Tensions between Tony and Uncle Junior reach boiling point and AJ makes a big discovery.
This is a strong episode with a number of memorable moments.
Tony's fear of his therapy being discovered is an underlying factor in the best parts of Meadowlands. It starts with a surreal opening sequence that is the first of many great scenes of this type depicted by The Sopranos. Whether or not he continues seeing Dr Melfi is also the subject of a great exchange of dialogue with Carmela.
Ironically resolution to this dilemma is cleverly linked to his other big problem involving Junior. This is a brilliant idea by the writers for giving a logical reason for a self-serving character like Tony to choose a certain strategy. This theme is given plenty of acknowledgment and continuity in later episodes.
There is another great scene involving Livia as Tony visits her at Green Grove. James Gandolfini and Nancy Marchand are absolutely fantastic as ever in their banter.
The parallel B plot involving AJ's school confrontation for me is not as interesting, but is well done nonetheless. It also starts off a great father-son arc between Tony and AJ that gets even better in later episodes.
Some aspects of the scenes involving Vin Makazian feel a bit forced, but if anything thing they portray how Tony impacts the lives of ordinary people not even connected to organised crime. John Heard is superb.
Gandolfini leads the episode brilliantly as ever with the standout supporting performances, for me, being Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and John Heard.
As always there is plenty of great visual storytelling, particularly in the opening and closing scenes. Even though it ends in a fairly somber situation it is made darkly funny by the look Meadow gives AJ.
For me it is an 8.5/10 but I round upwards:
This is a strong episode with a number of memorable moments.
Tony's fear of his therapy being discovered is an underlying factor in the best parts of Meadowlands. It starts with a surreal opening sequence that is the first of many great scenes of this type depicted by The Sopranos. Whether or not he continues seeing Dr Melfi is also the subject of a great exchange of dialogue with Carmela.
Ironically resolution to this dilemma is cleverly linked to his other big problem involving Junior. This is a brilliant idea by the writers for giving a logical reason for a self-serving character like Tony to choose a certain strategy. This theme is given plenty of acknowledgment and continuity in later episodes.
There is another great scene involving Livia as Tony visits her at Green Grove. James Gandolfini and Nancy Marchand are absolutely fantastic as ever in their banter.
The parallel B plot involving AJ's school confrontation for me is not as interesting, but is well done nonetheless. It also starts off a great father-son arc between Tony and AJ that gets even better in later episodes.
Some aspects of the scenes involving Vin Makazian feel a bit forced, but if anything thing they portray how Tony impacts the lives of ordinary people not even connected to organised crime. John Heard is superb.
Gandolfini leads the episode brilliantly as ever with the standout supporting performances, for me, being Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and John Heard.
As always there is plenty of great visual storytelling, particularly in the opening and closing scenes. Even though it ends in a fairly somber situation it is made darkly funny by the look Meadow gives AJ.
For me it is an 8.5/10 but I round upwards: