Down Neck

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“Down Neck”
The Sopranos episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 7
Written by Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Lorraine Senna Ferrara
Guest stars see below
Production no. 107
Original airdate February 21, 1999
Episode chronology
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Episode chronology

"Down Neck" is the seventh episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess, directed by Lorraine Senna Ferrara and originally aired on Sunday February 21, 1999.

Contents

[edit] Guest starring roles

[edit] Episode recap

A.J. and his friends steal sacramental wine in school and turn up giggling and hung over at gym class. Tony and Carmela are called in to see the principal of A.J.'s school, Verbum Dei. The principal is accompanied by the school psychologist who tells them that A.J. may have ADHD (known at that time as ADD). The school is lenient in disciplining A.J. because of this, but are considering placing him in a special education class.

This incident prompts Tony to recall his own childhood when he first learned about his family's involvement in the Mafia. In therapy he discusses this with Dr. Melfi. Included in Tony's memory is the time his father wanted to move the family to Reno, Nevada, to manage a supper club for Rocco. Tony's mother refused and said she would rather suffocate the children than move. Tony, visiting his mother in the nursing home, asks her how Rocco is doing and she responds that Rocco is a multi-millionaire. Tony reminds her of the request to move and she denies that they were seriously considering moving or that she was involved in the decision to stay.

A.J. is punished by his parents and forbidden to watch TV, use the Internet or play Nintendo. He also has to visit his grandmother, Livia, at Green Grove every day. During one visit A.J. discusses his encounter with a school therapist. When Livia reacts negatively, A.J. informs her that Tony is seeing a psychiatrist, something he discovered after eavesdropping on a conversation between his parents. Livia is furious. Later, Livia is poised to pass on this information to Junior but Tony unknowingly walks in before she can say anything about it.


[edit] Deceased

  • This is the first episode that does not have a death.

[edit] First appearances

[edit] Title reference

  • The episode's title refers to "breathing down neck" or shortness of breath.
  • Down Neck also refers to the portion of the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey that doubles back around a peninsula of land between Lister Street and the Pulaski Highway. In time, all the land east of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Newark came to be known as "Down Neck". This area, also known as The Ironbound, is where young Tony and his family lived and his father did business.

[edit] Production

  • Although the flashbacks are set in the 1960s, some modern day motor vehicles are visible in the background in some of the scenes.

[edit] References to other media

  • The South Park episode, "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" is mentioned by Anthony Jr. during his session with the psychiatrist.
  • During one of the flashbacks, as Little Tony watches his father rough up Rocco on the street, Johnny Boy misses a punch in the style of Sonny Corleone from The Godfather.
  • When A.J. visits his grandmother he is wearing a t-shirt with the then-popular comic book character Spawn on it.

[edit] Music

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