Sentimental Education (The Sopranos)

"Sentimental Education (The Sopranos)"

"Sentimental Education" is the fifty-eighth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the sixth of the show's fifth season. It was written by Matthew Weiner, directed by Peter Bogdanovich and originally aired on April 12, 2004.

Guest starring roles

• Tom Aldredge as Hugh De Angelis
• Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile
• Alison Bartlett as Gwen MacIntyre
• Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo
• Joseph R. Gannascoli as Vito Spatafore
• Dan Grimaldi as Patsy Parisi
• Henry Yuk as Sungyon Kim
• Liza Lapira as Amanda Kim
• Arthur Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi
• Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola
• David Strathairn as Robert Wegler
• Ed Vassallo as Tom Giglione
• Danielle Di Vecchio as Barbara Soprano Giglione

Episode recap

When Tony finds it increasingly difficult to take care of A.J., he sends him back to Carmela, who lets it be known that she expects a lot from A.J. now that he will be moving back in. In order to make sure her son's priorities are in the right place, she has a visit with Robert Wegler, his guidance counselor. However, their discussion quickly turns from A.J. to having dinner together. The following evening, they dine at a fine Italian restaurant and afterwards passionately kiss in his car. Carmela then begins to have guilt when she tells Father Phil Intintola about her lust for Mr. Wegler over a meal. Father Phil advises her not to act on her feelings, since in the eyes of the Church, she is still considered to be married to Tony. Carmela sleeps with Wegler nonetheless, and spends the night at his house. She later confesses this to Father Phil, but still continues the liaison. After their next date, Carmela ends up back at Wegler's house again, but expresses concern about A.J. and says that she can't sleep with Wegler because she is too worried about him. She leaves abruptly, leaving Wegler frustrated. The next day Wegler pressures one of A.J.'s teachers to raise his grade for a poorly written essay. When Carmela next sees Wegler, she is very forward and they have sex again. Afterwards, Carmela talks about A.J. again. Wegler comes to the conclusion that Carmela is just using him to get A.J. better grades, and tells her that he wants to end the relationship. Carmela is extremely hurt by this, and after an argument, threatens Wegler that he should "watch his step" as she storms out.

Tony Blundetto is still trying to adjust to life as a civilian but is becoming quite impatient with his employer, Kim, who is strict and demanding. With the help of Gwen, a girlfriend he met via the Internet while in prison, Tony B. passes his state massage board exam and is hopeful to open his own massage facility. When Kim hears about Tony B.'s plans for the future, he wants to help him, since he has an empty storefront in West Caldwell. When Tony B. then comes across $12,000 in the street, everything appears to be going his way. He manages to start fixing the storefront up, but then goes on a self-destructive tear, staying out nights and blowing much of the remainder of the money on gambling and expensive clothes. After fighting on the phone with Gwen, he takes his anger and frustration out in a beating he gives Kim, ostensibly because he has been doing all of the work. Tony B. then meets his cousin, Tony Soprano, at Vesuvio for a meal. After hinting that he has screwed up, Tony B. asks if he still needs someone to cover the airbag scheme.

Title reference

• Sentimental Education is a book written by Gustave Flaubert, who also wrote Madame Bovary, which Mr. Wegler recommends to Carmela.

Production

• The episode was directed by Peter Bogdanovich, who also has a recurring guest role as Dr. Elliot Kupferberg (Dr. Melfi's psychiatrist), although he does not appear in this episode.

Music

• The song played over the end credits is "The Blues is my Business" by Etta James.
• The song played in Paulie's Cadillac is "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" by Mel Carter.
• The song played when Carmela is peeling the cucumber is "Over The Mountain" by Bobby Vinton.