This is an excellent character focussed episode with multiple great performances.
Another Toothpick has a lot going on and it's remarkable how engrossed it keeps you considering everything that happens.
As ever Tony faces issues from the business and at home and these drive the main plots brilliantly. It starts with a wonderfully awkward opening sequence that prompts Tony's anger, which carries over to the next scene and starts an arc for a guest character.
The previous episode finished with Dr Melfi making a difficult ethical decision, but in this one we see a few characters having their integrity showcased.
Recurring characters like Artie and Charmaine have some great moments. Artie is especially cringeworthy in several scenes that are written and performed perfectly, whilst Charmaine is portrayed once again as a voice of reason in a corrupt world.
There is quite a subtle and repetitive theme in all the above scenes showing the impact of third-parties on the relationships of various established couples.
Another strong arc comes out of Tony's business association with a second memorable guest character. These scenes are compelling but contain quite brutal depictions of violence and illness, that are not pleasant viewing.
Uncle Junior has some strong scenes that take the character in a new direction and contain familiar Soprano themes about belief systems.
In addition the writers cleverly start to lay the foundations for future conflict with several other recurring characters who start to antagonise Tony to varying degrees.
All actors do impressive work in this episode with Charles S. Dutton, Burt Young, John Ventimigilia, Dominic Chianese and Stephen Schirippa standing out for me. James Gandolfini leads it perfectly as always.
Another Toothpick has a lot going on and it's remarkable how engrossed it keeps you considering everything that happens.
As ever Tony faces issues from the business and at home and these drive the main plots brilliantly. It starts with a wonderfully awkward opening sequence that prompts Tony's anger, which carries over to the next scene and starts an arc for a guest character.
The previous episode finished with Dr Melfi making a difficult ethical decision, but in this one we see a few characters having their integrity showcased.
Recurring characters like Artie and Charmaine have some great moments. Artie is especially cringeworthy in several scenes that are written and performed perfectly, whilst Charmaine is portrayed once again as a voice of reason in a corrupt world.
There is quite a subtle and repetitive theme in all the above scenes showing the impact of third-parties on the relationships of various established couples.
Another strong arc comes out of Tony's business association with a second memorable guest character. These scenes are compelling but contain quite brutal depictions of violence and illness, that are not pleasant viewing.
Uncle Junior has some strong scenes that take the character in a new direction and contain familiar Soprano themes about belief systems.
In addition the writers cleverly start to lay the foundations for future conflict with several other recurring characters who start to antagonise Tony to varying degrees.
All actors do impressive work in this episode with Charles S. Dutton, Burt Young, John Ventimigilia, Dominic Chianese and Stephen Schirippa standing out for me. James Gandolfini leads it perfectly as always.