| "Fortunate Son" | |||
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| The Sopranos episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 29 |
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| Directed by | Henry J. Bronchtein | ||
| Written by | Todd A. Kessler | ||
| Cinematography by | Alik Sakharov | ||
| Production code | 303 | ||
| Original air date | March 11, 2001 (HBO) | ||
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| Episode chronology | |||
"Fortunate Son" is the twenty-ninth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the third of the show's third season. It was written by Todd A. Kessler, directed by Henry J. Bronchtein and originally aired on Sunday March 11, 2001.
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Christopher Moltisanti receives a call on his cell phone from Paulie Walnuts who tells him to meet at a shopping center parking lot in half an hour and to "look sharp" and "shine his shoes". Christopher begins to get excited along with Adriana, since this may be his making ceremony. Christopher then shaves and dresses and drives to Modell's. Silvio Dante and Paulie pull up, and they all drive together to a basement of a made man where Tony congratulates Christopher and Eugene Pontecorvo (who is also being made) on their accomplishment. They then gather at a table where Tony makes a speech and that if they have any doubts to speak up now since "once [they] enter this family, there's no getting out". Tony continues that the mob life comes before anything else, even blood family, and if a soldier cannot earn due to health problems they will assist him. Tony asks for their hands and draws blood by pricking them with a needle. He gives them both a picture of St. Peter which they light on fire in their hands. Tony then asks them to repeat the phrase "May I burn in Hell if I betray my friends". This is the traditional Cosa Nostra ceremony of omertà. Christopher nervously eyes a raven which has landed on the open window, fearing it to be a bad omen.
After the ceremony, Tony throws a big party for Christopher at Nuovo Vesuvio with food and girl-on-girl pole dancers from the Bada Bing. Paulie congratulates Christopher on being made and tells him of his responsibilities. Since Christopher is now officially in the family, Paulie's sportsbook is now Chris', but Chris will have to give kick up 10% of his take or about $6,000, whichever is more, to Paulie every week, or he will begin getting points added on. Christopher tells Paulie that he loves him and looks forward to working with him.
However, Christopher finds out that the sportsbook is not bringing in as much money as anticipated, and that he is inexperienced in bookmaking and being stubborn in taking advice from the more experienced sportsbook employees. He reluctantly gives his entire profits to Paulie, who is far from satisfied. Paulie warns Christopher to give him the remaining money owed by the end of the week with another $2,000.
Meanwhile, Jackie Aprile, Jr. rudely skips out on dinner at the Soprano's house, and Carmela arranges him a sit-down with Tony. Jackie shows up late to meet Tony, and shows general disrespect for him. Tony recognizes Jackie's belief that he had his uncle Richie Aprile killed, but denies it, and claims Richie was a rat, and is now in the witness protection program. Tony discourages Jackie from entering a life of crime, saying his father didn't want that for Jackie, and that Tony himself doesn't want it for his own son either. Separately, Tony tells Christopher not to involve Jackie in any criminal activities.
Both Christopher and Jackie ignore Tony's advice. Needing money to pay Paulie, Christopher goes to Jackie, who had earlier mentioned plans to rob a benefit concert given by Jewel at Rutgers University. Christopher puts Jackie behind the wheel as their driver and robs the ticket booth at gunpoint. Christopher then gives Paulie the remainder of the money he owed him. Paulie, who sees that Christopher is worn out, more supportively tells Christopher to take it easy. Paulie gives the money to Tony, mentioning Jackie Jr.'s involvement. This angers Tony, since it's exactly what he had earlier discouraged both of them from doing. While Tony waits for Christopher to pick up the phone, Christopher instead ignores the call and rolls over in his bed.
Tony asks Dr. Melfi where the therapy is going since he is still regularly passing out. Dr. Melfi suggests that he start seeing a behavioral therapist but Tony is uncomfortable with seeing anyone other than Melfi. Melfi becomes upset when Tony answers his cellphone during therapy. He claims that it is "his busy season" and has to take it. After learning that Janice stole Svetlana Kirilenko's artificial leg as a form of blackmail (still hoping to get her mother's record collection from Svetlana), Tony eats capicola and flashes back to his first panic attack. At the age of 11, Tony witnesses his father cut off the pinky finger of Mr. Satriale, then owner of the pork store that bears his name. At dinner that evening, Johnny Boy tells Tony that Mr. Satriale is a "degenerate gambler" who owed money, and that was his punishment. The elder Soprano then warns his son to never gamble. Tony then feels better but when he witnesses his mother and father become passionate as Livia cuts the roast, Tony passes out. Melfi thinks that this is a breakthrough since several of his panic attacks have to do with the presence of meat. Tony claims it is merely a coincidence but that he does find it strange that Livia got "turned on by free meat".
A.J. becomes involved with the school football team, which makes Tony very proud, since he did the same in his youth. When A.J. recovers a fumble at a game, Tony becomes elated and would like his son to become more devoted to the sport and suggests training regimens and ways to reward himself by buying large hot dogs. A.J. shakes it off, seeing as he would rather relax by playing his Nintendo. Meadow continues not to talk to Tony while Carmela tries to get Meadow to forgive him. Carmela attempts to convince Meadow that she does not know anything about Tony and Noah's quarrel, but Meadow laughs it off, saying that everyone knows and the situation would never have happened if Noah was white.
While touring the Columbia University campus, A.J. becomes dizzy and nervous, facing qualms about college. Later at football practice, after being elevated to defensive captain, A.J. passes out on the field. This is the first instance of what turns out to be a condition of having anxiety attacks that has run in Tony's family for many generations.
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