Pax Soprana (14 Feb. 1999)

Tony tries to balance Junior against the other capos, while Carmela reasserts herself as the woman in Tony's life.

Director:

Alan Taylor

Writers:

David Chase (creator), Frank Renzulli

Stars:

James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
James Gandolfini	...	Tony Soprano
Lorraine Bracco	...	Dr. Jennifer Melfi
Edie Falco	...	Carmela Soprano
Michael Imperioli	...	Christopher Moltisanti
Dominic Chianese	...	Junior Soprano
Vincent Pastore	...	Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero
Steven Van Zandt	...	Silvio Dante (credit only)
Tony Sirico	...	Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri (credit only)
Robert Iler	...	A.J. Soprano (credit only)
Jamie-Lynn Sigler	...	Meadow Soprano (credit only)
Nancy Marchand	...	Livia Soprano
John Heard	...	Det. Vin Makazian
Jerry Adler	...	Hesh
Al Sapienza	...	Mikey Palmice
Paul Schulze	...	Father Phil Intintola

Storyline

Tony gets another report from the cop who's been keeping an eye on Dr. Melfi. He's still having erotic dreams about her but is suffering from erectile dysfunction and a distancing from Carmela. He tells Jennifer Melfi how he feels about her but she has an explanation for his emotions. Uncle Junior is the new boss and he's making his presence felt. He decides to tax Hesh who had a special arrangement with his predecessor. Hesh doesn't mind being taxed, it's the amount that he doesn't like. The other captains are unhappy as well as Junior is stepping in on some of their money earning schemes without even having the courtesy of telling them about it. Tony approaches New York boss Johnny 'Sack' Sacramoni to find a solution to the situation.

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Plot Keywords:

gangster

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1999 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paterson, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brad Grey Television, Chase Films, Soprano Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is a reference to Pax Romana, the long period of relative peace in the Roman Empire from the beginning of Augustus Caesar's reign in 27 B.C. to the end of Marcus Aurelius' in 180 A.D.

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Goofs

In the scene where Tony brings Dr. Melfi a coffee during their session, the tissues in her tissue dispenser keep changing shape and position.

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Quotes

Tony Soprano: Remember the story you told me about the father bull talking to the son? They're up on this hill and looking down on a bunch of cows. And the son goes to the father, "Dad, why don't we run down there and fuck one of these cows?" Now do you remember what the father said? Father says, "Son, why don't we walk down there and fuck them all?"

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: The Real Housewives of Fat Tony (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Willy Nilly"
Composed by Isaac Hayes, David Porter
Performed by Rufus Thomas

User Reviews

Dreamy

While Tony is treating Uncle Junior as the head of la famiglia, Junior begins screwing things up and makes everybody angry as hell. So Tony must finesse the old man. The FBI meanwhile moves Uncle Junior to the head of the famiglia list on its bulletin board. At home, Tony has a problem: he has become impotent to his meds. He also, under the influence of them and because his treatment under Dr. Melfi is moving forward, professes his love for Dr. Melfi and even kisses her. Talk about trouble in paradise. Carmela senses things are not working in her favor and, after chatting with her priest, decides to win Tony back. Tony has a couple of dreams, both involving Melfi. The first has her show up under his covers (and for half a second, at least in my head, she looks an awful lot like Meadow). A second dream has her show up nice and wet and naked in his shower. When Tony wakes from that one, he quickly rolls over to make sure it is Carmela lieing next to him. His double-take is priceless. A near-perfect episode.