Chasing It
Encyclopedia
"Chasing It" is the eighty-first episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos
. It is the fourth episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, the sixteenth episode of the season overall. It was written by executive producer Matthew Weiner
and was directed by Tim Van Patten
. It originally aired on April 29, 2007 and was watched by 6.76 million viewers.
hits an unlucky gambling stretch and his continuing losses begin to impact his financial obligations as boss. Vito Spatafore
's widow, Marie, turns to Tony for help with her son, Vito Jr., who has become self-destructive following his father's murder. He desecrates a graveyard and constantly misbehaves at school. However, when Marie asks Tony for $100,000 to move her family to Maine
, he resists and suggests that Phil Leotardo (Marie's cousin) should get involved. While both Phil and Tony have a man-to-man talk with Vito Jr., neither are willing to step up to help with the move financially. However, Tony changes his tune after Vito Jr. publicly defecates
in the school shower after being teased and is expelled from school. Having gambled away the sum necessary to facilitate the move to Maine, Tony instead pays a lesser sum to send Vito to a "wilderness therapy
" program.
At the same time, Hesh Rabkin begins to regret lending $200,000 to Tony as a "bridge loan". Tony only grudgingly pays Hesh his points, going as far as to goad Hesh in front of his crew with anti-semitic remarks. Hesh later discusses with his son-in-law, Eli Kaplan, his concerns that Tony will find it easier to kill Hesh than pay him back. In fact, two of Tony's associates, Bobby Baccalieri
and Carlo Gervasi, encourage Tony to stiff Hesh. Tony angrily responds that if Carlo earned as well as Vito had, he wouldn't be in the financial situation he's in. After Hesh's girlfriend dies of a stroke, Tony steps up and repays a distraught Hesh out of loyalty, but he is cold to Hesh, and they remain estranged.
A.J.
proposes to Blanca and she initially accepts, but later ends the relationship during the Puerto Rican Day Parade
. A.J. is visibly crushed.
Carmela
and her father Hugo finally sell their spec house to her cousin Brian Cammarata. During the final inspection, Carmela worries about the sub-standard building materials her father used, going as far to call him during the night when a rain storm causes her to question the wood for the studs they used, but Hugo is not worried saying he's used the same material before. When she tells Tony that she's cleared $600K on the house, he tells her about a "sure thing" gambling tip and encourages her to bet some of "his half" on a football game. Carmela and Tony fight about the money — with Tony eventually acknowledging that the money belongs to her, not him. Later, when the tip pays off, Tony angrily berates her for not letting him gamble the profits and challenges her business acumen and character in a heated exchange. The two later reconcile, but Carmela once again expresses her worries about their future.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
. It is the fourth episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, the sixteenth episode of the season overall. It was written by executive producer Matthew Weiner
Matthew Weiner
Matthew Weiner is an American writer, director and producer of television drama. He is the creator, executive producer, head writer, and show runner of the AMC television series Mad Men. He is also noted for his work on the HBO series The Sopranos, on which he served as a writer and producer...
and was directed by Tim Van Patten
Tim Van Patten
Tim Van Patten is an American television director, actor, screenwriter, and producer. As a director, Van Patten has directed episodes of The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, Boardwalk Empire, Rome, The Pacific, Game of Thrones, Ed, and Sex and the City. Van Patten is perhaps best known for portraying...
. It originally aired on April 29, 2007 and was watched by 6.76 million viewers.
Episode recap
Tony SopranoTony Soprano
Anthony John "Tony" Soprano, Sr. is an Italian-American fictional character and the protagonist on the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, on which he is portrayed by James Gandolfini. The character was conceived by The Sopranos creator and show runner David Chase, who was also largely...
hits an unlucky gambling stretch and his continuing losses begin to impact his financial obligations as boss. Vito Spatafore
Vito Spatafore
Vito Spatafore, Sr., played by Joseph R. Gannascoli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was a member of the DiMeo Crime Family and a subordinate of Tony Soprano. He was married to Marie Spatafore with two children, Francesca and Vito, Jr., and was a closeted homosexual...
's widow, Marie, turns to Tony for help with her son, Vito Jr., who has become self-destructive following his father's murder. He desecrates a graveyard and constantly misbehaves at school. However, when Marie asks Tony for $100,000 to move her family to Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, he resists and suggests that Phil Leotardo (Marie's cousin) should get involved. While both Phil and Tony have a man-to-man talk with Vito Jr., neither are willing to step up to help with the move financially. However, Tony changes his tune after Vito Jr. publicly defecates
Defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate solid, semisolid or liquid waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Waves of muscular contraction known as peristalsis in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum...
in the school shower after being teased and is expelled from school. Having gambled away the sum necessary to facilitate the move to Maine, Tony instead pays a lesser sum to send Vito to a "wilderness therapy
Wilderness therapy
Wilderness therapy is a subset of adventure-based therapy. It is the use of wilderness expeditions for the purpose of therapeutic intervention. There are a range of different types of wilderness therapy programs, with a range of models and approaches. Some grow out of a survival approach and some...
" program.
At the same time, Hesh Rabkin begins to regret lending $200,000 to Tony as a "bridge loan". Tony only grudgingly pays Hesh his points, going as far as to goad Hesh in front of his crew with anti-semitic remarks. Hesh later discusses with his son-in-law, Eli Kaplan, his concerns that Tony will find it easier to kill Hesh than pay him back. In fact, two of Tony's associates, Bobby Baccalieri
Bobby Baccalieri
Robert "Bobby Bacala" Baccalieri, Jr., played by Steve R. Schirripa, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was a Capo and later the acting underboss of the DiMeo Crime Family, as well as Tony Soprano's brother-in-law...
and Carlo Gervasi, encourage Tony to stiff Hesh. Tony angrily responds that if Carlo earned as well as Vito had, he wouldn't be in the financial situation he's in. After Hesh's girlfriend dies of a stroke, Tony steps up and repays a distraught Hesh out of loyalty, but he is cold to Hesh, and they remain estranged.
A.J.
Anthony Soprano, Jr.
Anthony John "A.J." Soprano, Jr. , played by Robert Iler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually just called "A.J.", he is the son of Carmela and Tony Soprano. He is a prototypical underachiever and is a constant source of stress and anxiety for his parents...
proposes to Blanca and she initially accepts, but later ends the relationship during the Puerto Rican Day Parade
Puerto Rican Day Parade
The Puerto Rican Day Parade takes place annually along Fifth Avenue in New York City, on the second Sunday in June, in honor of the nearly 4 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and all people of Puerto Rican birth or heritage residing in the mainland U.S...
. A.J. is visibly crushed.
Carmela
Carmela Soprano
Carmela Soprano née DeAngelis, played by Edie Falco, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the wife of Mafia boss Tony Soprano and the program's most prominent female character.-Character biography:...
and her father Hugo finally sell their spec house to her cousin Brian Cammarata. During the final inspection, Carmela worries about the sub-standard building materials her father used, going as far to call him during the night when a rain storm causes her to question the wood for the studs they used, but Hugo is not worried saying he's used the same material before. When she tells Tony that she's cleared $600K on the house, he tells her about a "sure thing" gambling tip and encourages her to bet some of "his half" on a football game. Carmela and Tony fight about the money — with Tony eventually acknowledging that the money belongs to her, not him. Later, when the tip pays off, Tony angrily berates her for not letting him gamble the profits and challenges her business acumen and character in a heated exchange. The two later reconcile, but Carmela once again expresses her worries about their future.
Guest starring
- Jerry AdlerJerry AdlerJerry Adler is an American theatre director, production supervisor and a television and film actor.Adler was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Pauline and Philip Adler, who was a general manager of the Group Theatre...
as Hesh Rabkin - Tom AldredgeTom AldredgeThomas Ernest "Tom" Aldredge was an American television, film and stage actor.-Life and career:Aldredge was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Lucienne Juliet and W. J. Aldredge, a colonel in the United States Army Air Corps...
as Hugh DeAngelis - Elizabeth BraccoElizabeth BraccoElizabeth Bracco is an American actress who is best known for her role as Marie Spatafore, wife of Vito Spatafore, on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos....
as Marie Spatafore - Max CasellaMax CasellaMax Casella is an American actor. He is known for his roles on the television series The Sopranos, Doogie Howser, M.D., and as the voice of Daxter in the Jak and Daxter video game series.-Life and career:...
as Benny Fazio - Matthew Del NegroMatthew Del NegroMatthew Del Negro is an American actor. He was born in Mount Kisco, New York as the youngest of three children. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he played Division I lacrosse. After graduating, he began to study acting, and after appearing in several minor commercials and independent...
as Brian Cammarata - Dania RamirezDania RamirezDania Ramirez is a Dominican-American TV and film actress.She is most recently known for playing Alex in Entourage, Maya Herrera in Heroes and Blanca during the last season of The Sopranos. She also played antagonist Callisto in X-Men: The Last Stand.-Early life:Ramirez was born in Santo Domingo,...
as Blanca Selgado - Nancy SinatraNancy SinatraNancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
as herself
Title reference
- The title refers to Tony's gambling addiction. "Chasing the vig" is common parlance in gambling vernacular for when one loses a bet(s) and then must make further wagers in order to either make up for the losses and/or keep up with any loan interest (the vigVigorishVigorish, or simply the vig, also known as juice or the take, is the amount charged by a bookmaker, or bookie, for his services. In the United States it also means the interest on a shark's loan. The term is Yiddish slang originating from the Russian word for winnings, выигрыш vyigrysh...
) accrued.
Production
- Max CasellaMax CasellaMax Casella is an American actor. He is known for his roles on the television series The Sopranos, Doogie Howser, M.D., and as the voice of Daxter in the Jak and Daxter video game series.-Life and career:...
(Benny Fazio) is billed in the opening credits but only for this episode. - The headstone that Vito Jr. knocks over in the cemetery is for a "David M. Hackel". Episode writer Matthew Weiner worked for Hackel as a writer for the sitcom BeckerBecker (TV series)Becker is an American television sitcom that ran from 1998 to 2004 on CBS. Set in the New York City borough of The Bronx, the show starred Ted Danson as John Becker, a misanthropic doctor who operates a small practice and is constantly annoyed by his patients, co-workers, friends, and practically...
. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-sopranos13may13,1,7364538.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-entnews&ctrack=2&cset=true - Silvio DanteSilvio DanteSilvio Manfred Dante, often referred to as "Sil", played by Steven Van Zandt, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is the consigliere to Tony Soprano in the Soprano crime family. Silvio has one of the lowest profiles on the show. He is usually a behind the scenes figure...
is seen reading a newspaper with an advertisement for Filene's BasementFilene's BasementFilene's Basement, also called The Basement, is a Massachusetts-based chain of department stores which was owned by Retail Ventures, Inc. until April 2009 when it was sold to Syms....
. On the February 28, 2007 episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Steve SchirripaSteve SchirripaSteven R. "Steve" Schirripa is an American actor, voice artist, producer, and comedian, best known for playing Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos....
did a special correspondent piece covering Filene's Basement's annual Running of the BridesRunning of the BridesThe Running of the Brides is a one-day sale of wedding gowns, garnering local media attention because of the sight of hundreds of brides-to-be scrambling for bargains...
. - Blanca breaks up with A.J. at the New York Puerto Rican Day ParadePuerto Rican Day ParadeThe Puerto Rican Day Parade takes place annually along Fifth Avenue in New York City, on the second Sunday in June, in honor of the nearly 4 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and all people of Puerto Rican birth or heritage residing in the mainland U.S...
, which is held every year in June. However, Tony wagers on several NFL football games when the NFL season (including preseason) takes place from August to February. Moreover, due to the format of the NFL schedule, two of the games he bets on, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
-Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
and Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
-Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, cannot take place in the same season. - Furthermore, he loses an NBA wager when Jerry StackhouseJerry StackhouseJerry Darnell Stackhouse is an American professional basketball player who plays both shooting guard and small forward. He most recently played for the Miami Heat. He is now an NBA TV analyst but remains as an eligible free agent....
hits a buzzer beaterBuzzer beaterIn basketball, a buzzer beater is a shot taken just before the game clock of a period expires, when the buzzer sounds. The term is normally reserved for baskets that win or tie the game, but also refers to shots that beat an end-of-quarter or halftime buzzer...
. - The casino scenes were filmed at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel and CasinoBorgataThe Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is a luxury hotel, casino, and spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. It is owned by Marina District Development, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming and a divesture trust established by MGM Resorts International...
. - The horse race Tony lost big on in Atlantic City was portrayed as being simulcast from Batavia DownsBatavia DownsBatavia Downs is a harness racing track in Batavia, New York. It is located in Genesee County between Buffalo and Rochester just off of the New York State Thruway, the I-90. It opened on September 20, 1940, and is the oldest lighted harness racetrack in the United States. The track is exactly...
. - Tony sees Muhammad and Ahmed acting more religious on the street and suspects they may be linked to terrorismTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, as he tells the FBI agents in "Walk Like a ManWalk Like a Man (The Sopranos episode)"Walk Like a Man" is the eighty-second episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos. It is the fifth episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, the seventeenth episode of the season overall. It was written and directed by executive producer Terence Winter in his directorial debut...
". There are two other references to Islamic connections to the "war on terror": When Tony and Bobby drop by to take him fishing, Hesh lies and tells Tony he was watching a piece on the Hezbollah on CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, and when Tony switches channels from the basketball game he was betting on as Carmela comes into the bedroom, the TV station shows a clip of George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
meeting the visiting Saudi king. - The Tampa BayTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
-BuffaloBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
football game being watched at the Bing that Tony loses money on is actually footage from the film The ReplacementsThe Replacements (film)The Replacements is a 2000 American film directed by Howard Deutch. It stars Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Brooke Langton and Orlando Jones.-Plot:...
. - Last appearances of Hesh Rabkin and Hugh and Mary de Angelis.
- This episode was shot entirely with hand-held cameras.
Connections to prior episodes
- The ornament that Carmela throws at Tony and smashes against the wall is the LladróLladróLladró is a Valencian Spanish company based in Tavernes Blanques, Valencia, that produces high quality porcelain figurines.-History:The company was founded in 1953 by three brothers, Juan, José and Vicente Lladró, in the village of Almàssera near Valencia...
figurine that she tells A.J. and his girlfriend is worth $3,000 in the Season 4 episode "Everybody HurtsEverybody Hurts (The Sopranos episode)"Everybody Hurts" is the forty-fifth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and was the sixth of the show's fourth season. It was written by Michael Imperioli, directed by Steve Buscemi and originally aired on Sunday October 20, 2002....
". - While Tony lectures Vito Jr., he tells him he "goes about in pity for himself", which was the phrase he became intrigued with while in the hospital, and the same thing he said to Artie Bucco in the Season 6, Part I episode "Luxury Lounge"
Music
- Nancy Sinatra sings "Bossman", a track off her 2004 album Nancy Sinatra, to a gathering of the New York and New Jersey families.
- The harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
player in Sinatra's band is Southside Johnny Lyon, an underground legend of New Jersey's music scene. Notably, he has worked extensively with Little Steven Van ZandtSteven Van ZandtSteven Van Zandt is an Italian-American musician, songwriter, arranger, record producer, actor, and radio disc jockey, who frequently goes by the stage names Little Steven or Miami Steve...
, who portrays the character of Silvio DanteSilvio DanteSilvio Manfred Dante, often referred to as "Sil", played by Steven Van Zandt, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is the consigliere to Tony Soprano in the Soprano crime family. Silvio has one of the lowest profiles on the show. He is usually a behind the scenes figure...
. Van Zandt has written, produced and performed on four of Lyon's albums and was a founding member of his band, the Asbury Jukes, before leaving to join Bruce SpringsteenBruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
's E Street BandE Street BandThe E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
. Both Springsteen and Van Zandt appear on the Asbury Jukes' Better Days album, on the song "It's Been a Long Time". - The song played in the Bada Bing during the Buffalo-Buccaneers game is "Kernkraft 400Kernkraft 400"Kernkraft 400" is a song performed by German techno and electro artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", German for "Nuclear Energy 400", which is a remix of a tune from the 1984 Commodore 64 game...
" by Zombie NationZombie Nation (band)Zombie Nation is a German techno and electro project of the Munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter.-History:The first Zombie Nation five track EP was released in the spring of 1999 on DJ Hell's label, International DeeJay Gigolo Records...
. - The guitar instrumental "CavatinaCavatinaCavatina is a musical term, originally a short song of simple character, without a second strain or any repetition of the air...
" is playing in the restaurant when AJ proposes to Blanca. - The music heard in the background when Blanca breaks up with AJ is an instrumental version of Ricky MartinRicky MartinEnrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
's "Livin' La Vida LocaLivin' la Vida Loca"Livin' la Vida Loca" is a song by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. It was released on March 23, 1999 from Martin's self-titled debut English album. The song was composed by Desmond Child and Draco Rosa and topped the charts during 1999...
". - The song played over the end credits is "Goin' Down Slow" by Howlin' WolfHowlin' WolfChester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
. - Song playing when Tony is driving in the Escalade is Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk"