Christopher (The Sopranos)
"Christopher" | |
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The Sopranos episode | |
File:Sopranos ep403.jpg | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 3 |
Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
Story by |
|
Teleplay by | Michael Imperioli |
Cinematography by | Phil Abraham |
Production code | 403 |
Original air date | September 29, 2002 |
Running time | 54 minutes |
Guest appearance | |
see below | |
"Christopher" is the 42nd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the third episode of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Michael Imperioli, from a story idea by Imperioli and Maria Laurino. It was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on September 29, 2002.
Starring
- James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano
- Lorraine Bracco as Jennifer Melfi
- Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano
- Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
- Dominic Chianese as Corrado Soprano, Jr.
- Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante
- Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri
- Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr.
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano *
- Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva
- Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano
- Federico Castelluccio as Furio Giunta
- John Ventimiglia as Artie Bucco
- Steven R. Schirripa as Bobby Baccalieri
- Vincent Curatola as Johnny Sack
- Kathrine Narducci as Charmaine Bucco
- Joe Pantoliano as Ralph Cifaretto
* = credit only
Guest starring
Also guest starring
- Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile
- Joseph R. Gannascoli as Vito Spatafore
- Dan Grimaldi as Patsy Parisi
- Matt Servitto as Agent Harris
- Max Casella as Benny Fazio
- Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo
- Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola
- Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani
- Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi
- Arthur Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi
- Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante
- Frank Santorelli as Georgie
- Lola Glaudini as Agent Deborah Ciccerone
- Christine Pedi as Karen Baccalieri
- Lexie Sperduto as Sophia Baccalieri
- Angelo Massagli as Robert Baccalieri III
- Denise Borino-Quinn as Ginny Sacrimoni
- Richard Portnow as Harold Melvoin
- Richard Romanus as Richard LaPenna
- Peter Riegert as Assemblyman Ronald Zellman
- Joyce Van Patten as Sandy
- Larry Sellers as Del Redclay
- Alex Rice as Maggie Donner
- Nick Chinlund as Chief Doug Smith
- Montel Williams as Himself
- Yul Vazquez as Reuben 'The Cuban'
- Nick Di Paolo as Joey the Cop
- Joseph R. Sicari as Phillip Di Notti
- Randy Barbee as The Judge
- Craig Zucchero as George "Gus" Esposito
- Dan Castleman as Prosecutor Castleman
Synopsis
Silvio wants to take action against Native Americans protesting the Columbus Day parade, believing their actions are insulting to Italian-Americans. Without Tony's approval, he, Patsy, and Artie attempt to break up the demonstration. As they are being warned by police, Little Paulie has a glass bottle thrown at him, and several other members of his party are injured. Tony blames Silvio for intervening. Ralphie threatens the protest leader, Professor Del Redclay, with publicizing the fact that Iron Eyes Cody, a popular Native American figure, is actually an Italian-American. Tony appeals to Assemblyman Ron Zellman and an Indian chief to convince Redclay to cancel the protest. Although this fails, the chief invites Tony and his crew to his casino. Both the parade and protest occur without mob intervention, which upsets Silvio. Tony forcefully argues to Silvio that his achievements - his profitable club, for example - came through his own abilities, not through being an Italian-American. He scorns the idea that everyone belongs to a victimised group.
At a luncheon meant to instill Italian pride in women, the "mob wives" feel singled out when the speaker attempts to dissociate Italian culture from the Mafia. After the luncheon, Gabriella lectures Father Phil about how much the mob wives, especially Carmela, have given to the parish, and says he had no right to bring in a guest speaker who intended to shame them.
The Soprano and Lupertazzi families meet over a meal. Johnny, speaking for Carmine, who is present, demands a share of the profit Tony made from Junior's warehouse, which he bought and quickly turned around. Tony agrees, but later murmurs, "Somebody's talking too much. And it's costing me money." Johnny is furiously hostile to Ralphie; Ralphie cannot understand why.
Bobby's wife Karen is killed in a road accident. The mob wives feel sympathy for Bobby during the wake and quietly discuss his having never taken a comare. Spending time with him in his home, Janice is touched by his sincere grief. Ralphie is now living with Janice, having left Rosalie. But after discussion with her therapist, who recommends that she stop choosing partners who are similar to her brother or father, Janice wills herself to break up with him. They argue; she is at the top of the staircase and hits Ralphie, causing him to fall downstairs, injuring his back. Janice locks herself in her room as Ralphie hobbles back to his car, bags in hand.
First appearances
- Dan Castleman: the prosecutor in Junior's trial
- Pie-O-My: The race horse that Ralph Cifaretto buys and Tony admires
- Marty Schwartz: an associate of Hesh Rabkin's who organizes the meeting between Tony Soprano and Chief Doug Smith
Deceased
- Karen Baccalieri: wife of Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri; dies in a car accident.
Title reference
- The title refers to the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, the first European in several centuries to land in the Americas, in 1492. The controversy surrounding Christopher Columbus and the Columbus Day parade protests are referenced repeatedly in the episode.
Production
- Dan Castleman, who plays a prosecutor with the same name on the series, first appearing in this episode, also acts as a consultant for the show's writers, giving them expert advice on their questions about legal matters dealing with the Mafia. In his real-life career, Castleman spent 30 years in the Manhattan District Attorney's office as chief of the Rackets Bureau and then of Investigations.[1] Castleman would be credited for his contributions and given the title of a technical adviser starting with the second part of Season Six.
References to past episodes
- During a therapy session, Janice's therapist tells her she should stop dating her brother (Tony Soprano)'s employees, citing the last time Janice did, her fiancé ran out on her to enter the witness protection program. This is in reference to Janice's former fiancé Richie Aprile, whom Janice killed in the episode "The Knight in White Satin Armor".
Controversy
The episode created a controversy when cast members of The Sopranos (specifically Dominic Chianese and Lorraine Bracco) were banned from marching in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, despite having received an invitation to participate in the event from New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[2][3]
Accolades
Joe Pantoliano won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 55th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2003 for his work in this episode and Whoever Did This. [4][5]
Music
- The song played over the end credits is "Dawn (Go Away)" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
- "Elevation" by U2 and "Waiting for Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez are both heard when Carmela and Rosalie are in the gym.
- Ralph’s Ringtone is the Rocky theme.
References
- ^ Martin, Brett (2007-10-30). ""Got Myself a Gun": Theft, Murder, and Other Assorted Violent Tendencies". The Sopranos: The Complete Book. New York: Time. p. 126. ISBN 978-1-933821-18-4.
- ^ "The Sopranos out of tune with parade". The Age. Melbourne. October 15, 2002. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "'Sopranos' Banned From Parade". Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ Neal, Rome. ""Joe Pantoliano, Emmy Winner."". CBS News. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan; Seitz, Matt Zoller (January 8, 2019). The Sopranos Sessions. Abrams Press. ISBN 9781419734946.