“So remember, get all of your academic and extracurricular ducks in a row. Leave nothing to chance.” The college recruiter speaks this line, just as David Scatino (played by Robert Patrick) steps up and walks out of the classroom in the opening scene, the key words being, “Leave nothing to chance.” Again, we’re slapped in the face with foreshadowing, as Scatino will fall into deep debt not only with Tony Soprano in this episode, but with Richie Aprile as well. David leaves everything up to chance.

Tony Soprano Loves Hanging Out With Old High School Friends

I really like find the storyline interesting of how Tony sets the precedent that he’s not the little kid on the school bus anymore to David, who still thinks of Tony as an old high school friend, instead of the man that he has become. We’re shown the business side of Tony Soprano, who will step over anyone or anything to provide for his family and get what is owed to him. Although it’s not exactly cold blooded murder, Tony see’s an opportunity with David, lends him the money and then starts to collect after the man screws up. Tony Soprano doesn’t look back.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The David Scatino storyline also leads us into Tony Soprano choosing a ‘civilian’ over Richie Aprile, yet again. Again this gives Richie reason to get pissed at Tony and perhaps Tony isn’t right in doing so, however Tony really wants Richie to respect him. I have to side with Tony Soprano on this. When Richie spots David at Tony’s card game, attempts to strangle him, and demands his money, I think Tony has every right to defend David. Tony knows that Richie is old school and that he expects to be right back in the life he defended while serving in prison for 10 years, however Tony has to lay down the law. Tony is the acting street boss and he’s not getting the respect from Richie that he expects and deserves.

How Could Tony Want To Smash Her Face In?

Tony & Melfi’s first therapy scene this episode really let’s us in on the feelings of anger he’s been showing in the first half of the second season. The episode’s title is referenced in this scene when Tony mentions ‘the happy wanderer’, whom he can not stand. Tony resents Melfi for making him feel like a victim. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t want to go back to therapy for a while?

Am I The Only One That Finds It Ironic That Vito Spatafore Is Sucking On The Cigar Like That During His First Appearance As A Mobster?

During a scene at Richie Aprile’s hangout, we’re officially introduced to Vito Spatafore (played by Joseph R. Gannascoli). Joseph played a character in the season one episode, The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti, however in that episode he wasn’t formally introduced to us and he was not a mobster.

Perhaps Junior Is A Little More Well Thought Out Than We'd Thought

Junior Soprano reveals to Tony Soprano that he had a second uncle, Ercoli (named “Eckley”) who was retarded and put up for adoption. To me, this seems like a storyline that never really lead anywhere, but don’t get me wrong, it’s interesting to know more about The Soprano’s past. Perhaps Junior told this story to Tony shortly before negotiating his payment for the ‘executive game’ to throw Tony off of his game?

Frank Sinatra Jr. Starring As...Frank Sinatra Jr.

This episode features a celebrity who plays themself, aka Frank Sinatra Jr. We’re also first introduced to Sunshine & Dr. Ira Fried during one of the executive game scenes. The scene of Silvio Dante flipping out on Matthew Bevilaqua over sweeping the cheese is my favorite scene from this episode. You’ll find the video clip of it at the bottom of this post.

Paulie Whips It Out For The Cop

This episode touches on the mafia / police officer relationship for one of the first times on The Sopranos. We see Paulie get pulled over by a cop, pull a gun on him and then realize that Paulie is paying off the cop in order for some peace and quiet during the executive game. I can never get enough of Paulie’s scenes. It’s interesting to see the kind of pull that the mobsters have in NJ, as they are bribing the police to get what they want. They are on a whole other level.

Meadow Is Looking Quite Chipper In This Scene, No?

I really need to start touching on the music used in episodes of The Sopranos in these blog posts. I have a huge Sopranos playlist on my iPhone that gets regular play. I’m constantly searching down more tracks to add to it. It was cool to hear Stone Temple Pilot’s Down playing when Meadow’s friend Eric Scatino picks her up for school. Kind of dates the episode unlike other music used in the show, but cool none the less. Later a poster from the band Hole is season in Meadow’s bedroom (from the album “Celebrity Skin”).

Just The Site Of His Mother, Sister & Richie Aprile Sets Tony Soprano Off

During the funeral of Tom Giglione Sr., Tony & Carmela come face to face with Livia Soprano for the first time this season, since season 1. After Tony takes a look at Richie, Janice & Livia, he’s ready to leave the funeral. I can’t help but laugh at Tony’s annoyance with the three of them. Each of them gets on his nerves in their own way and seeing them together has got to annoy the hell out of Tony.

Livia Soprano's Eyes Are Talking To Tony

I love the scene where Tony returns back into the funeral and Livia stares at Tony. No words are spoken however a thousand thoughts are conveyed between the two characters. Tony can’t stand the site of his mother as she is “dead to him”. Livia looks at Tony as if she wants him to forgive her, although she would never admit that to anyone. The both of them are beyond stubborn. As of this point, Tony has yet to confront his mother or speak a single word to her since he tried to attack her with a pillow in s01e13 I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano.

Janice Gives Richie A Piece Of Her Mind

Much like Livia pulled Junior’s strings in season 1, Janice starts getting into Richie’s ear while driving home from the funeral, remarking, “$50,000 – mailmen make more than that,” in reference to how much money Tony gave Richie to get back on the street. It becomes more and more apparent with each episode of season 2 that Richie Aprile isn’t going to settle for the ranking that Tony Soprano has given him. Richie Aprile wants more.

Meadow Soprano Realizes That Something Is Rotten In Denmark

David Scatino offers Tony Soprano his son’s car as partial payment for some of the money he owes. Tony wants to give the car to Meadow, who in return blows up in his face. Again we’re left to decide who’s right and who’s wrong when Tony & Meadow go head to head, arguing about Tony’s present to Meadow. Again I side with Tony, if Tony sold the car and gave Meadow the money, bought her food, or bought her a different present, how is that any different? Tony Soprano provides for his family with any means possible.

The Show Must Go On

Tony Soprano shows no remorse during Meadow’s school show, when learning that Eric Scatino will not perform, probably knowing that Eric quit because of his father giving his car away. Meadow Soprano is performing in the show and that’s all that matters. The Soprano family prevails another day.

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