House Arrest (The Sopranos episode)

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“House Arrest”
The Sopranos episode
Episode no. Season 2
Episode 24
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten
Guest stars see below
Production no. 211
Original airdate March 26, 2000 (HBO)
Episode chronology
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"Bust Out" "The Knight in White Satin Armor"
Episode chronology

"House Arrest" is the twenty-fourth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and was the eleventh of the show's second season. It was written by Terence Winter, directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on Sunday March 26, 2000.

Contents

[edit] Guest starring roles

[edit] Episode recap

Uncle Junior and Richie Aprile begin selling cocaine on the Barone Sanitation garbage routes in an attempt to obtain extra money. When Tony learns about this, he takes Richie aside and warns him to stop, saying that such action will only serve to draw FBI and DEA attention to the family's involvement with the garbage industry, which is one of their legitimate business operations. When informed of his nephew's decision, Uncle Junior decides to go against Tony since the cocaine has supported him tremendously through his recent personal expenses and legal fees.

Tony's attorney, Neil Mink, advises Tony that the FBI is making attempts to indict him after the failed accusation with the Matthew Bevilaqua murder. Neil suggests that Tony begin reporting to Barone Sanitation, and fulfill his nominal job as a waste management consultant instead of spending huge amounts of time acting as "the boss" at the Bada Bing. Tony does as he is told but becomes increasingly bored on the job as the days drag on. Tony begins to pass time by having sex with the receptionist and making a company pool for sports. After lecturing Richie at a banquet for the company, Tony suffers an anxiety attack and is rushed to the hospital. Tony then discovers a rash on his arm, aggravated by stress and his own scratching at it, and continues to blame his attacks on Dr. Melfi's poor treatment. Melfi also begins to hurt when she begins drinking between sessions, particularly those with Tony. At a meal with her son, Jason, a drunken Melfi embarrasses them both when she rudely asks a restaurant patron to put out her cigarette. When she refuses, Melfi uses force to put out the smoke and is asked to leave.

Uncle Junior goes to Dr. Douglas Schreck after having difficulty breathing. Dr. Schreck recommends that he breathe using a special mask to help him with his excessive snoring and to take pressure off of his heart. As he prepares to leave the hospital, a court officer places an electronic bracelet on Junior's leg. In the hallway, Junior reunites with an old widow of a close friend, Catherine Romano. When Catherine asks him what he has been up to, he tries to cover up his restrictive legal and medical situations. Junior is quickly forced to make excuses when Catherine drops by with a tray of manicotti and suggests they go out, but finally admits that he cannot leave home under the terms of his house arrest. Junior tells her that the house arrest greatly affects his life, including an incident with his sink disposal that led to having his hand stuck in the kitchen sink for over six hours until he is later discovered by Janice and Richie. Catherine understands and tells Junior that she enjoys spending time with him despite the fact that he got into trouble. Catherine demonstrates her affection for Junior by massaging him and helping him put on his mask at night.

During an appointment with Dr. Melfi, Tony is introduced to the idea that he may exhibit some conditions consistent with a condition known as alexithymia, by Melfi asking Tony if he knew why sharks were always in motion. Tony replies, "They have to," showing some knowledge of what she was talking about. Melfi goes on to explain that this is a condition that affects people with antisocial personalities, and if they aren't constantly engaged in activity and receiving the required stimulus, they tend to crash because they then have time to confront the ways in which their actions have brought suffering on others.

Tony decides to return to work at Satriale's Pork Store after being overcome by boredom at Barone Sanitation. Tony is welcomed back to work by his underlings, as well as Agent Harris who is in the neighborhood to introduce his new partner. Tony and his crew idly relax in the store, but are soon occupied when a neighborhood street racer crashes his car outside. In this scene, Tony and his crew, along with Agent Harris and another FBI agent, all exhibit alexithymiatic tendencies, possibly implying similarities in the personalities of the people that constitute the two opposing organizations, the FBI and the Mafia. The episode ends with the agents and the mobsters amicably chatting outside Satriale's.

[edit] Title reference

  • House arrest is a sentence issued by a judge as an alternative to prison time and helps keep track of convicted criminals after or as an alternative to a prison sentence. The sentence states that the person cannot leave their main domicile and can only be released for important family functions, funerals or doctor's appointments. Junior's social life begins to dwindle under his sentence. Tony is in a similar, albeit self-imposed, situation when he tries to curtail his interactions with his crew.

[edit] Music

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