A review/recap of the incredible February 7, 1999 episode after I find $50,000 in Krugerrands and a .45 automatic while hunting for Easter eggs.
Wow. Now that is as close to perfection as you can get. There is a reason TV Guide named this episode the second best episode of any television show (Seinfeld's "The Contest" was the best).
Two perfect storylines that deal with the future and setting the record straight, as Tony takes Meadow to New England to visit colleges when he sees a former member of his crime family who entered the Witness Protection Program, and eventually kills him. Meanwhile, Carmela deals with a surprise visit from friendly priest Father Phil (Paul Schulze).
With the college storyline, Tony's future is quickly catching up to him. Meadow is getting closer and closer to leaving his house (and protection) and going away to college. He even tells her he can't believe how much she has grown up. He also has to deal with a future where his two children somewhat know what he does for a living.
The most important part of the episode is when Tony sets the record straight with Meadow (at least as much as he could). In the car after she asks him if he is in the Mafia, he tells her that some of his income comes from illegal gambling and other activities. Meadow also comes clean, telling her father that she had been taking speed to study for the SATs, but she doesn't tell him that she got it from Christopher.
Tony also sets the record straight within his crime family by killing Fabian (Tony Ray Rossi), the person who turned informant and entered the Witness Protection Program. However, he doesn't come clean to Meadow about this. He still separates his blood family and crime family.
Carmela also sets the record straight by confessing to Father Phil. This is Father Phil's second appearance on the show, but the first time being played by Schulze (Michael Santoro plays Father Phil in the first episode), and it really is a strange appearance by the priest. Carmela fixes herself up after being sick in bed all day when she sees Father Phil at the door. After feeding him and drinking plenty of wine, Carmela decides to confess to Father Phil. She tells him it has been 20 years since her last confession. She believes that God will punish her for allowing evil into her home and to be with her children, and because she has never done anything about Tony committing horrible acts. Father Phil tells her that God will forgive her and then gives her Communion. Later, after more wine, Carmela and Father Phil almost kiss, but Father Phil has to run to the bathroom to throw up (divine intervention perhaps?).
When Tony and Meadow get home, Carmela tells Tony about Father Phil staying over. Tony is confused by this and doesn't belive Carmela when she says that Father Phil is not gay and that nothing happened between the,. Then she yells at Tony for seeing a woman therapist (Carmela answered the phone when Melfi called the Soprano house to say that she wouldn't be able to make Tony's next appointment). This seems a little hypocritical of Carmela when she doesn't trust Tony with Dr. Melfi, but he's not allowed to have reservations about Father Phil staying over with her.
This really is one of the best hours of television, even if it does not exactly move the plot along. However we do get to see and connect even more with Tony and Carmela as they confess a little bit about themselves.
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