my countdown review

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(#83) 46 Long - Season 1, Episode 2
Written by David Chase
Directed by Dan Attias

Yes, it’s probably the whole ‘trying to retrieve AJ’s science teacher’s car’ that anchors this one beneath all the others ahead. A bit too typical, and a little corny (just a little), of a plotline for a mob story. This is the second ever episode. Its distinction from all 85 others is that, of course, is the only one that doesn’t immediately begin with A3’s “Woke Up this Morning”/Tony’s drive from the ‘Tunnel’ to North Caldwell. Instead, it begins with a teaser scene specifically highlighting - and introducing - Silvio’s much appreciated ever-so-Classic portrayal of Michael Corleone’s delivery of his famous line from Godfather III, giving some justice to the Trilogy’s much less heralded installment. Of course, like many less-desired episodes that precede a Classic, ’46 Long’ does serve as the perfect set-up for the 5-star episode that immediately follows in the series. More on that very episode much further up the list. Brendan carrying on another carjacking though Christopher takes no part (he doesn’t stop him either) and one of Brendan’s guys, ‘Special K‘, accidentally dropping his gun and killing the trucker, of course, is the key example to this set-up for what follows. The more-than-a-year gap between production of this and the Pilot is ever-present. Being introduced to Jackie Sr. (enjoy the Michael Rispoli character while you can) could make one wonder if his character was even thought of at the time of the Pilot. Was Tony ‘the Boss’ in the previous episode? It doesn’t diminish things either way such as the case with Martin Scorcese not really playing himself in that ‘cameo’ (I liked that actually). We’re properly introduced to the Adrianna character/she being Christopher’s girlfriend. She could have very easily been a hostess at a high class eatery in The City and either just met/started dating Christopher in the Pilot or was just about to. Also seen for the first time is Junior‘s right-hand-guy, Mikey, along with Bada Bing employee, Georgie, and of course the first of many beatings the latter suffers at the hands of Tony. It becomes apparent that Livia cannot live by herself any longer. First she accidentally sets her kitchen afire while cooking, then she runs out her Trinidadian housekeeper who Tony sets her up with, and then the final straw - running over her friend Fanny while trying to back out of her driveway. Tony angrily walks out of his session with Melfi when she suggests that he really has feelings of anger and hate towards her. ’46 Long’ really is a good one if simply judging it on its own merit instead of comparing it with all the others. I mainly see it, however, as the ‘calm’ before the storm of awesomeness. If you’re a huge fan of The Sopranos and also the music of Classic Yes, then the very first three episodes can be viewed as Yes’s first three albums. The first is quite promising (great debut), the second…good but not as good as the previous, just good enough to keep you interested in another serving (or in Yes‘s case, enough to record one more album under contract but it better be a ‘charm‘), and then comes the THIRD and forget about it! The door is kicked down and you know you’re in for quite a ride! Highly doubt there’s any significant amount of people in this category if there are any at all, but I do feel bad for anyone watching this series for the first time back in Jan ’99 who after seeing this episode, though not minding it, decides to do something else at 9 the following Sunday night. Same with the poor souls who decided not to purchase ’The Yes Album’ upon release.

Return to “Episode 1.02: 46 Long”

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