The Sopranos: Taking the Plunge! A Review of Episode 7

Greetings to everyone! In a week where the 2-hour 24 Finale is providing us with two weeks of work and jamming it into three short days, somethings gotta' give! In this case, The Sopranos live-blogging event took the back seat for me, but I'm proud to be able to log it into our TelevisionReviewBlogs.Com inventory now!

Read on below for more detail and remember that we're having a "Commentary Contest" which can earn you YOUR FAVORITE DVD Season of your your FAVORITE TV SHOW! All you have to do is... That's right! Just COMMENT! Each viable comment is an entry into a series of three drawings during the summer where you can win the aforementioned DVD set! Look for more details on that and START OFF by providing commentary to my Sopranos review of Episode 7, which I "swimmingly" call, "Taking the Plunge!" Enjoy!

Sopranos: The Reviews Continue!
Episode Review - Final Season, Episode 7 of The Sopranos
by Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking.Com
A 2GuysTalking TelevisionReviewBlog.Com Review:

Ah, another Sunday and it's time for the Sopranos!! The rest that follows is a listing of random thoughts as they arrive inside my head and are then placed in to the categories provided below. Please feel free to chime in on any of them and be sure to tell your friends and family about our Commentary Contest!

========== BEWARE!! SPOILERS ABOUND! ==========

Bada-Bing! What It's Done Right:

-- Nothing Like the Smell of Roasting Asbestos in the Morning: The fact that the scene was slient except for ambient surroundings noise was an outstanding tribute to the destruction and mayhem that asbestos causes over the long term, but also to the trouble building to a boiling point inside of this episode.

-- Making Amends for One's Own Sins in One's Own Mind: The giving nature as depicted by Tony in this episode is striking, and serves to display that while he has a "big heart" and an even bigger wallet much of the time. it's often not without reason. While surely he wants to make things better for he and Carmela, his gifts that he continues to shower her with are just band aids on not only his open and bleeding relationship would with Carmela, but an attempt to bury the potential attention of his guilt over killing Chrissy and it really is beginning to escalate. I look forward to the next series of episodes to see how the writers will craft this and finish out what is an outstanding turn of events that was just generated last week, but feels like a much older symptomatic problem of Tony's. How to control and handle his actions and emotions over the long haul.

-- The Dreaded Envelope: We see a giant stack of bills handed over to Tony's guys and Bobby boldly says "don't you have an envelope?" While not only does an envelope make it much easier to carry money, especially in the amounts they're carrying, but also services as a cloak to picture taking so that they don't "get pinched for taking money." There is no law against "receiving an envelope with something in it." :) That it's noticed here and used as a device is very entertaining.

-- A Short Story About the Ending of the World: Ha! I know that at one time in my high school days, I followed and trumpeted causes like "Amnesty International" and things that "made your heart feeeeel goood," but as an adult I've learned that much of those causes is cloaked in politics and bureaucracy. I don't remember ever having the level of negativity that AJ has here in this episode, and while I've been negative many times, I doubt it can ever be said that I've had an apocalyptic view of the world - ever. That being said, it's interesting to see the point of view, the feelings and the guiding "document" that this story and the few things that set AJ off in this episode all tie into "the heart" and the "feeeelings" that people have and what they can or (in most cases) can't do to change their surroundings just because they"feel" something. While I can clearly remember the rallying cry that all things "good natured and best for society" can initiate, it also often fosters and leads to what is an overall negative view of just about anything/ Add that to the raging hormones (and in AJs case, experimental medications, booze, drugs, not getting laid, etc) and you have what is clearly a recipe for disaster, which we do see quite a bit of later in this episode.

-- The Blah-Blah Bada Bing Confessional and Tony's Tale of Drug Use: I am guessing, only from the episodes we've seen this season and previously, rather than personal mafia experience >koff< class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bada Bing back room judgment in motion or them wondering EXACTLY WHAT I AM here!?

-- Tony's Al Quaeda Lead Paying Off? How how intimately funny it would be if the two "towelhead hodgies" turnout to be people that are at all involved with Al Quaeda. What do you think that the Feds would "give" Tony as reward for leading to something really special for these folks? The poker face put on by the agents inside of the deli is the stuff of legend. I say that they have a much larger pair of fish than probably we will ever find out.

-- The Meeting of the Minds: The lighting in the scene where they have Tony and Phil meet is the stuff of television legend. I'm not certain if it's because we've been graced with the larger than life, brilliant new HD television or because of the skill of the people putting this show together, but some of the greatest framed shots have come with THIS season of The Sopranos. This scene is no exception and provides delicious on-screen detail that can literally be eaten by any viewer. Additionally the quick, snappy, witty dialog (the Charles Schwaab comment - oh, delightful!) is the stuff of television dialog legend.

-- The War Starts with a Job Stoppage: The scene where Coco and his half-pint handler arrive at the job site is again the stuff of legend. The scene, the violence, the almost wanting to smile but can't white do it while this dude is being pummeled is something that captures the essence and value of The Sopranos and it sadly reminds me that in just two short hours, it's all over. I am EAGER to see how these two heavyweights will trade blows in the coming weeks and more importantly - who will preside at the end of mafia days.

-- The Lincoln Log Sandwich: It may be because I'm not a fan of Cream Cheese, but what the hell IS a Lincoln Log Sandwich? Looking it up online led me to a variety of Soprano review sites (HA!) but nothing skeletal about the make up of the aforementioned sandwiches. Can someone enlighten me? I'll have to post a link to that article All kinds of great Freud references and thinking there that - wow. I'm glad that guy can write that. I don't see much of that - just like the Lincoln Log Sandwiches.

-- The Block Goes Thud: For all intents and purposes this evening, I thought they were going to kill AJ. I can only imagine the literal "pool" of guilt that Tony would then be swimming in, literally, and what a strange family bookend to roll into a story-nested curveball. While they get almost to the edge here in this episode a few things really do deserve comment. The "THUD!" of the block hitting the bottom of the pool - AMAZING. I'm not sure if they used a different channel for that sound or what, but each time that it was lifted, and dropped, scooted brazenly across the pools floor or when arriving again on dry land, the sound of the block was outstanding and very influential in that scene. Another grand kudos to the actor that portrays AJ. Doing a legitimate scene like that today with the cynicism of today's audiences could have turned that entire scene into comedic farce and it was engaging, horrifying and somehow tender. Another congratulatory extension to the makeup crew of The Sopranos. I'm not certain that the actor that plays AJ is "that white" but goddamn - that boy is PALE in the scenes here and the contracts to Tony's skin color is remarkable.

-- My Happy Little Boy: Raise your hand if you've ever considered AJ a "happy little boy?" I am trying to think of any time for more than an instant or so where they actually show pride, jubilation, contentment or satisfaction for AJ in the series and -- I can't think of one moment at all. He has ALWAYS been kind of a familial male gene and habit experiment for the writers and directorial staff so, is it just Carm being "motherly" and guilty about "what's happened to her happy little boy" or am I missing a piece someplace?

-- The Return to 'Da Bing: Tony arrives back at the Bing to pass along knowledge of AJ's suicide attempt and not so surprisingly a striking number of the guys there too have had family commit or attempt to commit suicide. While all of this scene was outstanding, Paulie's comment in regard to "the fish and the mercury levels making kids want to jump off a fuckin' bridge" is priceless and while it comes off as "wrong" it was clearly Paulie's way of trying to cheer Tony up and help to "belay the guilt" he was feeling. Ha! Outstanding!

-- Rapscallion: The definition of this word only provides "A rascal, a scamp", which is too bad. I think it's an outstanding word and have heard 4 people use it this week. Clearly they are Sopranos viewers ;)

-- Eckley the Fuckin' Retard: Some of the most enjoyable times I can remember for The Sopranos is when Tony is regaling his family history/habits/trademarks. In this episode while in his therapy sessions he refers to "Eckley the Fuckin' Retard" and I just busted out laughing because I wonder to myself: What on EARTH does my family "know more for" and good grief: I certainly hope it's something more than that "I'm a fuckin' retard." Ha!! "You know, Cousin Mike, The Blog Literate." "You know, my nephew the podcasting fool." You know, my husband, the television show review writer." "You know, my father, the professional blog and review junkie." Colorful yet complimentary things like that. :)

-- The Dual Dynamic of Being the Godmother: They family dynamic of this show just simply is not matched on a variety of levels, both from an entertainment level and a VIOLENCE level. That it's on HBO gives it the latter, but folks - the WRITING is what gives it the former. The Sopranos gives great things like this scene with Carm, going to visit AJ and even though while Tony was a son-of-a-bitch to her at the house, she still is able to put Tony on a protective pedestal when going to visit and dialog with AJ and being able to give him hope in a time where he is being overridden by hopelessness Masterful writing. A tremendous effort and it's greatly appreciated.

-- Coco's Pursuasiveness and Menacing Laugh: They have truly created a guy that's asking for it, but creating a very worthwhile performance in doing it. Coco's entire demeanor in this scene is lightning-quick, but oh so masterful. When he verbally assaults Meadow in front of her boyfriend, and invades her personal space to boot - oh, legendary. As he departs the laugh is one of the most sinister, almost comic-book-like scoffings I've ever heard. Another outstanding effort to be sure.

-- The Counselors Debriefs: Yet another thing that will be missed when The Sopranos goes dark this year, is the Counselor Debriefing sessions with her male counselor. That we're not only privy to the unloading of Tony unto her in their sessions, but then also a literal fly on the wall in the room where SHE is being debriefed about his antics, his sessions and more is really the stuff of genius. I love this session and the attitude that both she and her make counterpart have in this scene.

-- Being Accosted at Yet Another Restaurant: As Tony springs into stop through the restaurant door, he exacts his almost murderous rage out on Coco, who will be chewing a lot of soft food for a very long time. It makes me remember allll of the mafia-related movies that I've seen and makes me wonder: Is it just that restaurants are "out in the open" that people are "hit" at them or because it's a "stage" for the assailants? In any case, those of you in the mafia, beware when wandering into, while eating or exiting a fine restaurant of any kind. Your manicotti may just be the appetizer for a stomach fulla' lead.

-- The Super Dooper Nephew from Florida Arrives: In an effort to broker a peace via a worthwhile apology, Carmine arrives to usher Tony over to Phil's place to get the dialog going and immediately gets a door in the face, so to speak. As both Tony and Carmine leave the home, you can hear Phil talking to them but is unseen and if that's not symbolism, then folks? I don't know what is. Prepare to be blindsided in the next 2 hours!

-- Butch's GOONEY EYE! What the hell is UP WITH THAT??? I hadn't noticed previously but Butch has an almost sideways Marty Feldman-like eye going on there! When did that happen?

-- The Empty Pizza Box: Tony brings in a pizza for AJ, but folks: The box is EMPTY. Couldn't they stick some paper or something in there to give it some weight Give it a review on your Tivos and tell me if you don't see the same thing there.

-- GENIUS-LEVEL Trailers: Again, my compliments to the staff that create and provide the brilliance of the Sopranos trailer/previews each week. They are exciting, exhilarating, yet almost completely un-informing as to what's going to happen next week and it's appreciated! 24 trailer/preview makers take note!

What's Been Whacked/Sleeps with the Fishes:

-- Gooney Ending: This episode was a close to a perfect episode of "The Sopranos" as they've made in this short season and all of last season, except for the flat ending. Barring that, this was one of the best episodes I can remember for The Sopranos. It was like hitting a 400ft ground-rule double.

-- Only 2 Episodes Left! Oh, can you BELIEVE IT! Only 2 episodes left to go and then it's all over! What on Earth can they pull out of the hat to tie the loose ends and make it all "worthwhile"? I'm completely unsure, but I'm also completely ready to see it.

-- In two weeks Dammit! I can't believe I've gotta' wait 14 weeks for the first of the last two episodes! Who wrote THAT into scheduling??

'Da Rest of 'Da Story: (9/10 upside-down guns) Again, this was as close as it gets to being the best episode of the season. The family introspective, all of the characters - good and bad firing on all thrusters, the drama and pain of guilt, the excitement of new beginnings that make our minds reel. The violence that has it's place here not only in this show but on HBO. it's a great episode and one that you can not miss.

What do YOU think? Tell us what YOU think and be entered into the drawing for YOUR favorite DVD Season of YOUR FAVORITE Television Show!