Christopher (The Sopranos)

For the character of the same name, see Christopher Moltisanti.
"Christopher"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no. Season 4
Episode 3
Directed by Tim Van Patten
Teleplay by Michael Imperioli
Story by
Cinematography by Phil Abraham
Production code 403
Original air date September 29, 2002
Running time 54 minutes
Guest actors

see below

"Christopher" is the 42nd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and is the third of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Michael Imperioli, from a story idea by Imperioli and Maria Laurino. It was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on September 29, 2002.

Starring

* = credit only

Guest starring

Also guest starring

Episode recap

Silvio, intensely proud of his Italian heritage, wants to take action against protests for the Columbus Day Parade by Native Americans, believing it to be an insult to Italian-Americans. Without Tony's approval, Silvio, Patsy, and Artie Bucco, along with a few others, attempt to break up the demonstration where a Columbus effigy is to be burned. Silvio threatens them not to do so and sends Patsy to take it down. As they leave after being warned by the police, Little Paulie Germani has a glass bottle thrown at him and several others are injured. Tony learns about this and blames Silvio for intervening. Ralph Cifaretto, meanwhile, tries to threaten the protest leader, an associate professor of anthropology Del Redclay, to reconsider since Iron Eyes Cody—a popular Native American figure—is actually an Italian-American (which is true). Tony tries to pacify the situation by first asking Assemblyman Ron Zellman for his aid and later talking to an Indian chief to convince Redclay not to protest during the parade. Although this fails, the chief invites Tony and his crew to his casino to gamble. Both the parade and protest occur without mob intervention, which upsets Silvio. Tony tries to calm him down by telling him how proud he should be for what he has achieved in his life and not just his heritage.

Meanwhile, at a luncheon meant to instill Italian pride in women, the "mob wives" feel singled out when the speaker discusses the stereotypes of being an Italian in America. After the luncheon, Gabriella Dante lectures Father Phil Intintola on how much the wives, especially Carmela, have given to the parish, and that he had no right to bring in a guest speaker who intended to shame them about how they make a living.

In addition to Uncle Junior's RICO trial beginning, Paulie Walnuts begins to create tension between the two mob families when he tells Johnny Sack about the joke Ralph told regarding his wife's weight and how Tony sold Uncle Junior's warehouse on Frelinghuysen Avenue near the Riverfront Esplanade. Johnny Sack contacts Tony and demands a share of the profit since both crime families share the Esplanade and that it would be only fair if they shared the Frelinghuysen Avenue profit. Johnny is also conspicuously rude and stand-offish toward Ralph, going so far as to tell Tony to keep Ralph away from him. It is clear to Tony and Silvio that Johnny is angry with Ralph, but they are mystified as to why.

While stuck in traffic, Bobby Baccalieri receives a phone call from his son, who relays a message from his wife Karen asking him to buy some food on the way home. Bobby is annoyed about being asked to do the errand. He later feels great remorse after discovering his wife has died in the car accident that was causing the very traffic problems he had complained about.

At the wake, a devastated Bobby kneels in front her casket and loudly sobs. The wives of mobsters feel sympathy for Bobby and silently discuss that he supposedly never took a comare. Janice Soprano continues to sleep with Ralph Cifaretto (it is also revealed that Ralph enjoys kinky, BDSM-style sex) who splits with the grieving Rosalie Aprile. Ralph agrees to move in with Janice. However, after spending time with the widowed Bobby while on "ziti patrol" bringing food to his home, she is touched by his sincere grief for his lost wife. After discussing her relationship problems with her psychotherapist, who recommends that Janice not choose partners who are similar to her brother or father, Janice hastily breaks up with Ralph just as he is moving the last of his things into her house. They argue about him taking off his shoes at the door, and she pushes him, causing him to lose his balance and fall down half a flight of stairs. Ralph injures his back in the fall and threatens to kill her, causing her to run into her bedroom and lock the door, as Ralph gingerly hobbles back to his car, bags in hand.

First appearances

Deceased

Title reference

Production

References to past episodes

Other cultural/historic references

Controversy

The episode created a controversy when cast members of The Sopranos (specifically Dominic Chianese and Lorraine Bracco) were banned from marching in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, despite an invitation to participate in the event by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[2][3]

Music

References

  1. ↑ Martin, Brett (2007-10-30). ""Got Myself a Gun": Theft, Murder, and Other Assorted Violent Tendencies". The Sopranos: The Complete Book. New York: Time. p. 126. ISBN 978-1-933821-18-4.
  2. ↑ "The Sopranos out of tune with parade". The Age (Melbourne). October 15, 2002. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  3. ↑ "'Sopranos' Banned From Parade". Retrieved 2008-02-08.

External links