We meet Marlon Brando, terrifically played by Justin Chambers. Chambers doesn't try and do an over-the-top Brando impression, but rather, he captures his speech pattern and pitch of his voice. The transformation scene into Don Corleone is breathtaking and a huge tribute to director Adam Arkin.
Anthony Ippolito also captures the essence of Al Pacino without doing Rich Little. Matthew Goode continues to steal the show with his dead-on Bob Evans. Burn Gorman has an outstanding episode as Boss Charlie Bluhdorn, as does, Dan Fogler as Francis Coppola.
The key to these characterizations is less is more. Be subtle. Pay attention to the little things. That's why Giovanni Ribisi's performance, as Joe Columbo, is so jarringly out of place as he plays this big, broad, caricature of a generic mob boss.
This episode really hit the marks and moved so swiftly I couldn't believe the hour was up. I am really liking this series.
