The Sopranos - Family Values

Richardson's Review

Richardson's Review
By Matt Richardson
(Episode 66 - MEMBERS ONLY)

One of the biggest surprises in the storied history of "The Sopranos" took place in the final minutes of Sunday night's season premiere when an increasingly senile and Alzheimer inflicted Uncle Junior shot his nephew Tony in the ribs. In a confused and crazy state of mind "Uncle Jun" mistakenly shot Tony, thinking he was "Pussy" Malinga (a long dead mobster). Junior's descent into madness was well chronicled last season but the season opener proved he is completely out of the loop and can no longer be considered a serious character. The final 90 seconds of the episode saw a deranged Junior scuttle back to his room and hide in the closet while Tony painstakingly tried to (unsuccessfully?) contact 911. The episode faded out with a seemingly unconscious Tony Soprano laying bleeding on his uncles floor.

Rat Trap

There were no significant story-lines started or continued in this episode, though a few rats met their demise. Ray Curto (who had been feeding the FBI information for a few seasons now) died while doing just that - in the FBI agent's car! Another rat was revealed to be Eugene Pontecorvo. Eugene inherited $2 million in Sunday's episode and requested an early retirement from Tony. When Silvio informed him it was a "no go" a few days later an increasingly depressed Eugene (combined with his informing and son's drug problems) hung himself in a very violent and disturbing scene in the final 10 minutes of the episode.

Also:

Hesh and his son-in-law Eli were beaten up (and his son-in-law accidentally hit by a car) during a trip to Brooklyn. Eli had some prior beef with Phil's crew but it was later agreed on at a meeting between Phil and Tony that the NY crew would have to cough up 50 G's for the pain and suffering...Johnny Sac is still in jail awaiting his RICO trial, though Tony's relationship with Phil seems to be working surprisingly well....Carmela has run into problems building her spec house and may have to begin from scratch, but she has rekindled her friendship with Angie Bompensiero (Pussy's wife)...Artie Bucco announced to Carm and Angie that he has rekindled a relationship of his own: he's getting back with Charmaine.

Shock Factor: A+ Richardson's Review: B+

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