Stage 5 (15 Apr. 2007)

Johnny Sac finds out he only has 3 months to live. Meanwhile, 'Cleaver' premieres and is a hit, while Carmela has mixed emotions about it, saying it's too based on Tony.

Director:

Alan Taylor

Writers:

David Chase (creator), Terence Winter

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 Baccalieri
Gia Bella Adamo	...	Anna
Steve Schirripa	...	Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri (as Steven R. Schirripa)
Vincent Curatola	...	Johnny 'Sack' Sacramoni
Frank Vincent	...	Phil Leotardo
Ray Abruzzo	...	Little Carmine Lupertazzi

Storyline

Johnny Sack learns from his oncologist that his cancer has spread and he how has only a few months to live. He gets a ray of hope from a fellow prisoner, oncologist Warren Feldman, who is in jail for having murdered his wife. His hope is short-lived and Johnny Sack is soon dead. It all leads to lack of leadership in the family with two contenders to replace him. One of the contenders is gunned down at dinner with Sil. Phil Leotardo decides he needs to leave a legacy and acts to fill the void. Christopher's movie, Cleaver, premieres but Carmela for one thinks the movie strikes a bit too close to home. Tony doesn't quite see it that way.

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Plot Keywords:

restaurant | award | shoot | prison | reference to isaac newton | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 2007 (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

Runtime:

55 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paulie's ringtone is "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel.

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Quotes

Phil Leotardo: That cocksuckin' piece of shit Tony Soprano's cousin - I can't even say his name - murdered Billy. And what did I do about it?... My weakness. Sometimes I think it's in my DNA. My family took shit from the Merigans the minute we got off the boat.
Butch DeConcini: Come on, the fuck you talkin' about?
Phil Leotardo: Leotardo. That's my fuckin' legacy... No more, Butchie. No more of this.

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Connections

References Born Yesterday (1950)

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Soundtracks

"Fried Neckbones and Some Homefries (Dan the Automator Remix)"
Composed by Willie Bobo, Melvin Lastie
Performed by Willie Bobo
Remixed by Dan Nakamura

User Reviews

Shakespeare's influence

i like the direction taken in this episode quite a bit. setting up the 'hamlet' parallel is cool, and it's natural for Christopher (ahem, the nephew) to stage hamlet's play.

remember the rule, folks. the ending, when finally revealed, no matter how fantastic, must appear inevitable.

everything they've given us this season is everything they should have been giving us a season or two ago.

some serious time went into the writing of the three episodes aired so far, and it's clear it's all setting up what's coming next. my Sunday nights are back.