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Remember When (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Remember When" is the eightieth episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos
. It is the third episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, the fifteenth episode of the season overall. It was written by Terence Winter
and was directed by Phil Abraham
. It originally aired on April 22, 2007 and was watched by 6.85 million viewers.
Larry Boy Barese
, the F.B.I. begins investigating an old murder, that of a small-time bookie named Willie Overall. Overall was Tony's first murder, on Labor Day
weekend of 1982, when Tony was only 22. The hit was assigned to Tony by his father, DiMeo Family Capo "Johnny Boy" Soprano, in order for Tony to "make his bones" (become a made man
). After Paulie goes to Tony's house and informs him of the situation, Tony and Paulie pack up an old mini-van and drive towards Miami, Florida
, to lie low until the heat blows over.
Back at the Wyckoff Rehabilitation Center, Uncle Junior gets a visit from former soldiers from his crew, Pat Blundetto and Beppy Scerbo. Junior begs them to aid his escape from the Center. Pat suggests he make an appointment with an outside dentist, and then he and Beppy can sneak Junior off in their car. They give Junior their weekly kick-up and say goodbye in an Italian dialect
, which Junior doesn't seem to understand. At lunch, Junior informs one of the orderlies, Jameel — whom he bribes for special treatment, that he wants to organize a poker
game that night. Junior and fellow patient, Carter Chong, set up the card game amongst the other patients. Jameel charges Junior $60 for smuggling in soda and candy, which some of the patients aren't allowed to have. Junior reluctantly pays and Jameel says he will steer people away from the room as they play their game. Junior is flying high, telling off-color jokes and bringing back old portions of his life; however, the game is soon ended when another patient, who is resentful towards Junior, snitches
them out to another orderly who is not on the take
.
On the trip down to Miami, Tony grows weary of Paulie's annoying mannerisms and tendency to sometimes blab carelessly with strangers. Suspecting his loyalty, Tony questions Paulie several times about the circumstance by which Johnny Sack
became aware of Ralph Cifaretto's joke made at the expense of his wife, Ginny Sacrimoni. In fact, Paulie was responsible. At a time when tensions were running high between the Soprano and Lupertazzi families, Paulie had confided in Johnny Sack in an attempt to ingratiate himself with the New York family; things in New Jersey weren't going well for Paulie at the time and he was thinking about switching families. While visiting "Beansie" Gaeta in Miami, Tony expressed his concerns about Paulie, particularly his loose tongue, and his vulnerability to the Feds due to his lack of legitimate income on his IRS tax returns, and even his mental competency. Beansie sticks up for Paulie, saying it's because he has no wife or children, and only has Tony and his crew for friendship, but Tony still wonders whether Paulie's loyalty has ever been truly "put to the test".
Larry's misinformation about Willie Overall's murder leads the FBI to blame it on the deceased Jackie Aprile, Sr.. Tony invites Paulie on a sport fishing trip to celebrate. Paulie has serious misgivings about going out alone on the open ocean with Tony; remembering how a boat trip was used to lure informant Big Pussy to his death, Paulie stares at the shore as if it will be his last time seeing it, but ultimately sees no alternative but to go. While on the boat, Tony sees a small hatchet
hanging on a hook and looks at a strangely worried Paulie. He then questions Paulie again about the "Ginny Sack joke" but Paulie repeatedly defends himself, denying it was he who disclosed it. Tony then gets up from his seat to get himself and Paulie a soda, spots a sharp bait
-knife on the boat's floor, and seems to contemplate killing Paulie, whose back is turned. Tony decides against it, seemingly sparing Paulie's life.
Later that night, Paulie has a dream in which he gets home from the trip and finds Pussy at the stove, cooking pasta. Paulie asks Pussy, "When my time comes, tell me? Will I stand up?" Paulie then suddenly wakes up and starts frantically lifting weights in his living room with a scowl on his face. Later that day, Paulie sends Tony and Carmela a $2,000 espresso machine
. When she wonders why, Tony angrily defends Paulie, saying that they wouldn't live the "good life" without Paulie's hard work.
In the meantime, while Uncle Junior and Carter are playing a game of checkers, Professor Lynch (the patient who resents Junior) walks up and begins to make comments that begin to anger Junior. Junior finally attacks the professor, kneeing his groin and kicking him repeatedly while the professor lies yelling in pain on the floor. Carter further encourages the fight by yelling, "Get 'em!" Junior is then taken away by the orderlies.
One day, after Junior urinates on himself, his doctor and the staff become aware that he isn't taking his prescribed medication, which is meant to curtail his aggression and prevent incontinence
. The psychiatric doctor in charge informs Soprano that he can either take his medications as ordered or be transferred to a less pleasant, state-run mental facility. Junior begrudgingly agrees to take his prescribed medication. The doctor also informs Soprano they have fired Jameel for aiding Junior in his activities that do not adhere to hospital rules and regulations. Since Junior has begun taking his medication, he has lost his feisty personality; this disappoints Carter, who looked up to Junior as a father figure. (An earlier scene revealed that Carter's mental problems relate to his poor relationship with his father, who is a criminal). At the end of Junior's last visit with Carter, Junior refers to the young man as "Anthony". Later that day during a sing-along
in the recreation room, Carter throws a few wads of paper at the woman playing the piano, in hopes of getting a laugh out of Junior. When Junior looks back at him and shakes his head angrily for him to stop, Carter becomes angry and physically attacks Junior.
After leaving a massage parlor in New York, Faustino "Doc" Santoro and his bodyguard are shot and killed by multiple gunshots from hit men sent by Phil Leotardo. Santoro had sealed his fate in an earlier scene, when he insulted Phil by literally taking food off his plate during a sit down dinner in front of many other mobsters, even after Phil recognized Faustino as the official boss of New York. With Faustino gone, Phil officially becomes the boss of the Lupertazzi crime family.
Tony and his crew watch news of the shooting in the back office of the Bada Bing. Paulie starts loudly telling another story to Christopher, as Tony stands with his back to them with an annoyed look on his face, contemplating whether or not he made the wrong decision in letting Paulie live.
The episode ends with Junior sitting in a wheelchair outdoors with his broken eyeglasses taped back together, in a catatonic-like state, idly petting a cat.
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 third episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, the fifteenth episode of the season overall. It was written by 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...
and was directed by Phil Abraham
Phil Abraham
Phil Abraham is an American film and television cinematographer and director. He worked on all six seasons of The Sopranos, initially as a camera operator, then as a cinematographer and eventually as an episodic director...
. It originally aired on April 22, 2007 and was watched by 6.85 million viewers.
Episode recap
On a tip from the reincarcerated capoCaporegime
A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
Larry Boy Barese
Larry Barese
Lorenzo "Larry Boy" Barese, played by Tony Darrow, is a fictional character on the HBO original series The Sopranos. He is the only one of the five original captains of the DiMeo crime family that remains in that position of the crime family throughout the show...
, the F.B.I. begins investigating an old murder, that of a small-time bookie named Willie Overall. Overall was Tony's first murder, on Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend of 1982, when Tony was only 22. The hit was assigned to Tony by his father, DiMeo Family Capo "Johnny Boy" Soprano, in order for Tony to "make his bones" (become 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...
). After Paulie goes to Tony's house and informs him of the situation, Tony and Paulie pack up an old mini-van and drive towards Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, to lie low until the heat blows over.
Back at the Wyckoff Rehabilitation Center, Uncle Junior gets a visit from former soldiers from his crew, Pat Blundetto and Beppy Scerbo. Junior begs them to aid his escape from the Center. Pat suggests he make an appointment with an outside dentist, and then he and Beppy can sneak Junior off in their car. They give Junior their weekly kick-up and say goodbye in an Italian dialect
Dialect
The term dialect is used in two distinct ways, even by linguists. One usage refers to a variety of a language that is a characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers. The term is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors,...
, which Junior doesn't seem to understand. At lunch, Junior informs one of the orderlies, Jameel — whom he bribes for special treatment, that he wants to organize a poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
game that night. Junior and fellow patient, Carter Chong, set up the card game amongst the other patients. Jameel charges Junior $60 for smuggling in soda and candy, which some of the patients aren't allowed to have. Junior reluctantly pays and Jameel says he will steer people away from the room as they play their game. Junior is flying high, telling off-color jokes and bringing back old portions of his life; however, the game is soon ended when another patient, who is resentful towards Junior, snitches
Snitch
Snitch may refer to:* Informant* Whistleblower* "Snitch" , a song by Obie Trice* Monument Ave. or Snitch, a 1998 thriller film-See also:* Golden Snitch, a ball in Quidditch in the Harry Potter series...
them out to another orderly who is not on the take
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
.
On the trip down to Miami, Tony grows weary of Paulie's annoying mannerisms and tendency to sometimes blab carelessly with strangers. Suspecting his loyalty, Tony questions Paulie several times about the circumstance by which Johnny Sack
Johnny Sack
John "Johnny Sack" Sacramoni, played by Vince Curatola, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was the longtime underboss and later the boss of the powerful Brooklyn-based New York City Lupertazzi crime family...
became aware of Ralph Cifaretto's joke made at the expense of his wife, Ginny Sacrimoni. In fact, Paulie was responsible. At a time when tensions were running high between the Soprano and Lupertazzi families, Paulie had confided in Johnny Sack in an attempt to ingratiate himself with the New York family; things in New Jersey weren't going well for Paulie at the time and he was thinking about switching families. While visiting "Beansie" Gaeta in Miami, Tony expressed his concerns about Paulie, particularly his loose tongue, and his vulnerability to the Feds due to his lack of legitimate income on his IRS tax returns, and even his mental competency. Beansie sticks up for Paulie, saying it's because he has no wife or children, and only has Tony and his crew for friendship, but Tony still wonders whether Paulie's loyalty has ever been truly "put to the test".
Larry's misinformation about Willie Overall's murder leads the FBI to blame it on the deceased Jackie Aprile, Sr.. Tony invites Paulie on a sport fishing trip to celebrate. Paulie has serious misgivings about going out alone on the open ocean with Tony; remembering how a boat trip was used to lure informant Big Pussy to his death, Paulie stares at the shore as if it will be his last time seeing it, but ultimately sees no alternative but to go. While on the boat, Tony sees a small hatchet
Hatchet
A hatchet is a single-handed striking tool with a sharp blade used to cut and split wood...
hanging on a hook and looks at a strangely worried Paulie. He then questions Paulie again about the "Ginny Sack joke" but Paulie repeatedly defends himself, denying it was he who disclosed it. Tony then gets up from his seat to get himself and Paulie a soda, spots a sharp bait
Fishing bait
Fishing bait is any substance used to attract and catch fish, e.g. on the end of a fishing hook, or inside a fish trap. Traditionally, nightcrawlers, insects, and smaller bait fish have been used for this purpose...
-knife on the boat's floor, and seems to contemplate killing Paulie, whose back is turned. Tony decides against it, seemingly sparing Paulie's life.
Later that night, Paulie has a dream in which he gets home from the trip and finds Pussy at the stove, cooking pasta. Paulie asks Pussy, "When my time comes, tell me? Will I stand up?" Paulie then suddenly wakes up and starts frantically lifting weights in his living room with a scowl on his face. Later that day, Paulie sends Tony and Carmela a $2,000 espresso machine
Espresso machine
An espresso machine is used to produce the traditional Italian coffee beverage called espresso.-History:The first machine for making espresso was built and patented by Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy, who demonstrated a working example at the Turin General Exposition of 1884. He was granted patent no...
. When she wonders why, Tony angrily defends Paulie, saying that they wouldn't live the "good life" without Paulie's hard work.
In the meantime, while Uncle Junior and Carter are playing a game of checkers, Professor Lynch (the patient who resents Junior) walks up and begins to make comments that begin to anger Junior. Junior finally attacks the professor, kneeing his groin and kicking him repeatedly while the professor lies yelling in pain on the floor. Carter further encourages the fight by yelling, "Get 'em!" Junior is then taken away by the orderlies.
One day, after Junior urinates on himself, his doctor and the staff become aware that he isn't taking his prescribed medication, which is meant to curtail his aggression and prevent incontinence
Incontinence
Incontinence or Incontinent may refer to:*Fecal incontinence, the inability to control one's bowels*Incontinence *Incontinent , a 1981 album by Fad Gadget*Urinary incontinence, the involuntary excretion of urine...
. The psychiatric doctor in charge informs Soprano that he can either take his medications as ordered or be transferred to a less pleasant, state-run mental facility. Junior begrudgingly agrees to take his prescribed medication. The doctor also informs Soprano they have fired Jameel for aiding Junior in his activities that do not adhere to hospital rules and regulations. Since Junior has begun taking his medication, he has lost his feisty personality; this disappoints Carter, who looked up to Junior as a father figure. (An earlier scene revealed that Carter's mental problems relate to his poor relationship with his father, who is a criminal). At the end of Junior's last visit with Carter, Junior refers to the young man as "Anthony". Later that day during a sing-along
Sing-along
Sing-along, community singing, group singing, is an event of singing together at gatherings or parties, less formally than choir singing. One can use a songbook. Common genres are folk songs, patriotic songs, hymns and drinking songs...
in the recreation room, Carter throws a few wads of paper at the woman playing the piano, in hopes of getting a laugh out of Junior. When Junior looks back at him and shakes his head angrily for him to stop, Carter becomes angry and physically attacks Junior.
After leaving a massage parlor in New York, Faustino "Doc" Santoro and his bodyguard are shot and killed by multiple gunshots from hit men sent by Phil Leotardo. Santoro had sealed his fate in an earlier scene, when he insulted Phil by literally taking food off his plate during a sit down dinner in front of many other mobsters, even after Phil recognized Faustino as the official boss of New York. With Faustino gone, Phil officially becomes the boss of the Lupertazzi crime family.
Tony and his crew watch news of the shooting in the back office of the Bada Bing. Paulie starts loudly telling another story to Christopher, as Tony stands with his back to them with an annoyed look on his face, contemplating whether or not he made the wrong decision in letting Paulie live.
The episode ends with Junior sitting in a wheelchair outdoors with his broken eyeglasses taped back together, in a catatonic-like state, idly petting a cat.
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 - Frank Albanese as Pat Blundetto
- Greg AntonacciGreg AntonacciGregory Antonacci is an American television actor, director, producer and writer.As a director, producer and writer, he worked on a number of television series namely Brothers, The Tortellis, Perfect Strangers, The Royal Family, The John Larroquette Show, Herman's Head, It's a Living and other...
as Butch DeConcini - Jen Araki as Anika
- Dan Conte as Faustino "Doc" Santoro
- Joseph Conti as "Doc" Santoro's bodyguard
- Stink FisherStink FisherStink Fisher is an American actor and restaurant owner who lives in Collingswood, New Jersey.Born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Fisher owns The Pop Shop, a 1950s-themed restaurant. He has been in movies such as Invincible, The Longest Yard, and most recently appeared as Ruth's father in The Lovely...
as Warren - Paul HermanPaul HermanPaul Herman is an American actor. His appearances in movies include Once Upon a Time in America and Analyze That. He also had a recurring role on The Sopranos as "Beansie" Gaeta, as well as another HBO series, Entourage, as Vincent Chase's accountant, Marvin...
as "Beansie" Gaeta - Neshawn Kearse as Jameel
- Ken LeungKen LeungKenneth "Ken" Leung is an American actor best known for his role as Miles Straume in the ABC television series Lost and roles in such films as Shanghai Kiss, Rush Hour, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Saw.-Early life:...
as Carter Chong
- Charles Morgan as Prof. Brian Lynch
- Kevin MurphyKevin MurphyKevin Murphy may refer to:* Kevin Murphy , American actor, author and puppeteer, best known for his work on Mystery Science Theater 3000* Kevin Murphy , retired American football player...
as Ascot Man - 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 Big Pussy Bonpensiero - Joe Pucillo as Beppy Scerbo
- Herbert Rogers as Willie Overall
- Stephen Singer as Dr. Mandl
- Joseph SiravoJoseph SiravoJoseph Siravo is an Italian american actor and graduate of both Stanford and NYU. Among his most notable roles is that of "Johnny Boy" Soprano, father of Tony Soprano, on The Sopranos. He is credited as the voice of Carmine in the Disney film The Wild...
as Johnny Boy Soprano (photo) - Donna Smythe as Gia Gaeta
- Rocco SistoRocco SistoRocco Sisto is a stage, film, television, and voice actor.On television, Sisto played young Junior Soprano in the HBO series The Sopranos...
as Young Junior Soprano (photo) - Elizabeth SungElizabeth SungElizabeth Fong Sung is an Asian American actress and film director.From 1994-96, she appeared on the American soap opera The Young and the Restless as Luan Volien....
as Mrs. Chong
Deceased
- Faustino "Doc" Santoro: killed by multiple gunshots after leaving a massage parlor in New York.
- 'Unnamed Bodyguard': killed alongside "Doc" Santoro.
- Willie Overall: Tony's first murder (a flashback from 1982).
Title reference
- Tony angrily describes "Remember when..." reminiscing as the lowest form of conversation.
- This episode reminds the viewer of many past events that have occurred during the show's run; alongside the appearance of older characters, mention is made of deceased and otherwise departed characters including Big Pussy Bonpensiero, Ralph Cifaretto, Jackie Aprile, Sr., Karen Baccalieri and Feech La Manna.
- Corrado "Junior" Soprano and Carter Chong reminisce in the nursing home about his "glory days".
- The whole show is predicated on the memory of Tony's first kill.
Connections to prior episodes
- Tony repeatedly asks Paulie if he told Johnny Sack about the off-color joke that Ralph told about a mole on Ginny Sack's ass (as seen in "No Show"). Paulie repeatedly denies this (Paulie actually did tell Johnny Sack, as shown in the episode "ChristopherChristopher (The Sopranos episode)"Christopher" is the forty-second episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and was the third of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Michael Imperioli, from a story idea by Imperioli and Maria Laurino...
").
Music
- The instrumental piece played over the end credits is "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" by the Benny GoodmanBenny GoodmanBenjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
Orchestra. - The song playing on the radio as Tony and Paulie travel through the Fredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
area (according to the station identificationStation identificationStation identification is the practice of radio or television stations or networks identifying themselves on air, typically by means of a call sign or brand name...
for WWUZWWUZWWUZ is a Classic rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bowling Green, Virginia, serving Metro Fredericksburg. WWUZ is owned and operated by The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company of Fredericksburg, VA.-History:...
heard in this scene) was "Rock OnRock On (David Essex song)"Rock On" is a song that was composed and sung by English singer/songwriter David Essex in 1973. In March 1974, it reached #1 in Canada on the RPM national Top Singles chart and was a Top 5 song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop-music chart. It was Essex's only Billboard Top 40 hit. The song also...
", by David EssexDavid EssexDavid Essex OBE is an English musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Since the 1970s, Essex has attained nineteen Top 40 singles in the UK , and sixteen Top 40 albums...
. - The song that Junior is singing with the other patients is "Take Me Home, Country RoadsTake Me Home, Country Roads"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
", a song made famous in 1971 by John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
. - The instrumental piece played in the bar during Tony and Paulie's stop in Virginia is an instrumental version of "I Just Wanna Stop" by Gino VannelliGino VannelliGino Vannelli is an Italian-Canadian singer, songwriter, musician and composer.-Early years:Born in Montreal, Quebec, Vannelli is one of three sons born to Russ and Delia Vannelli. Russ, his father, was a big band musician. As a child, Gino's greatest passion was music, and he began playing...