Nothing to say, this was a great episode, hats off: it's not the first time we've witnessed collisions between Tony and his uncle, so why it's different from the others? Well, Tony is reconising the fact that his uncle isn't ok and will probably never return back from who he was, so when he finds out that he is loosing fragments of memory, he can't stay mad at him, but he doesn't understand why he is remembering only the bad stuff, mocking him in front of the rest family. That makes the last sentence he pronounces to him extramly sad: "don't you love me?", we have never heard Tony say something like this, and the reaction of Junior is heartbreaking: he loves his nephew and he can't understand why he said that things too, he wants to cry but doesn't want to seem weak... I apologize for my English, this Is the first time Im write a review, and this episode totally deserved it.
8 Reviews
War
MaxBorg8914 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
At the end of Season Four, it looked like a war would start between Tony Soprano and Johnny Sack over the fact that the former refused to clip New York boss Carmine Lupertazzi. Now, with Carmine out of the picture, Johnny has moved his focus to the latter's son, Little Carmine.
The relationship between the two gets particularly nasty when Johnny has Phil Leotardo tell Little Carmine's loan-shark that all payments must go directly to him. Unfortunately, Tony can't be relied on for help, seeing as he has a bigger problem to deal with: his uncle. Ever since the old guy avoided jail time he's been a real pain in the ass, and his status deteriorates considerably after he's found wandering around a graveyard in his bathrobe, indicating he might actually suffer from the Alzheimer's he faked in court. Speaking of old people, Feech La Manna is a bit of a troublemaker himself, as his plans to reassess his past authority clash with Paulie's ambitions, leading to a compromise neither finds satisfying.
Anyone who has seen David Lynch's Lost Highway will certainly remember Loggia's fiery portrayal of an aged gangster, a blueprint of sorts for his work on this show: he's charismatic, joyously potty-mouthed and very energetic, kind of like the great Lawrence Tierney in Reservoir Dogs. Even so, he has to bow in front of Dominic Chianese, who rules the entire episode with just a handful of scenes, adding layers of sadness to an already compelling performance. The best combination of humor and subtle poignancy comes when Junior watches Curb Your Enthusiasm and mistakes Larry David for himself: "What am I doing on television?" One is tempted to answer: aside from writing a page of TV history, you mean?
The relationship between the two gets particularly nasty when Johnny has Phil Leotardo tell Little Carmine's loan-shark that all payments must go directly to him. Unfortunately, Tony can't be relied on for help, seeing as he has a bigger problem to deal with: his uncle. Ever since the old guy avoided jail time he's been a real pain in the ass, and his status deteriorates considerably after he's found wandering around a graveyard in his bathrobe, indicating he might actually suffer from the Alzheimer's he faked in court. Speaking of old people, Feech La Manna is a bit of a troublemaker himself, as his plans to reassess his past authority clash with Paulie's ambitions, leading to a compromise neither finds satisfying.
Anyone who has seen David Lynch's Lost Highway will certainly remember Loggia's fiery portrayal of an aged gangster, a blueprint of sorts for his work on this show: he's charismatic, joyously potty-mouthed and very energetic, kind of like the great Lawrence Tierney in Reservoir Dogs. Even so, he has to bow in front of Dominic Chianese, who rules the entire episode with just a handful of scenes, adding layers of sadness to an already compelling performance. The best combination of humor and subtle poignancy comes when Junior watches Curb Your Enthusiasm and mistakes Larry David for himself: "What am I doing on television?" One is tempted to answer: aside from writing a page of TV history, you mean?
Hits a little too close to home.
TouchTheGarlicProduction10 March 2017
This episode focuses on Uncle Junior's deteriorating mental state. He starts saying nonsensical things, and asking the same questions over and over again. He ends up wandering off, confused and in search of people long dead. Dominic Chiamese's depiction is harrowing and accurate. This whole aspect of the episode almost hit a little too close to home for me; I was watching this with my mother, who was doing many of the things I just described while we were watching. Seeing the simultaneous mental decline of both one's mother and a likable fictional character is not a pleasant experience. Mind you, my mother is perfectly fine most of the time. Her mind usually only tends to wander when we're watching television. Still, the experience lent an extra degree of authenticity and emotional wallop to the episode for me.
The other main plot of the episode involves a conflict over the territory of a lawn-mowing company. It's a fairly standard Sopranos subplot, factoring in humour, violence, and conflict. Solid, but ultimately inconsequential.
The other main plot of the episode involves a conflict over the territory of a lawn-mowing company. It's a fairly standard Sopranos subplot, factoring in humour, violence, and conflict. Solid, but ultimately inconsequential.
"I Am A King, My Masters. Know You That?"
Dan1863Sickles14 April 2021
This to me is the most poetic Sopranos episode. Junior wanders off, just like Shakespeare's King Lear, and looks for the long-vanished past. There's an element of Rip Van Winkle, too. It's dream-like, sad, and yet it never feels sentimental. Watch when the two young cops spot him, the way he jumps behind the dumpster and tries to hide. It's funny, yet deeply tragic. You almost expect Junior to say "I am a king, my masters. Know you that?"
And if the cops were like the millions of loyal Sopranos fans who keep this show alive, they'd have to respond with: "you are a royal one, and we obey you!"
And if the cops were like the millions of loyal Sopranos fans who keep this show alive, they'd have to respond with: "you are a royal one, and we obey you!"
Roadies!
snoozejonc3 November 2022
The power vacuum in New York starts to cause problems, whilst Corrado shows symptoms of dementia.
This is an excellent episode with great character moments and incredibly good performances.
The story contains plenty of great drama and moments of black humour in the relationships of various characters in both types of family.
Any portrayal of dementia has a personal interest to me, as Alzheimer's disease is prevalent in my family and this is a good one with a number of relatable scenes. As much of a ruthless, cantankerous man Corrado has been depicted in The Sopranos, it is sad to watch this depiction of the character. Additionally the family squabbling centred around his care and wellbeing is darkly funny and also quite recognisable. Dominic Chianese is amazing throughout this episode and the final exchange between him and James Gandolfini is a classic moment. Steve Schirripa and Aida Turturro are both superb as well.
For me the situation in New York generates some very amusing scenes. I think it's impossible not to find some humour in the mock execution scene. Frank Vincent was destined to play a part in the Sopranos and the writers make the most of him with the first real glimpse of Phil Leotardo's aggressive side. Plus the various meetings with Johnny Sac are very funny, particularly the one involving Christopher. The writers by this point in the show are cleverly developing these characters to be major antagonists and it pays off in later episodes. Vincent Curatola is fantastic in his scenes, particularly when his character loses it.
The subplot involving Paulie and Feetch is also entertaining and you cannot help but feel sorry for the poor gardener caught between all these self-centred thugs. Paulie can be hilarious one minute, then vicious, sly and underhanded in the next. Tony Serico and Robert Loggia are both on great form.
As ever the production values are tremendous, with not only great cinematography and production design, but very clever editing.
It's a 9.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
This is an excellent episode with great character moments and incredibly good performances.
The story contains plenty of great drama and moments of black humour in the relationships of various characters in both types of family.
Any portrayal of dementia has a personal interest to me, as Alzheimer's disease is prevalent in my family and this is a good one with a number of relatable scenes. As much of a ruthless, cantankerous man Corrado has been depicted in The Sopranos, it is sad to watch this depiction of the character. Additionally the family squabbling centred around his care and wellbeing is darkly funny and also quite recognisable. Dominic Chianese is amazing throughout this episode and the final exchange between him and James Gandolfini is a classic moment. Steve Schirripa and Aida Turturro are both superb as well.
For me the situation in New York generates some very amusing scenes. I think it's impossible not to find some humour in the mock execution scene. Frank Vincent was destined to play a part in the Sopranos and the writers make the most of him with the first real glimpse of Phil Leotardo's aggressive side. Plus the various meetings with Johnny Sac are very funny, particularly the one involving Christopher. The writers by this point in the show are cleverly developing these characters to be major antagonists and it pays off in later episodes. Vincent Curatola is fantastic in his scenes, particularly when his character loses it.
The subplot involving Paulie and Feetch is also entertaining and you cannot help but feel sorry for the poor gardener caught between all these self-centred thugs. Paulie can be hilarious one minute, then vicious, sly and underhanded in the next. Tony Serico and Robert Loggia are both on great form.
As ever the production values are tremendous, with not only great cinematography and production design, but very clever editing.
It's a 9.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
This is one of the most heartbreaking
Neptune16517 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
That scene of Tony saying to Junior why he has to repeat the same bad things and not good things about him. It's so powerful. It ends with Tony asking Junior: "you don't love me?" And Junior can't say anything. Tony is a fear mobster, but when it comes to feelings, he's so vulnerable. He came out of a tree with a chainsaw. Paulie had a right to defend himself. Always felt so bad for the lawn guy. First his bird Fredo dies because of Kramer and then he gets his arm broken by a mobster. It took me and my brother awhile when we were young but we did. This is a comedy show. Even the serious moments start of with comedic origin. I believe the writers wanted us to know that when junior mistook himself for Larry David in curb your enthusiasm. A lot of Italian Americans in the Northeast tend to have Sunday dinner in the mid afternoon. Has nothing to do with Junior loosing his marbles.
Where's Johnny? (#5.3)
ComedyFan201019 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Feech and Paulie get into a big fight over who will get to do the lawn business on the street where Paulie's mother lives. Junior and Tony get in a fight but it seems like Junior is getting Alzheimer especially after he disappears one day and is found by the cops walking around trying to get to his father and with a lost car.
Junior was great. The whole story is very sad, it is a terrifying condition. But it has some moments where one just has to laugh, such as when in the beginning he mistakes Larry Davis on TV for himself. And the moment between him and tony at the end was well done. Just as the fight that he had with Janice. I don't dislike her character,but I feel pretty bad for Bobby. He is such a nice guy.
Junior was great. The whole story is very sad, it is a terrifying condition. But it has some moments where one just has to laugh, such as when in the beginning he mistakes Larry Davis on TV for himself. And the moment between him and tony at the end was well done. Just as the fight that he had with Janice. I don't dislike her character,but I feel pretty bad for Bobby. He is such a nice guy.
This one is a reminder
silverton-379593 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Rewatching this season, 20 years later, I'm reminded by the way things work out with Sal, Paulie and Feetch, which shows us that the wise guys are total scum. Feetch assaulted Sal, took his territory, leaving him disabled, and Paulie tells Sal that he will fix it for him for "a couple of percent" off the top of Sal's income from his business. Paulie then attacks Feech's nephews and tells Tony a lie at the sit-down to justify his attack on them.
Tony rules that Feech has to pay Sal a grand for his injury, and then gives Feech's nephews half of Sal's territory. Paulie, lying scumbag that he is, then tells Tony that Sal will cut Tony's lawn free. He then goes to Sal, and gives Sal $500, instead of the grand Feech gave him, and tells Sal that he's going to have to do a couple of lawns free.
Sal is then seen working on Johnny Sac's big 4 acre lawn, which should cost Johnny at least $600 a month. Johnny wasn't even in the deal, so it's just Paulie trying to score brownie points with Johnny at no cost to himself.
I wonder if other viewers thought that Paulie was clever, or funny, or both, but I see him as a parasite who deserves to be shot by one of his victims. The people in this series are almost all unlikable, amoral scum. What I take away from the stories of what these crooks do, is that none of them are worthy of any sympathy, other than the family members and other people who live alongside the "wise guys". Of course, though, Janice isn't some innocent victim in the stories, and she deserves to get whatever Tony, Paulie and the rest have coming.
Tony rules that Feech has to pay Sal a grand for his injury, and then gives Feech's nephews half of Sal's territory. Paulie, lying scumbag that he is, then tells Tony that Sal will cut Tony's lawn free. He then goes to Sal, and gives Sal $500, instead of the grand Feech gave him, and tells Sal that he's going to have to do a couple of lawns free.
Sal is then seen working on Johnny Sac's big 4 acre lawn, which should cost Johnny at least $600 a month. Johnny wasn't even in the deal, so it's just Paulie trying to score brownie points with Johnny at no cost to himself.
I wonder if other viewers thought that Paulie was clever, or funny, or both, but I see him as a parasite who deserves to be shot by one of his victims. The people in this series are almost all unlikable, amoral scum. What I take away from the stories of what these crooks do, is that none of them are worthy of any sympathy, other than the family members and other people who live alongside the "wise guys". Of course, though, Janice isn't some innocent victim in the stories, and she deserves to get whatever Tony, Paulie and the rest have coming.
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