Carmela is suffering, Tony is plotting with Johnny Sac, and the Sopranos receive a quite destructive phone call.
This is a classic episode with iconic character moments and brilliant performances.
It is hard to go into plot details without spoiling but it's safe to say this is contains one of the great screen confrontations of all time. Both characters have their faults. One a lot more than the other, but what underlies it all is the great setup involving a third party that was developed throughout Season 4 and abruptly concluded in the previous episode Eloise.
Edie Falco and James Gandolfini are in electrifying form and have fantastic dialogue to work with. It's the "little moments", such Tony sounding like his mother when angry are what makes it so good. They are supported well by Jamie Lynn Sigler and Robert Ilier.
Svetlana is further developed by great character writing that builds on what was depicted previously. I like the fact that she is written as grounded and affectionate towards one individual even when they become hostile. It contrasts well with Carmela who, like Tony, typifies an outsiders view of American characters who appear somewhat entitled to happiness and seek it via what appears to be any easy path to wealth and security.
The plot intercuts very well with Tony's other family business involving Johnny Sac and the New York mob. You get the sense that Tony is in complete control of one area of his life, as the other falls apart.
There is also a quite humorous third plot involving a transaction between Tony and a bully after his own heart in the character Alan, who is hilariously written and well performed by Bruce Altman. Little touches of racism and racial pride are quite apparent in certain characters like Bruce, Dr Cusamano, and Credenzo, which tie in well to some of the show's ongoing themes about ethnicity is America.
Series 4 was a great season of character reflection that focussed well on Tony's traits as a husband and showed some very ugly sides to certain individuals.
This is a classic episode with iconic character moments and brilliant performances.
It is hard to go into plot details without spoiling but it's safe to say this is contains one of the great screen confrontations of all time. Both characters have their faults. One a lot more than the other, but what underlies it all is the great setup involving a third party that was developed throughout Season 4 and abruptly concluded in the previous episode Eloise.
Edie Falco and James Gandolfini are in electrifying form and have fantastic dialogue to work with. It's the "little moments", such Tony sounding like his mother when angry are what makes it so good. They are supported well by Jamie Lynn Sigler and Robert Ilier.
Svetlana is further developed by great character writing that builds on what was depicted previously. I like the fact that she is written as grounded and affectionate towards one individual even when they become hostile. It contrasts well with Carmela who, like Tony, typifies an outsiders view of American characters who appear somewhat entitled to happiness and seek it via what appears to be any easy path to wealth and security.
The plot intercuts very well with Tony's other family business involving Johnny Sac and the New York mob. You get the sense that Tony is in complete control of one area of his life, as the other falls apart.
There is also a quite humorous third plot involving a transaction between Tony and a bully after his own heart in the character Alan, who is hilariously written and well performed by Bruce Altman. Little touches of racism and racial pride are quite apparent in certain characters like Bruce, Dr Cusamano, and Credenzo, which tie in well to some of the show's ongoing themes about ethnicity is America.
Series 4 was a great season of character reflection that focussed well on Tony's traits as a husband and showed some very ugly sides to certain individuals.