"The Sopranos" Where's Johnny? (2004)

Director:

John Patterson

Writers:

David Chase (creator)
Michael Caleo (written by)

TV Series:

"The Sopranos" (1999)

Original Air Date:

21 March 2004 (Season 5, Episode 3)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

With Carmine's passing and Feech's arrival, turf wars are breaking out around New Jersey. Junior's health, meanwhile, starts to decline.

Plot Keywords:

Punctuation In Title | Question In Title | Bullet In Book | Gangster | Psychiatrist

Cast

James Gandolfini	...	Tony Soprano
Lorraine Bracco	...	Dr. Jennifer Melfi (credit only)
Edie Falco	...	Carmela Soprano (credit only)
Michael Imperioli	...	Christopher Moltisanti
Dominic Chianese	...	Junior Soprano
Steve Van Zandt	...	Silvio Dante (credit only) (as Steven Van Zandt)
Tony Sirico	...	Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri
Robert Iler	...	A.J. Soprano
Jamie-Lynn Sigler	...	Meadow Soprano (credit only) (as Jamie-Lynn DiScala)
Drea de Matteo	...	Adriana La Cerva
Steve Schirripa	...	Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri (as Steven R. Schirripa)
Aida Turturro	...	Janice Soprano
John Ventimiglia	...	Artie Bucco
Kathrine Narducci	...	Charmaine Bucco (as Katherine Narducci)
Steve Buscemi	...	Tony Blundetto

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Silvercup Studios - 4222 22nd Street, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Brad Grey Television

Quotes:

Tony Soprano: [to Bobby] You want more responsibility? Start by controlling your wife.

Movie Connections:

References "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000)

Soundtrack:

SIRIUS

War

At the end of Season Four, it looked like a war would start between Tony Soprano and Johnny Sack over the fact that the former refused to clip New York boss Carmine Lupertazzi. Now, with Carmine out of the picture, Johnny has moved his focus to the latter's son, Little Carmine.

The relationship between the two gets particularly nasty when Johnny has Phil Leotardo tell Little Carmine's loan-shark that all payments must go directly to him. Unfortunately, Tony can't be relied on for help, seeing as he has a bigger problem to deal with: his uncle. Ever since the old guy avoided jail time he's been a real pain in the ass, and his status deteriorates considerably after he's found wandering around a graveyard in his bathrobe, indicating he might actually suffer from the Alzheimer's he faked in court. Speaking of old people, Feech La Manna is a bit of a troublemaker himself, as his plans to reassess his past authority clash with Paulie's ambitions, leading to a compromise neither finds satisfying.

Anyone who has seen David Lynch's Lost Highway will certainly remember Loggia's fiery portrayal of an aged gangster, a blueprint of sorts for his work on this show: he's charismatic, joyously potty-mouthed and very energetic, kind of like the great Lawrence Tierney in Reservoir Dogs. Even so, he has to bow in front of Dominic Chianese, who rules the entire episode with just a handful of scenes, adding layers of sadness to an already compelling performance. The best combination of humor and subtle poignancy comes when Junior watches Curb Your Enthusiasm and mistakes Larry David for himself: "What am I doing on television?" One is tempted to answer: aside from writing a page of TV history, you mean?