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Episode 50- "Calling All Cars"- Aired 11/23/02

The Sopranos writers have always used dream sequences in a unique and brilliant way. This episode was not different. The show opens with Tony in the back seat of an old car, Carm is driving, Ralph (without his hair) is sitting in the front passenger seat and Gloria is sitting in back with Tony. Carm gives quick glances back at Tony while a large green caterpillar crawls on Ralphs head and evolves into a butterfly. Tony eventually wakes up in his own bed. What does this all mean? Tony asks Dr. Melfi to analyze the dream, but isnt' willing to get into the "drill". He doesn't get anywhere in the session and writes it off as a dream, but is obviously disturbed by it.

Looking at the potentially implied meanings:
The caterpillar is a symbol of change and the evolution into the butterfly implies that the change has already happened. Has something changed? Yes, many things have changed recently, but there may be more to be uncovered.

Carm is driving and Tony is in the back seat. Is tony afraid that Carm is taking control? He knows she found that money in the duck feed and he could easily assume it was invested her way.

Gloria is in the car and so is Ralph. Can there be some inference that everyone around his is dead, meaning that Carm is next (again referring to the meaning of the caterpillar)? Could it mean he is afraid he might die leaving Carm in charge? Reflecting on the Carm/Furio situation leaves this as a possibility. Tony's dreams always reflect thoughts that have not surfaced in the show dialogue.

Poll time- What does it all mean to you? Offer your thoughts below in the comment section of this page!

Moving on in the episode. Junior is found competent to continue the trial. He shows his displeasure with Bobby present. There were scenes in previous episodes that left us wondering if he really was a bit confused. It appears he isn't, but only Bobby saw it. In another scene Junior is covered in shaving cream, like he can't care for himself. Is he putting it on for the family like Livia did?

Tony and Silvio seem to know that Paulie is a snitch. This changes the entire workings of the NJ family. Carmine and Johnny are putting Tony under the gun on the HUD projects and expect their cut. Tony doesn't want to budge. They are also aware that Ralph is suddenly missing. His financial impact on both families is starting to show. Tony infers that Johnny Sac knows what happened to Ralph. NY and NJ are fighting over one corrupt real estate appraiser. Who will get the exclusive? Both sides are using a heavy handed approach and the guy keeps receiving the body damage.

Janice is back to her scheming ways to make a life with Bobby. She takes Bobby and the kids to Tony's for Sunday dinner. The events of the evening were quite unusual. Bobby's daughter is freaked out about the anniversary cake (that bobby later buried at the grave site) and starts talking about ghosts. While the kids were at Tony's AJ is forced to entertain them. They take out the Ouija board which starts the daughter thinking about the ghosts again. After the Ouija board gets boring they move on to a seance. The kids get freaked out funiture goes flying and the party breaks up with AJ in trouble. Janice uses this event to worm her way back into Bobby's house. She starts communicating with Bobby Jr. via instant messenger using cryptic messages. Once again the kids take out the Ouija board and Bobby needs help from Janice to get back in control. Karen's "last Ziti" makes it to the table. Janice may have managed to get Bobby around the corner this time!

Tony make a trip to Miami and makes it clear that Paulie shouldn't know about it....... Will Silvio keep the secret? A final dream scene that really didn't make sense occurs while he's in the Miami hotel. He's visiting an old woman and looking for work.

Finally.......... Tony tells Dr. Melfi he will not continue the therapy! Poll time!Is she gone? Does he have ulterior motives? Will he approach her on a purely social basis now that he's not a patient? Will she tell him about the rape? We see her calling her therapist, how will she react? I can't wait to see how this plays out!

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