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Whitecaps- Episode 52 (Season 4 Finale)- Aired 12/8/02

This just in! This episode was the second highest viewed episode in the history of the show. Second only to the season 4 opener in Sept. 12.5 million viewers and it clobbered everything in it's time slot.

Sorry for the delay on this episode synopsis......... I drifted into a coma following the 12/8 airing, but I've snapped out of it!

This season finale is definitely not what people wanted or expected generally speaking. The masses expected some big things to happen. Plenty of blood shed, some scandel and resolution to many dangling story lines. What we got was really the opposite. A cliff hanger of the unexpected variety and the only blood shed were a couple of hired thugs. The question is ........ is that a really bad thing? Will viewers drop off because of disappointment, or is it a setup for a spectacular series finale next season? Next season is the last contracted season... yes that could change, but what are the chances?

If any of the regular cast were taken out of the show this episode it would ruin the climax to all the hanging storylines. Each person is involved in at least one big one. People thought Paulie would get whacked..... if he did the Russian in the woods couldn't come back into the scene with the same impact. Christopher and Ade....... Well if Ade would have died the Feds would be up the creek again which could have been a great new line, but since the series should be ending they need that IN with the Feds. Chris is out of rehab and seems to be clear headed with the way he handled the negotiations for the Carmine whacking. Carm...She's involved up to her teeth, she wasn't expendable. The kids...... they play into the mix and there has to be some family focus for the final season. Silvio, he's in everybodies business and isn't worth getting rid of. The NY crew is a big deal, yes Carmine could have been a good candidate, but there may be further plans for that. Furio, gone but not forgotten in more than one way. Excellent that he's not 6 ft under at this point. Junior, his trial is over he needs to be involved and his character is too good to get rid of. Plenty of food there. Janice and Bobby, neither one was ready to go and Janice has a real history with lots of dangling lines. Dr. Melfi is in limbo. She was taking out of the main story line when Tony decided to stop his therapy but her character could play out in 2 ways and has that rape scene that was left hanging. Last Tony.... Though it's possible this show could have lost him, it just wouldn't be the same show and he's got to be in it for the show to survive the better portion of the last season.

Ralph was expendable and he was the one to leave......... it was an excellent episode!

So how did this season finale fall out?

Tony takes Carm to the Doctor because he's been ill..... stressed over Furio leaving is more appropriate. He takes her to the shore and they look at a waterfront property called "whitecaps". Nice home to pass down to the kids, have family outings, backyard BBQ etc. They agree to buy it and put a down payment on the property. The owner is an attorney, and as the episode progresses we see that the decision was probably not a good one.

Uncle Junior's trial ends in a hung jury and he is released. Bobby and Janice were there for the celebration and they are showing more outward affection. Junior seems bothered by the display.

The focus of the episode is based on a call Carm receives from Irina (Tony's ex mistress). Carm finally find out more than she ever wanted to know about Tony's indescretions. With this newest slap and the pain of losing Furio it's too much and she takes charge. She kicks Tony out of the house. There is a lot of verbal and physical retaliation, but in the end she wins out. Tony tries sleeping on the boat, at the new house (which the don't even own yet) and end up in his theater room with an inflate-a-bed. Carm cuts him off from the food supply in the house. He finally announces that he needs to leave. Carm also confesses her love for Furio which infuriates Tony. Big drama..... a must see if you missed the show.

Tony tries to back out of the property purchase on the shore, but isn't happy about not getting his deposit back. He has a few guys from the crew set up the Stugots with ultra hi-fi to entertain/exasperate the property owner who also lives next door. (actually a very funny segment!) The transaction is left as part of the cliff hanger, but it seems the attorney will be more than happy to give back the deposit for a little peace and quiet.

AJ and Meadow don't handle the fighting and separation well. AJ thinks it's his fault that Tony decides to find a place away from the house. Meadow is seen crying in her bed room and having flashbacks....... somewhat ominous looking on the surface.

Tony calls Dr. Melfi but hangs up without saying a word. She pulls a *69 and gains nothing. She'll be back as a therapist or a mistress next season....... anybody taking bets which one it will be???

Carmine gave in to Tony on the HUD cut, so Johnny Sack is pissed that Tony won't follow thru with the batton. Everybody is hurting for the esplanade project being on hold. Johnny Sac seems to be hurting the most and it shows.

Chris got out of rehab and is functioning apparently well. He's back filling Furio's shoes as the driver. He is called upon to set up Carmine's death, but at the last minute it's called off and he has to find a way to keep the secret. He worked out a car jacking with a couple of thugs and he's paying them off to shut up and call it off. He ends up the winner as he thinks it thru and has a couple of the crew standing by to clip the guys before they take off with the money.

I thought it was an excellent episode, the everpresent cliff hanger was totally unexpected. The acting both on the part of James Gandolfini and Edie Falco was Superb. One could feel her coming unglued emotionally. She should receive a nod for awards with that performance. The disappointment seems to lie in the hands of those who were insisting on some closure or those who just thrive on blood shed. I think that in the final season everyone will get everything they wanted and more. Plenty of closure, and plenty of blood shed. The question is... will anyone will survive and in what order will they be picked off!

Filming of Season 5 is to begin in January with season 5 airing sometime in the fall of 2003

Poll time....... What' s your most nagging, MUST BE RESOLVED, story line?