House Arrest (The Sopranos)

"House Arrest"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no.	Season 2 Episode 11
Directed by	Tim Van Patten
Written by	Terence Winter
Cinematography by	Phil Abraham
Production code	211
Original air date	March 26, 2000
Running time	57 minutes
Guest actors
see below

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

Starring

• James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano
• Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi
• Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano
• Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
• Dominic Chianese as Corrado Soprano, Jr.
• Vincent Pastore as Pussy Bonpensiero
• Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante
• Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri
• Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr.*
• Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano*
• Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva *
• David Proval as Richie Aprile
• Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano
• and Nancy Marchand as Livia Soprano

* = credited only

Guest starring

• Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin

Also guest starring

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, explaining 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 flirting — and later having vigorous sex — with the receptionist and making a company betting 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 scratching it, and continues to blame his condition on Dr. Melfi's poor treatment. Dr. 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 the patron refuses, Melfi uses force to put out the cigarette and is asked to leave.

Uncle Junior goes to Dr. Douglas Schreck after having difficulty breathing. Dr. Schreck recommends that he breathe using a CPAP machine 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 was 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 symptoms consistent with a condition known as alexithymia. Melfi raises the subject by asking Tony if he knows why sharks were always in motion and going on to explain that this is a condition that affects people with antisocial personalities; if they aren't constantly engaged in activity and receiving requisite stimulation, 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 by a car crash outside. The episode ends with the agents and the mobsters amicably chatting outside Satriale's.

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, medical appointments, or funerals. Junior is also able to leave his residence when he needs to visit a supermarket. 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.

Cultural references

• During their first session, Tony makes reference to a film he watched starring Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow, which he later names to be Seven. However Dr. Melfi mistakenly guesses it to be Sliding Doors which although it did star Gwyneth Paltrow, it didn't star Brad Pitt.
• One of the Nurses in the hospital laughs at the U.S. Marshall sent to fix an electronic bracelet to Junior's ankle when he mentions his last name is McLuhan. Noting that his professional name is therefore Marshall McLuhan a reference to the Canadian philosopher.
• When Corrado's doorbell rings and Bobby asks who it is, Junior replies, "How should I know? Judge Crater". Joseph Force Crater was a New York City judge who vanished in 1930 while out on a night on the town.
• Tony sarcastically retorts Junior's nostalgic view of 50's Gangsters working together to settle their differences amicably, mentioning his memories of the picture of Albert Anastasia "lying there all amicable, on the barber shop floor". Referring to the 1957 assassination of the Mafia boss in the barber shop of the Park Sheraton Hotel.
• When Junior is be refitted for his sleep apnea mask Tony jokingly asks how many MiG's he shot down last week. This is due to its resemblance to a fighter pilots oxygen mask.
• The television programme Uncle Junior and Catherine Romano are watching when he falls asleep is Diagnosis: Murder starring Dick Van Dyke.

Music

• The song at the beginning of the episode when the garbage truck dumps the pile of trash outside the deli is "Space Invader" by The Pretenders.
• The song that plays early in the episode at the Soprano house on the radio is "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Bob Dylan.
• Prior to Tony's panic attack, the song playing was "Disco Inferno", by The Trammps.
• The song that plays while Tony suffers his panic attack at the banquet is "More Than a Feeling" by Boston. The lyric "I closed my eyes and I slipped away" can be heard just before he passes out.
• The song played over the end credits is "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" by Johnny Thunders.

External links

• "House Arrest" at HBO
• "House Arrest" at the Internet Movie Database
• "House Arrest" at TV.com