Second Opinion (''The Sopranos'')

"Second Opinion"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no. Season 3
Episode 7
Directed by Tim Van Patten
Written by Lawrence Konner
Cinematography by Phil Abraham
Production code 307
Original air date April 8, 2001
Running time 59 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

see below

"Second Opinion" is the thirty-third episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the seventh of the show's third season. It was written by Lawrence Konner, directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on April 8, 2001.

Starring

* = credit only

Guest starring

Episode recap

While under anesthesia during surgery, Junior hallucinates about FBI agents offering him a cure to his cancer if he cooperates with them. Junior's physician, Dr. John Kennedy, informs Tony and his crew that Junior's tumors have been removed. However, on a later visit, Kennedy informs Junior and Bobby that they have found more malignant cells and would once again like to perform surgery. Junior agrees, but Tony doesn't: he believes Junior is more fascinated that his doctor happens to have the same name as President John F. Kennedy.

Tony and Junior visit another doctor in New York City, who recommends that Junior receive chemotherapy treatments. Eventually, a tumor board review is called and they reach the same conclusion. Junior undergoes chemo and suffers unpleasant side effects. Unsatisfied with the treatment, Junior waits to hear from Kennedy, who is not returning his calls. To appease his uncle, Tony and Furio visit Kennedy on his golf course and intimidate him into being more receptive to Junior. Kennedy appears at the hospital and warmly greets Junior, acting supportive of the treatment and encouraging him to stay the course along with providing his home phone number.

Carmela attends a session with Dr. Melfi, but Tony doesn't appear. She break downs as she realizes her ignorance about Tony's job. Melfi recommends Dr. Krakower, a colleague in Livingston, if she would like to have her own regular therapist. After she details her life with Tony to Dr. Krakower, he recommends that she leave the marriage since Tony's life is dangerous and that his income is derived from blood money. He advises Carmela to use only the legitimate funds she can muster to survive on and raise her two children alone.

Carmela visits Meadow, who is still sour over Noah's breakup and Tony's attitudes. Carmela defends Tony and challenges Meadow to explain herself, but she does not respond. Later, Carmela has lunch with Columbia's dean over a donation. Carmela is receptive to funding a student center, but Tony angrily balks and only agrees to go as high as $5,000. Later, she tells Tony that she has already told the dean she will give $50,000. Tony initially objects, but when Carmela tells him that he must do something nice for her, he reluctantly agrees and suggests they go out to dinner.

Christopher is aggravated when Paulie asks him if he is wearing a wire during a pool game at the Bada Bing. Paulie forces Chris to strip naked to prove it and makes fun of his penis size. Later, at 2:00 a.m., Paulie and Patsy arrive unexpectedly at Chris' apartment and comb his belongings looking for swag. Chris grows upset when Paulie sifts through Adriana's clothes. Tony dismisses Chris' complaints, and Paulie warns him to never go to the boss again about an argument between the two of them. They settle by bonding over a Big Mouth Billy Bass that Paulie plans to give Tony.

Meanwhile, Carmela spots Angie Bonpensiero at a supermarket and invites her to dinner. Angie explains her dog is very sick and that she cannot afford veterinarian bills after Big Pussy's disappearance. Carmela tells Tony, who visits the Bonpensiero residence and spots new Cadillac in the driveway. Because she had mentioned grievances that were not Carmela's business, he angrily damages the car with a baseball bat. He tells Angie that, if she needs money, she should come directly to him.

Production

Title reference

Other cultural references

Music

Awards

Edie Falco won her second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in this episode.

References

  1. ↑ Martin, Brett (2007-10-30). ""This Thing of Ours": Creating The Sopranos Universe". The Sopranos: The Complete Book. New York: Time. p. 169. ISBN 978-1-933821-18-4.
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