Past Episodes
Big Girls Don't CryNever get into business with Tony Soprano. He's like a disease, infecting all people who come into significant contact with him. David Scatino, charmed by the Tony who he sees at parent-teacher conferences, learned that the hard way. There's a certain reflective quality in these scenes. You start to be convinced Tony's not that bad of a guy and is a product of his environment. And then you see how he earns his money.
Scatino, played by Robert Patrick, is very clearly a compulsive gambler early on. He finds out Tony took control of the executive game from Junior and wants in. He's already a regular player in Richie Aprile's games. He did poorly and borrowed money from someone you shouldn't borrow money with. Of course, him being a compulsive gambler, he decided the best way to get that money back... is to keep gambling.
Now, I don't know how the Sopranos figured out what he owed them - clearly it's interest of some sort exponentially rising with each passing week. I like the moment when Richie scoffs at Scatino trying to bullshit his way into another game. Richie may be impulsive and greedy, but he knows his business. And really he's right in this episode. He lent money out, he needs to get it back so he shuts off the receiver, and then another party comes in and Richie won't be getting his money for a while.
Scatino stupidly comes to the executive game and Tony lets him play after little prodding. He gives him a starting amount of money to be able to play in the executive game. And he starts off well it sounds like. But he can't quit while he's ahead and gets even farther in the hole than he was before. By the end of the episode, he's given up his son's car.
If there's a weakness to this episode, it's Meadow and Eric's sudden friendship. It's a little difficult to give a shit about Eric. And he's the one who gets screwed over the most in this episode. This isn't unusual for Sopranos - they brought one-episode characters a lot that were never seen before or after that episode. But it still makes the episode suffer slightly.
But this show does use this opportunity to have Meadow reflect on her life of luxury benefiting from the pain of others. This was still back in the day when Meadow seemingly had a conscience. It's pretty telling that Carmela simply ignores what Tony is saying and in fact tries to get him to stop when he says that everything he does pays for their life. So this episode has the dual effect of shining a light on Tony's activities while shining a light on the characters who it benefits.
Meanwhile, Tony and Dr. Mefli are still working out the kinks of what transpired last episode. Tony kind of wonders why he comes there to bitch and moan when before he would rather be the "Gary Cooper type." (After having finally seen a Gary Cooper movie, I got to say Tony you're more interesting) It's a natural extension to them finally getting back to therapy.
Somewhat conveniently, this also happens to be the episode where Junior tells Tony that he has a secret uncle, who was probably developmentally disabled. If the purpose of that was only for Junior reflexively defending his brother after Tony makes somewhat innocuous comments (for him at least), this storyline was worth it. Anyway, the episode was a point for nature over nurture - although clearly this show has a multitude of evidence that's it's both.
And that's pretty much all that happens. Feeble-minded Sean and Matt get to work the executive game. Silvio hilariously lashes out over Matt because he was sweeping the cheese under his feet. Chris teaches us how to steal food as well. Otherwise, not a lot happens, even for Sopranos standards.
Grade - B+
Deaths
None, except Scatino's ability to live a happy life
Surprise Guest Appearances
Frank Sinatra Jr, who I didn't recognize nor would have.
Quotes
"You want to know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking about smashing your fucking face into a fucking hamburger." - Tony to Melfi in therapy
"I stick motherfucking provolone in my socks at night so they smell like your sister's crotch in the morning." - Silvio's funniest line ever probably
"Serious? Nah, he had everybody in stitches back then." - Tony on if he uncle was developmentally disabled
"So take that high moral ground and sleep in the fucking bus station if you want."
"That's a lucky break. I wonder what happened?" - Oh Carmela, your ignorance never ceases to amaze me
Playlist
1."The Happy Wanderer" - Frankie Yankovic (from this episode)
2. "Drowning" - Banks
3. "Sheila" - Jaime T
4. "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" - The Hollies
5. "Suicidal Thoughts" - Notorious BIG
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