Season 6: Ep 7 "Luxury Lounge" ***SPOILERS***

**********WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD************

Another restaurant moving in on Artie's turf gives him fits, while a scandal threatens Vesuvio from the inside; Christopher and Little Carmine go on a business trip.

The last time Artie got upset he wound up in the hospital.

i hope he gets beat up again. He is an annoying person

Wow, a good episode so far......

i liked the artie bucco story. it was different but they should have keep on with the Vito thing IMO.

Good episode.

But really, what Chris did against Bacall...damn.

Next Sunday looks amazing. The Vito thing is prolly gonna hit the fan.

Horrible... First 35 mins were so slow I started to doze off. Tony got like 3 mins of time in those first 35 mins.

I hope the movie thing gets ditched, The idea of the Credit Card thing at Artie's was good, but making it bewtween him and Benny, who saw like 5 mins of camera time so far this season makes no sense.

Jumping around too much, wish they would stay with one problem. No Paulie, No Bobby, No Sil.

When did artie and charmaine get bac together???

I'm not one to say this very often, but I wasn't impressed by this episode. It seemed to be just filler and not much else. No progress was made with Chris's movie, which is a dumb idea anyway so I guess that makes sense. The Artie thing was alright, but overall I'm not sure it really matters. Like Tony hinted at, I'm tired of hearing Artie bitch and complain about his "horrible life" over 6 seasons. The episode was good, which from a normal television show is fine, but I expect more from the Sopranos.

Anyway, next episode looks like the story actually progresses a lot more. Bringing Vito back into the mix. Oh and as for the Finn and Vito thing that was mentioned in the board for the last episode. Consider it official I would say.

Meadow telling someone (probably Finn) on the phone, "Don't worry Vito said it would be ok." It must be Finn she is speaking to. Also, Tony slamming Vito (I think, it was a quick clip) against the door screaming, "What did you do?"

What can I say? I'm excited already

Oh and also, I wonder what AJ is doing next week? Looked like he's got himself a goofy new haircut as well lol.

Looked like Tony slammed AJ and said "what did you do"

Remember last week people had Benny kicking Tony's ass.

I won't say next week looks good or not until next week, last week looked good for this week.

I liked the episode. Chris seems to be getting ambitious towards becoming a screenwriter, especially after seeing all the free gifts.

The episode also managed to keep in some good humor.

"A Martina, it's like a Martini but it comes from Albania and goes down easy."

By the way, Tony has nobody respect anymore. He tells Benny to drop the feud with Artie, and he burns Artie hand. Credit Card theft in Tony favortire resturant, ran by one of his best friends.

You're right, it could have been AJ. I'll have to check it out on HBO.com and slow it down. But still, Meadow talking to someone on the phone saying Vito said it would be alright. Sounds fishy to me.

The funniest thing that was said was

Chrissy- HE worte for law and order SUV.

it is law and order SVU

If they stayed on one problem throughout the entire show THEN it would've been material to doze off on.

Otherwise, it was a decent episode, but probably my least favorite of the season so far.

That isn't Meadow on the phone, it's Vito's wife. She says: "Phil says it will be OK."

Sorry, I must have not seen it correctly if you're right.

In my opinion, the best episode of the season so far. The Italian at the beginning was quite Godfatherlike. The guy wearing the hat (The Italian-American) was in an episode of L&O if I remember correctly.

New Blood, must be a dream of some to be made and a Mafioso. :rolleyes: Yeah, no thanks. Don't want to live my life watching my back constantly without a hope of peace, a second's rest or anything.

The antipasto at Da Giovanni must be quite nice, I'd like to try it some time.

Ben Kingsley. This episode makes me want to go out and buy DVD SEs of Gandhi and Sexy Beast and whatevertf. What else can I say?!

Tony saying that "it's common knowledge that the guy is retarded" about Carmine. L. was freakin hilarious!

I think the hit on "horseface" was carried out very well, to perfection almost, and there isn't too much more to be said on that. It was poetry.

That Albanian girl, Martina, is hottt! Too bad she's also a thieving whore! Also, Artie's comment on The Balkans ("another fun fact from The Balkans") was hilarious I think, although this episode proved that Artie B., is much smarter and much more multi dimensional than many would think.

I also really liked the back and forth between Tony and Artie B., shows a lot of good direction and great writing I think. That's another 5 Emmys or so right there. "Maybe you need another fresh start to fuck up!" Priceless right there folks! I gotta use that one some time!

I find women like KATHERINE NARDUCCI very, very attractive. She's hottt, caring, intelligent and doesn't put up with a lot of undue bullshit from Artie B. or anyone else. Great combo imo.

I think this episode proved that Artie B., and Carmine L. are smarter than they look and that Doogie Howser guy (Benny Fazio I think) is a lot dumber than he looks. Artie telling him to his face that he's a "people person" and him believing it, proved it, to me at least. The fight between him and Artie B. was beautiful but it seems that Benny F. is causing a lot of bullshit but he has to be dealt with by Tony by whatever means it takes.

The whole scene with Kingsley and Moltisanti and that other douche err...I mean...er...dude was priceless. Very funny!

Those abnorms at P.E.T.A. might have some trouble with this episode cuz of the rabbit and all. But they are mentally retarded and may have to deal with it anyways.

Line of the night - Tony: "You need help ? Artie: Who from you? God NO!

Tremendous episode!

I thought it was pretty good, some good scenes but overall the artie thing has come and gone. There is still a *** on the run and I wish it their was some follow up besides just waiting to see if he shows up. Did anyone think that there was a baretta in the scenes from the next? I thought I saw one. If you did what do you think that might mean? Also if this is the last season we could have used some Junior wise cracks.

The Italian American you refer to (who walked away without answering the Italians' question) is Edoardo Ballerini, who played Udo in the film Dinner Rush.

It was better than "pretty good," most of the scenes were very good and some were great. They'll take care of Vito S., soon enough I think. A Baretta as I understand it is an ITALIAN gun no?! Junior is kinda sorta perhaps maybe integral to the whole plot of the show so perhaps maybe he'll show up in the next episode or the one after or the one after that perhaps maybe. How can the Artie thing have run its course when he is one of Tony's best friends from childhood or at the very least High School?! That would absolutely mystify me or any other real fan of the show, seeing as how he is a day1, integral, character. Artie and Charmane Bucco are characters on The Sopranos, on HBO, in The United States of America and Canada and around the Globe.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

slow down man we can all see your worked up. relax its a matter of opinion if someone likes it or not. You thought it was "tremendous" thats good i'm glad you liked it so much. I thought it was pretty good. I mention a baretta knowing what it was I don't recall asking for an explenation. You were so quick to dismiss that too, you got a problem with rage who knows maybe you weren't hugged as kid or Dad made you go to bed before Carters home run.
-take it easy

The episode was good but not great. it was no Pine Barrens.

You got that right, I would like to mention that the killing of "the mayor from munchkin land" was one to remember. Quick and clean, very hush hush

T.W.L, your opinion is based on nothing but your stupidity. I'm not worked up but I am pressed for time you simpleton. I'm glad you thought it was "pretty good" why? For what reason is it only "pretty good" as you say and not great? You mentioned it, seeming that you had no freakin clue what it was. My previous post wasn't even addressed to you, you, because perhaps you realized your stupidity just took the liberty. I was hugged plenty by Mom (R.I.P.) and me and Pop get along just fine. I was jumping up and down watching on my television when Carter hit that homer and made history and Red Sox fans were crying in their beers. Don't bring my family into this you vile, lowlife, scumbag, cretin. I don't have a problem with rage or any thing else. I have a problem with YOU attempting to destroy my BLUE JAY thread with your idiot bullshit and now trying to destroy this thread with more of it. Go and take it up the ass like you normally do, LOSER!

woah jus chill out ppl. we all love the same show. how about we just get along. and toranto fan i am a dihard bosox fan i went to game 4 and 5 of 2004 alcs it was amzing whil the jays were watching at home

ok, well about the show Don Jasani what I meant about arties story coming and going was with him being in trouble financially. I don't see it coming up again it came and went with the show.

I was at those games too, bleachers didn't miss a pitch

Hey had to mention game 5 was Pedro's last at Fenway...in a sox uniform

TWL i was crying when ortiz hit that homerun to win it and then the next night to win it again it was so amazing it was magic

Yea tell me about it, do you remember that moment of silence before game 4? it was for Aaron Boone's dad an old scout for the sox. Well if you don't I thought it set in motion the events that would take place over the next week. I've never heard Fenway that quiet before. A very rare thing I saw that night.

Yeah, whatever. Blue Jays, Red Sox, Marlins, Maple Leafs, Raptors, Celtics, Bruins, Lightning( ), Panthers, whatever. We all have our crosses to bear.

David "Big Papi" Ortiz is a beast! And besides the fact that he mostly DHs and Albert Pujols plays First, they're in the same league in my opinion. Manny Ramirez is believe it or not, underrated in my opinion. He's a little loco yeah, but you can't argue with his performance on the field. P-Mart might take The Mets to the playoffs this year on his shoulders mostly. Jason Varitek? One of the best catchers in the A.L. Curt Schilling, one of the best pitchers in the A.L. May the best teams win!

Artie Bucco will most likely not play the prominent role he did, like in this episode on next week's of course. But he's not GOING any where and perhaps I mistook you, T.W.L. but I don't feel that a character like his or Charmane's will just get whacked outta no where.

next weeks episode is called "Johnny Cakes"

Hey Don Jackass when did I mention artie getting wacked or are you gonna just make up some shit just to talk some shit? -take it easy

Wow is this myspace or GBB? LOL.

no shit, enough. So what you think about next weeks episode being called "Johnny Cakes" atleast we'll see Vito next week.

T.W.L., Not much, loser
gth
myspace or wherever the fuck?! Learn how to read, think, talk, speak and do some research on the ENGLISH language before you post in any one of my threads ever again. I'd suggest you do the same for any other threads but hey that's not MY business, nor should you make it mine. Please don't ruin http://www.gangsterbb.net with idiot bullshit. There's enough of that in the World already. This is a good site, and it's a NO IDIOT BULLSHIT zone!

Well, I think its called "johnny cakes" because thats what vito first ordered his first day in self-exile... i can see him opening up a Bed & Breakfast, but obviously its not going to get that far... judging from next week's trailers, things are heating up to "find vito".

Its interesting how people are very divided, I find myself with those who thought this was the best episode in a long time, others didnt find it so good, I think if you look more at the details you would find the humor and the sad fact of a lot of little things, how italians laugh at us (as in USA) and the weak dollar, how chris tries to venture out into the showbiz world but finds his hoodlum instincts trip him up, was that bag of trinkets really worth losing the respect and/or potential meeting with kingsly and/or punching legendary bacall out? even tony tossed half the stuff aside... things in this episode were sad, but profound.

I would call this "good old sopranos" where there is humor, irony and even a little bit of action, but the whole near death episode where tony "nearly" goes home is up there on the top 10 since it was pure genius... all and all, this seaon is not so hot with the exception of these two mentioned episodes.

PS - if anyone cares to take a walk off the beaten path, read my other post in the sopranos section called "Landmarks" -- What i find most interesting are throwbacks to our (or my) ancestors and some simple things some may not catch, but i am old school and i remember all these things... hope you do to, if not, check my post... I would be happy to clear up any questions also...

Ok, let us please get back to the topic at hand.

Well, a good episode. I have yet to say there has been a "bad" Sopranos episode. Every episode has it's own strengths. Yet, I have to say that at the end of the episode I felt like the story isn't going anywhere. Of course I know that these are all just a series of buildups to come to the finale, yet I'm not really seeing that over-arching main story of the season. Maybe it's Junior and maybe it's Vito...but things just seem to be all over.

Enough of the negatives. Great humor in this one, as always. Bacall getting hit was priceless and Ben Kingsley was hilarious (I wonder if that's how he behaves in real life??)

Anyway, am I the only one that had this feeling that we didn't seem to get anywhere with this episode?

Hey did anyone catch David Chase sitting in the background in the final scene with the Italian hitmen on the airplane? He can be seen sitting down on the plane reading a newspaper while they compare gifts.

I think David Chase was last seen on the show in "Commendatori", when they go to Italy, and now here he is again, on a flight back to Naples. Haha what a great show, even the cameo extras are consistent characters.

Yes, I actually did catch Chase right there, which was a nice touch. (If anyone is rewatching it, he's on the right side of the screen.)

I think the beauty of the Sopranos, in the past, is that it did not necessarily "point" to somewhere, it was not over thought or over planned, it just flowed the way it might happen in real life... sure, the first few episodes were touch & go, we wanted them to progress, but with this one, its more like a soap (in a good way) everyone is doing their thing and things develop, chris wants to break into film, artie wants to grow his biz, tony is back in charge and telling his men who should do what... nothing wrong with a "day in the life" episode, I personally dont think it all needs to be about the "next whack", i like knowing what goes on inbetween, its humorous, its fun and its far better than seeing someone in a coma for 3 episodes and/or a hit that takes 3 episodes to accomplish...

I thought the episode was decent. Chris has some good moments, which I feel like we haven't seen in a long while. The Ben Kingsley cameo felt kind of wasted but the Lauren Bacall appearance was well worth it. The whole thing did feel kind of light on Tony though. Where was he for most of the night?

My updated Season 6 episode rankings...
1. Members Only (6.1)
2. Live Free or Die (6.6)
3. Join the Club (6.2)
4. Mr. and Mrs. Sacrimoni Request (6.5)
5. Luxury Lounge (6.7)
6. Mayham (6.3)
7. The Fleshy Part of the Thigh (6.4)

As far as chase is concerned, its amazing he was able to sit for more than a minute... living in caldwell, when they are shooting here, you can see him on location in a back parking lot just pacing, talking to himself, getting on the cell phone, pacing, etc etc etc... lots of nervous energy it seems... so they must have loaded him up on V&V Coctails (vodka & valium) to get him to sit still for one scene... for those of you who dont know, he grew up in north caldwell, which is why the storyline is basically based there (here)...

It's not that I'm waiting for the "next whack", quite the contrary. I would have liked to seen more of Carm, AJ, Meadow, or Junior(especially), dare I say Janice? More of Tony's actual family.

This is all part of something bigger. I'm not worried at all about that.

True, you are right, we should have seen a glimpse of junior or vito to see what they are going thru, we did see carmela a couple of times, at least once on the boat, AJ, well, he is a teen, no much changes in a week with them, but certainly a cut away scene to junior or vito in their predicament would have been nice... and this is what gets me, its CABLE and HBO, whats with the 50-minute episodes, are they actually planning that these may go on channels with commercials in syndication some day? i think i must have just answered my own question but you know what? thats lame... those 10 mins or even 5 more mins could give us a wealth of other information on pending storylines...

sounds like somebody need a nap!

Nap? Its 2am here in NYC/North Jersey... time for bed! buona notte!

TonyWillLive and Don Jasani - Consider this the ONLY warning that you'll be getting:

DO NOT CONTINUE THIS BULLSHIT BETWEEN YOU TWO. If you guys want to rip each other's head off, take it off the boards.

No.

Chase includes these "transitional" episodes every so often. IMO they're necessary during a season. You can't maintain a rapid fire pace without losing quality and these kinds of show allow a breather, while maintaining that great quality.

I enjoyed this show.

Bacall is quite a dame!!! (What else would you expect from someone with Bogey as his avatar?)

Back to my sick-bed.

S.C. I'd like to apologize for my behaviour in this thread and in other threads that involved TonyWillLive. However belligerent he was and however he tried to provoke me, although I believe I'm only three years older than him at the very most, I should have been much more mature. I wish T.W.L. absolutely no harm at all and nothing but the best for him. I will try my utmost, level best to no longer converse with him when he is intentionally acting like a 6yearold child.

Back to the topic at hand. The Sopranos. This episode, first episode of the season, first episode of the series. Whatevertf?! Better than L&O or not? Discuss and debate.

I found the episode slow and had a feeling Artie was going to get messed up again. Benny putting his hand in the sauce was predictable since Artie had to keep goading him about Martina. Artie at the end is on the boat with Tony crying like in the episode after he tried to kill himself after the Frenchman cleaned his clock. Chris is with drugs again. Chris as the future of the family is like putting Fredo in charge. I have a feeling that next weeks episode Johnny cakes is going to be interesting. Remember the episode, “Where’s Johnny,” which dealt with Junior and his dementia? I have a feeling A.J is going to do something rash and Tony is saying to him, “What did you do?” Adriana was mentioned and Tony said how long would he have to be reminded of that.

I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but I thought it was a good episode. Not my favorite, but interesting, nonetheless. I too haven't yet seen an episode that I simply didn't like. When did Chris start drugs again?? Could be the beginning of a downfall for him. And poor Artie. I kind of felt sorry for him trying to small talk with the customers. Kingsley was good and Bacall getting her gifts stolen.

I still think AJ is going to play a more prominent role in some form, and thought maybe we'd see more of him this week. But looks like next week something may happen involving him.

All in all, not a particuarily "action packed" episode, but good just the same.

TIS

I did, too, TIS.

I don't understand those who didn't like it (because they say there was a lack of action, or it didn't revolve around the mob action). Last night one of the big shots got hit (Frankie Valli); it showed how the wiseguys scam the credit card companies; there was a decent fistfight (from, of all people, Artie Bucco) and it had its share of humor (Chris' taking out of Lauren Bacall and Artie's kitchen helper's line about sticking his c*ck in Charmaine's cleavage).

These episode threads are kind of funny.... its amazing how many people don't like a particular episode for the same reasons that others do like them.

I liked and enjoyed this episode. A character wacked, a good story about a main character in Artie, and the hollywood scenes with Chris were funny. It was an entertaining episode, one where you could just sit back an enjoy. No deep meanings in this one.

Tony has lost some control over his guys. Christopher, like Paulie, is just a petty thief at heart, and when push comes to shove, Tony's friendship with Artie takes precedent over everything else.

Think about it. This guy Benny is a member of the family and a civilian goes to his home and beats the shit out of him. And who does Tony side with? His friend and civilian Artie! I'd be pissed too if I were Benny. But then by the same token Benny is running this scam, and not only in Tony's friend's place, but without kicking up to Tony!

But not for nothing, Artie was out of control with the "Martina" remark with Benny's wife sitting right there! It was supposed to be over and Benny had to suck it up as it was, and then Artie continues with that?

Benny should have stuck Artie's head in the hot gravy!

And how badly did Artie want to do the Albanian hostess? That was a major part of his fustration with her and Benny.

A simple episode and an enjoyable one at that.


Don Cardi

In the last scene where the two Italians were talking on the plane, did anyone notice that the guy in the background was David Chase. Well...I think it was him, it looks like him.

I didn't notice that but I'll check it out. He has only been in one episode that I can remember. Commendatori he is sitting at a table and Paulie says "commendatori" pricless reaction by Chase.

The guy on the plane was David Chase.

I don't think it was him

Wow, D.J. YOUR thread? Last time I checked, J Geoff Malta owned the GangsterBB, not you.

You both need to stop your bickering, as it's ruining these boards. Every thread it's the same crap, with T.W.L. posting something and you telling him some dumb crap and sending the thread to hell.

I've never complained about any one of the episodes - until now. What was that all about last night? Writers can write anything they want; all I do is watch. But, last night's episodes took my patience to view and get through. Also, how many episodes could possibly be left? Are the writers going to "cram" them with action?

The only thing of significance that I picked up from last night (and the previews of next week's episodes) is something I've posted before: all that Tony has come to rely on and make him what he is - both families and friendships - are going down the drain.

Don Andrew, you're absolutely right! And, I'm doing my level best to ignore T.W.L. unless it is absolutely necessary to respond to him. Thanks.

Boys, boys, boys....put the guns down....shake hands...this NEVER happened.
Yikes! Lots of animosity on the board today...feels like some people here are cranky. Not enough of Vito's tadpoles in your diet or something?

Hey listen up everyone, Don Jasani and I have put whatever bullshit we had between eachother to the side. We or I don't need everyone throwing their two cents in on what we should and shouldn't be doing. So here and now its over and we can all move on to talking about the fucked up, perfect exsistence of Tony Soprano and his associates. -take it easy

the ending scene was with Artie rediscovering his love for cooking. I liked the episode, and just makes me anxious for next weeks episode. Artie after great trouble is on his path back to greatness. Chris is not doing as well and is starting on a self destructive path. He has fallen back into his habits of booze and drugs. Also, I hope now he will be smart and drop the whole movie idea and concentrate on running his crew. We did catch a glimpse of Vito's wife with the children and it looks like they are suffering enough without him around. I though Frank Vincent who plays Phil Leotardo was great in the opening dinner scene when he rages of how he would like to kill Vito. Maybe, the conflict is Phil wants to kill Vito and Tony refuses to grant him permission to take out a Captain.

Yes, it was.

i'll take your word if you say so, but where is he credited? I look under imdb.com website and hes not given credit, and I think its important to mention that in the episode I mentioned before with it credits him. So I don't know basically whats your source?

Myself, considering I know what he looks like.

He's not credited because it's an overlooked cameo role. Usually a site might have it in the future with "(uncredited)" typed next to it.

Keep in mind that Chase has aged 6 years since appearing in the second season, so he looks a little different. I don't know if you have seen him lately but he has less hair and gained a little weight since 2000...Kind of like Tony Soprano! So I am almost positive that was him on the plane. Also his role was an "extra" in this episode. Whereas in Commanditori, he played an actual character (even though he didn't say anything.) My point being that extras rarely get credited in film.

Ok it was him, Tony Lips all I was saying was that he was given credit for Commendatori not on the show but on imdb.com good site check it out. As for this episode it doesn't give him credit.

The Star Ledger Columnist writer of reviewing The Sopranos episodes confirms that it was in fact David Chase. Also, I think HBO has video of David Chase receiving the first filmmaking award from the governor of New Jersey, and this was a recent event that was a few months old.

Wow he has gotten old.

Actually, Don Foozbond, I thought it progressed pretty well, plus there were some rich LOL moments throughout the show (Ventimiglia rocks with the comedy, IMHO, so when they give him some spot, S'FORTUNATO!!!).

But back on topic, a good deal happened.

The Mayor of Munchkinland got clipped.

Chrissy's hittin both the sauce and the powders which shows that he's still an unreliable loser prone to such BA-A-AD moves as mugging a Hollywood legend.

Benny just may have joined the long list of disgruntled members of T's "other family" (I truly doubt that he's going to let a burned hand settle the matter).

Tony's now got two dilemma's he may have to deal with (Vito, whom he kinda/sorta still wants to protect, and now Artie, though that depends on whether Doogie Howser's buddy got his button).

We're also seeing more and more dealings with the Middle Easterners (notice not as many Russians these days); I think this is going to lead to some stickiness with the FBI.

Somehow, I don't think we've seen the last of the Albanian hostess.

So, there were some key moments that were more than just filler.

I thought the scene with the wife was very "don't forget the cannolis"-ish.

I thought the scene with the wife was very "don't forget the cannolis"-ish. [/b][/quote]Funny you say that.

I felt there were two Godfather tributes during this episode.

1. Rusty in the car with his wife calling out the window looked like an updated scene with Clemenza and the canolis.

2. Benny talking to Tony abount Artie's visit

"In my house where my wife whatches TV, Where my unborn son lies in her womb"

Very funny

I thought the scene with the wife was very "don't forget the cannolis"-ish. [/b][/quote]Funny you say that.

I felt there were two Godfather tributes during this episode.

1. Rusty in the car with his wife calling out the window looked like an updated scene with Clemenza and the canolis.

2. Benny talking to Tony abount Artie's visit

"In my house where my wife whatches TV, Where my unborn son lies in her womb"

Very funny [/b][/quote]It's VERY FUNNY when you think of it. Back in the day, Michael gets ambushed by machine gun fire that sounds like a military siege, when Doogie's buddy gets phalanxed by a pissed off pasta chef!

Another great line from Luxury Lounge


What's your name?

Murmur

Murmur I have not heard that before what the genisis of the family name"

I hade a heart murmur when I was a kid

i personally enjoy arite, and sometimes wouldn't mind him showing up for a little more air time. i think when him and tony are at odds it makes for entertaining t.v. not to mention they seem to have some chemestry.

By the way,could there be a connection: Kevin Finnerty and Collin Finnerty?

I thought the same thing when I saw that article.

Well, another thread I can skim-read before posting my thoughts; funny how most of the first page is always taken up by guessing as to what the next episode is about. Trailer editing has never been as deceptive as for this show.

Anyway, a great episode; the best in the season so far?

I thought it was fantastically-written. A few, quick things to note:

- The food! How many references to food were there? Visual references, dialogue revolving round it, a whole plot thread on Artie's restaurant. How it is used for many different things. Community, as in the confirmation do; seduction, as in all the grub found in the California scenes; danger, as in Artie's hand getting scolded; and when Carmela said, "Who's hungry?" Brilliant cut from that to Chris in CA eating food. Very clever use of food throughout, much like The Godfather films.

- Tony's power; back to his ruthless self, and perhaps a complete character again. He's taken a backseat plot-wise, here, but the scenes he was in he stole. Having to but in over Silvio's speech, calming Phil down at the same gathering, and I counted at least five scenes where he tells characters what to do, with the final say.

- The clever intertextuality; obvious self-reference to be found whenever actors play themselves, but that cameo by Chase is the icing on the cake, a subtle nod to how contrived the show is...a plea for forgiveness, perhaps, that we've sidestepped the Vito issue?

Wonderful episode. Filler? Bah; it was anything but!