The Telltale Moozadell

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“The Telltale Moozadell”
The Sopranos episode
Episode no. Season 3
Episode 35
Guest stars see below
Written by Michael Imperioli
Directed by Dan Attias
Production no. 309
Original airdate April 22, 2001 (HBO)
Episode chronology
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Episode chronology

"The Telltale Moozadell" is the 35th episode of the HBO original series, The Sopranos. It was the 9th episode for the show's third season. The episode was written by Michael Imperioli and was directed by Dan Attias. It originally aired on Sunday April 22, 2001.

Contents

[edit] Guest Starring roles

[edit] Episode recap

On Carmela's birthday, each member of The Soprano family presents her with a gift: Tony, a sapphire ring. Anthony Jr purchases The Matrix DVD for his mother, which he actually bought for himself, and Meadow gives her mother a gift certificate to a day spa, which she put on her mother's credit card. At Carmela's birthday party, Jackie Jr. arrives late, just as they are about to sing "Happy Birthday" and apologizes for his tardiness. Afterward, AJ is invited to a friend's house to spend the night and Meadow & Jackie go out to a movie. Carmela then asks Tony in bed why he did not buy the Mercedes; Tony replies that the car was not for him.

Instead, Tony begins to have an affair with the Mercedes saleswoman, Gloria Trillo, who has a suicidal past, according to her session with Dr. Melfi. Tony does not know this, but continues to see Gloria on a regular basis. Tony then asks her what she would like to do on their next date, and she recommends going to the Bronx Zoo. As they watch a gorilla, they make out and Tony has an erection. They are soon drawn to the deserted reptile house where they have sex with their clothes on. On their next outing, they caress on a couch where Gloria finds his gun. She is fascinated by it and proceeds to give it back to Tony. At his therapy session with Melfi, he tells her that he has had a very successful week and gives her a bonus on top of the week's bill. Melfi feels modest and tries to refuse the money but Tony leaves as she receives a phone call from her son, to whom she confesses that she "hates all them"; referring to her patients for lying to her.

On the night of Carmela's birthday, AJ and friends break into their high school and swim in the pool. When they are finished swimming, a few people begin to throw objects in the pool including desks, trophies and garbage cans. The situation becomes out of control and they are all forced to leave before getting caught. At the crime scene, the police find a pizza that looks like a special order. They then interrogate the owner of the pizza parlor who, upon being threatened with legal action, reveals the customer. Anthony Jr. is sent home due to his involvement in the vandalism. Tony and Carmela then attend a parent conference with the school principal, who puts AJ on probation, but still allows him to play on the football team. As punishment by Tony & Carmela, AJ is grounded for 2 months and is forced to clean out the rain gutters; Tony and Carmela are slightly appalled when AJ doesn't even know what a rain gutter is.

Christopher buys Adriana "The Lollipop Club," a dance club in Long Branch, New Jersey which she renames "The Crazy Horse." Christopher feels bad that Adriana is no longer working, but now she will be able to run her own business and earn her own money. Christopher tells her that she will be the owner-manager but that Furio and Christopher own a percentage as "silent partners". Christopher also sees the club as an opportunity for the mob to run their business in a safe environment without FBI interference. However, at the opening, a drug dealer Matush is caught dealing drugs in the bathroom and is soon warned to stay off the property. Jackie Jr. steps in to help his friend, and asks Christopher to let Matush conduct his business in the club. Christopher flatly refuses. Not wanting to be embarrassed, Jackie Jr. lies to Matush and tells him that Christopher approved Matush making deals, but only outside the club. Matush does so, and is severely beaten by Christopher's men.

Carmela is concerned about Meadow's relationship with Jackie Jr. Tony assures Carmela that Jackie has put his act together and will treat Meadow with respect. Carmela must hide her true feelings to remain friends with Rosalie Aprile, who is ecstatic about the arrangement. Meadow helps Jackie with an Edgar Allan Poe assignment, and he receives an "A." After Tony has a heart-to-heart with Jackie, he promises Tony that he will work hard and be faithful to Meadow. Tony warns Jackie that he will be keeping an eye on him, and not to try to deceive Meadow. The next morning at breakfast, Carmela tells Tony that Jackie took Meadow to see Aida which makes him rethink his original impression of Jackie.

[edit] Title reference

  • The episode's title is a play on Edgar Allan Poe's poem, The Tell-Tale Heart. Moozadell is rough Italian slang for mozzarella cheese (which is commonly used on American pizza), but can also be used as a derogatory name for an Italian man according to Michael Imperioli (2002 DVD audio commentary).

[edit] Trivia

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