The Sopranos - Family Values

Richardson's Review

Richardson's Review
By Matt Richardson
(Episode 68 - MAYHAM)

The enigma that is Kevin Finnerty continued into episode 68 ("Mayhem") albeit not nearly as long as the previous episode. The dream state (altar ego?) of Tony's picked up where it left off as he was subpoenaed with a lawsuit by the monks he argued with in the episode prior. The monks, who believe Tony actually is Finnerty, slapped Tony with the suit because of a faulty heating system Finnerty charged them for. In the real world, however, Paulie takes down a major score (while taking a leg to the crotch) and then disputes the cut of the money with Vito (who gave him the tip). The new acting boss Silvio rules that both men have to give twenty percent to Carmela. "Sil" meanwhile also has to settle a beef between Vito and Bobby, but when Bobby visits Silvio's house to find out his ruling he discovers Silvio being wheeled out on a stretcher after having an asthma attack. Carmela, in an ever growing state of distress runs into Dr. Melfi in the super market and shortly afterwards finds herself opposite Tony's long-time therapist in her office. Her main concern? AJ and Meadow and the reality that she can no longer "facade" Tony's job and lifestyle. Tony, on the other hand (or is that Finnerty?) discovers a flyer for a Finnerty Family Reunion and decides to attend. When he arrives he encounters Tony Blundetto holding a clipboard welcoming him to the reunion. "They're waiting for you," Blundetto tells him in a very eerie metaphor to show Tony approaching the gates of heaven (was that Livia waiting in the doorway?). When Blundetto reaches for Tony's suitcase though Tony says he doesn't want to go in. He can hear voices calling for him and then suddenly wakes up from his coma to find Carmela and Meadow at his bedside.

Also:
Christopher, with the financial backing of Little Carmine Lupertazzi has aspirations (again) of becoming involved in the movie business. He tells Tony this shortly after "T" awakes from his coma but Tony can't communicate due to the healing respirator wound in his neck...Vito has a run in with Finn but it's cut short when Meadow grabs her man and drags him in to see Tony...Carmela continues to fight with AJ, though later regrets it in her session with Melfi...On a different note, there was likely a lot of foreshadowing (omen?) done thru Tony's dream. These elements include his failure to provide "heat" for the monks, his refusal to die and acknowledging the heavy burden of his job by speaking to Blundetto, and his innate call back to the mob as he awakens from the coma after having Paulie speak to him.

Shock Factor: B - Richardson's Review: B

--Thanks for all the submissions regarding last weeks question. So what was the song being played in the beginning and end of the Season Six premiere episode? William S. Borroughs (Material) - "Seven Souls"

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