His father's longtime goomar sheds light on some of Tony's lingering emotional and financial mysteries and Christopher sees the downside in enabling an AA friend's new addiction.

I hope this one is better than the last episode which IMHO was filler. The only good parts were with Tony B beating the crap out of his boss and then going to Tony looking for work.

I've just got to say this quickly before Deadwood starts. This episode has changed my opinion on Livia forever. She wasn't the monster she's been made to be. She was still a harpy...but Johnny drove her to it partially

1 to 10 .. I'd rate this episode a 6. Not bad all in all. I loved the flashback scene where we got to see young tony and Johnny Boy again. The scene where whats his face crashes into the back of the truck was great haha. Looks like next episode Tony B. might be gettin more and more involved into the family buisness.

There was quite a bit of humour in the episode, as GF69 pointed out the scene where Tony "helps" out the other guy was hilarious. I thought Chris's rehab buddy was gonna get whacked but I guess not..didn't see much of Carm and Meadow in this episode...

I see this as another let down. No matter how hard you look for great things. They are few and far between. Boring.

Probably one of the most boring eppisodes in all of the shows history. Literaly nothing happened. The only good thing I could say, is that there was a little humor. Like how Junior was always so cheerful at the funeral after parties. It got a chuckle out of me. But aside from that, it was very dissapointing.

Pretty boring episode, revolving around Tony & that old lady. I always thought she was scamming him. I hope next week's is more entertaining.

I didn't think it was a bad episode. It did keep me interested. I don't mind getting info and background on Tony's father's life. While of course, not the best episode, entertaining nonetheless.

Granted, no whackings or major shocks, and I can see where it would be a disappointment to those wanting to see whackings every week. Perhaps, since the general consesus so far this season seems to be "boring", it may be good that this is the second to the last season, since many think it's running out of steam. That being said, it's still my favorite show on tv.

I too, am still wondering if the "old lady" is on the level or just after money. Junior's funeral addiction was comical, but many of the regulars weren't involved last night.


TIS

While watching last nights episode I could not help but think of Jack Black & Will Ferrel at this years Academy Awards Singing "Your Boring"
More then half way through this season and it feels like we are still waiting for something to happen. I am not talking about looking for more violence & killings. I am talking about the way current story lines are being developed. Has the Sopranos "Jumped The Loan Shark" so to speak.
Guest Stars, rehashing old story lines, and now after 4 plus years of having Livia Soprano being the main reason for Tony's mental misfortunes we get thrown a curve and find out Johnny Boy was also a big contributor.

We use to give reasons that would give the substandard filler shows a pass and say "It is still the best show on TV." Is this really true. In my opinion It was not even the best show on HBO last night. Both Deadwood & Chris Rock(on HBO2) were much more entertaining then the Sopranos. Maybe it's time to have Carmela & Tony have another baby or have Bruce Springsteen play a set at the Crazy Horse. That will give the show a boost.

Did I miss something? When was Junior put back under house arrest?

That is what bothered me most about this episode...I spent most of it trying to remember when he was put under house arrest. I thought the judge lifted it when he determined Junior was not a flight risk, not to mention his trial is over.

I wonder if the writers were trying to say something to the Emmy Awards by having the guy say it wasn't worth anything. If I remember correctly, the Sopranos has won several Emmys over the years. I thought it was odd.

Did anyone else get the impression that Tony was going to make a move on the old lady?? He looked kind of digusted when she was doing the Marilyn Monroe imitation (sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK), but it was like he was building her up to the other guys at the Bing.

Yeah, I thought that too. Overall, a very weird episode.

Yes!! I was wondering the same thing, but truthfully really really was hoping he would not!! I agree with the JFK thing too. I almost felt as though at that point, he didn't believe her or something.

TIS

I agree that there are many people who only look forward to whackings TIS, but I am most definetly not one of those people. I genuinely felt that it was just a lame eppisode. And aside from last night, I feel that it has been a really really good season. Maybe thats just me, but I got the feeling that that was the general feeling on this board.

It wasn't a bad episode. Tim Daly of Wings fame as Christopher's friend was a highlight. He says to them what could they do to him that he hasn't been through and they proceed to beat the crap out of him. I thought Phil Leotardo was going to die when his car hit the truck only to see him be manhandled by Tony. Frank Vincent always winds up on the short end of the stick in mob flicks. What struck me is that Chris is drinking more and more. This could lead him back to drugs again and a possible intervention that is the end of him. Tony found out that his dog went to his Father's girlfriends son and he sees a pic of a dog as he and Valentina are doing it.

A whole hour on this subject of his father's gumada??? No reason for it! A good subplot that should have had limited storytime in this episode, not almost the whole hour. Horrible, just simply Horrible! I was one of the biggest fans of this show, but I am seriously losing interest. If I want to watch a whole HOUR of soap operas I will just watch General Hospital with my wife! The writing for Sopranos has seriously declined big time. What were there really, maybe 2 good episodes this whole season? Hey, I don't mind a little plot rearding personal family crisis, etc. But they just seem to spend the whole hour on these kinds of subjects week after week. They throw in a wacking here and there, but the majority of the subject matter has absolutely nothing to do with mob life anymore. The sad thing is this, as bad is it seems to be getting, this sunday at 9:00 my butt will be in front of the TV watching another episode. I just hope that I can come back on the boards after watching the next one and say how great the episode was. We will see.

Don Cardi

All in all, not my favorite episode, but still pretty good, too much about that Tony's old man's lady though.

Uncle Junior was as funny as always, he cracks me up, we still need more Paulie though.

I wonder if they are gonna start doing more flashbacks into Tony's dad, ala GFII. That might be pretty cool to see.

I miss Ralphie. He was good for laughs. Feech another great character was short lived. Loggia was good.

As pointless as it might have seemed, I think that Johnny Boy's goomba has some purpose. I heard something before the season ever started, and I dont know if you guys heard it too but...

SPOILER*******
I think she had a bastard child with Johnny, meaning that Tony has a half brother. And thats pretty big.

Like you I was wondering this too. Does anyone have an answer?

It seems like the last 2 episodes have been really focusing too much on things not really related to Mob-life. Sure its good to have some of this sub-story's consume a small part of the show but I don’t really care to watch 3/4 of it about Carmella then the next week watch about the same 3/4 of the show listening to Johns goombar. Its simply not interesting Television for those of us who have watched the show since Season 1 or anyone who is a fan of this particular show. Well that’s how I felt anyway.

Does anyone else think that it was an incredible coincidence that the same time Tony meets his father’s goomar, and she tells him about the race track, it just so happens that Hesh is in the middle of selling the track? :rolleyes:

I think it was more than just a coincidence. She set Tony up perfectly with her timing. Tony gives her a few bills to pay her rent and she goes out and buys an expensive pair of shoes???

I like raggingbull's idea that she had a son by Johnny Boy. Tony's reaction to finding out his dog ended up with her son was hilarious. Imagine how he'd react if he found out he had a brother!

I haven't posted a comment on the last two episodes. Life has other demands. I don't take the same view as most here. It seems the majority of members want the action and tough-guy stuff. The past two episodes have been more psychological. I find that more intriguing than the "whacking". You need to create the tensions between characters so that when there is a whacking it has some significance. Would Ralphie's death have meant as much without the whole build up with the horse? No, but at times that horseshit (pun) was boring. I just love the acting and way Gandolfini, Falco, Imperioli, et al can create such dark characters. Paulie, Junior, Silvio are comic relief. I think the writers strike a very good balance.

From what I read before the season started, this will in fact happen.

Just Lou,

Tony having a half-brother? Hmm.. that would be very weird. I think they just need to get back to the formula of Seasons 1 and 2. That's when it was awesome. Robert Loggia could be the David Proval of 5th season.

I'm starting to think that this season may have more lose ends than the last season. The season is half over, and each week is starting to go in it's own direction.

I think a half brother of Tony's would make for an interesting storyline. Maybe I'm just a skeptic, but I am not all the certain that the old lady is on the up and up! Or does everyone think that it was obvious that she had dollar signs in her eyes??? She seemed nice enough, but just the fact that she seemed to "hunt" down Tony, spend rent money on shoes, makes me suspicious.


TIS

Not to jump on the bandwagon, but when I saw the picture of the boy and the dog, my first thought was - half-brother. Another ghost in Tony's closet. The end of the episode focused on Tony's face - the bubbling cauldron behind the eyes. Screwed up people usually come from screwed up parents. Its quite evident he had two.

You know the Sopranos have to end with Tony going nuts. This is just more psychological weight on our beloved Boss.