2
by Garth
This is an above average, solid episode. I voted it a 9, and while I can certainly see people arguing with such a high score, I really think it deserves it. It was a stand-alone episode of the series, without being a "stand-alone episode". By that, I mean it wasn't an obvious self-contained episode where Tony takes a trip somewhere. It was more of a day-in-the-life of Sopranos episode, which I loved.
This episode also melds and blurs the line between feeling sorry for Tony and also despising him for what he has done to others lives. I think this is primarily apparent when we see Tony's outburst at the Sanitation get-together, which leads into a panic attack. We feel concerned for him--which is juxtaposed earlier in the episode when we see the effects of Tony's therapy on Melfi's drinking before sessions. The viewer enjoys Tony, but it is hard not to despise and be repulsed, yet excited by him. This is essentially what Melfi mentions in her own therapy. Seeing Tony's toxic-life permeating into Melfi's life is hard to forgive, yet we all knew it would happen.
I also love watching Melfi's loose boundaries in the first therapy session with Tony (after she takes her drink). Bracco just days an amazing, subtle performance of a buzzed Melfi who is now more relaxed in her session with Tony. It became quite obvious that the session was to showcase how the therapy might be more for Melfi then Tony.
Also, watching Tony's reaction to the born again christian/secretary...it is a stab at humor for the writers. But in typical Sopranos fashion, it is a very dark, double-entendre humor. It is funny that Tony manages to deflower this secretary, yet it is also extremely despicable. How we manage to like this character as much as we do, I will never quite understand.
I think the tone of boredom is conveyed perfectly. And in a way it is good bookend for the later episodes "The Ride", and "Chasing It", as they all deal with Tony's reaction to boredom, and his constant search for excitement in a life of luxury. The end of the episode is just great. I can't say enough about it. Tony's return to the Satriale's is handled with such restraint. Even though Tony has been absent, Chase and co. don't go overboard with his return. Instead, they show how boring it is inside the pork store. SO entertaining to get a few minutes of seeing what these guys do with their spare time. Then, finally with the car accident outside. This was just an amazingly "normal", Sopranos episode.