Great Episode! When I think about the 4th season of The Sopranos the first thing that comes to mind is humor. It's obvious the writers/creators wanted to focus on the humor aspect in the 4th season and I think it's done well, this episode is no exception. What I like about the humor style is, it's not a slapstick in your face type of humor, it's creative, subtle and most importantly stays in the realm of believability. I rate this episode a 9 mostly because it's well written. Entertainment wise it's not as entertaining as other Sopranos episodes that I would rate this high (and I don't rate many episodes higher than an 8).
On paper the joke about Johnny Sack's wife and his overreaction to it seem a little far-fetched, but it plays out so well. Johnny Sack is so sincere about how such a thing is unacceptable and he's absolutely beside himself, how nobody else is as equally appalled as he is. When Johnny Sack brings this to the attention of Tony and later to Carmine, both scenes are brilliant and hilarious! I love how the camera cuts to Tony and Carmine's face when they finally get Johnny to cough up this horrible thing that Ralph said. Johnny goes to Carmine so he could clip Ralph over it. Carmine wants to know what Ralph did and finally when Johnny tells Carmine, he's stone faced for a good five seconds. As if he's waiting for Johnny to tell him the real reason. Both play off how horrible and equally appalled they are before they attempt to diffuse his anger. This episode delves into this area of human psychology, which I'm not sure if it's ever been taken on in a movie/show with intent before. It's a type of hypocrisy, if you will. In this situation Tony's equally guilty of joking about Johnny's wife and laughing at Ralph's joke, but once it blows up (even though he thinks Johnny is overreacting) he jump's ship and genuinely finds fault with Ralph. Tony informs Junior about the whole drama and while Junior's dumbfounded he responds with "real lack of standards, your generation. My day, John was right". Shortly thereafter Junior makes a comment about Carmine and "those big fish-lips of his", without making the connection that he's being a total hypocrite. It's rarely the action people find fault with, rather the reaction. I have about 1,000 first hand examples of this, yet 999 people out of a 1,000 are oblivious to this as they go there entire life fueling this game. There are several humor elements of the Johnny Sack wife joke drama that carries on for a few episodes. There's the whole ballet teacher thing etc. Later in this episode Ginny is caught by Johnny scarfing down a box of candy bars after she thought he left (Maybe I'm morbid, but I find it hilarious).
Another hilariously brilliant scene is the hit-men that Chris and Silvio seek out. No need to say anything if you've seen it, you know what I mean. Anyways, this episode ends with Carmella finally having Furio as she's been longing for him for a while now, which ties into the title "The Weight".
On paper the joke about Johnny Sack's wife and his overreaction to it seem a little far-fetched, but it plays out so well. Johnny Sack is so sincere about how such a thing is unacceptable and he's absolutely beside himself, how nobody else is as equally appalled as he is. When Johnny Sack brings this to the attention of Tony and later to Carmine, both scenes are brilliant and hilarious! I love how the camera cuts to Tony and Carmine's face when they finally get Johnny to cough up this horrible thing that Ralph said. Johnny goes to Carmine so he could clip Ralph over it. Carmine wants to know what Ralph did and finally when Johnny tells Carmine, he's stone faced for a good five seconds. As if he's waiting for Johnny to tell him the real reason. Both play off how horrible and equally appalled they are before they attempt to diffuse his anger. This episode delves into this area of human psychology, which I'm not sure if it's ever been taken on in a movie/show with intent before. It's a type of hypocrisy, if you will. In this situation Tony's equally guilty of joking about Johnny's wife and laughing at Ralph's joke, but once it blows up (even though he thinks Johnny is overreacting) he jump's ship and genuinely finds fault with Ralph. Tony informs Junior about the whole drama and while Junior's dumbfounded he responds with "real lack of standards, your generation. My day, John was right". Shortly thereafter Junior makes a comment about Carmine and "those big fish-lips of his", without making the connection that he's being a total hypocrite. It's rarely the action people find fault with, rather the reaction. I have about 1,000 first hand examples of this, yet 999 people out of a 1,000 are oblivious to this as they go there entire life fueling this game. There are several humor elements of the Johnny Sack wife joke drama that carries on for a few episodes. There's the whole ballet teacher thing etc. Later in this episode Ginny is caught by Johnny scarfing down a box of candy bars after she thought he left (Maybe I'm morbid, but I find it hilarious).
Another hilariously brilliant scene is the hit-men that Chris and Silvio seek out. No need to say anything if you've seen it, you know what I mean. Anyways, this episode ends with Carmella finally having Furio as she's been longing for him for a while now, which ties into the title "The Weight".