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Commendatori (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Commendatori" is the seventeenth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos
and was the fourth of the show's second season. It was written by David Chase
, directed by Tim Van Patten
and originally aired on February 6, 2000.
* = credit only
version of The Godfather, Part II, Tony Soprano
announces to his crew that he will be traveling to Naples
, along with Paulie Walnuts and Christopher Moltisanti
, to make a deal with a local Camorra
family (distantly related to the Sopranos) over the smuggling
of stolen cars. Although Tony is excited by the prospect of the trip, he downplays its appeal to Carmela
, who is upset that Tony will go abroad with his mob associates but not his family. Tony tries to explain to Carmela that it is a business trip and there will not be enough time for leisure activities.
Over lunch with Rosalie Aprile and Angie Bonpensiero, Carmela asks Angie how her transition with Pussy is going now that he is home. Angie regrets having Pussy home and has been sick ever since. Angie then tells the wives that she had recently undergone a test for a tumor and Pussy had little sympathy for her. As the other wives listen in horror, she confesses that she has contemplated suicide
but instead will pursue divorce
when the results come back. Angie's tests soon come back negative, but she begins to file for the divorce papers as soon as the legal firms return from the upcoming Jewish holiday. Carmela, obviously taking the matter personally, reminds Angie that Pussy is a doting father, and persuades her to stay with him for the sake of their children who, although grown, are in precariously transitional stages in their lives. Angie tells Carmela that when Pussy arrived home after many months of absence, she felt depressed and angry. As she leaves, Carmela seems ambivalent about the reasoning she has presented to her friend. When Pussy arrives home and silently presents flowers to Angie, she pauses for a moment and then swats him with them.
However, the state of his marriage has been the least of Pussy's concerns lately: he has been preoccupied by the pressures of his cooperation with the government, and growing increasingly paranoid. Pussy is unnerved when he is spotted by Jimmy Bones, a professional Elvis impersonator
and acquaintance, during a meeting with his FBI handler, Agent Skip Lipari. The pair are forced to concoct a cover story on the spot, claiming that Skip is a "friend of ours" (i.e., a made man
) from Dover, Delaware
, to which Bones remarks that he has never heard of any made men from Delaware before. Skip insists that Pussy is doing well and has not attracted suspicion, but this is clearly not true. To ensure that Jimmy remains quiet, Pussy visits his house and beats him to death with a ball-peen hammer
.
Tony, Christopher, and Paulie arrive in Naples and meet Furio Giunta
, who will be their translator throughout the trip. Furio then informs him that they will be dining with several capo
s in the Naples family and that Don Vittorio, boss of the family, might not be present. Paulie and Tony go to the dinner but find that they are doing business with another made man, Nino, whom Tony does not want to talk to. During dinner Tony is angry dealing with Nino as Paulie, who has been becoming increasingly excited over the trip, keeps bothering him. However, upon meeting the Don, it becomes abundantly clear that Vittorio is now senile and incapable of conducting business as he continuously names major roads and freeways that he remembers from a previous trip to America. Frustrated, Tony is informed that the Don's son-in-law, Mauro Zucca, stepped in to replace him, but is in prison serving a life sentence. Tony is surprised to learn that Mario's wife and Vittorio's daughter, Annalisa, has assumed control of the family. On leaving the restaurant, Tony and Paulie are shocked to see Furio and his cohorts mercilessly beat a boy, who set off firecracker
s as the Don passed by to gain attention and respect, and even punch the boy's mother when she tries to intervene. The next day, Tony meets Annalisa, but he still has reservations about dealing with a woman, and tensions are further raised by the bosses' mutual sexual attraction. Tony's companions from back home prove incapable of offering support; Christopher has spent his time locked in his hotel room, secretly indulging his heroin habit with local prostitutes and junkies, and Paulie has been on a mission to rediscover his roots, only to uncover a distaste for Neapolitan hospitality, cuisine, and plumbing.
The following day, Annalisa calls for Tony and says they still have some unfinished business to discuss over dinner. Tony reluctantly agrees to finish talking to Annalisa and states that in order for their arrangement to work, she has to transfer Furio to his family. Annalisa scoffs at the suggestion, saying that Furio is one of her best men and her cousin. Tony agrees to trade her the stolen cars at a reduced price in exchange. She agrees and the pair relax, visiting several city landmark
s. She comes on to Tony, but tension is also resolved when Tony reluctantly informs Annalisa that to have a sexual relationship with a business partner would be bad for business and states he does not want to "shit where he eats". She is initially angered by this, but the two decide to become business partners. At Newark Airport
, Pussy drives up to take the returning trio home; Paulie describes his trip as "fabulous", although he is clearly very happy to be back in New Jersey as he looks through the window on the drive home. Tony is still brooding over his unfulfilled attraction to Annalisa, and Christopher, finally waking from his heroin-induced stupor, is busy buying Adriana
a gift from the airport gift shop.
When Tony enters the house and announces his return home, Carmela is in her bedroom, obviously reminiscing about Angie's story earlier in the episode about Pussy's return home after his disappearance.
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...
and was the fourth of the show's second season. It was written by David Chase
David Chase
David Chase is an American writer, director, and producer of television series. Chase has worked in television for more than 30 years; he has produced and written for shows as The Rockford Files, I'll Fly Away, and Northern Exposure. He has created two original series; the first, Almost Grown,...
, 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...
and originally aired on February 6, 2000.
Starring
- James GandolfiniJames GandolfiniJames J. Gandolfini, Jr. is an Italian American actor. He is best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO TV series The Sopranos, about a troubled crime boss struggling to balance his family life and career in the Mafia...
as Tony SopranoTony SopranoAnthony 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... - Lorraine BraccoLorraine BraccoLorraine Bracco is an American actress. She is best known for her TV roles as Dr. Jennifer Melfi on HBO series, The Sopranos, and Angela Rizzoli on the TNT series, Rizzoli & Isles...
as Dr. Jennifer Melfi * - Edie FalcoEdie FalcoEdith "Edie" Falco is an American television, film and stage actress, known for her roles in Oz as Diane Wittlesey, as Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, and as the titular character on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie...
as Carmela SopranoCarmela SopranoCarmela 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:... - Michael ImperioliMichael ImperioliJames Michael Imperioli , commonly known as Michael Imperioli, is an American actor and television writer. He is perhaps best known for his role as Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2004. He also...
as Christopher MoltisantiChristopher MoltisantiChristopher "Chris" Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was Tony Soprano's protégé and a Capo in the Soprano crime family.-Biography:... - Dominic ChianeseDominic ChianeseDominic Chianese is an American film, television and theatre actor, perhaps best known for his role as Corrado "Junior" Soprano on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as Corrado Soprano, Jr.Junior SopranoCorrado John Soprano, Jr., played by Dominic Chianese, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually referred to as "Junior" or "Uncle Jun", he is the mentor and surrogate father for capo Tony Soprano. A younger Corrado sometimes appears in flashbacks and is played by Rocco... - Vincent PastoreVincent PastoreVincent Pastore is an Italian-American actor, often cast as a mobster and best known for the role of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as Pussy Bonpensiero - 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...
as 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... - Tony SiricoTony SiricoGenaro Anthony "Tony" Sirico, Jr. is an American character actor who is most famous for his role as Paulie Gualtieri in the television series The Sopranos.- Background and career :Sirico was born in Midwood, Brooklyn...
as Paulie GualtieriPaulie GualtieriPeter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri played by Tony Sirico, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is a caporegime and later underboss in the Soprano crime family.-Plot details:... - Robert IlerRobert IlerRobert Michael Iler is an American actor, known for his portrayal of A.J. Soprano on The Sopranos which aired on HBO from 1999-2007....
as Anthony Soprano, Jr.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...
* - Jamie-Lynn SiglerJamie-Lynn SiglerJamie-Lynn Sigler is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on the HBO television series The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as Meadow SopranoMeadow SopranoMeadow Mariangela Soprano , played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos.-Character:Meadow is the first-born child of Tony and Carmela Soprano... - Drea de MatteoDrea de MatteoDrea de Matteo is an American television actress, perhaps best known for her roles Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina on the NBC sitcom Joey, as Angie Bolen on ABC's Desperate Housewives, and as Adriana La Cerva on the acclaimed HBO TV series The Sopranos, a role for which she won the Primetime Emmy...
as Adriana La CervaAdriana La CervaAdriana La Cerva played by Drea de Matteo, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the long-time girlfriend and, later, fiancée of Tony Soprano's protégé, Christopher Moltisanti.-Character history:...
* - David ProvalDavid ProvalDavid Aaron Proval is an American actor, known for his roles as Tony DeVienazo in the Martin Scorsese film Mean Streets opposite Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel and as Richie Aprile on the HBO television series The Sopranos .-Biography:Proval was born in Brooklyn, New York, of Jewish heritage,...
as Richie AprileRichie AprileRichard 'Richie' Aprile, Sr., played by David Proval, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Richie was a capo and the older brother of former DiMeo crime family acting boss Jackie Aprile, Sr...
* - Aida TurturroAida TurturroAida Turturro is an American actress probably best known for playing Janice Soprano, sister of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, on the HBO TV series The Sopranos .-Personal life:...
as Janice SopranoJanice SopranoJanice Soprano Baccalieri, played by Aida Turturro, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is Tony Soprano's elder sister. A young Janice has appeared in flashbacks, played by Madeline Blue and Juliet Fox.-Biography:... - and Nancy MarchandNancy MarchandNancy Marchand was an American actress, whose career encompassed both stage and screen. She appeared in various theatre productions throughout the early 1950s, before being offered roles on film and television....
as Livia SopranoLivia SopranoLivia Soprano , played by Nancy Marchand, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the mother of Tony Soprano. A young Livia, played by Laila Robins and later by Laurie J. Williams is sometimes seen in flashbacks...
*
* = credit only
Guest starring
- Sofia MilosSofia MilosSofia Milos is an Italian/Greek actress. She is best known for her role as Yelina Salas on CSI: Miami.Milos was born in Zurich, Switzerland, to an Italian father and a Greek mother. In her teens she entered a local beauty pageant, and after winning first prize went on to win the provincial,...
as Annalisa - Louis Lombardi, Jr.Louis LombardiLouis Lombardi is an American actor.Lombardi was born in The Bronx, New York City, the son of Louis Lombardi, Sr. On television, Lombardi had a recurring role on The Sopranos as Agent Skip Lipari, and guest starred on such shows as Entourage, Heroes and CSI. He was a cast member of a 1990s...
as Skip Lipari - Federico CastelluccioFederico CastelluccioFederico Castelluccio is an Italian-American actor and professional visual artist, who is best known for his role as Furio Giunta on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as FurioFurio GiuntaFurio Giunta, played by Federico Castelluccio, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was an Italian mobster working for Tony Soprano.-Biography:... - Vittorio DuseVittorio DuseVittorio Duse was an Italian actor born on March 21, 1916 in Marche, Italy. He died on June 2, 2005 in Rome, Italy....
as Zi Vittorio - Toni KalemToni KalemToni Kalem is an American actress, screenwriter and director. Kalem is best known for her portrayal of Angie Bonpensiero on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
as Angie Bonpensiero - Mike Memphis as Jimmy Bones
- Steven R. Schirripa as "Bacala" BaccalieriBobby BaccalieriRobert "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...
- Sharon AngelaSharon AngelaSharon Angela is an American film, television actress, screenwriter and director. Angela is probably most well known for her portrayal of Rosalie Aprile on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
as Rosalie Aprile - Jay LynchJay LynchJay Lynch is an American cartoonist who played a key role in the underground comix movement with his Bijou Funnies and other titles. His work is sometimes signed Jayzey Lynch. He has contributed to Mad, and in 2008, he expanded into the children's book field.-Early life and career:Born in Orange,...
as Partner - Emme Shaw as Nurse
- Maureen Van ZandtMaureen Van ZandtMaureen Van Zandt is an Italian-American television actress best known for her small role Gabriella Dante, a close friend to Carmela Soprano on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
as Gabriella Dante - Ciro Maggio as Raffaelle
- Danton StoneDanton StoneDanton Stone is an American veteran stage, film and television actor.-Stage plays:*Fifth of July *Angels Fall *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...
as Mr. Sontag - Melissa Weil as Mrs. Sontag
- Jason FuchsJason Fuchs- Early life :Fuchs was born in New York City, to a family of Hasidic Jewish background on his father's side. He went on to enroll and graduate from Columbia University.- Career :...
as Jr. Sontag - Jessica Peters as Sis Sontag
- Gano GrillsGano GrillsGano Grills is an African American actor from Staten Island, New York. He has been known for being the creator of the logo for the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan which in fact is not true, the creator of the Wu-Tang Clan logo is Allah Mathematics who is Wu-Tang Clan's DJ as well as an in-house producer...
as Antonio - Anthony Alessandro as Waiter
- Frank Caero as Host
- Pina Cutolo as Mother
- Raffaele Giulivo as Camillo
- Antonio Lubrano as Nino
- Rocco Malozzi as Don Vittorio's Assistant
- Guido Palliggiano as Pino
- Alida Tarallo as Prostitute
- Alex Toma as Kid
- Giuseppe Zeno as Tanno
- Ricardo Zinna as Hotel Manager
Episode recap
While attempting to watch a bootlegBootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
version of The Godfather, Part II, Tony Soprano
Tony 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...
announces to his crew that he will be traveling to Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, along with Paulie Walnuts and Christopher Moltisanti
Christopher Moltisanti
Christopher "Chris" Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was Tony Soprano's protégé and a Capo in the Soprano crime family.-Biography:...
, to make a deal with a local Camorra
Camorra
The Camorra is a Mafia-type criminal organization, or secret society, originating in the region of Campania and its capital Naples in Italy. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating to the 18th century.-Background:...
family (distantly related to the Sopranos) over the smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
of stolen cars. Although Tony is excited by the prospect of the trip, he downplays its appeal to 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:...
, who is upset that Tony will go abroad with his mob associates but not his family. Tony tries to explain to Carmela that it is a business trip and there will not be enough time for leisure activities.
Over lunch with Rosalie Aprile and Angie Bonpensiero, Carmela asks Angie how her transition with Pussy is going now that he is home. Angie regrets having Pussy home and has been sick ever since. Angie then tells the wives that she had recently undergone a test for a tumor and Pussy had little sympathy for her. As the other wives listen in horror, she confesses that she has contemplated suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
but instead will pursue divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
when the results come back. Angie's tests soon come back negative, but she begins to file for the divorce papers as soon as the legal firms return from the upcoming Jewish holiday. Carmela, obviously taking the matter personally, reminds Angie that Pussy is a doting father, and persuades her to stay with him for the sake of their children who, although grown, are in precariously transitional stages in their lives. Angie tells Carmela that when Pussy arrived home after many months of absence, she felt depressed and angry. As she leaves, Carmela seems ambivalent about the reasoning she has presented to her friend. When Pussy arrives home and silently presents flowers to Angie, she pauses for a moment and then swats him with them.
However, the state of his marriage has been the least of Pussy's concerns lately: he has been preoccupied by the pressures of his cooperation with the government, and growing increasingly paranoid. Pussy is unnerved when he is spotted by Jimmy Bones, a professional Elvis impersonator
Elvis impersonator
An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
and acquaintance, during a meeting with his FBI handler, Agent Skip Lipari. The pair are forced to concoct a cover story on the spot, claiming that Skip is a "friend of ours" (i.e., a made man
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
) from Dover, Delaware
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
, to which Bones remarks that he has never heard of any made men from Delaware before. Skip insists that Pussy is doing well and has not attracted suspicion, but this is clearly not true. To ensure that Jimmy remains quiet, Pussy visits his house and beats him to death with a ball-peen hammer
Ball-peen hammer
A ball-peen hammer, also known as a machinist's hammer, is a type of peening hammer used in metalworking. It is distinguished from a point-peen hammer or chisel-peen hammer by having a hemispherical head...
.
Tony, Christopher, and Paulie arrive in Naples and meet Furio Giunta
Furio Giunta
Furio Giunta, played by Federico Castelluccio, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was an Italian mobster working for Tony Soprano.-Biography:...
, who will be their translator throughout the trip. Furio then informs him that they will be dining with several capo
Capo
A capo is a device used on the neck of a stringed instrument to shorten the playable length of the strings, hence raising the pitch. It is frequently used on guitars, mandolins, and banjos. G.B...
s in the Naples family and that Don Vittorio, boss of the family, might not be present. Paulie and Tony go to the dinner but find that they are doing business with another made man, Nino, whom Tony does not want to talk to. During dinner Tony is angry dealing with Nino as Paulie, who has been becoming increasingly excited over the trip, keeps bothering him. However, upon meeting the Don, it becomes abundantly clear that Vittorio is now senile and incapable of conducting business as he continuously names major roads and freeways that he remembers from a previous trip to America. Frustrated, Tony is informed that the Don's son-in-law, Mauro Zucca, stepped in to replace him, but is in prison serving a life sentence. Tony is surprised to learn that Mario's wife and Vittorio's daughter, Annalisa, has assumed control of the family. On leaving the restaurant, Tony and Paulie are shocked to see Furio and his cohorts mercilessly beat a boy, who set off firecracker
Firecracker
A firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound...
s as the Don passed by to gain attention and respect, and even punch the boy's mother when she tries to intervene. The next day, Tony meets Annalisa, but he still has reservations about dealing with a woman, and tensions are further raised by the bosses' mutual sexual attraction. Tony's companions from back home prove incapable of offering support; Christopher has spent his time locked in his hotel room, secretly indulging his heroin habit with local prostitutes and junkies, and Paulie has been on a mission to rediscover his roots, only to uncover a distaste for Neapolitan hospitality, cuisine, and plumbing.
The following day, Annalisa calls for Tony and says they still have some unfinished business to discuss over dinner. Tony reluctantly agrees to finish talking to Annalisa and states that in order for their arrangement to work, she has to transfer Furio to his family. Annalisa scoffs at the suggestion, saying that Furio is one of her best men and her cousin. Tony agrees to trade her the stolen cars at a reduced price in exchange. She agrees and the pair relax, visiting several city landmark
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
s. She comes on to Tony, but tension is also resolved when Tony reluctantly informs Annalisa that to have a sexual relationship with a business partner would be bad for business and states he does not want to "shit where he eats". She is initially angered by this, but the two decide to become business partners. At Newark Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, Pussy drives up to take the returning trio home; Paulie describes his trip as "fabulous", although he is clearly very happy to be back in New Jersey as he looks through the window on the drive home. Tony is still brooding over his unfulfilled attraction to Annalisa, and Christopher, finally waking from his heroin-induced stupor, is busy buying Adriana
Adriana La Cerva
Adriana La Cerva played by Drea de Matteo, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the long-time girlfriend and, later, fiancée of Tony Soprano's protégé, Christopher Moltisanti.-Character history:...
a gift from the airport gift shop.
When Tony enters the house and announces his return home, Carmela is in her bedroom, obviously reminiscing about Angie's story earlier in the episode about Pussy's return home after his disappearance.
First appearances
- Furio GiuntaFurio GiuntaFurio Giunta, played by Federico Castelluccio, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was an Italian mobster working for Tony Soprano.-Biography:...
: a made manMade manA made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
from the Naples MafiaCamorraThe Camorra is a Mafia-type criminal organization, or secret society, originating in the region of Campania and its capital Naples in Italy. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating to the 18th century.-Background:...
headed by Don Vittorio and Annalisa Zucca. Furio is sent to America after a successful trade between Tony and Annalisa. - Annalisa Zucca: Head of the Neapolitan famiglia in Naples.
- Angie Bonpensiero: Pussy's wife.
- Gabriella Dante: Silvio's wife.
Deceased
- Jimmy Bones: an ElvisElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
impersonatorElvis impersonatorAn Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
and mafia associate.
Title reference
- The episode's title is plural of the Italian languageItalian languageItalian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
word commendatoreCommendatoreLiterally Commander, the official title of Commendatore is awarded by decree of the President of Italy to individuals who are given this honour in the Italian Order of Merit known as the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica and other orders of knighthood...
, which is an honorable title in Italian society. Tony and his crew are given this greeting in Italy, which Paulie hears and then tries to use throughout the episode.
Production
- Series creator and head writer, David ChaseDavid ChaseDavid Chase is an American writer, director, and producer of television series. Chase has worked in television for more than 30 years; he has produced and written for shows as The Rockford Files, I'll Fly Away, and Northern Exposure. He has created two original series; the first, Almost Grown,...
, is seen in the episode at an Italian cafe, where Paulie says "commendatori" to him. - Although the episode was the fourth of season two, it was the ninth to be produced.
- The scene wherein Paulie attempts to make conversation with the locals on the waterfrontWaterfront-In music:*Waterfront , a 1980s British pop duo*Waterfront Records, an Australian record label*"Waterfront" , by Simple Minds*Waterfront Blues Festival, in Portland, Oregon-In film and television:*Waterfront , directed by William A...
was not scripted; Tony SiricoTony SiricoGenaro Anthony "Tony" Sirico, Jr. is an American character actor who is most famous for his role as Paulie Gualtieri in the television series The Sopranos.- Background and career :Sirico was born in Midwood, Brooklyn...
was simply filmed interacting with passers-by. In the scene wherein Paulie tells a passer-by that he is from America, and is asked whether he is in NATO, he claims that one of his planes cut their ski lift cable. This is a reference to the 1998 Cavalese cable car disaster. - Vittorio DuseVittorio DuseVittorio Duse was an Italian actor born on March 21, 1916 in Marche, Italy. He died on June 2, 2005 in Rome, Italy....
, who played Zi Vittorio, also played Don TommasinoDon TommasinoDon Lionele Tommasino is a fictional character from The Godfather series of books and films.-Novel and first two films:Tommasino is an old friend of Vito Corleone from Vito's native village of Corleone, Sicily. By the 1920s, he has become a top-ranking soldier in the local Mafia family, headed by...
in The Godfather Part IIIThe Godfather Part IIIThe Godfather Part III is a 1990 American gangster film written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by Coppola. It completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia kingpin who tries to legitimize his criminal empire...
. - The final exchange between Tony and Annalisa was filmed in the archeological ruins of CumaeCumaeCumae is an ancient Greek settlement lying to the northwest of Naples in the Italian region of Campania. Cumae was the first Greek colony on the mainland of Italy , and the seat of the Cumaean Sibyl...
. - Paulie tells an Italian prostitute that Sicilians are hard-headed. In reality, the actor who plays Paulie (Tony SiricoTony SiricoGenaro Anthony "Tony" Sirico, Jr. is an American character actor who is most famous for his role as Paulie Gualtieri in the television series The Sopranos.- Background and career :Sirico was born in Midwood, Brooklyn...
) is himself Sicilian, not Neapolitan like his character.
Music
- The song "Con te partiròCon te Partiró- History :The song's original single release by Polydor Records was not commercially successful in Italy, and received little radio airplay there. Elsewhere, however, it was a massive hit. In France and Switzerland, the single topped the charts for 6 weeks, earning a triple Gold sales award. In...
" by Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
is played three times throughout the episode. - The song played over the end credits is "Piove" by JovanottiJovanottiLorenzo Cherubini, better known as Jovanotti, is an Italian singer-songwriter and rapper.The name Jovanotti derives from the plural form of the Italian word giovanotto , i.e. giovanotti. Lorenzo Cherubini originally auditioned a band with the name "I Giovanotti", but the record producer only was...
. - When Tony is driven to Annalisa Zucca's villa the Napolitano song "Core 'ngrato" is played (without the vocals).
- The song "Marco Polo" by JovanottiJovanottiLorenzo Cherubini, better known as Jovanotti, is an Italian singer-songwriter and rapper.The name Jovanotti derives from the plural form of the Italian word giovanotto , i.e. giovanotti. Lorenzo Cherubini originally auditioned a band with the name "I Giovanotti", but the record producer only was...
is briefly played when Christopher is taking drugs the first time. - The song "Certamente" by the Italian rock band MadrebluMadrebluMadreblu is a rock band from Lodi, Italy, with a trip-hop sound similar to that of Deep Forest or a faster and more upbeat Portishead.Madreblu was formed in 1995 and consisted of Raffaella Destefano , Gino Marcelli , and Valerio Artusi . The band released Prima dell’ Alba in 1997, but Artusi left...
is played when Christopher is taking drugs the second time.