[SOP] Nobody Knows Anything

TV Programme: The Sopranos
Season: 1
Episode: 11
Date I watched this episode: 19/03/2009
Time since I last watched this programme: 3 days.

After the shockingly bad last episode (which, after the dust settles, may well be one of the worst episodes of all time, along with [FAR] “Taking The Stone”, [SMV] “Krypto” etc) it was good to see a return to form with this one. A number of the storylines which are presumably progressing to the season finale were taken further here. In particular the revolt of Tony Soprano was brought much more to the surface. Surely Tony was a bit naïve thinking he could hold secret meetings at Livia Soprano’s house without Junior finding out though.

The main storyline of this episode was the mole within Soprano’s crew. I’m still not sure whether this is Jimmy; they seem to only have circumstantial evidence that this is the case. Still quite a lot of things don’t make sense about the gangster known as “Pussy”; how did he really escape the heroin bust? How did he really get out of jail so quick? However it’s unlikely that these questions will be answered; the context of the wild goose chase is often glossed over as it has been previously in 24 and Alias, etc.

The idea of the back problems was a theme through this episode too. Personally I’ve been having back problems recently and so it was interesting to learn that they can be caused by mental strain, under a great responsibility or secret. This tied in the psychiatrist with the central story in a very natural way.

There was a build up in the tensions between Tony and his mother here. Carmella showed a surprising amount of bravery (and perhaps recklessness) by facing up to Livia. She is right in that Livia is demonstrating “textbook manipulation”, but how far is she willing to go? Tony said that when she pointed that fork at him, she wouldn’t have done anything, but is she now prepared to go down a route that will lead in Tony’s assassination by Junior?

Carmella also hinted about Livia’s relationship with Junior. Despite her protests, she brought Junior’s name up several times. The relationship between Livia and Junior is somewhat undefined, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Tony is however clearly jealous of the fact that Livia has more time for Junior than him.

The “dirty cop” Vin has been somewhat of a background character recently. However he was obviously a key character here, leading to his suicide and Tony’s subsequent guilt for treating him so bad (the reasons why he did this have not really been made clear). This was probably the weakest story of the episode, but still good to have in there.

Now we are nearing the end of this first season, it is interesting to try to predict what storylines will meet their climax in the final episode and which will continue into future seasons. Will Junior and Tony have it out? Will Livia die? Will Meadow and/or Anthony find out the truth? Will the FBI start to make some serious arrests? Will the mole be dealt with? So many stories coming to a head, the season finale “I Dream Of Jeannie Cusamano” will likely be an amazing climax to this season.