The Sopranos, "46 Long": The Party's Over

A review/recap of the January 17, 1999 episode after I use the technique of positive visualization.

Technology and the changing from the past to the future is featured heavily in this episode. Georgie (Frank Santorelli), the bartender at the Bada Bing can't figure out the new telephones, Christopher and Brendan steal new DVD players, Jackie Aprile, Sr. (Michael Rispoli), the acting boss of the family is thinking of naming his successor, and most importantly to Tony, he has to move his mother into a retirement community.

The scenes between James Gandolfini and Nancy Marchand are just incredible to watch. These two are the by far the best actors on the show. The way that Marchand plays the spite-filled and practically insane Livia is sad, yet fun to watch. The relief that is on Tony's face when he is signing the papers to move Livia into Green Grove is contrasted perfectly with Livia's blank face, and is a great ending to the Tony's family side of the main plot.

The crime side of the main plot was good, but still lacked something. Aspiring made man Christopher and his friend Brendan (Anthony DeSando) hijack a truck of DVD players. This upsets Uncle Junior because he gets paid protection money from the truck company, and demands a sit down with Tony and acting boss Jackie Aprile, Sr. They agree that Christopher and Brendan will pay restitution to Junior, which angers Christopher and Brendan. At a night club they agree to rob one of Junior's trucks again, but Christopher has second thoughts, but Brendan does it anyway. It ends horribly as the driver is accidently killed and Tony tells them that they better return the truck.

The subplot of Big Pussy and Paulie (Tony Sirico) trying to find AJ's teacher's stolen car had its moments (Paulie thinking that the Italian culture was raped because of coffee places selling cappuccinos, etc.), but it was really just there to fill time.

The future is coming, and only Tony can see what it will do to his family life and crime life.

Other notes:

• Silvio's impression of Pacino in The Godfather Part III is just as funny to me, as it is to Tony and crew
• The funniest parts of the episode involved Perrilyn (Debrah Ellen Waller), who was the Trinidadian nurse that Tony hires to take care of Livia. Tony telling her she get do whatever she wants in her own time but "no ganja" when she's taking care of his mother. Livia telling Tony that she thinks Perrilyn is stealing. Finally, Perrilyn storming out of the house quitting as Carmela is walking in.
• I don't know if he is doing it on purpose, but Anthony DeSando, who plays Brendan, is always moving when he is on the screen. He's definitely not the best actor, but he sure is convincing as a crystal meth addict (if the always moving is on purpose).
• Not much for Robert Iler and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who play AJ and Meadow, in this episode but they certainly weren't robbed of any Emmy nominations, when they are on screen
• Be on the lookout for comedian Mike Epps, who plays Jerome, one of the men who stole AJ's teacher's car; and J.D.Williams, who would go on to play Bodie on The Wire, as Special K, one of Brendan's thugs who steal the second truck.

Sign of the times:

• The crew are discussing the science of cloning and Princess Diana
• Tony, Christopher, and Brendan debate whether DVDs or Laserdiscs are better
• Spice Girls as a relevant reference.

It sure seems like the times are changing for Tony and the rest of both of his families.