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Mergers and Acquisitions (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Mergers and Acquisitions" is the forty-seventh episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos
and the eighth of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Lawrence Konner
from a story by David Chase
, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess
and Terence Winter
. It was directed by Dan Attias
and originally aired on Sunday November 3, 2002.
night, Nucci is ostracized by Cookie after Nucci ruins a game of blackjack
. Nucci then confines herself to her room, which begins to worry Paulie. Paulie pays a visit to Cookie's son, Chuckie, a high school principal. Paulie discusses Nucci and Cookie's relationship and would like them to get along, since Minn Matrone is an instigator and a "malignant cunt
", according to Paulie. Chuckie tries to convince Paulie that he cannot intervene in his mother's social life. The following day, Chuckie is chased through his high school's hallway by members of Paulie's crew (Benny Fazio and "Little Paulie" Germani) and is badly injured. When Chuckie's wife threatens to take Cookie out of the nursing home, Cookie reluctantly agrees to make peace with Nucci.
Meanwhile, at the stables, Tony Soprano
meets Ralph Cifaretto's new girlfriend, Valentina La Paz, a Cuban-Italian
beauty whom Tony immediately falls for. Valentina convinces Tony to have a portrait made of him with the horse, Pie-O-My, and soon Tony and Valentina retreat to a hotel
room and passionately make love. Valentina plays a practical joke
on Tony by loosening the top of a salt shaker, and then Tony, jocularly, threatens to throw her meal out of the window. Valentina continues to date Ralph, and Tony buys her an expensive diamond horseshoe
pin as a parting gift. Valentina objects (she still wants to see Tony), and complains to him that her sex life with Ralph consists mostly of his masochistic
fetish
es. Dr. Melfi
suggests that Tony is reluctant to "cuckold
" Ralph, and in fact Tony continues to push Valentina away until he gets confirmation from Janice
- by agreeing to pay her $3,000 for the information - that Ralph really does have unusual sexual tendencies.
Carmela
, who is falling for Furio Giunta
, empathisizes with him when he leaves for Italy to attend his father's funeral. While in Italy, Furio discusses his attraction to Carmela with his uncle. When Furio confides that the woman is the don
's wife, he is warned to not pursue the relationship any further since it would be considered an act of treason and disrespect and would likely be discovered. At home, Carmela discovers a broken false fingernail
in Tony's clothes, infuriating her. She vents her anger by stealing Tony's keys to the duck feed bin (while Tony was showering), taking two bound stacks of money he had hidden there, and investing it with several stock brokers in $9,900 segments (in order to avoid the $10,000 mandatory notification of the IRS). After recounting the hidden money, Tony discovers that there is some missing. Before having a chance to talk about it with Carmela, he discovers the false nail, which Carmela left on his nightstand next to his car keys. Tony walks downstairs, where Carmela is reading the newspaper. He asks for coffee, which she makes, and, noticing his demeanor, asks Tony if he wishes to discuss anything. He says no. A.J.
comes downstairs and Tony asks if he had been in the backyard (tipping off Carmela that he knows the money is missing). After A.J. denies being in the backyard and leaves, Carmela again asks Tony if he wishes to talk about anything. He declines, and asks Carmela the same. She responds likewise and "it" is left hanging in the air between them.
refers to the aspect of corporate finance strategy and management dealing with the merging and acquiring of different companies as well as other assets. In the episode it alludes to:
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 the eighth of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Lawrence Konner
Lawrence Konner
Lawrence Konner has had a long and distinguished career as an American screenwriter and television writer. In addition, he has produced a number of award winning documentaries.-Career:...
from a story 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,...
, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess
Mitchell Burgess
Mitchell Burgess is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. He worked extensively on the HBO hit-series The Sopranos. He was a creator and executive producer for Blue Bloods. He frequently works with his wife Robin Green.-Career:...
and 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...
. It was directed by Dan Attias
Dan Attias
Daniel Attias is an American television director and producer. Attias' career has spanned three decades and during this time he has directed a significant number of popular primetime television programs, including Miami Vice and Beverly Hills, 90210...
and originally aired on Sunday November 3, 2002.
Guest starring roles
- 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 - Fran Anthony as Minn Matrone
- Leslie BegaLeslie BegaLeslie R. Bega is an American theatre, film and television actress; known for performances in Head of the Class, David Lynch's Lost Highway, and a recurring cast member in CSI: NY and The Sopranos. Also featured as a dancer in the breakdancing films Breakin and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo...
as Valentina La Paz - Anna Berger as Cookie Cirillo
- Carl CapotortoCarl CapotortoCarl Capotorto is an American actor, known for his portrayal of Little Paulie Germani on The Sopranos. He is also the author of Twisted Head: An Italian-American Memoir.-External links:*...
as Little Paulie Germani - 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 - Charlotte Colavin as Lorraine Cirillo
- 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 - Heidi Dippold as Janelle Cammarata
- Frances Ensemplare as Marianucci "Nucci" Gualtieri
- Dan GrimaldiDan GrimaldiDaniel "Dan" Grimaldi is an American actor who is known for his roles as twins Philly and Patsy Parisi on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Career:...
as Patsy Parisi - Anthony Patellis as Chuckie Cirillo
- Paul SchulzePaul SchulzePaul Schulze is an American actor best known for portraying Ryan Chappelle on the FOX series 24 from 2001 to 2004 and Father Phil Intintola on HBO The Sopranos from 1999 to 2006....
as Father Phil Intintola
Episode recap
Paulie Walnuts is concerned about his mother's welfare when she finally makes the move to Green Grove Retirement Home. Quickly, Nucci is excited to reunite with old friends Cookie Cirillo and Minn Matrone, who warmly welcome her. While Nucci is in the restroom (which she called the "W.C."-the "Water Closet"), the ladies politely inform Paulie that Nucci will not be allowed to play cards with or eat lunch with them since they are a set group. Paulie insists that the girls make room and be respectful to his mother. On casinoCasino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
night, Nucci is ostracized by Cookie after Nucci ruins a game of blackjack
Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one or Vingt-et-un , is the most widely played casino banking game in the world...
. Nucci then confines herself to her room, which begins to worry Paulie. Paulie pays a visit to Cookie's son, Chuckie, a high school principal. Paulie discusses Nucci and Cookie's relationship and would like them to get along, since Minn Matrone is an instigator and a "malignant cunt
Cunt
Cunt is a vulgarism, primarily referring to the female genitalia, specifically the vulva, and including the cleft of Venus. The earliest citation of this usage in the 1972 Oxford English Dictionary, c 1230, refers to the London street known as Gropecunt Lane...
", according to Paulie. Chuckie tries to convince Paulie that he cannot intervene in his mother's social life. The following day, Chuckie is chased through his high school's hallway by members of Paulie's crew (Benny Fazio and "Little Paulie" Germani) and is badly injured. When Chuckie's wife threatens to take Cookie out of the nursing home, Cookie reluctantly agrees to make peace with Nucci.
Meanwhile, at the stables, 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...
meets Ralph Cifaretto's new girlfriend, Valentina La Paz, a Cuban-Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
beauty whom Tony immediately falls for. Valentina convinces Tony to have a portrait made of him with the horse, Pie-O-My, and soon Tony and Valentina retreat to a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
room and passionately make love. Valentina plays a practical joke
Practical joke
A practical joke is a mischievous trick played on someone, typically causing the victim to experience embarrassment, indignity, or discomfort. Practical jokes differ from confidence tricks in that the victim finds out, or is let in on the joke, rather than being fooled into handing over money or...
on Tony by loosening the top of a salt shaker, and then Tony, jocularly, threatens to throw her meal out of the window. Valentina continues to date Ralph, and Tony buys her an expensive diamond horseshoe
Horseshoe
A horseshoe, is a fabricated product, normally made of metal, although sometimes made partially or wholly of modern synthetic materials, designed to protect a horse's hoof from wear and tear. Shoes are attached on the palmar surface of the hooves, usually nailed through the insensitive hoof wall...
pin as a parting gift. Valentina objects (she still wants to see Tony), and complains to him that her sex life with Ralph consists mostly of his masochistic
Sadism and masochism
Sadomasochism broadly refers to the receiving of pleasure—often sexual—from acts involving the infliction or reception of pain or humiliation. The name originates from two authors on the subject, Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch...
fetish
Fetish
Fetish may refer to:* Fetishism, the attribution of religious or mystical qualities to inanimate objects* Sexual fetishism, sexual attraction to objects, body parts, or situations not conventionally viewed as being sexual in nature....
es. 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:...
suggests that Tony is reluctant to "cuckold
Cuckold
Cuckold is a historically derogatory term for a man who has an unfaithful wife. The word, which has been in recorded use since the 13th century, derives from the cuckoo bird, some varieties of which lay their eggs in other birds' nests...
" Ralph, and in fact Tony continues to push Valentina away until he gets confirmation from Janice
Janice Soprano
Janice 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:...
- by agreeing to pay her $3,000 for the information - that Ralph really does have unusual sexual tendencies.
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 falling for 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:...
, empathisizes with him when he leaves for Italy to attend his father's funeral. While in Italy, Furio discusses his attraction to Carmela with his uncle. When Furio confides that the woman is the don
Crime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
's wife, he is warned to not pursue the relationship any further since it would be considered an act of treason and disrespect and would likely be discovered. At home, Carmela discovers a broken false fingernail
Artificial nails
Artificial nails, also known as fake nails, false nails, fashion nails, nail enhancements, or nail extensions, are coverings placed over fingernails as fashion accessories. Some artificial nails attempt to mimic the appearance of real fingernails as closely as possible, while other designs may...
in Tony's clothes, infuriating her. She vents her anger by stealing Tony's keys to the duck feed bin (while Tony was showering), taking two bound stacks of money he had hidden there, and investing it with several stock brokers in $9,900 segments (in order to avoid the $10,000 mandatory notification of the IRS). After recounting the hidden money, Tony discovers that there is some missing. Before having a chance to talk about it with Carmela, he discovers the false nail, which Carmela left on his nightstand next to his car keys. Tony walks downstairs, where Carmela is reading the newspaper. He asks for coffee, which she makes, and, noticing his demeanor, asks Tony if he wishes to discuss anything. He says no. 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...
comes downstairs and Tony asks if he had been in the backyard (tipping off Carmela that he knows the money is missing). After A.J. denies being in the backyard and leaves, Carmela again asks Tony if he wishes to talk about anything. He declines, and asks Carmela the same. She responds likewise and "it" is left hanging in the air between them.
First appearances
- Valentina La Paz: An art dealer and Ralph's girlfriend, who quickly falls for Tony.
- Minn Matrone: Friend of Paulie's mother, Nucci Gualtieri at Green Grove.
Title reference
The phrase mergers and acquisitionsMergers and acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions refers to the aspect of corporate strategy, corporate finance and management dealing with the buying, selling, dividing and combining of different companies and similar entities that can help an enterprise grow rapidly in its sector or location of origin, or a new field or...
refers to the aspect of corporate finance strategy and management dealing with the merging and acquiring of different companies as well as other assets. In the episode it alludes to:
- Carmela's acquisition of Tony's cash, putting it into long-term investments (both for revenge and to support the family should Tony die)
- Tony's acquisition of Cousin Brian as a financial advisor and involvement of Brian in secrets from Carmela and from Brian's wife, Janelle Cammarata
- Tony's acquisition of Ralph's horse
- Tony's acquisition of Valentina
Music
- The song played over the end credits is "When the Battle is Over" by Delaney & Bonnie.
- Tony listens to "Bell Bottom Blues " by Derek and the DominosDerek and the DominosDerek and the Dominos were a blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton with keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon, who had all played with Clapton in Delaney, Bonnie & Friends...
in his new entertainment center. He comments that "it's like ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
's sitting right there at your house." - The bagpipe music Tony listens to on the entertainment system is "The Inverness Gathering," performed by the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band.
- Tony falls asleep in front of his home theatre and wakes up as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the MoonThe Dark Side of the MoonThe Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in March 1973. It built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but lacks the extended instrumental excursions that characterised their work following the departure...
approaches its end. The closing track "EclipseEclipse (song)"Eclipse" is the tenth and final track from British progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. It was sung by Roger Waters, with harmonies by David Gilmour...
" is heard when he wakes. Later in the episode, when he is under the shower, he can be heard singing fragments from "Another Brick in the Wall part two" also by Pink Floyd.