Episode 5.01 - Review and General Comments

[wiseguywill]

I loved it. The wait was well worth it. You can totally tell that this is going to be a great season. Especially telling was the meeting between Feech, Tony and Junior. Bobby has moved up and the way Janice acted was classic. There was way too much melfi but hopefully this wont go on too much longer. Something that we may have overlooked is the struggle that might occur from Junior and Tony. It seems that Junior is still under house arrest so Tony is definitly still the man in charge for now. Adrianna was quite inquisitive and Ray was a non entity at that dinner...should be interesting with the Rat informants. When carmela came on the screen we had 15 people over and all that was to be heard was a chorus of boos. Also I love the fact that it seems Benny is going to be getting more screen time.
8/10

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandforum.showUserPublicProfile?gid=webmis tressivy>WebmistressIvy</A> http://www.poizenideas.com/images/tinygun.gif at: 4/12/04 10:12 pm

[RJUNIOR]

Well, they are giving Melfi some screen time that she lost in 4. I must admit though, I am a 28 year old male and I think I share Tony's feelings. LOL.

</p>

[Rightfielder21]

I thought it was good. The first few episodes will be setting up the rest of the season so my expectaions aren't high... I would agree 8/10..

</p>

[TWO GUNS GIANCARLO]

It appears to be a great start to the new season. It appears that it will be a busy season story wise. This is the most conflicted I have ever seen Tony, as he deals with emotional turmoil caused by his break-up with Carmela and now also being rejected by Melfi. It will only be a matter of time until Tony is at his breaking point and we see all of Tony's demons surface and exact a toll on all those in his life.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif ALT=":evil">

</p>

[bacala]

another amazing first episode....plenty of foreshadowing...feech is old and angry (ala richie)...you have to wonder if chris and paulie can truly bury the hatchet...adrianna was inquisitive about chris' outings...all that and more..

plus you gotta love it when (1) Janice is frantically cooking dinner and loses her ring and (2) when Chris and Paulie joke about the Russian. Chrissy says something like "that Russian was out there in his pajamas in f---ing 8 degree snow"...hilarious

and oh yeah...little carmine is whipped

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandforum.showUserPublicProfile?gid=tonyso prano555>tonysoprano555</A> http://www.sopranoland.com/slforum/tonysoprano.jpg at: 3/8/04 1:06 am

[Tommy Vecetti]

could someone post a synopsis please? i dont get hbo.

</p>

[TheSopranosHBO]

Did anyone think it was weird that the first person he went to was Carmella after Melfi told him about how she didn't appreciate his values... And we've never seen Carmela say anything bad about tony's values or anything aside from his 'whores'. Personally i think it will concentrate on tony trying to get Carm back....What does everyone else think?

I was glad to see Benny getting more air time too

8/10

</p>

[Rightfielder21]

I still can't believe that Benny was once Vinnie Delpino. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol">

</p>

[TWO GUNS GIANCARLO]

I think this entire season will focus on Tony as he strengthens his two families and we will see how his relationships in each family has a parallel relationship and how these relationships have a direct bearing on the other relationship within Tony's "other" family. The screw up at home is AJ, the screw up in the crew is Christopher. The person who resents their stature and wants more is Janice, and the same holds true for Paulie. The parallels are endless.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif ALT=":evil">

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandforum.showUserPublicProfile?gid=twogun sgiancarlo>TWO GUNS GIANCARLO</A> http://www.sopranpland.com/images/cigarcrew2t.jpg at: 3/7/04 10:50 pm

[ripcurlksm]

Yeah yeah yeah, I think after all this time, it could have been a little more exciting. Sure there is a lot set up, every season sets up...

Im disappointed. But optimistic for the future.

-Kevin

</p>

[AStack75]

I'm glad Dr. Melfi appears to be having a much larger role this season. I think last season was missing a lot of what made Seasons 1-3 so good by having her character be non-exisitent for much of the season.

</p>

[TWO GUNS GIANCARLO]

Melfi's role will definitely be larger but hopefully it will not be at the expense of the character which we've seen develop over the last five seasons. It seemed as though DC did not have a strong storyline to reintroduce Melfi in a major way so he went for the obvious(Tony wanting Melfi).<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif ALT=":evil">

</p>

[jerrycurlan]

sounds good so far. i dont get HBO in my apartment so i'm just going to listen here all season long.

</p>

[Paulie Walnuts04]

Overall that was a solid opener because

1) I loved Feech LaMana's (Robert Loggia) Jail story
2) The part with Chris and Paulie killin that guy
3) Glad paulie and chris buried there diputes.
4) Tony is the same which i like
5) i like the whole Bobby Bacala With Janice

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST I CANT WAIT FOR BUSCHEMI!

</p>

[shazahaha]

*shrugs* I'm no professional (AKA wannabe) critic, but it felt like a middle episode; I mean, where was the intro? I won't elaborate--more like I can't, because it's just a feeling about the show I have, not anything I can explain--anymore on the subject, but it's the only real criticism I have. (I'm not a very critical guy when it comes to TV/movies...).

I'm glad the show's back.

</p>

[FlyOnMelfisWall]

I loved everything that was shown around the Soprano home. Many elsewhere have astutely pointed to the bear symbolism -- where once a family of endearing, harmless ducks roamed the yard and swam in the pool, now there is a solo monster of an animal prowling the yard, a threat to do damage at any time. The suburban family has given way to Tony the volatile rogue, who is roaming the yard right along with the bear.

I love Johnny Sac and am happy to see that he is apparently going to figure prominently again in Tony's season 5 "Family" life. The brewing Little Carmine/Johnny conflict looks very promising. Their one scene on the golf course last year was one of the better mob-related scenes of the 4th season.

This Feech dude didn't do much for me on first sight, though I've always liked Loggia. But then most of the mafiosos on this show do very little for me, with Tony, Johnny, and Bobby B, and to a small extent Uncle Junior, being the obvious exceptions.

I do look forward to seeing the Buscemi character for many reasons, not least of which is the apparent old history he has with Tony. Janice's comment also cracked me up: "that's the best picture they could find? He was a fox." LMAO! Sounds a little Godfather III, to me: mob daughter having crush on first cousin mob boy. In any case, the introduction of a blood-related character that knew Tony back in the day can only mean good things -- new back story exposition and further insight into how Tony became the man he is today.

Without a doubt, though, the night belonged, for me, to Tony and Melfi. I?ve put my comments about them in a separate post.


</p>

[harmony2k66]

I loved this episode! I thought it was well worth the wait. I dug the bear, Janice tossing out the wedding ring, Tony and Valentina, Tony and Melfi, and especially, Paulie and Christopher. The "everyone's always gay with you", Carmella talking about the bears, Tony, "What the f***"", Melfi's dream, Johnny and Tony in the waiting room, Feech at Juniors, and the priceless final confrontation near the end between Tony and Melfi. The speech between Tony and Chris, about the luxury of having someone buy you dinner was classic. The end was great too. A+, I totally agree with you FlyOnMelfi'sWall. I think that this is the best season opener yet. Especially with the new Previously On Music, and The Creatures Promo for The Next Week On. I really enjoyed For All Debts, Public And Private, but it didn't feel like a premiere. This one felt like one. It felt like they were really setting things up for whole season. Things were even more focused that last time. Lets look at the books, PILOT=A+, A Guy Walks Into A Psychiatrist's Office-A-,Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood-B+, For All Debts Public And Private=A+,Two Tonys=A+.
Im rewatching it again, Tony standing there while trying to hit on Melfi was funny. i thought that the humor when Johnny said, "Hope his speech isn't affected" or something along those lines.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandforum.showUserPublicProfile?gid=harmon y2k66>harmony2k66</A> at: 3/8/04 4:59 am

[ripcurlksm]

Come on dude, B-, if i was high<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin">

</p>

[harmony2k66]

If you don't mind my asking, what was wrong with it?


</p>

[Big Lou Gigante]

All I have to say is how lucky are you guys. We downunder have to wait to I would say until this year to see the new series.
<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif ALT="8)">

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[harmony2k66]

Check some sites. I guarentee you tonights will be up, and so on, and so on for the next twelve weeks. The quality is actually pretty good on the ones on the net.



</p>

[harmony2k66]

Also, just the fact of Tony ending up back in the house at the end. Perfect. The writing on this episode alone was perfect. I cannot think of any episode in Season Three, or Two for that matter that went through the depths for the writing this evening. melfi's reaction Tony, all the layers in that scene. Attraction, turning to revulsion turning to how the hell do I get this guy out of my life. Then back again to how can I keep him. Something tells me the bear is on the way out, and is probably having drinks somewhere with The Russian, and Melfi's Rapist. I don't think a single episode of Three, maybe besides Amour Fou, Pine Barrens, University, And Army Of One, hit tonights standards. The rush of violence in Chrissie and Paulie's waiter scene was pretty harsh, But then again the writing throws a wool, you think at first, that the monring conversation between Chris and Paulie might actually have some guilt about the two. Chase is really going to reinstate season threes,"these guys aiern't teddy bears", there murderers. And I think this season will show just hw reprehensible these characters are. Even Lazzy bobby, who it seems hasn't made anymore progress on that. My favioirit, absolute favioirite, was TOny and Melfi. Tony's voice going high pithced, we have never seen him like that before. He was like a fifteen year old boy asking Jenny Melfi to the prom. Perfect. All Over. And once again, The King gets to reign the castle, even though he can't stay there, has to sit outside in the cold, and has to use the bear as an excuse for the trip. Intrestingly enough, FLYOnMELFI'SWALL, i have read what you have posted, and I believe this might have been through one of your posts, but I also noticed and agreed with you on it. Tony retreats to Carmella after falling out with melfi, which as the show is is completely backwards. I found that to be very intersting. Switching Therapy, even though I am sure It will only be temporary.


</p>

[Vesuvio]

Tony's pursuit of Melfi was a great element to open Season 5. It really captures the differences between Tony and Melfi's worlds. Melfi is obviously attracted to and interested in Tony, but she doesn't want to be part of that world. She married the safe and straighlaced Italian husband the first time around, when she was very young, and now she is tempted by the bad boy.

But I think that, at least to this point, she has been able to use her logic to tempter her heart. And Tony's "F--- you" outburst at the end of their last conversation only helped to confirm her reservations.

As for the rest of the episode....

1. Carmine's stroke certainly helps set up a complex storyline - a power struggle between Johnny Sack and Carmine Jr., and Tony's role in all of this.

2. Feech's return seems to suggest that he'll be the next Richie/Ralph in Tony's life, but it might turn out that be Tony's recently-sprung cousin will be his new nemesis, instead.

3. Tony wound up calling for a hit on Furio anyway. Could that subside if Tony and Carmela get back together again?

4. Chris and Paulie's arguments, and eventual reconciliation, was important. It showed that Tony will still take Paulie's side, on occasion. It also showed that Paulie still uses his logic to temper his more volatile side.

Good opening episode. On to next week!!!

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandforum.showUserPublicProfile?gid=bakedz iti>BakedZiti</A> at: 3/10/04 11:18 am

[chicoxl]

Tremendous, as always... I loved the Feech character. His voice is brilliant, and the Fred Astaire comment was right in line...

Obviously, Tony & Melfi stole the show, but I thought AJ did a great job as well. His "Mommy! Mommy!" at the sight of the bear was very effective.

Regardless of the spoilers that I have read, I still don't think that Tony and Carm will end up divorcing. I can see them getting back together, if for nothing else than the routine that they are so caught up in.

Another amazing (though minor) part of the episode was Carm's reaction when Tony opened the fridge and drank from the OJ carton. Classic insight as to the minds of both parties. Tony still seems to be attached, while Carm does seem to have distanced herself a bit.

All in all, great episode. There was a set-up for conflict in both families, and it's sure to get better.

</p>

[lbwalnj]

Like many above, the 1st episiode of the new season was excellent in it's pacing, writing, acting and scenes. It was kinda like returning home to your family after a long absense - things change, people come and go, need to be brought up to speed, set up for the future. Almost all of the old characters were shown, as well as intros to some of the new ones. There was the resquite murder of a minor person to show the true and psychopathic violent nature of the mob. The scenes between Tony and Melfi were creepy but excellent. There was a lot to show and set up for this season and now we here will try to see what in this 1st episode will foreshadow for the rest of the season

</p>

[uncle junior]

well. i didn't think the episode was all that good. the killing of the waiter, to me was no needed. the episode felt very slow. it had some great moments. janice losing her ring...did she accidently dropped it in the food? i think she did..or the scene with JS at the hospital and johnny sack saying somethin about carm's speech. the guy wants the guy dead, we all know he doesnt give a shit about the speech. lol. classic sopranos moment. the whole melfi-tony stuff. at first i was shocked to see dr. tony trying to go out with dr. melfi. we talked about this before in the old msg board and i read alot of interviews of Chase where he said that having tony and melfi as a couple in the show was the wrost mistake he could make. it would ruin the show. and last night, i was praying that melfi wouldnt go out with tony because that would have ruined it all for me. i would have to agree with FlyOnMelfi'sWall about the possibility that tony's interest in melfi reflects his interest to gettin back with Carmella. i was talkin to my friend on the phone last night and i said to her that without carmella and the kids, he really has nothing. and he knows it. so , this season, i hope, he will try to get her back and i think melfi would be a great deal of help to him in doing that.
AJ was halarious when he screamed "Mommy mommy" that was just classic AJ moment. his drumming was good. benny was good too.

there were alot of good stuff in the episode. but i dont know, i would have to give it a B+...and maybe that's because my expectation of the show is so very high. but i do respect the opinions of everyone else who gave it an A+. we all have different tastes and different things satisfy us. but i am just glad the show is back agian.

</p>

[Garveysc]

A- ep.

If anyone has it on their comp and can send files trhu IM give me an IM at Etienne16. I would be very grateful and would return favor somehow.

</p>

[csully69]

<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"> THOUGHT THE EPISODE WAS ONE OF THE BEST BY FAR GLAD TO SEE MORE INTO THE LIFE OF THE MOB FAM NOT INTO THE SOPRANO FAM. THIS SEASON SHOULD BE BETTER THEN LAST.... MAY BE EVEN BETTER THE THE OTHERS?????


</p>

[FlyOnMelfisWall]

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>I don't think a single episode of Three, maybe besides Amour Fou, Pine Barrens, University, And Army Of One, hit tonights standards. <hr></blockquote>

Wow, harmony. We agree on last night's ep and a lot more, but we're going to have to go to the mattresses on this one.:-)

You may recall from a previous exchange that season 3 is my favorite so far (although 5 is off to a very promising start). I would cite "Proshai, Livushka", "Employee of the Month", and "Second Opinion" as equal or better than the eps you named with honorable mention to "Another Toothpick". That makes 8 of 13 episodes from season 3 at or near stellar level, which made it more consistently brilliant for me than seasons 2 or 4. Season 1 -- well it was all so new and fresh then and all so perfect, it's hard to really say 3 was "better".

I learned from my days as a rabid Luke/Laura fan (General Hospital) that serial drama, not just a series but one with heavily serialized storylines, uniquely builds power and momentum and payoff as it goes because the audience's understanding and identification with characters just keeps growing and growing and because there are temporal dimensions that really help create the illusion that you are part of the characters' ongoing lives. So probably for that reason, I liked 3 best. The individual scripts and ideas were outstanding, but fruit from prior viewing investments was already ripe and dropping all over the place.

And ever it will be, I guess. It's early, but I had a premonition even before last night that season 5 would be my favorite yet. So far, I'm right.:-)

</p>

[harmony2k66]

DOn't get me wrong, i really liked Season Three, I just thought four was the best season of the show. When Three was on, I remember how much i loved it. I think I may have just watched it a little too much. I agree with you, I thought Provishka (misspelling), was great, I loved Employee Of The Month, Forutnate Son, University, Second Opinion, He Will Rise. Ok, I loved the whole season. The only episodes I didn't love, was The Telltale Mootazedale, (which was still great), and.....well I think that's the only one. Season Four was my favioirite though and I hate to quote a review, but the "writing and acting worked together more powerfully that ever" in my opinion.I am extremly excited about Season Five so far. I agree with you FlyOnMelfisWall, that this will be the best season. I cannot wait for next week. That preview about the car coming back as a no hit, Ade with the Feds, Carmella, "Stop taking s*** out of the house", and Buschemi!!!!!!! I am watching the first episode, for the fifth time now. I expect to watch it probably two more times today. I guess I didn't make the whole just watching each episode once thing!

</p>

[FlyOnMelfisWall]

<blockquote>Quote:<hr> am watching the first episode, for the fifth time now. I expect to watch it probably two more times today. I guess I didn't make the whole just watching each episode once thing! <hr></blockquote>

LOL, I think I saw that one coming.

I've watched it about 4 times already and will be watching it at least twice tonight. Gawd I hate Chase, LMAO.

</p>

[Dirk McQuigley]

It did feel more like a middle episode than an opener, but I liked that. Perhaps the least self-conscious season opener for the series. I loved how needy T acted for Melfi; he really is just a big baby. And in the end - he's back home with Carm.
Loved the line about (paraphrasing here) "if the right people see Furio, he's dead."
Also - speaking of big - Tony's certainly put on some weight, eh?

</p>

[eruptus]

I've just seen "Two Tony's" and I have to say that I liked the episode a lot. There were no big surprises for me because I've read most of the news-articles. The biggest surprise for me was probably the introduction of Feech. It was almost like he'd always been on the show. Gotta give credit to mr. Loggia, he's clearly having fun playing this character. I've seen him play a lot of characters like this though.

All in all the episode was a great premiere, a lot of setting up of future storylines and some character development. I thought that the Tony-Melfi-relatioship would get too repetitive, but they managed to really improve the whole thing. There's probably a lot more to say about this episode, but I'm too lazy to write more. I'll give this episode A-.

</p>

[SofiaGiovanna]

TwoGunsGiancarlo

I absolutely agree--we're going to see Tony rage against someone...just don't know who that'll be yet. The bear, Chris, Paulie, AJ, Melfi, Johnny...but someone's going to be on the receiving end.

sofia

</p>

[BadaBing]

I think with bacala moving up, and into the family, as well as bescemi coming back. Tony has more capable people to shoot orders through then the worthless hack chrisopher...any takers?

</p>

[Nick]

I thought that it was kinda Wierd seeing the newspaper at the end of the driveway.Wasnt the same not seein Tony walk down and get his star ledger, like every episode before that.
Sybolistic of what the future holds for him i think.Not sure if I like the whole Break - up thing with him and carmella either.

Otherwise it was a really good episode liked the Waiter thing. The bear which is also very symbolistic, liked the fact that fishlips lupartazzi is on his way out and the son and johnny boy will no doubt be at war over control of that side of things.Definately makes things interesting.

I think that If tony was smart he would do everything he can to patch up things with carmella instead of wasting his energy with Melfi, this way he can concentrate on business instead of getting sidetracted with Melfi. Hes starting to loose site of whats important business wise because he is so unstable with his family at home. Hes a much better Gangster when things at home are stable.

Of course this is just my opinion...Whadda I know?<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat">

</p>

[The Mob Hand]

It was weird that Chris and Paulie talked about the Russian thing. FBI could have been listening.

</p>

[JDPeck]

I don't think that there's an FBI bug in any place like the Bada Bing, Satriale's, or Vesuvio's. They mention that they sweep the place for bugs every couple weeks (we've seen it in "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" and heard about it in "The Weight"). What a deus ex machina it would be if the FBI suddenly revealed that they had a bug in there. For all we know right now, their only real lead is Adriana.

</p>

[The Mob Hand]

But they should have been more careful, even though it was a good scene.

</p>

[Mark86]

The bugs can be anywhere, there was even one at Livia at Green Grove.

</p>

[eruptus]

<blockquote>Quote:<hr> The bugs can be anywhere, there was even one at Livia at Green Grove. <hr></blockquote>
Yeah, but that was exactly a deus-ex-machina solution. I don't think that Chase does things like that anymore.

</p>

[RJUNIOR]

I just saw a documentary on the Jimmy the Gent lufthansa heist that was featured in Goodfellas and the feds say that bugs in bars are useless since you don't hear anything but noise. They tried bugging the bars where Jimmy and Henry Hill talked and never got anything usefull. The most incriminating info the feds got from any case has been from informants.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandforum.showUserPublicProfile?gid=rjunio r@sopranolandforum>RJUNIOR</A> http://www.alltheweb.com/r?ck_sm=a055c864&rpos=0&oid=-&rpge=1&ref=200340086&r=http%3A%2F%2Fsopranosfamily.tripod.com%2Fsoprano s1 at: 3/13/04 3:13 am