Boredom drives Tony into a new relationship, whilst Carmela takes financial matters into her own hands.
This is an excellent episode with great reflective character moments and dark humour.
There are a number of characters in focus, such as Tony, Carmela, Ralph and Valentina, who all have superbly written interactions and connected themes.
This show more than any other derives outstanding drama and humour from the most ordinary concepts. Who would think a fingernail could be so significant and cinematic? How can a glass of cold water thrown into a hot shower reveal so much underlying issues? Elderly care homes again are central to problems. The general "regularness of life" causes far more intrigue than the stories we usually associate with mafia life.
The plot associated with Carmela making certain discoveries about Tony, then reacting and taking action is brilliantly worked, plus it fits perfectly into the larger arc associated with her character. Everything connected to Ralph and his sex life weaves into it perfectly.
This couldn't be better timed considering what happens between Tony and Ralph in the next episode. When Tony asks Silvio if he thinks Ralph is "a little weird about women", Silvio's answer contains epic, dark comic timing and is a clever reminder of the episode 'University'.
The power dynamics between various characters asserting and relinquishing control of situations like Tony, Carmela, Ralph, Adriana, Paulie, Nucci (and various others who impact her well-being), are very interesting.
Paulie's scenes have some of the best humour. He is a hilarious character at times and Tony Serico embodies his toughness, sneakiness, limited intelligence to great effect and with epic comic timing. How this character caused so much trouble between the New York and Jersey families, with Tony completely oblivious, is ironically funny.
I love the Easter egg references to Joe Pantoliano with 'The Fugitive' and Lorraine Bracco as a 'Goodfellas' mob wife in Tony's discussion about Friday and Saturday nights.
All performances are strong, but the standouts for me are Serico, James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and Frances Esemplare.
As ever the cinematography, editing and general art design is excellent and visually conveys the story.
It's a 9.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
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