The Sopranos - Family Values

Richardson's Review

Richardson's Review
By Matt Richardson
(Episode 75 - 76)

Last Sunday night's episode of "The Sopranos" (May 14) followed the blue-print of almost every episode this season unfortunately: disappointing and boring. It once again chronicled the trials and tribulations of the homosexual Vito (a.k.a. Vince) and his lover Jim (a.k.a Johnny Cakes). After coming clean with Johnny Cakes Vito half-heartedly attempts to acclimate himself to a new lifestyle in New Hampshire - he stays with his boyfriend at night and picks up a job doing construction work during the day. It's too much of a stretch from his cozier past life, however, and one day Jim wakes up to discover his boyfriend has moved out without a trace. On his way back home to Jersey Vito drunkenly crashes into a parked car but when the driver refuses to let Vito pay cash for the damages, the former wise guy shoots him in the back of the head. Vito then proceeds back to his old stomping grounds but quickly drives away after taking a quick glimpse of Satriale's. Tony meanwhile, is dealing with the continued headache of sister Janice and his new brother-in-law Bobby 'Baccala.' Janice convinces Tony that he has treated her and husband poorly for far too long (though Tony only admits this in a session with Dr. Melfi). After Bobby is beat up and nearly killed making a pick-up Tony really begins to rethink his attitude towards his sister and brother-in-law. Johnny Sak meanwhile surprisingly pleads guilty and accepts a 15-year jail sentence and in exchange of some business John needs done to free up some cash for Ginny, Tony makes the incarcerated boss give up his Jersey home to Janice. Sunday night's episode (May 21) picked up where the previous week's ended, though the pattern of boredom continued throughout. Vito belatedly and predictably bit the bullet - courtesy of Phil Leotardo and his henchmen. Vito actually appealed to Tony for an entry back into the life but before Tony made a final decision to have him whacked instead, Phil one-upped him. This sent a clear message that Phil felt he could do whatever he wanted, repercussions be damned. So when a guy from the New York crew shows up to make an exchange at Satriale's it's no surprise that Carlo and Silvio's argument with him leads to his death. Could this lead to (another) feud with New York? It's possible, but honestly - who cares? It's an old story line that was done much better in the season prior. Meanwhile AJ is still messing up (he got fired from Blockbuster) and Carmela's trip with Roe to Paris leads her to re-evaluate her life (bo-ring). Adriana also makes a cameo appearance, albeit in Carm's dreams. Apologies to all the readers for the slow pace. Expect an in-depth season finale report after next week's finale. Also: if readers wish to send in their predictions for the finale, I'll gladly post them in a comparison for the finale report. Just e-mail them to me at boxingwriter@aol.com

P.S. - Don't be surprised to see something happen to Phil Leotardo in the finale!

EPISODE 75: SHOCK FACTOR: B RICHARDSON'S REVIEW: B

EPISODE 76: SHOCK FACTOR B RICHARDSON'S REVIEW: B

Questions, comments and suggestions are welcome via e-mail to BoxingWriter@AOL.com

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