Episode 54: "The Towering Volcano"Running Time: 49 minutes
The boys throw Larry Boy a party at the Bing. Tony arranges the sit-down with Larry and Ally Boy. Larry tells Tony he is bringing a guy in from Vegas, a casino front man named Frankie Moresco (played by Steve Buscemi). Larry tells Tony it will take the heat off him for a while, with the Feds watching him all the way on his release from prison. Tony agrees that it would be a good idea.
Carmela’s art class is going well. She and Rosalie Aprile have acquainted themselves with three ladies from Manhattan. They talk openly about their sex lives and, well, nothing much else. While Rosalie welcomes it as a fresh break for her, Carmela has doubts.
Larry Boy’s much anticipated sit-down does not go well. Tony sides with Ally Boy, believing it would be chaotic for the Family business to have an upheaval in rank, with the FBI pressing at every attempt. Larry accepts—he has no choice in the matter.
AJ is suspended from school for possession of marijuana. Carmela calls Tony. Tony comes over and takes, listening to Carmela’s advice, AJ out for the night. AJ blames his mother for his parents splitting up. Tony defends Carmela. Tony goes into detail about what he does for a living. AJ is surprised, but Tony claims it is about time that he put some trust in his son. AJ tells Tony of how people look at him at school, as if they cannot believe he is a gangster’s son. Tony tells AJ those are “jerks, the ones who judge others because they have a vowel at the end of their name.” Tony tells AJ he was born into the business and had no choice, but would never want his son going into it. AJ promises not to throw his life away. They go and visit Meadow in New York.
Tony drops AJ off and takes a trip to meet Johnny Sac. Tony apologises for Paulie at the card game. Johnny tells him not to worry, that he understands how troubled Paulie can be at times. Johnny tells Tony he wants a share of the calling card scam that New Jersey is running, in return for a share of profits from New York’s mail fraud racket. Tony agrees.
Carm has dinner with Rosalie and the girls at a restaurant in Newark. Rosalie shares her thoughts about her experiences with past men such as Ralphie Cifaretto, comparing him to the late Jackie Aprile. The Manhattan ladies are fascinated with Carm and Rosalie’s ties to the mob. While Rosalie tells about her marriage with Jackie, Carmela politely refuses to go into detail about Tony.
Adriana meets with the Feds. They notice that Chris has been “buying” her new jewellery. She does not realise they are implying the goods are stolen. They ask about Chris’ drug habit. They also ask about Paulie Walnuts and New York. Adriana does not know anything about that. She apologises.
Silvio calls round Paulie’s place. On the orders of Tony, Silvio explains to Paulie that “this shit can’t be happening,” referring to the clash with Johnny Sac at the executive game. Paulie asks why Tony couldn’t say it himself. “The skipper has a lot on his mind right now,” is Silvio’s reply. Paulie doesn’t buy it.
Artie has a run in with a customer at the Nuovo Vesuvio. The guy complains about uncooked meat. Artie tries to reassure him, but the guy is persistent and leaves. When Artie and Charmaine lock up and leave, the restaurant is set alight. Artie is devastated the next morning on finding out about it.
Artie calls Tony. He is shedding tears to no end. Tony asks him who it might have been. Artie tells him he is full of murderous rage and wants to end his life. Tony belittles the idea with the belief that Artie is not serious. They drink all night and Tony ends up falling asleep.
Carm phones Jennifer Melfi. She arranges an appointment for two days’ time. Carmela believes she needs guidance from the one person who perhaps knows Tony as well as Carmela does.
Frankie Moresco arrives in town and immediately clashes with Ally Boy Barese. Guys backed by Moresco are shaking down Albert’s sanitation truck scam. Ally visits his cousin and demands an explanation. Larry insists Moresco did not know it was Ally’s racket and explains it won’t happen again. Ally goes to Tony for good measure. Tony brushes the complaint aside.
Carmela visits Melfi. She tells her of the split-up. Melfi acts surprised, though does not tell Carmela that Tony’s sister had already told her. She assures Carm that Tony loves her. Carm explains that she needs help as to what to do with her life, and believes the only person who knows what is best for AJ and Tony and Carm’s needs is Melfi. Melfi plays the compliment down and agrees to help, but Carm must put equal effort in too.
Charmaine tells Artie that if he continues to bring mobsters home then she will have to re-evaluate their marriage. After a lengthy argument, Artie walks out. He visits Tony at Janice’s. Tony tries to give advice to his friend, but Tony is Tony, and Artie ends up leaving more confused than when he arrived.
Charmaine has dinner with Carm. She tells her of Tony’s sleeping at their place, but Carmela feels she is trying to degrade Tony and explains he is under a lot of pressure with AJ at the moment. Charmaine tries to act as if she understands, though inside Carmela sees that clearly does not.
Carmela’s second visit to Melfi is less awkward than the first. Melfi helps Carm come to the conclusion that AJ’s slacking at school is due to his wanting to blame himself for Tony and Carmela’s split. Carmela returns home and talks to Anthony Junior about how it isn’t his fault: “Sometimes marriages can only go so far before the parents can’t live together any more. It wouldn’t be healthy for any of us if me and your father stayed together.” AJ lies awake that night with his eyes wide open, his gaze fixed to the ceiling.
Tony and Silvio meet with Larry Boy Barese and Frankie Moresco. Tony tells them to lay off Ally Boy’s sanitation trucks, and reassures that Larry Boy will be taken care of. Larry tells Frankie that he holds Tony responsible for him becoming a guest of the government. Meanwhile, Silvio tells Tony that Frankie Moresco is a slippery fuck who needs to be kept on a tight leash. Larry isn’t strong enough to hold that leash. Tony hears him. He asks how Sil’s meet with Paulie went. Silvio is as reassuring as ever: “He had a fuckin’ tantrum. Guy’s got issues. He’ll be fine.”
Janice and Bobby Bacala have an argument. Janice believes Bobby pays too much attention to the kids and not her. Janice and Tony reminisce of old times, the memories being helped along with litres of red wine. Janice tells Tony that his therapist called back. Tony is mad at his sister for not telling him immediately. He’s also enraged at himself for not withholding the number when he rang her. Bobby calls. Janice speaks to him. On hanging up she starts to tell Tony about Bobby and his problems. Tony ends up falling asleep due the sheer boredom of listening to his sister.
Artie calls by the restaurant, only to find Charmaine is already there. They have a talk about life and marriage and the restaurant and Tony and Artie ends up driving her home.
Hope you like!
Mick
