Introducing Richie Aprile into the series was one of the best ideas they ever had. He immediately asserts himself as the protagonist for Tony and I really liked the way the character is portrayed. Instead of the glamorous suits and style of the mafiosos in Goodfellas and Godfather we get Aprile who is little hell in a hand basket with no regard to looking the part, he is just an old school gangster as he professes.
Along with Richie's introduction there's a scene where Carmela explodes on Janice in a way we've never seen the former do so previously. A powerful moment for Carmela and one of my favorite of the entire series. For all her flawed logic, Carmela at her roots is a protective mother and finally we she how she can be as vicious as Tony when push comes to shove.
Plus we get a scene with the crew out to dinner and those are always great. Melfi embarrasses herself running into Tony after too much wine and Paulie tells the best joke in the series.
The pacing for this episode was great. The episode felt like a small movie in and of it self. You could've killed off Richie at the end of this one and it still would've been better than how they did off with Dickie Moltisanti.
Along with Richie's introduction there's a scene where Carmela explodes on Janice in a way we've never seen the former do so previously. A powerful moment for Carmela and one of my favorite of the entire series. For all her flawed logic, Carmela at her roots is a protective mother and finally we she how she can be as vicious as Tony when push comes to shove.
Plus we get a scene with the crew out to dinner and those are always great. Melfi embarrasses herself running into Tony after too much wine and Paulie tells the best joke in the series.
The pacing for this episode was great. The episode felt like a small movie in and of it self. You could've killed off Richie at the end of this one and it still would've been better than how they did off with Dickie Moltisanti.