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Whitecaps (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Whitecaps" is the fifty-second episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos
. It is the thirteenth and final episode of the show's fourth season. It was written by series creator/executive producer David Chase
, and executive producers Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
, and was directed by longtime series director John Patterson. It originally aired in the United States
on December 8, 2002, attracting 12.5 million viewers.
gets a call from Patsy Parisi, who is watching Adriana
pick Chris
up from rehab; Patsy reports to Tony that Christopher has graduated rehab and is looking strong. However, also observing are FBI Agents Harris
and Grasso, to whom Patsy extends his middle finger
.
Adriana meets with Agent Sanseverino and they discuss Chris' return. Ade reveals that Chris no longer wants children because he feels he is unfit to be a father, after having accidentally killed her dog. Adriana tells Sanseverino that she and Chris plan to get help for Ralph Cifaretto when he resurfaces. She also states that Vito Spatafore
has been calling her while Chris was in rehab. Finally, she asks permission to visit her mother and gives thanks when it is granted.
is still feeling unwell, she and Tony
visit Dr. Cusamano. Cusamano reassures Carmela that she does not have lupus
, but most likely mono
; he also checks after her mental health regarding any significant changes in her life that may have brought on this illness. Of course, she does not mention her depression over Furio Giunta
's leaving. Tony takes Carmela to visit Whitecaps, the house he is thinking of buying for the family on the Jersey Shore
. Carmela's father, Hugh, and a RE/MAX
real estate agent, Virginia Lupo, meet them there. Carmela worries that they won't be able to afford the property, due to the Esplanade situation with the Lupertazzi family, but Tony explains that he wants something to draw the family together. Virginia explains the catch: the house has been sold to another couple but it seems likely the sale will fall through.
In bed, Carmela encourages Tony to buy Whitecaps as an investment. Tony says she should know better than to use property for an investment; she took real estate classes. Tony and Chris visit Whitecaps and Tony meets the owner, Alan Sapinsly, an attorney. When Tony offers cash, Sapinsly calls Dr. Kim, the current buyer, and negotiates his way out of their contract by promising full return of the deposit and threatening litigation if Dr. Kim moves in. Tony immediately tells his family the good news and they all arrive to survey the property. Tony tells his children they will inherit the property when he dies. Out on the beach in their last romantic moment before the collapse of their marriage, Tony and Carmela embrace, with Carmela saying lovingly, "Anthony Soprano, you are full of surprises."
However, when Tony and Carmela decide to separate (see below), Tony wants out of the deal. Sapinsly calls Tony to say he is going to let him out of the sale but will keep the $200,000 deposit. Tony says if that's the case, he will move in and make Sapinsly's life hell. Benny and Little Paulie take the speakers out of Tony's home cinema, install them on Tony's boat (The Stugots), and play a Dean Martin
in Las Vegas
concert at high volume, disrupting the Sapinslys' shark fin soup
lunch party. The Sapinslys close the patio doors and return to their lunch, attempting to act as if the lunch is unaffected. This occurs again several days later, at night as they sit in lawn chairs facing the bay. Sapinly's wife urges him to settle the matter. Alan wants to call the police again but she points out that they only will turn down the music again when the police boat comes close. Then he wants to call the Coast Guard. Almost frantically, she tells him that Tony could keep paying those $200 fines forever. She tells Alan to just let it go. Completely upset by this time, she covers her ears and flees inside the house. Alan sits there a few more moments, seeming to come to terms that he must let it go. With a look of resignation, he gets up and goes inside, closing the doors and windows to block out some of the concert.
is also worried over money and argues with his wife, Ginny. Chris drives Tony to meet Johnny and en route they discuss Chris' recovery from heroin addiction. The meeting takes place in an OfficeMax
store and they again discuss making a move against Carmine Lupertazzi
. Tony says he has to pass, but this proves to be a negotiating technique: when Johnny promises to relinquish claims to his HUD
business and gives him an equitable split on future projects, Tony agrees to go ahead. On the return trip Tony discusses the job with Chris, their trust seemingly restored. Tony asks Chris to contract the job out and make it look like a random act, such as a carjacking
. Chris says he knows some trustworthy black guys to carry it out. Chris delivers a pre-payment to Credenzo Curtiss and Stanley Johnson—a couple of heroin dealers he knows from his pre-rehab days—and delivers instructions for the planned hit on Carmine, including his clockwork-like movements, and tells the hitmen to make it look like a carjacking.
Tony receives a call from Johnny to tell him that Carmine has decided to settle. Tony and Chris attend a sitdown in a Queens, New York park, where Carmine offers sympathy about Tony's marital problems. They settle on 15% for Carmine and Johnny is visibly put out. Carmine asks Tony to remember his son, Little Carmine's, role in the settlement after he is gone, but reminds them of his good health, he "...isn't going anywhere". "Healthy as a rhino", Johnny Sack adds about Carmine. Tony pauses a moment with an expression on his face that seems to wonder if Carmine got wind about the hit on him. Tony and Carmine embrace.
Tony notifies Chris to call off the hit and, to ensure the hired guns don't talk to anyone, Chris meets Credenzo and Johnson with half of what would have been the rest of their payment and drives off. Benny Fazio and Petey shoot the two would-be hitmen repeatedly before they can drive away as Chris watches from a distance, and then grab the money. Tony drives out to meet Johnny and tells him that the Carmine hit is off. Tony feels that the hit will be too high-profile and it would more than likely draw attention from the FBI; also, that there is no reason to kill Carmine now that the dispute is resolved. Johnny is enraged and complains to Tony that he will have to go back to work for Carmine and his son, whom he hates. Johnny lets loose his true feelings about his boss, including treasonous insults; Tony says he shouldn't be hearing this. Johnny asks Tony why he should trust him when he has backed out of their deal, something that he can hang over Johnny's head —- Tony again states that he shouldn't be hearing this. They part ways after a respectful embrace.
's trial, the jury are having difficulty reaching a verdict. The jurors look angrily at one man in particular: Danny Scalercio, the juror whom Eugene Pontecorvo intimidated. As the judge reads them the Allen charge
instructing them to deliberate further despite their apparent deadlock, Junior gives the corrupted juror a long stare. Later Junior finally gets his mistrial when the jury still cannot reach a verdict. When Junior returns home, he is in no mood for a celebration and just lets Bobby Bacala
order some pizza. He complains that Tony probably won't visit him because of his own troubles. Bobby and Janice
's relationship appears to be developing and they dance smittenly together, but Junior breaks up the moment by ordering Bobby check for Murf's payment envelope, "downstairs under the flagstone".
, Irina, phones the Soprano residence, telling Carmela she used to have sex with her husband; Carmela hangs up, distraught with visible stomach pain. Irina calls back and tells Carmela that Tony loves her and she also reveals his encounter with Svetlana. Irina is obviously drunk and filled with self-loathing. Carmela tells Irina that if she calls again then she will find her and kill her. Later as Tony pulls into his driveway listening and whistling in accompaniment to Derek and the Dominos
' "Layla
", he accidentally runs over his golf clubs
. He exits the vehicle and sees Carmela hurling more of his possessions from the window, and at him when he enters the house before she locks herself in the bedroom. Carmela tells Tony that he has embarrassed her for years with his infidelity and she is angry because it has bled into their home lives. She is even more infuriated because Irina initially spoke to A.J. They get into a physical altercation and Carmela tells him to leave the house, again becoming violent when he touches her after Tony tells her to calm down. Tony accuses Carmela of taking money from his stash in the bird feed, which she denies and counters by bringing up the fingernail she found; Tony tries to deny the connection but stumbles when he realizes it belonged to someone else, another mistress. Carmela again insists that Tony leave, when Tony asks about the kids she admits it is horrible for them but stands her ground.
Tony drives to Irina's duplex but only Svetlana is there. Svetlana reveals to Tony that Irina and Zellman broke up because of the emasculating beating that Tony gave him in front of Irina. She also tells Tony that Branca was the one who told Irina about their affair after an argument over Svetlana's withholding Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax
and other taxes. Tony lets her know about the separation and this will "rip up" the kids. Svetlana tells Tony that he is a strong man. They part amicably. Tony goes to Whitecaps to stay and in the morning he is awakened by Sapinsly's banging on the window. Sapinsly appears sympathetic to Tony's problem but asks him not to stay at the house since he would be liable if something happened to Tony while he was there. He advises Tony to meet with all of the top local divorce lawyers so that none of them will be able to take Carmela on as a client. Once he is dressed, Tony visits the Sapinsly house and asks to withdraw from the sale. Alan's wife, Trish, seems caring but Alan insists that they stick to the contract he signed, especially since Alan dumped another buyer to accommodate Tony. After Tony leaves, Trish chastises Alan for getting into a dispute with a "mobster", and also for lying about having partners.
At the Soprano household, Meadow
discusses the separation with her mother. She is distraught about it and brings up Furio Giunta
. Carmela denies any infidelity to Tony and Meadow storms off after asking her mother how she could "eat shit" from Tony for so many years. Tony dines at Nuovo Vesuvio and Artie offers consolations, but Tony responds by criticizing the food.
Tony returns home and Carmela is shocked to see him. She tries to stop him from taking food from the refrigerator, twice, and demands that he leave. Tony becomes violent and refuses to leave. Carmela threatens to call a lawyer and get a restraining order. Tony dares her to and hands her his phone which she bats away with her hand. Carmela then tries to leave the kitchen but Tony forcibly prevents her, bending her backward over the counter. Carmela tells him that she doesn't want him sleeping in her bed anymore, that the very thought of it makes her sick, and that she no longer loves him—something that erases any emotion from Tony's face. He lets her go and opens the refrigerator. Carmela runs upstairs in tears. Later, A.J. helps Tony clear the home cinema (located in the pool house) so that he can stay there. Tony tells his son that he will be taking a bigger hand in his life now that he is right outside. Tony has a difficult night's sleep.
Tony lies in the pool and Carmela asks him to move the chairs he has put on the lawn. Tony thinks she is looking for an excuse to nag him and they get into another argument. Carmela tells Tony it might not have come to this if he had a more loving attitude while at home. Tony brings up Carmela's telling him he was going to hell when he was first being examined for an MRI for his collapses (in episode 1
). She follows him inside and apologizes, telling him he was her man and was sweet to her. Tony asks her what she expected from their marriage, as she knew everything about him when they met, including the fact he and his family were gangsters, and that many gangsters keep comàres. He also accuses her of materialism. Carmela calls Tony hateful and reveals her love for Furio, telling Tony that her happiest moments for months have been her mornings with Furio: when Tony came downstairs, she felt like someone who had a terminal illness but had forgotten about it for a while. Tony again becomes violent and charges at Carmela and almost punches her but stops himself and punches holes in the wall beside her head instead, smashing it in. She turns away while Tony keeps punching. He says "Poor you" to her as his mother used to say to him. He tells her he looked for women with different qualities from her in his affairs, but she reminds him that he hardly knew most of the women he slept with and walks out, calling him a "fucking hypocrite". Later, almost in tears, Tony calls Dr. Melfi
but hangs up when she answers. Probably suspecting but not knowing for sure who it was, she tries to call him back using *69 but the recording says that the number was blocked to that service.
A.J. goes to his father to ask if he can move in with him because A.J. is not getting along with his mother. Tony realizes his presence at the house is damaging for his children. Tony tells the family he has decided to move out completely. A.J. becomes upset and asks if it was because he asked to live with Tony. Meadow takes the news hard as well, and suggests Tony and Carmela try counseling again. When Meadow gets upstairs, a flash of a moment when she antagonized her parents runs through her mind, when she complained years prior that there wasn't anything in the house to eat after going to the refrigerator; Meadow begins to cry, realizing how much she took her parents for granted. Tony packs to leave and Carmela asks him to be careful. A.J. watches from the doorway with his mother as his father drives away.
placed "Whitecaps" #3 on their list of the 10 greatest The Sopranos
episodes; TIME
placed it at #4.
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 thirteenth and final episode of the show's fourth season. It was written by 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 executive producers Robin Green and 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 was directed by longtime series director John Patterson. 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 December 8, 2002, attracting 12.5 million viewers.
Christopher leaves rehab
TonyTony 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...
gets a call from Patsy Parisi, who is watching 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:...
pick Chris
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:...
up from rehab; Patsy reports to Tony that Christopher has graduated rehab and is looking strong. However, also observing are FBI Agents Harris
Dwight Harris
Special Agent Dwight Harris, played by Matt Servitto, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is an FBI agent assigned to Tony Soprano's case...
and Grasso, to whom Patsy extends his middle finger
Finger (gesture)
In Western culture, the finger , also known as the middle finger, is an obscene hand gesture, often meaning the phrases "fuck off" , "fuck you" or "up yours"...
.
Adriana meets with Agent Sanseverino and they discuss Chris' return. Ade reveals that Chris no longer wants children because he feels he is unfit to be a father, after having accidentally killed her dog. Adriana tells Sanseverino that she and Chris plan to get help for Ralph Cifaretto when he resurfaces. She also states that 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...
has been calling her while Chris was in rehab. Finally, she asks permission to visit her mother and gives thanks when it is granted.
Beach house
As 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:...
is still feeling unwell, she and Tony
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...
visit Dr. Cusamano. Cusamano reassures Carmela that she does not have lupus
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a category for a collection of diseases with similar underlying problems with immunity . Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs...
, but most likely mono
Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious, widespread viral...
; he also checks after her mental health regarding any significant changes in her life that may have brought on this illness. Of course, she does not mention her depression over 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:...
's leaving. Tony takes Carmela to visit Whitecaps, the house he is thinking of buying for the family on the Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
. Carmela's father, Hugh, and a RE/MAX
RE/MAX
RE/MAX International is an international real estate company. It was founded in 1973 by David and Gail Liniger in Denver, Colorado, and is still owned by its founders. RE/MAX is an acronym for Real Estate MAXimum....
real estate agent, Virginia Lupo, meet them there. Carmela worries that they won't be able to afford the property, due to the Esplanade situation with the Lupertazzi family, but Tony explains that he wants something to draw the family together. Virginia explains the catch: the house has been sold to another couple but it seems likely the sale will fall through.
In bed, Carmela encourages Tony to buy Whitecaps as an investment. Tony says she should know better than to use property for an investment; she took real estate classes. Tony and Chris visit Whitecaps and Tony meets the owner, Alan Sapinsly, an attorney. When Tony offers cash, Sapinsly calls Dr. Kim, the current buyer, and negotiates his way out of their contract by promising full return of the deposit and threatening litigation if Dr. Kim moves in. Tony immediately tells his family the good news and they all arrive to survey the property. Tony tells his children they will inherit the property when he dies. Out on the beach in their last romantic moment before the collapse of their marriage, Tony and Carmela embrace, with Carmela saying lovingly, "Anthony Soprano, you are full of surprises."
However, when Tony and Carmela decide to separate (see below), Tony wants out of the deal. Sapinsly calls Tony to say he is going to let him out of the sale but will keep the $200,000 deposit. Tony says if that's the case, he will move in and make Sapinsly's life hell. Benny and Little Paulie take the speakers out of Tony's home cinema, install them on Tony's boat (The Stugots), and play a Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
concert at high volume, disrupting the Sapinslys' shark fin soup
Shark fin soup
Shark fin soup is a popular soup item of Chinese cuisine usually served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets, or as a luxury item in Chinese culture. The shark fins provide texture while the taste comes from the other soup ingredients.There is controversy over the practice of shark...
lunch party. The Sapinslys close the patio doors and return to their lunch, attempting to act as if the lunch is unaffected. This occurs again several days later, at night as they sit in lawn chairs facing the bay. Sapinly's wife urges him to settle the matter. Alan wants to call the police again but she points out that they only will turn down the music again when the police boat comes close. Then he wants to call the Coast Guard. Almost frantically, she tells him that Tony could keep paying those $200 fines forever. She tells Alan to just let it go. Completely upset by this time, she covers her ears and flees inside the house. Alan sits there a few more moments, seeming to come to terms that he must let it go. With a look of resignation, he gets up and goes inside, closing the doors and windows to block out some of the concert.
Esplanade
With the Esplanade construction project shut down, Johnny SackJohnny 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...
is also worried over money and argues with his wife, Ginny. Chris drives Tony to meet Johnny and en route they discuss Chris' recovery from heroin addiction. The meeting takes place in an OfficeMax
OfficeMax
OfficeMax , is an American office supplies retailer that was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Naperville, Illinois.-History:On April 1, 1988, OfficeMax was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, by Bob Hurwitz and Michael Feuer. Hurwitz served as executive chairman and chief executive officer and Feuer...
store and they again discuss making a move against Carmine Lupertazzi
Carmine Lupertazzi
Carmine 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:...
. Tony says he has to pass, but this proves to be a negotiating technique: when Johnny promises to relinquish claims to his HUD
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government...
business and gives him an equitable split on future projects, Tony agrees to go ahead. On the return trip Tony discusses the job with Chris, their trust seemingly restored. Tony asks Chris to contract the job out and make it look like a random act, such as a carjacking
Carjacking
Carjacking is a form of hijacking, where the crime is of stealing a motor vehicle and so also armed assault when the vehicle is occupied. Historically, such as in the rash of semi-trailer truck hijackings during the 1960s, the general term hijacking was used for that type of vehicle abduction,...
. Chris says he knows some trustworthy black guys to carry it out. Chris delivers a pre-payment to Credenzo Curtiss and Stanley Johnson—a couple of heroin dealers he knows from his pre-rehab days—and delivers instructions for the planned hit on Carmine, including his clockwork-like movements, and tells the hitmen to make it look like a carjacking.
Tony receives a call from Johnny to tell him that Carmine has decided to settle. Tony and Chris attend a sitdown in a Queens, New York park, where Carmine offers sympathy about Tony's marital problems. They settle on 15% for Carmine and Johnny is visibly put out. Carmine asks Tony to remember his son, Little Carmine's, role in the settlement after he is gone, but reminds them of his good health, he "...isn't going anywhere". "Healthy as a rhino", Johnny Sack adds about Carmine. Tony pauses a moment with an expression on his face that seems to wonder if Carmine got wind about the hit on him. Tony and Carmine embrace.
Tony notifies Chris to call off the hit and, to ensure the hired guns don't talk to anyone, Chris meets Credenzo and Johnson with half of what would have been the rest of their payment and drives off. Benny Fazio and Petey shoot the two would-be hitmen repeatedly before they can drive away as Chris watches from a distance, and then grab the money. Tony drives out to meet Johnny and tells him that the Carmine hit is off. Tony feels that the hit will be too high-profile and it would more than likely draw attention from the FBI; also, that there is no reason to kill Carmine now that the dispute is resolved. Johnny is enraged and complains to Tony that he will have to go back to work for Carmine and his son, whom he hates. Johnny lets loose his true feelings about his boss, including treasonous insults; Tony says he shouldn't be hearing this. Johnny asks Tony why he should trust him when he has backed out of their deal, something that he can hang over Johnny's head —- Tony again states that he shouldn't be hearing this. They part ways after a respectful embrace.
Junior's trial
At 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...
's trial, the jury are having difficulty reaching a verdict. The jurors look angrily at one man in particular: Danny Scalercio, the juror whom Eugene Pontecorvo intimidated. As the judge reads them the Allen charge
Allen charge
Allen v. United States, 164 U.S. 492 , is a U.S. Supreme Court case that, inter alia, approved the use of a jury instruction intended to prevent a hung jury by encouraging jurors in the minority to reconsider...
instructing them to deliberate further despite their apparent deadlock, Junior gives the corrupted juror a long stare. Later Junior finally gets his mistrial when the jury still cannot reach a verdict. When Junior returns home, he is in no mood for a celebration and just lets Bobby Bacala
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...
order some pizza. He complains that Tony probably won't visit him because of his own troubles. Bobby and 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:...
's relationship appears to be developing and they dance smittenly together, but Junior breaks up the moment by ordering Bobby check for Murf's payment envelope, "downstairs under the flagstone".
The separation
Tony's ex-comàreMistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
, Irina, phones the Soprano residence, telling Carmela she used to have sex with her husband; Carmela hangs up, distraught with visible stomach pain. Irina calls back and tells Carmela that Tony loves her and she also reveals his encounter with Svetlana. Irina is obviously drunk and filled with self-loathing. Carmela tells Irina that if she calls again then she will find her and kill her. Later as Tony pulls into his driveway listening and whistling in accompaniment to Derek and the Dominos
Derek and the Dominos
Derek 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...
' "Layla
Layla
"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally released by their blues-rock band, Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs...
", he accidentally runs over his golf clubs
Golf club (equipment)
A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...
. He exits the vehicle and sees Carmela hurling more of his possessions from the window, and at him when he enters the house before she locks herself in the bedroom. Carmela tells Tony that he has embarrassed her for years with his infidelity and she is angry because it has bled into their home lives. She is even more infuriated because Irina initially spoke to A.J. They get into a physical altercation and Carmela tells him to leave the house, again becoming violent when he touches her after Tony tells her to calm down. Tony accuses Carmela of taking money from his stash in the bird feed, which she denies and counters by bringing up the fingernail she found; Tony tries to deny the connection but stumbles when he realizes it belonged to someone else, another mistress. Carmela again insists that Tony leave, when Tony asks about the kids she admits it is horrible for them but stands her ground.
Tony drives to Irina's duplex but only Svetlana is there. Svetlana reveals to Tony that Irina and Zellman broke up because of the emasculating beating that Tony gave him in front of Irina. She also tells Tony that Branca was the one who told Irina about their affair after an argument over Svetlana's withholding Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax
Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax
Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax is a United States payroll tax imposed by the federal government on both employees and employers to fund Social Security and Medicare —federal programs that provide benefits for retirees, the disabled, and children of deceased workers...
and other taxes. Tony lets her know about the separation and this will "rip up" the kids. Svetlana tells Tony that he is a strong man. They part amicably. Tony goes to Whitecaps to stay and in the morning he is awakened by Sapinsly's banging on the window. Sapinsly appears sympathetic to Tony's problem but asks him not to stay at the house since he would be liable if something happened to Tony while he was there. He advises Tony to meet with all of the top local divorce lawyers so that none of them will be able to take Carmela on as a client. Once he is dressed, Tony visits the Sapinsly house and asks to withdraw from the sale. Alan's wife, Trish, seems caring but Alan insists that they stick to the contract he signed, especially since Alan dumped another buyer to accommodate Tony. After Tony leaves, Trish chastises Alan for getting into a dispute with a "mobster", and also for lying about having partners.
At the Soprano household, 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...
discusses the separation with her mother. She is distraught about it and brings up 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:...
. Carmela denies any infidelity to Tony and Meadow storms off after asking her mother how she could "eat shit" from Tony for so many years. Tony dines at Nuovo Vesuvio and Artie offers consolations, but Tony responds by criticizing the food.
Tony returns home and Carmela is shocked to see him. She tries to stop him from taking food from the refrigerator, twice, and demands that he leave. Tony becomes violent and refuses to leave. Carmela threatens to call a lawyer and get a restraining order. Tony dares her to and hands her his phone which she bats away with her hand. Carmela then tries to leave the kitchen but Tony forcibly prevents her, bending her backward over the counter. Carmela tells him that she doesn't want him sleeping in her bed anymore, that the very thought of it makes her sick, and that she no longer loves him—something that erases any emotion from Tony's face. He lets her go and opens the refrigerator. Carmela runs upstairs in tears. Later, A.J. helps Tony clear the home cinema (located in the pool house) so that he can stay there. Tony tells his son that he will be taking a bigger hand in his life now that he is right outside. Tony has a difficult night's sleep.
Tony lies in the pool and Carmela asks him to move the chairs he has put on the lawn. Tony thinks she is looking for an excuse to nag him and they get into another argument. Carmela tells Tony it might not have come to this if he had a more loving attitude while at home. Tony brings up Carmela's telling him he was going to hell when he was first being examined for an MRI for his collapses (in episode 1
The Sopranos (Pilot episode)
"The Sopranos"is the pilot episode of the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, which premiered on January 10, 1999...
). She follows him inside and apologizes, telling him he was her man and was sweet to her. Tony asks her what she expected from their marriage, as she knew everything about him when they met, including the fact he and his family were gangsters, and that many gangsters keep comàres. He also accuses her of materialism. Carmela calls Tony hateful and reveals her love for Furio, telling Tony that her happiest moments for months have been her mornings with Furio: when Tony came downstairs, she felt like someone who had a terminal illness but had forgotten about it for a while. Tony again becomes violent and charges at Carmela and almost punches her but stops himself and punches holes in the wall beside her head instead, smashing it in. She turns away while Tony keeps punching. He says "Poor you" to her as his mother used to say to him. He tells her he looked for women with different qualities from her in his affairs, but she reminds him that he hardly knew most of the women he slept with and walks out, calling him a "fucking hypocrite". Later, almost in tears, Tony calls 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:...
but hangs up when she answers. Probably suspecting but not knowing for sure who it was, she tries to call him back using *69 but the recording says that the number was blocked to that service.
A.J. goes to his father to ask if he can move in with him because A.J. is not getting along with his mother. Tony realizes his presence at the house is damaging for his children. Tony tells the family he has decided to move out completely. A.J. becomes upset and asks if it was because he asked to live with Tony. Meadow takes the news hard as well, and suggests Tony and Carmela try counseling again. When Meadow gets upstairs, a flash of a moment when she antagonized her parents runs through her mind, when she complained years prior that there wasn't anything in the house to eat after going to the refrigerator; Meadow begins to cry, realizing how much she took her parents for granted. Tony packs to leave and Carmela asks him to be careful. A.J. watches from the doorway with his mother as his father drives away.
Deceased
- Credenzo Curtis and Stanley Johnson: shot by Benny Fazio and Petey LaRosa in the Meadowlands to ensure their silence about the canceled Carmine hit.
Title reference
- Whitecaps is the name of the property Tony plans to buy for his family.
- Whitecaps on water indicate rough sailing or trouble ahead.
Production
- 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,...
described Tony's use of Dean MartinDean MartinDean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
to intimidate Sapinsly as "cultural warfare" because Martin is Italian. - Adriana describes Vito as Ralph's second-in-command.
- The longest episode of the series, running 75 minutes.
- This is the last episode the character Irina Peltsin appears in.
- This is the only season finale wherein no major character is killed off.
Critical response
Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
placed "Whitecaps" #3 on their list of the 10 greatest The Sopranos
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...
episodes; TIME
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
placed it at #4.
Awards
- 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...
won his third Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in this episode. - 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...
won her third Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in this episode. This episode was the culmination of what was considered the best season of The SopranosThe SopranosThe 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...
for Edie Falco. For her role as Carmela, she also won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series, the SAG award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series and was the first female winner of the TCA Award for Individual Achievement in DramaTCA Award for Individual Achievement in DramaThe TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama is an award given by the Television Critics Association.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:-External links:*...
, a feat that would later be accomplished by Julianna MarguliesJulianna MarguliesJulianna Luisa Margulies is an American actress and producer.After several small television roles, Margulies achieved success in her regular role as Nurse Carol Hathaway on NBC's long-running medical drama ER, for which she won an Emmy Award...
as well. - John Patterson won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series from the Directors Guild of AmericaDirectors Guild of AmericaDirectors Guild of America is an entertainment labor union which represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry...
for his work. - 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,...
, Robin Green and Mitchell BurgessMitchell BurgessMitchell 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:...
won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for their work on this episode.
Music
- "LaylaLayla"Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally released by their blues-rock band, Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs...
" 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...
is playing in Tony's car when he drives up to the house as Carmela is throwing out his golf clubs and other possessions. - The song played over the end credits is "I Love Paris (Vegas)" by Dean MartinDean MartinDean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
. It is followed by the instrumental piece, "I Have Dreamed", from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The King and IThe King and IThe King and I is a stage musical, the fifth by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in...
, performed by Fantastic Strings.