The Sopranos (TV Series) The Weight (2002) User Reviews

The Weight (#4.4)

[ComedyFan2010 · 8/10 · 13 March 2014]

A few episodes ago Ralph made a tasteless joke about Johnny's wife making fun of her weight. Johnny is outraged and wants to defend her honor but the family is against it so he gets a hit-man. But after an emotional moment with his wife he has a change of heart and decides to accept the apology. And it seems that Carmela starts to having feelings for Furio.

A pretty good episode. I really liked Johnny's attitude. Not him wanting to kill somebody but that he cared about his wife so much and was sensitive to weight issues. The scene in the basement when he says that he wasn't the one who wanted her to diet and loves her brought tears to my eyes. Such a loving husband who wants to protect his wife from insecurities when she compares herself to the hot wives of others.

The scene when Sylvio and Chris go to visit the men recommended by Junior was pretty funny to me. Very special experience to them.

And it seems that Carmela's feelings for Furio may end up causing trouble later.

I always loved that when Silvio and Chris give the hitmen the photo they hand them a picture of John and Tony. Like.. what could possibly go wrong lmao

[Neptune165 · 7/10 · 15 July 2022]

Still one of my favs. Johnny Sac's devotion to Ginny is so endearing only to be discarded when he realizes she doesn't have much "honor" by lying and cheating on her "diet". The exchanges between the bosses are hilarious. But on a sad note: it's worth mentioning the actress who played Ginny would later die of cancer after playing a character whose husband dies of cancer. Another point of note; Tony specifically gives Carmella a small size dress after having talked with Johnny about the fat joke. I think John standing up for his wife's honour is great, but I don't think it's the only reason he demands restitution. Just as it is a slight against Ginny, it's also a slight against John, if someone can go about insulting John even by extension, then that undermines his respect in the hierarchy of the mob. Johnny Sac was one of the few that truly loved and honored his wife on the show. He was really shaken by the joke personally and professionally. Great episode showing all the rules of protocol the way mobsters speak to each other. There's so much subtext to what everyone says. No ones says what they mean, but somehow everyone understands the meaning with a glance or a nod. It's like existing in the French Court at Versailles. I forget his name tho, The Something.

Packed with funny moments, Johnny Sacks wife's mole, the hit men and Carmella's Furio fantasy!

[nlytnd_1 · 9/10 · 8 April 2014]

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".

Take it easy, Johnny!

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 6 May 2008]

In terms of unfettered, nail-biting tension, The Weight has no equals in the rest of the season: it's a pure exercise in suspenseful storytelling, driven mostly by Vincent Curatola's fearless acting.

Curatola, having been a minor presence thus far, is finally given the opportunity to step in the spotlight, and what an opportunity: his Johnny Sack is rapidly transformed from calm New York liaison into a madly jealous man, triggered by pride and honor. The latter qualities have been metaphorically hammered by Ralph Cifaretto, who famously told a bad-taste joke two episodes back, saying John's wife Ginny was about to have a 95-pound mole removed from her butt. Now, this ain't the first time this has happened (remember the "she's so fat" gags in the previous season), but it's the first time Johnny has been made aware of the embarrassing situation, and his reaction is violent to say the least: after failing to get an authorization from his boss, Carmine Lupertazzi, he sanctions a hit on Ralphie by himself; unfortunately, the man, no matter how unlikable, is Tony's top earner, so it doesn't take long before a retaliatory hit is called on John, raising the stakes to unbearable heights.

There are hardly any laughs in this episode, apart from a few of the usual conversations between foul-mouthed gangsters, and for a good reason: humor would utterly ruin the dramatic impact of the tightly constructed script, as well as dampen the show's ever present study of moral ambiguity, which probably comes close to its peak in these 50 minutes. There's Johnny, an old-school captain who nonetheless decides to override the conventional system when he is denied his revenge; there's Tony, who personally hates Ralphie (and he isn't alone), but has no other choice than to protect him for business's sake. And there's Paulie, who feels compelled to inform John of what happened despite being no stranger to bad jokes himself: it was he who delivered the infamous "She's so fat, she goes campin', the bears have to hide their food" back in Season Three. These people are driven by personal, occasionally irrational impulses, and there are no easy answers waiting around the corner: if there were, the series wouldn't be the milestone it has rightfully become.

Margetis Review: The Sopranos, Episode 43 "The Weight"

[MichaelMargetis · 11 February 2006]

In the best episode of the season so far, Johnny Sack is furious! At who? Ralph Cifaretto. Why? Ralph told a joke about his wife's fat ass, and Johnny Sack not only feels it is a mean thing to say, but feels it insults him big time. The episode centrals around Johnny Sack trying to get a hit out on Ralph, and Tony trying to keep Ralph alive because he's a good earner. Carmine says no, so Johnny Sack sanctions the hit by himself, causing Tony to sanction a hit on Johnny Sack. Well, neither Johnny Sack or Ralph get killed, but the whole episode your on the edge of your seat biting your nails. The episode features non-stop crisp dialogue and storytelling, and features a abnormal scene where Christopher and Silvio visit the old hit men that are going to whack Johnny Sack. Overall this is an exciting well-made episode, from writer Terence Winter who brought us last season's Pine Barrens episode. Written by Terence Winter, Directed by Jack Bender. My Rating: 9.5/10.

Best Episode of Season 4!

[TrueRanKings · 9/10 · 29 April 2023]

"The Weight" is widely regarded as one of the best episodes of "The Sopranos" due to its masterful storytelling and its exploration of the characters' inner conflicts. The episode focuses on the aftermath of the death of Ralph Cifaretto, a character who was widely disliked by both the other characters and the audience. Through a series of flashbacks and conversations, the episode delves into the complex relationships between the characters and their conflicting emotions towards Ralph's death. The episode also features standout performances by the cast, particularly by Edie Falco and Dominic Chianese. Overall, "The Weight" is a powerful and emotionally resonant episode that showcases the show's ability to tackle complex themes with nuance and depth.

Season 4 was rather disappointing due to the fact that this episode remained as the only one scoring higher then a 8/10. Thank god season 5&6 come back stronger.

We bend more rules than the Catholic Church

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 26 August 2022]

Johnny Sac is on the warpath about Ralph's joke.

This is a great episode with excellent tension and character development.

The Sopranos is brilliant at taking seemingly harmless random moments and using them to drive the plot or raise the stakes. This episode does it with excellent character interactions between Johnny Sac and the likes of Tony, Ralph, Carmine, and Ginny. In the midst of it all is great humour as various characters react when they hear the details of Ralph's joke. Vincent Curatola is awesome in a performance that shows all the complexities of the character.

Underlying so much of what we see and hear are strong themes about excess consumption in society that links to cultural hypocrisies when it comes to male and female body image. This is quite subtlety done with various images of Tony eating junk food and the brilliant final scene between Tony and Carmela. The use of music very cinematically links it to an earlier scene involving Furio that says all you need to know about her state of mind.

Carmela is in focus alongside both Tony and Furio in a number of scenes that develop her character well. Edie Falco is on great form as ever and her feelings are highlighted by the cinematography.

The subplots involving a number of characters reflecting on their children in college and a specific event from season 3 is superbly connected through various encounters.

Sack 'em

[ctomvelu-1 · 7/10 · 15 July 2008]

Johnny Sack is on the road to perdition when he demands a hit on the disrespectful Ralphie. Failing to get permission, he decides to take care of business himself. This is not good for anyone, least of all Tony, since Ralphie is Tony's top earner. So Tony puts out a hit on Sack, and this will lead to Uncle Junior recommending the hit be done by the old Rhode Island mob as Johnny Sack makes regular runs to the nation's smallest state to visit an ailing relative. While this episode is pretty damned serious, the joke will come when Chris and Silvio go to visit what's left of the old R.I. mob, and they turn out to be a bunch of couch-ridden, toothless, shriveled-up old men. That scene, which I am thinking is in the next episode, is priceless. The actor playing Sack gets to chew up the scenery something fierce. I was working at the Bridgeport paper in the 1970s when the NY and RI mobs were at war. They sometimes went at it in Connecticut with the aid of the biker gangs of the time. One guy was gunned down right near Bridgeport police headquarters, in broad daylight yet. So you may imagine my merriment and delight when we get a look at what's left of the old RI mob. The three old timers look like the three witches in MACBETH, trading off an eyeball, as I recall.

What's wrong with the soprano!

[gahderharith · 7/10 · 24 July 2023]

I'm mad at Tony, how could he think of killing John and leaving Ralph alive! Ralph deserves to die, and I think he's close. If John dies, the episode's rating will drop to 5 .. John is better than Ralph by a huge difference.. and John had the right to kill Ralph.. if Tony were in John's place, he would have killed Ralph in seconds for the sake of Carmela and his family. And he wouldn't think for a second about keeping Ralph alive for the money I didn't like the episode because Tony wasn't fair. And I think the end of Ralph at the hands of Tony because Tony does not love him, but he keeps him for the money .. There are many people instead of Ralph, it really bothers me.

1 incident in this episode marks it down to a 1 star.

[davidhiggins-89756 · 1/10 · 26 February 2021]

**Does Contain Spoilers**. For a businessman like Sil, running his own strip club joint and being a Consigliere to the DiMeo crime family, he sure was THICK in what he did in that episode. As was Tony S.

You would just NOT visit a bunch of decrepid hit people, then give them a photograph of the victim Johnny Sack AND standing next to him the image of Tony S. Just would NEVER happen. No one is that THICK.

Then just say to hit the one on the left, not even marking the victim Johnny Sack with an X or such marking. In case this hit crew got it the wrong way around or misheard or forgot. Tony S would have been CUT OUT of the photo with scissors.

Just how stupid does the writer Terence Winter think we are?. Didn't David Chase look over the writing before it was made?. He produced it It would not have happened, risking that INCRIMINATING Photo floating around. So Terence Winter wants us to believe Tony S dug out a photo of Johnny Sack & himself and handed it over to Sil.

Tony S wanting himself in a photo with Johnny Sack floating around the place in the hands of a hit crew, who could have had it upon their person during the hit, themselves possibly getting hit with that photo being discovered, by the rival mob or even the Police.

The writer Terence Winter just did not think this out. Bit of POOR writing here really isn't it in this instance when it comes down to the fine detail. Other scenes in this episode were entertaining, an interesting enough storyline throughout this episode, quite absorbing. The rest over all was written quite well. BUT that 1 total BUNGLE of the plot, such a big glaring oversight has to be a 1 star.

Yes some other good stuff in this episode, anything with Mr Magoo is always good for a laugh. By far the funniest character in the entire series, the straighter he played it the more comical he was. Such a great portrayal. Almost everything he ever said the way he said it was such a laugh.

But that photo malarkey was very Poor. Unrealistic. An oversight that marred this decent enough episode. I don't want to keep marking them all down, but there are SO MANY flaws to individual episodes that can't be overlooked & should not be, even if the bigger picture is far more palatable. A historic TV series without doubt, though a flawed one.

AS was the recent episodes of the scene of Adriana being pulled into the FBI office then they see she thinks her uncle Richie Aprile was in the witness program not shot dead by Tony S's crew.

Did the FBI use that all the way thereafter? To play on that they thought Tony S had her Uncle killed, to totally flip her, so she ACTIVELY ratted them out. Poor script writing there, totally unrealistic. That would have been played on to the FULLEST each and every time they ever met up. Tony S had your Uncle killed what information have you got.

PS, it was the poor handling of his crew by Tony S in not getting an instant apology out of Ralph when he insulted Tony Sack's wife Ginny, who played a lovely woman and didn't deserve that insult. Even some of Tony S's crew would have liked her, respected her and stood up for her. Tony S was over all a poor underboss/boss. Problems stemming from him.

Tony S should have balled Ralph out right away, to put an end to any such possible escalating problems between the mob factions. Then the rat Paulie Walnuts may not have blabbed to Johnny sack while in the joint. The trouble he caused there. (Poor handling by Tony S yet again that Paulie was upset! he would do such a thing). Throughout the series for a code of silence outfit, they all sure did their fair share of blabbing.