Mayham (26 Mar. 2006)

While the gang begins to turn on itself, Tony finds himself at the threshold.

Director:

Jack Bender

Writers:

David Chase (creator), Matthew Weiner

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 (credit only)
Steven Van Zandt	...	Silvio Dante
Tony Sirico	...	Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri
Robert Iler	...	A.J. Soprano
Jamie-Lynn Sigler	...	Meadow Soprano
Aida Turturro	...	Janice Soprano
Steve Schirripa	...	Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri (as Steven R. Schirripa)
Frank Vincent	...	Phil Leotardo
John Ventimiglia	...	Artie Bucco
Ray Abruzzo	...	Little Carmine Lupertazzi
Joseph R. Gannascoli	...	Vito Spatafore

Storyline

Tony is still comatose and if anything, his condition is deteriorating. The doctor's are trying to control a fever-causing infection and Carmela is increasingly worried, if that's possible. The strain of leading the family and constantly settling disputes among the captains is affecting Syl whose asthma is acting up. He orders Paulie and Vito to each give Carmela $100,000 as Tony's share of a recent big score. They both hold off waiting to see if Tony lives or dies. Vito sees himself as Tony natural successor and starts to prepare the way. Bobby Bacala and Christopher learn what AJ has been planning. As for Tony, his dream continues where he is mistaken for someone by the name of Finnerty. When he sees a poster announcing a Finnerty family reunion, he drops by only to find a familiar face as the doorman who urges him to go inside the brightly lit house where everyone is waiting for him.

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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:

26 March 2006 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brad Grey Television, Chase Films, Park Entertainment, The

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Just into the episode, Paulie gets kneed in the groin and ends up stabbing his attacker in the chest. While his victim is lying on his back (apparently dead) with his right hand on his stomach, not only does the position of his hand keep moving, but he can also be seen breathing.

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Connections

References Halloween (1978)

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Soundtracks

"The Sermon"
Performed by Jimmy Smith

User Reviews

Back to normal... Well, as normal as they come in this show, at least

By simply reading the title, one would expect a particularly bloody episode. Nothing of the sort: Mayham is sad, funny, poetic and foreboding - quintessential Sopranos, in other words.

With Tony still in a coma and still trying to prove to the guys inside his mind he isn't Kevin Finnerty, Silvio is taking care of his business back in the real world, only to have an asthma attack as a result of the added stress. Meanwhile, Carmela realizes she is every bit as rotten as her husband after having a revealing conversation with Dr. Melfi, and also discovers Paulie and the others don't really care about her, as proved by the looks on their faces when they have to give her a part of their earnings. Speaking of Paulie, he puts the "fun" ingredient into the episode thanks to a scene where he beats up some people and for once gets some punches in return, a kick in the nuts proving especially painful.

Being practically the third part of a very long season opener, one that sort of puts everything in perspective and sets things in motion for the flowing episodes, Mayham is wonderful in its juxtaposition of pitch-black comedy and mature tragedy, with just a slice of Twin Peaks-like dream sequences to add some extra emotional heft, none more so than when Tony, about to wake up, is given the opportunity to choose between living and dying, and that offer is made by an unidentified waiter (Steve Buscemi) who looks a lot like his dead cousin. The metaphorical readings of that scene are numerous and not entirely easy to get, and that's for the better of it: "easy" would be a sign of creative complacency, which is exactly what The Sopranos has always conquered, episode after episode. This one is no exception.