice moment by telling Davey not to come to anymore games. Sure enough Davey manages to use his childhood connection with Tony to enter the executive poker game, a poker game that Tony is hosting this year with Uncle Junior being on house arrest, that takes place over the weekend with certain people. Davey ends up not doing too well this game either and now ends up owing money to both Richie and Tony. Once Tony finds out about the debt that Davey is in, due to Richie interrupting the poker game and ruining it, Tony cuts Davey off and gives him a limited time to pay him back.

Davey unfortunately makes the mistake of not paying Tony either. The confrontation between Tony and Davey towards the end of the episode, was a cringing moment. Maybe Tony was mad that he got duped into giving Davey money, or the fact that Davey took every chance to mention that his son went to school with Meadow as a way to get himself out of trouble, either way Tony somewhat lays into him.

This was seemingly one of the most justified assaults on the show. It was obvious that Davey had quite a gambling problem. Him coming up with different way not to pay was quite frustrating. It was also sad to see him try to go to Artie, who is probably the nicest person on the show and Artie having to tell him no himself.

This episode was actually full of cringe worthy moments. Most notable were the scenes where Tony was forced to be in the same room as his mother. Tony really couldn’t stand being in the same room as his mother. We kept thinking that something would happen, but nothing did. Which is probably the best way to play it.

Silvio was quite funny playing poker. He was a totally changed person insulting anyone near him. It was quite funny. As always the poker game was quite entertaining. Meadow was forced to bear the consequences of Tony’s business when Davey’s son leaves her standing at their play. Tony and Dr. Melfi scenes were great by themselves and it’s so much fun having both of them together again.

Even though this episode took a step back from the overall plots this season. It was still a great episode to watch and sadly is one of the better episodes of the season. The rest of the season could take some notes from this episode. We need more cringe-inducing scenes this season, a reason to maybe be a bit scared. This season had more of them then the whole season combined. Hopefully this episode is just the first of many this season to entertain.

Rating: 7.7