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Kaisha (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Kaisha" is the twelfth episode of the sixth season of the HBO television drama series The Sopranos
and seventy-seventh episode overall. It served as the midseason finale
to the first part of the sixth season, the broadcast of which was split into two parts. It was written by executive producer Terence Winter
, series creator/executive producer David Chase
and co-executive producer Matthew Weiner
; it was directed by longtime series director Alan Taylor
. It originally aired in the United States
on June 4, 2006. It was watched by 8.9 million American viewers.
arranges for the body to be dumped at the shore. Phil Leotardo arrives with his mistress at the wire room, which is fronted with the sign, "Sheepshead Hair Design". As they approach the building, it explodes, knocking them to the street. Watching from his car nearby, Benny Fazio calls Tony Soprano
to let him know the operation was a success. Tony is pleased to hear that Phil was so close when the bomb went off.
Little Carmine hosts a "meeting of minds" between New York
and New Jersey
with Tony, Silvio, Phil, Gerry Torciano, and Butch DeConcini. Phil criticizes Carmine's rambling introduction, and then makes a joke about Vito Spatafore
, which seems to offend Tony. Tony reminds Phil that Vito was one of his highest-earning captains. Phil brings up Fat Dom's "disappearance"; Silvio and Tony feign ignorance. Little Carmine brings them back to the subject at hand, and offers the confused statement, "A pint of blood costs more than a gallon of gold", indicating that the dispute is costing both men money. Tony and Phil agree to a truce, but it all falls apart when Little Carmine continues to talk and mentions Phil's brother, which sends Phil into a rage. Phil storms off, after insulting both Tony and Little Carmine. Later, Phil discusses Tony with his captains Albie Cianflone, Gerry, and Butch. The latter is particularly critical of Tony and suggests whacking him. Phil refuses to consider this and Butch suggests picking "somebody over there".
real estate deal and apologizes to realtor Julianna Skiff about his behavior when they last met. He makes another pass at her, but she politely turns him down. Meanwhile, Christopher
and Kelli Moltisanti discuss decorating a nursery for their expected child. Chris worries that they are counting their chickens before they hatch. Kelli asks him to put aside superstition and enjoy the time, reminding him she does not have the health worries of his ex, Adriana La Cerva
.
While Tony, Christopher, Bobby
, and A.J. watch football on Thanksgiving
, Tony questions Chris about his secret phone calls, and Chris admits having a new mistress, "Kaisha". Tony criticizes Chris' timing in starting an affair while he has a pregnant wife at home, but sympathizes when Chris complains that the "playground is closed" and he has unmet sexual needs. When Bobby asks why Chris has not brought Kaisha around, Chris explains that she is black, and cites Paulie Gualtieri
's racism
as the reason he has kept her away.
However, Kaisha does not exist and Chris is actually seeing Julianna Skiff, having met her at an AA
meeting. She asks how he could like a person who would sleep with a married man. He tells her he rushed into marriage with Kelli and does not want a family with her, as she "has no idea who [he is]". Oblivious to the situation, Tony continues to make passes at, and is rejected by Julianna while she continues her affair with Chris, and the two relapse into drug use.
Eventually, at Satriale's, Tony notices Christopher talking to Julianna in her car down the block. He questions Christopher, who asks for Tony's version of what happened between them, and then pretends that Julianna is friends with "Kaisha", the black mistress he made up at Thanksgiving. Christopher and Julianna continue smoking heroin, and discuss their (self-deluding) ability to control their use of drugs and integrate it into their lives. Chris tells her that he must reveal their relationship to Tony in order to prevent him finding out that he is using again. Chris catches up with Tony at the Bing, and tells the truth about his relationship with Julianna, placating Tony by saying the reason he concealed the relationship was that he was not sure how things had ended between him and Julianna. Tony says Christopher can do whatever he wants with her.
In therapy, Tony discusses his anger at being "rewarded" for his fidelity by Christopher's relationship with the woman Tony desired for himself. Dr. Melfi
is pleased that Tony did not react to the situation violently, and that it is a corollary to Tony's view that each day is a gift—he does not need to sleep with every woman he meets. Tony brings up his realization that all the women he has pursued, including Dr. Melfi, share certain qualities, and that this must be the reason he continues seeing her, since "nothing changes with the therapy part."
watches Paulie make a collection from a beautiful Dominican
girl who works in the office at the site. A.J. is struck by the woman and introduces himself. Later, while out having drinks with his coworkers, A.J. notices Blanca dancing. She seductively approaches him in order to continue their aborted conversation at the construction site and encourages A.J. to take her out, though warning him that she has a three-year-old son, Hector. She writes part of her phone number on a napkin, causing A.J. to comment that she only wrote down six numbers instead of seven. Blanca says she knows, stating that he will have to work for a date with her. On their date, while they watch television at her apartment and her son sleeps, a group of youths begin playing loud music outside. She asks them to move, but they respond with profanity. She tells A.J. her ex used to beat them up, which prompts him to resolve the dispute in his own way; he bribes them with an expensive mountain bike
that was a gift from his parents, which the youths calmly accept before leaving. Afterward, A.J. and Blanca have vigorous sex. During pillow talk
, A.J. asks whether their age difference bothers Blanca. She laughs it off, and asks him whether her having a son bothers him, to which A.J. responds that he loves kids.
visits Liz La Cerva at the hospital to find that she is restrained in her bed, having apparently attempted suicide
. Carmela returns home and tells Tony that Liz was set off by a letter from the Salvation Army
, to which Adriana had made annual donations. Tony suggests that Liz is an alcoholic who cannot accept the reality that Adriana moved away because she could not stand her mother. Carmela takes offense at that suggestion, on the heels of Meadow
's moving to California two weeks prior. Carmela again complains about her spec house being stalled and her life in general, and Tony attempts to comfort her by pointing out that A.J. is doing better. Carmela suggests they hire a private investigator
to track Adriana down; Tony attempts to dissuade her, but she is not easily swayed. Tony's only recourse is to meet Silvio at the Bing
and tell him to lean on the building inspector in order to restart Carmela's spec house project, which he hopes will distract her. When the stop-work order on the spec house is lifted, she immediately realizes that it is Tony's work, and thanks him profusely. She does not, however, realize why Tony chose to do this favor for her now.
At home, Carmela is going through paperwork and preparing Christmas dinner. Tony's hope that the spec house will distract her pays off, as she discards the business card of the private investigator she had wanted to hire to find Adriana, and instead calls the roofing subcontractor. The family is hanging out before dinner. A.J. arrives with Blanca and Hector. Hugh remarks on Blanca's necklace, which A.J. bought for her. In another room, Carmela and Tony discuss Blanca. Carmela does not approve of her age or race, but Tony seems much more accepting, seemingly glad his son is acting more grown up. When Tony suggests to A.J. that he could have helped with the necklace because he "[has] a guy," A.J. assertively dismisses him by saying, "I have a job." Blanca compliments Carmela on their beautiful home, and she thanks Blanca and agrees. The entire extended family is gathered peacefully around the tree with Christmas music playing.
. However, that night, Phil wakes up hyperventilating, thinking he is dying and is rushed back to the hospital. Murmur brings news that Phil has had a heart attack. Tony is pleased and orders a round of drinks, but Silvio and Paulie are critical of his joy, pointing out that Phil had been a manageable pain, and any replacement could mean further unrest. Tony disagrees, citing the insult-laden exchange at Little Carmine's. Agent Harris tells Tony that inside sources at the FBI say that someone in Tony's organization may be in danger from a retaliation from the Lupertazzi family. Tony later visits Phil at the hospital. When alone, Tony tells Phil about his coma
, revealing that he went to a place that he never wants to visit again. Tony tells Phil to take his time recovering and enjoy his grandchildren and the good things in his life when he is better, at which point Phil begins to cry.
at his care facility and returns his Christmas gift (an envelope of money), saying he cannot accept it after what happened with Tony. Junior is clearly not in his right mind, as he says the money was for Bobby's (dead) wife Karen and his kids, he also suggests he may not have been acting alone, in regards to the shooting, and that he is "mounting [his] case" with the help of an ex-lawyer, another patient in the institution. After Bobby leaves, Junior gives the envelope to an orderly, saying to him "one hand washes the other".
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 seventy-seventh episode overall. It served as the midseason finale
Season finale
A season finale is the final episode of a season of a television program...
to the first part of the sixth season, the broadcast of which was split into two parts. It was written by executive producer Terence Winter
Terence Winter
Terence Winter is an American writer and producer of television and film. He is the creator, writer, and executive producer of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire...
, series creator/executive producer 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,...
and co-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...
; it was directed by longtime series director Alan Taylor
Alan Taylor (director)
Alan Taylor is an American television and film director, television producer, and screenwriter. Taylor has directed for numerous programs on both network television and premium cable, most notably on HBO...
. It originally aired in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on June 4, 2006. It was watched by 8.9 million American viewers.
Tension with New York
Carlo Gervasi disposes of "Fat Dom" Gamiello's head down a sewer inlet, while Silvio DanteSilvio Dante
Silvio 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...
arranges for the body to be dumped at the shore. Phil Leotardo arrives with his mistress at the wire room, which is fronted with the sign, "Sheepshead Hair Design". As they approach the building, it explodes, knocking them to the street. Watching from his car nearby, Benny Fazio calls 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...
to let him know the operation was a success. Tony is pleased to hear that Phil was so close when the bomb went off.
Little Carmine hosts a "meeting of minds" between New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
with Tony, Silvio, Phil, Gerry Torciano, and Butch DeConcini. Phil criticizes Carmine's rambling introduction, and then makes a joke about 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...
, which seems to offend Tony. Tony reminds Phil that Vito was one of his highest-earning captains. Phil brings up Fat Dom's "disappearance"; Silvio and Tony feign ignorance. Little Carmine brings them back to the subject at hand, and offers the confused statement, "A pint of blood costs more than a gallon of gold", indicating that the dispute is costing both men money. Tony and Phil agree to a truce, but it all falls apart when Little Carmine continues to talk and mentions Phil's brother, which sends Phil into a rage. Phil storms off, after insulting both Tony and Little Carmine. Later, Phil discusses Tony with his captains Albie Cianflone, Gerry, and Butch. The latter is particularly critical of Tony and suggests whacking him. Phil refuses to consider this and Butch suggests picking "somebody over there".
Tony, Julianna and Christopher
Tony completes the Jamba JuiceJamba Juice
Jamba Juice is a chain of smoothie restaurants, headquartered in Emeryville, California, with over 700 locations operating in 30 states, the Bahamas, Canada, Korea, and the Philippines. Over 500 locations are company-owned, with the remainder being franchised...
real estate deal and apologizes to realtor Julianna Skiff about his behavior when they last met. He makes another pass at her, but she politely turns him down. Meanwhile, Christopher
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:...
and Kelli Moltisanti discuss decorating a nursery for their expected child. Chris worries that they are counting their chickens before they hatch. Kelli asks him to put aside superstition and enjoy the time, reminding him she does not have the health worries of his ex, Adriana La Cerva
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:...
.
While Tony, Christopher, Bobby
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 A.J. watch football on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
, Tony questions Chris about his secret phone calls, and Chris admits having a new mistress, "Kaisha". Tony criticizes Chris' timing in starting an affair while he has a pregnant wife at home, but sympathizes when Chris complains that the "playground is closed" and he has unmet sexual needs. When Bobby asks why Chris has not brought Kaisha around, Chris explains that she is black, and cites Paulie Gualtieri
Paulie Gualtieri
Peter 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:...
's racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
as the reason he has kept her away.
However, Kaisha does not exist and Chris is actually seeing Julianna Skiff, having met her at an AA
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
meeting. She asks how he could like a person who would sleep with a married man. He tells her he rushed into marriage with Kelli and does not want a family with her, as she "has no idea who [he is]". Oblivious to the situation, Tony continues to make passes at, and is rejected by Julianna while she continues her affair with Chris, and the two relapse into drug use.
Eventually, at Satriale's, Tony notices Christopher talking to Julianna in her car down the block. He questions Christopher, who asks for Tony's version of what happened between them, and then pretends that Julianna is friends with "Kaisha", the black mistress he made up at Thanksgiving. Christopher and Julianna continue smoking heroin, and discuss their (self-deluding) ability to control their use of drugs and integrate it into their lives. Chris tells her that he must reveal their relationship to Tony in order to prevent him finding out that he is using again. Chris catches up with Tony at the Bing, and tells the truth about his relationship with Julianna, placating Tony by saying the reason he concealed the relationship was that he was not sure how things had ended between him and Julianna. Tony says Christopher can do whatever he wants with her.
In therapy, Tony discusses his anger at being "rewarded" for his fidelity by Christopher's relationship with the woman Tony desired for himself. Dr. Melfi
Jennifer Melfi
Jennifer Melfi, M.D., is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the psychiatrist of Mafia boss Tony Soprano. She is portrayed by Lorraine Bracco.-Character description:...
is pleased that Tony did not react to the situation violently, and that it is a corollary to Tony's view that each day is a gift—he does not need to sleep with every woman he meets. Tony brings up his realization that all the women he has pursued, including Dr. Melfi, share certain qualities, and that this must be the reason he continues seeing her, since "nothing changes with the therapy part."
A.J. and Blanca
While working at the construction site, 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...
watches Paulie make a collection from a beautiful Dominican
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
girl who works in the office at the site. A.J. is struck by the woman and introduces himself. Later, while out having drinks with his coworkers, A.J. notices Blanca dancing. She seductively approaches him in order to continue their aborted conversation at the construction site and encourages A.J. to take her out, though warning him that she has a three-year-old son, Hector. She writes part of her phone number on a napkin, causing A.J. to comment that she only wrote down six numbers instead of seven. Blanca says she knows, stating that he will have to work for a date with her. On their date, while they watch television at her apartment and her son sleeps, a group of youths begin playing loud music outside. She asks them to move, but they respond with profanity. She tells A.J. her ex used to beat them up, which prompts him to resolve the dispute in his own way; he bribes them with an expensive mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
that was a gift from his parents, which the youths calmly accept before leaving. Afterward, A.J. and Blanca have vigorous sex. During pillow talk
Pillow talk
Pillow talk is the relaxed, intimate conversation that often occurs between two sexual partners after the act of coitus, usually accompanied by cuddling, caresses, and other physical intimacy. It is associated with sexual afterglow and is distinguished from dirty talk which usually forms part of...
, A.J. asks whether their age difference bothers Blanca. She laughs it off, and asks him whether her having a son bothers him, to which A.J. responds that he loves kids.
Carmela's concerns
CarmelaCarmela 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:...
visits Liz La Cerva at the hospital to find that she is restrained in her bed, having apparently attempted 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...
. Carmela returns home and tells Tony that Liz was set off by a letter from the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, to which Adriana had made annual donations. Tony suggests that Liz is an alcoholic who cannot accept the reality that Adriana moved away because she could not stand her mother. Carmela takes offense at that suggestion, on the heels of Meadow
Meadow Soprano
Meadow 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...
's moving to California two weeks prior. Carmela again complains about her spec house being stalled and her life in general, and Tony attempts to comfort her by pointing out that A.J. is doing better. Carmela suggests they hire a private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
to track Adriana down; Tony attempts to dissuade her, but she is not easily swayed. Tony's only recourse is to meet Silvio at the Bing
Bada Bing
The Bada Bing! is a fictional strip club from the HBO drama television series The Sopranos. It was a key location for events in the series, named for catchphrase "bada bing", a phrase popularized by James Caan in The Godfather. The popularization of the fictional club benefited the real-life go-go...
and tell him to lean on the building inspector in order to restart Carmela's spec house project, which he hopes will distract her. When the stop-work order on the spec house is lifted, she immediately realizes that it is Tony's work, and thanks him profusely. She does not, however, realize why Tony chose to do this favor for her now.
At home, Carmela is going through paperwork and preparing Christmas dinner. Tony's hope that the spec house will distract her pays off, as she discards the business card of the private investigator she had wanted to hire to find Adriana, and instead calls the roofing subcontractor. The family is hanging out before dinner. A.J. arrives with Blanca and Hector. Hugh remarks on Blanca's necklace, which A.J. bought for her. In another room, Carmela and Tony discuss Blanca. Carmela does not approve of her age or race, but Tony seems much more accepting, seemingly glad his son is acting more grown up. When Tony suggests to A.J. that he could have helped with the necklace because he "[has] a guy," A.J. assertively dismisses him by saying, "I have a job." Blanca compliments Carmela on their beautiful home, and she thanks Blanca and agrees. The entire extended family is gathered peacefully around the tree with Christmas music playing.
Phil becomes ill
At the Leotardo house, Phil and his wife Patty discuss Christmas dinner and Phil complains of feeling ill. Phil and Patty go to the emergency room, where the doctor diagnoses Phil with gas, not a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. However, that night, Phil wakes up hyperventilating, thinking he is dying and is rushed back to the hospital. Murmur brings news that Phil has had a heart attack. Tony is pleased and orders a round of drinks, but Silvio and Paulie are critical of his joy, pointing out that Phil had been a manageable pain, and any replacement could mean further unrest. Tony disagrees, citing the insult-laden exchange at Little Carmine's. Agent Harris tells Tony that inside sources at the FBI say that someone in Tony's organization may be in danger from a retaliation from the Lupertazzi family. Tony later visits Phil at the hospital. When alone, Tony tells Phil about his coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
, revealing that he went to a place that he never wants to visit again. Tony tells Phil to take his time recovering and enjoy his grandchildren and the good things in his life when he is better, at which point Phil begins to cry.
Junior's Christmas
Bobby visits Uncle JuniorJunior Soprano
Corrado 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...
at his care facility and returns his Christmas gift (an envelope of money), saying he cannot accept it after what happened with Tony. Junior is clearly not in his right mind, as he says the money was for Bobby's (dead) wife Karen and his kids, he also suggests he may not have been acting alone, in regards to the shooting, and that he is "mounting [his] case" with the help of an ex-lawyer, another patient in the institution. After Bobby leaves, Junior gives the envelope to an orderly, saying to him "one hand washes the other".
First appearances
The episode marks the first appearances of:- Blanca Selgado: A.J.'s girlfriend.
- Butch DeConcini: a Lupertazzi family captain who pushes for the murder of someone close to Tony.
Title reference
The episode's title, "Kaisha", has many different meanings which include:- Christopher's imaginary black girlfriend is named Kaisha.
- Kaisha is the name of the girlfriend of Christopher's former heroin dealer, whom Chris hired to whack Carmine Lupertazzi, Sr.Carmine LupertazziCarmine Lupertazzi, Sr., played by Tony Lip, was the fictional Boss of the Brooklyn-based Lupertazzi crime family on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Biography:...
in "Whitecaps". After receiving cash for the planned hit, the hired gun asks his partner: "Don't tell Kaisha about this." - Kaisha is also the JapaneseJapanese languageis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
word for company or corporation. - The name Kaisha connotes a non-white, lower social class image that can be applied to Blanca, whose romance with A.J. is quite open and real in addition to being biracial and socio-economically disparate, as Christopher's is purported to be.
Production
- "Sentimental Journey" was the working title for this episode.
- The episode was dedicated to John Patterson, who directed every season finale for the first five seasons and worked regularly on the series.
- The exploding storefront is an actual location in the QueensQueensQueens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
neighborhood of RidgewoodRidgewood, QueensRidgewood is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It borders the neighborhoods of Maspeth, Middle Village and Glendale, as well as the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick. Historically, the neighborhood straddled the Queens-Brooklyn boundary. The neighborhood is part of Queens...
on Fresh Pond Road (one of the two main local shopping streets). Actor John VentimigliaJohn VentimigliaJohn Ventimiglia is an American actor, known for his role as Artie Bucco on the HBO television series The Sopranos. He has had parts in feature films such as Cop Land, Jesus' Son, and Mickey Blue Eyes and has appeared in numerous television shows including Law & Order and NYPD Blue...
(who plays Artie Bucco) was born there, before moving to New Jersey.
Connections to prior episodes
- Bobby, Jr. is seen watching the film CasablancaCasablanca (film)Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
at the Christmas gathering. In the previous episode, "Cold Stones", the film's signature song, "As Time Goes ByAs Time Goes By (song)"As Time Goes By" is a song written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931. It became most famous in 1942 when it was sung by the character Sam in the movie Casablanca. The song was voted #2 on the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs special, commemorating the best songs in film. It was used as a fanfare for Warner...
", plays over the closing credits. - Christopher initially claims his comàre is black and that the reason he does not bring her around is Paulie's "racial bullshit." Paulie himself has a girlfriend of DominicanDominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
heritage, as shown in episode 2.9, "From Where to Eternity". - In the season 4 episode "Whitecaps", one of the two African-Americans hired by Christoper to whack Carmine Lupertazzi asks the other not to tell his girlfriend, "Kaisha", about the money they are making from the hit.
- Liz slit the same wrist that Christopher injured in the episode, "Full Leather Jacket", when he pushed her away from him and Adriana. Christopher had come to Liz's house to propose to Adriana, who had left him and gone to stay with her mother. Liz warned her daughter, "When he hurts you again, this door is closed."
Music
- "PreciousPretenders (album)Pretenders is the debut studio album by the British New Wave band The Pretenders, released on 19 January 1980 on Real Records . A combination of rock, punk, and pop music, this album made the band famous...
" by The PretendersThe PretendersThe Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
plays when A.J. gets Blanca's phone number at the bar. - The opening theme music to the Alfred Hitchcock film "VertigoVertigo (film)Vertigo is a 1958 psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes. The screenplay was written by Alec Coppel and Samuel A...
" by Bernard HerrmannBernard HerrmannBernard Herrmann was an American composer noted for his work in motion pictures.An Academy Award-winner , Herrmann is particularly known for his collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock, most famously Psycho, North by Northwest, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo...
is heard during the montage of Chris and Julianna using again and at the movie theater. - The episode opens and closes with the Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
song "Moonlight MileMoonlight Mile (Rolling Stones song)"Moonlight Mile" is a song from The Rolling Stones' 1971 album Sticky Fingers.Credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Moonlight Mile" is widely considered to be one of the Rolling Stones' most underappreciated ballads. Recording began in March 1970 at Stargroves. The song was the product of an...
". The line "with a head full of snow" accompanies Carlo's transport of Fat Dom's frozen head. The line "gonna warm my bones" accompanies Phil and his mistress being knocked to the ground by the explosion.