Wow, the real Frank Sinata Jr. playing poker with the boys! Did you know that was him? I didn't realize it until ending credits which stated "Mr. Frank Sinatra Jr. as himself".

Sometimes it's really hard to watch The Sopranos. I find myself looking at the clock regularly to see how much time there is left. I get both anxious and frustrated at the same time. Anxious because I want to see what's going to happen next and frustrated because not enough time is left. There are so many storylines and not enough time for each episode to follow up on what happened previously. In addition to normal happenings, I'm always waiting for one of Pauly's one-liners and for Silvio to do some scene from The Godfather. I always wait to hear Uncle Jr talk because he has some of the crudest and funniest comments that I've heard. And who can resist hearing what Anthony Jr. has to say? I think we all enjoy seeing Richie get put back in his place and we're all waiting to see Janice end up in prison or something else bad happen to her.

Let's face it, this show revolves around Tony and everything that happens affects him in some way. We don't like seeing any weaknesses in him or see something not work out the way he wanted it to. He's a guy bought up in a crime family and is now carrying the tradition forward. It's a way of life for him. It's what he knows and what he's been brought up to do. Did he have a choice? Can he change? These are some of the underlying questions which come up in the Dr. Melfi sessions. A few weeks ago we learned that Tony's father "Johnny-Boy" Soprano also suffered from anxiety attacks. This past week we learned that Tony had yet ANOTHER uncle who was what's referred to as mentally challenged. Apparently he was considered an embarrassment to the family and was never talked about. It was interesting to hear Junior talk about him in a defending way saying that "in those days" they didn't know how to treat that sort of thing etc. If Junior KNEW of his brother's problems and understood that there was no way to treat some form of mental illness and KNEW about Johnny-Boy's anxiety attacks, then why did he try to have Tony killed when he found out he was seeing a psychiatrist? I realize that's not the point because that was then and this is now..... but I just find it interesting that Junior apparently doesn't see a relationship or pattern in the family.

Okay, so enough of the rambling on.......

This week was one of those episodes which you had to watch extremely carefully. A very large part of the show centered around the poker game which Tony now runs. So what you say? This was not just a poker game but it was a lesson in respect, diplomacy, status, power, wealth and tradition. We see Tony hovering in the background at all times making sure everything goes smoothly. If he sees someone low on a drink or snack or food, he makes sure this is taken care of. Didn't you love the way Chip and Dale were treated? They were treated as dirt, low-life slaves. But hey, this is the way it is in the mob. You start out at the bottom shining everyone's shoes and then you evolve. And you certainly don't call Tony "Mr. T" or "T". It's Tony. These guys haven't earned enough status to call Tony "T". Even though these guys were warned about Silvio and how he can get during the game, they still managed to infuriate him. The scene with the broom under his feet was classic. You saw it coming and you couldn't wait for it to happen.

Richie had a few scenes and for the first time we've seen him somewhat in acceptance of his place. I said somewhat because he did manage to spit on the ground next to Tony as he walked away. After all was said and done, Tony told him that he was going to get his 45 grand before Richie got his money. This was Richie 'tax' for disrespecting the title and putting an embarrasment on the game. After all, said Tony, if he doesn't do something, how is it going to look? Richie seemed to accept that and is going to live with it.

Don't you just love to hear Meadow sing?? Talk about awful... That was the point though. She's supposed to be bad. The school play is happening and the anticipation of getting admitted to college is in the air. In the middle of it all... hey surprise Meadow.... here's a new sports utility vehicle for you. Image her reaction when she found out it was her friends (boyfriend?) who she's working with for the school play. I couldn't pick up her reaction at the end of the episode when the kid stormed out of the school screaming at Meadow and her 'gangster' father. Is she going to be on her father's side or is she going to hold this against him? I wasn't able to tell.

Have any comments or feedback on this episode or the show in general?