The Sopranos (TV Series) Cold Stones (2006) User Reviews

Farewell, Vito...

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 24 May 2008]

Richie Aprile, Adriana La Cerva, and now Vito Spatafore (Joseph R. Gannascoli): the writers have some fascination for killing off major characters in the penultimate episode of a season (in this case, Cold Stones counts as the penultimate show of the first part of Season Six). Maybe it's the pre-finale shock, or whatever the heck - it works a great deal.

After leaving New Hampshire, Vito returns, causing contradictory reactions: Tony is willing to leave him alone, whereas Phil demands blood and tricks Vito into coming to a meeting where he is beaten to death. This act is considered a rebellion against Tony's authority, which needs to be strengthened at home too: AJ has been canned from another job because he was caught stealing, and his father has to resort to threats to teach him some work ethics.

The Anthony subplot is admirable for how it establishes a new stage in the father-son relationship to build future plot threads on, but for obvious reasons the real driving force behind this episode's narrative is Vito's tragic demise. Ever since it was revealed in Season Five that the character was gay, it was relatively simple to imagine he wouldn't last forever, which is why Gannascoli was promoted to regular cast member in this season and got the chance to delve deeper into Vito's psychology, finding a more compelling role than the usual "queer gangster" caricature would have you believe and ensuring his final episode wouldn't leave viewers cold. And kudos to the director for choosing to not show us the full extent of the murder: it is already hard enough to watch as it is.

That's the thing with the gays...

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 15 February 2023]

Vito attempts to get back into the business and Carmela goes to Paris.

This is an eventful episode with strong themes and character moments.

Vito's return to New Jersey is dealt with in a compelling way with lots of well made scenes of awkwardness between characters like Tony, Phil and others. There are moments of great tension, humour, and sadness as events unfolds in typical Sopranos fashion. Some of the most interesting scenes involve Phil's wife, who is depicted as a pretty vile individual and almost villainous caricature of an extremist right-wing Christian.

Some of the imagery involving Phil is very interesting, in an ambiguous way. Why does he appear out of a literal closet, squeeze a mattress, and lie awake as Patty sleeps? Is he hiding certain repressed feelings possibly?

Carmela's jaunt to Paris is full of strong visual storytelling as she goes into existential crisis. Some symbols cleverly evoke the Kevin Finnerty scenes of early episodes. Plus imagery like windy, tree lined streets further emphasise the themes of introduced in 'The Fleshy Part of the Thigh'.

All actors are on great form, especially James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Geraldine LiBrandi, Frank Vincent, and Steven Van Zandt.

A Perfect Episode

[danieldraper_ · 10/10 · 12 October 2021]

I mean really, I don't have anything to criticise.

So many callbacks and references to Tony's coma and Carm in Paris. The lighthouse, the white outfits, really reminded me of heaven. Will Carm die? I god damn hope not.

Vito... It was bound to happen. It's war between Phil and Tony, which is a shame, but wow. When Phil came out of the closet (also, hilarious and genius writing), that was epic.

Tony's relationship with AJ is also entertaining, especially his scene in the garage. So badass.

An Adriana flashback too? I wonder what that meant. I think Carm knows something isn't right. After nearly losing Tony, she's slightly cynical about her life, shown when she asks Ro about losing a husband and a son.

The one thing I'm excited to see is more of the Kevin Finnerty storyline and callbacks to the coma because that was something special.

This is The Sopranos at its best. A perfect blend between crime, and drama.

PHIL DID 20 YEARS IN THAT CLOSET!

[Neptune165 · 9/10 · 24 July 2022]

It is a travesty that Phil did not know about Vito's blood pressure medication and that he could get a note from his doctor for this. Despite losing her husband and son Ro still wants a life. That's spirit and toughness and being able to overcome the bad decisions she made in life. Tony's reaction to Vito pointing out his goofy brother standing near by at the start of their meeting was hilarious. Tony seemed confused at first , then a little concerned and then kind of angry almost at the same time though. Gandolfini played it perfectly & it makes me laugh every time I think about it. Silvios back hand with the dust buster is flawless. Zero hesitation no warning just instant bonk the moment he had heard enough lol 😆 cracks me up every time I see it! This was the episode where David Chase gets to take the cast and crew to France because it's the final season and he gets to blow the budget. Be honest: there was no point to going to France. Phil coming out of the closet was very allegorical. To this day I wonder how long Phil was in that closet just to do that opening.

Very Sad

[zenmateisshite · 9/10 · 19 November 2021]

I really hoped that Vito would get a break, alas it was inevitable. In any case he was a ruthless killer so good riddance. The sad thing is that he was judged, convicted and executed by his peer for the wrong reasons. This is what happens when society is full of religious people blind leading the blind.

I hope Phil (and all them killers, even Tony, Sil and Chris) get the same fate as Billy Batts in Goodfellas.

How is this episode only 8 stars?

[JStormCatcher · 10/10 · 27 May 2021]

Should be 9 at a minimum. Has a major character death, drives the plot forward significantly.

Cold Stones (#6.11)

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 27 March 2014]

Arriving at home Veto meets up with Tony and asks to get back into team. He also meets his family and tells his kids he is a spy. Tony arranges another meeting with him but before that Phil finds Vito and beats him to death. Carmela goes with Rosalie for a week to Paris. And Tony is disappointed with AJ and gets him a construction job.

I feel very bad for Vito, what a horrible death. Phil is a despicable character. I wish he would be killed as well but sine it is the last season I am not too sure.

Carmela's trip to Paris was beautiful. Also liked how she dreamed of Adriana and again had a clue that she is dead.

Excellent!!!!

[queensryche_1 · 9/10 · 20 August 2006]

Excellent!!! I can't say enough about this show. It keeps you watching from beginning to end. This season has to be the best one yet. I have seasons 1-5 and they just keep getting better. The only thing that I don't like is that I have to wait until January 2007 to see how it ends.Tony is an awesome character. I have Italian's in my family and I have to tell you, they are correct in the whole "family" thing. Carm is trying to keep her family together and keep them pure. Meadow is the typical young Italian women trying to start her own life. A.J. is just the typical young teen; rebellious, free willing spirit. Tony's "other family" is just amazing. I think that Christopher and Syl are going to duke it out to see which one will run the "family" when Tony's gone. I hate to see it all end. I look forward to Sunday evening.

The Forshadowing Demise of the Soprano Family

[jacob_jewels · 7/10 · 28 July 2006]

Well...I felt this episode came too late into the season just because Vito is killed not by the Soprano family but by the Lupertazzi/Sacrimoni/Leotardo family. It seemed that everybody was happy with the fact that Vito had ran away and nobody was making much of an effort to hunt him down. However, the climax hits when Phil tries to give Tony an ultimatum but just before Phil can finish his sentence Tony screams 'F. this' an walks away. I felt as if Tony knew what was coming and couldn't bare the thought of killing Vito or facing war with New York. What really got on my nerves throughout this Season is the amount of influence Phil has generated in New Jersey and his constant meddling of the Soprano family. It seems as if he had been embedding his status as the future boss of New York whilst Tony was in a coma and Johnny Sack incarcerated. As Carmine and Johnny Sack had realised, Tony Soprano is not an easy friend or foe. His cleverness and ability to decipher situations scares all the bosses.

The killing of Dominic "Fat Dom" Gamiello obviously shows a foreshadowing beef with New York which Silvio Dante is more than happy to be engaged with. However, like the whole season has portrayed Tony is reluctant to go to the 'mattresses' because it would mean that 'nobody would be out there earning'. In other words, Tony has lost his mojo.