Proshai, Livushka

"Proshai, Livushka"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no. Season 3
Episode 2
Directed by Tim Van Patten
Written by David Chase
Cinematography by Phil Abraham
Production code 301
Original air date March 4, 2001
Running time 57 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

see below

"Proshai, Livushka" is the twenty-eighth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the second of the show's third season. It was written by David Chase, directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on March 4, 2001.

Starring

Guest starring

Also guest starring

Episode recap

Tony notices an article about a mob conflict involving his sanitation company in his morning paper. Later, he greets Meadow and her friend from college, Noah Tannenbaum. Tony and Noah initially get along and make small talk about film history, including Tony's favorite film The Public Enemy. Unfortunately, after Meadow leaves the room and Noah mentions that he is half Jewish and half black, Tony hurls racial slurs and warns him to stay away from his daughter. After Noah storms out of the house, Tony goes to the kitchen and sees a box of Uncle Ben's Rice, triggering a panic attack.

Tony visits his mother Livia, in an attempt to set things straight and warn her not to talk to the FBI. Her new aide, Svetlana, tells Tony that she is making Livia fill out baby journals that Carmela bought when the children were born. Tony is furious when he realizes Livia has never touched them, and tells her to do what she wants regarding his upcoming trial and leave him alone. Later that evening, Meadow confronts Tony about Noah's standoffish behavior. After smoking a cigar outside, he is met by Carmela, Meadow, and A.J., who inform him that Livia has died in her sleep.

As people begin to gather at the Soprano residence, Tony's sister Barbara informs him that Janice will not be in attendance. He furiously calls her in Seattle and demands she be on the next plane to New Jersey. Ralph Cifaretto, a member of Richie's crew, arrives at Tony's house along with Patsy, Vito Spatafore, Gigi Cestone, and Albert Barese. Tony confronts Ralph and Albert about the escalating sanitation dispute them. Ralph says "his crew" is in line for a business contract, and that he has been acting with as their capo. Tony warns him that he will be capo only at his behest, and orders Ralphie and Albert to end their conflict. Despite this, Ralphie and his associates later attack a man with baseball bats for interfering in his garbage business.

At the funeral home, Janice insists that her mother be given a lavish funeral despite it being in accordance with her mother's wishes. Later, she breaks into Livia's house, but scrambles when Tony unexpectedly arrives. They briefly admire a picture of a young Livia to be used at the service. Janice laments that the only mementos she kept of her children belong to Tony. Livia's wake is attended by Adriana, Christopher Moltisanti, Furio Giunta, Silvio Dante, and Ray Curto, who is revealed to wearing a wire for the FBI. The next day, after Livia's burial, Janice demands that Svetlana give back Livia's LP record collection, even though Livia gave the records to her before her death. Svetlana refuses.

Janice corrals everyone into a room to conduct a remembrance, against Tony's wishes. She plays Livia's favorite song, then calls on people in the room to speak their mind about Livia. Caving to Janice's pressure, Livia is eulogized by Hesh Rabkin, her friend Fanny, and an intoxicated Chris. Meanwhile, Tony backs out of the room and goes outside, where he is confronted by an angry and drunk Artie Bucco, who remembers Livia telling him about Tony's torching of the Vesuvio. Artie goes inside and threatens to tell everyone about it, but a drunk Carmela interrupts him by saying that the eulogies are a "crock of shit". She says Livia was highly dysfunctional and did not want a funeral because she thought no one would come. Everyone else in the room seem to agree with Carmela.

After everyone leaves, Tony sits in front of the television with a glass of liquor and watches a scene from The Public Enemy featuring the main character's mother joyfully preparing her home for her son's arrival from the hospital. Tony gets teary.

First appearances

The episode marks the first appearance of:

Deceased

Title reference

Production

References to other media

Music

References

  1. ↑ "Late 'Sopranos' actress virtually returns to show". USA Today. Gannett Company. February 28, 2001. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
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