THE SOPRANOS Reviewed by Brad Meltzer (These reviews originally appeared on e.findlaw.com, and the best part of the deal was, Brad got to watch each episode a week early!) Go to Episode Review: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 March 26, 2000 EPISODE 11: Business As Usual In The Most Unusual Business Okay, for everyone keeping score, this week's episode aired smack dab against the Academy Awards, which means some people taped it, some people missed it, and most people cursed themselves because—like my parents—they still can't figure out how to properly use their VCRs. So what'd you miss? The funny thing is—not much. Tony goes to the shrink; Dr. Melfi says he's selfish; she's simultaneously repulsed and attracted by his mobster lifestyle; he passes out every once in awhile because of panic attacks; and the family does the comic relief. In some ways, it was the prototypical Sopranos episode. A Mad-Libs Mafia-style story where you fill in the locations and the punchlines. While attending a party at the _________, Tony realizes he's bored with life. Later, he meets a born-again Christian receptionist and whispers "Nice _____" when she walks away. [Post your best answers on the message boards.] It wasn't the best episode; it wasn't the worst episode, but it did beg the question, "What happens when even the best shows start hitting business as usual?" For two years, we've watched Tony bitch to his shrink, and joke with his friends, and be an animal to his family. We've seen the mundane moments of mob life as well as ultra-violent mob hits. So what else is there to see? In many ways, that was the point of the episode. To keep his client safe, Tony's lawyer tells him to stay away from the illegal details of his operations. Don't touch any more stolen property, don't talk business with your mob buddies, and naturally, stop hanging out at the strip club. It's enough to bore a man (and viewer) to tears—which is exactly what Tony is ten minutes into the episode. Sure, he's safe and protected and insulated. But he's bored. And worst of all, we have to watch him. It's a risky move by Chase and his writers—if you want to show boredom, you have to...well...you have to show us something boring. And needless to say, it doesn't make for the most exciting TV. Naturally, there were high points (Tony talking about the movie he saw with Brad Pitt and that blond woman, Gweneth Paltrow. "Sliding Doors?" Dr. Melfi asks. "F**k no—Seven!" Tony shoots back.), and of course, they were setting things up (the subplot with Junior (who was watching Diagnosis Murder!) is clearly moving pieces into place for the last two episodes of the season), but after awhile, you couldn't help but feel like Tony—lumbering around through a world you've already seen a dozen times. Or to put it more bluntly, when you've seen ninety-four explosions in a row, can you really get excited about a ninety-fifth? It's a hard question, and to be honest, I was actually losing hope—but then, in the last three minutes, they actually pulled out a surprise. Fed up with his lawyer's advice, Tony returns to the back room of the meat shop. "What's goin' on?" Tony asks. "Nothin'," Pussy says. Content to just see his friends, Tony sits down and casually starts shining his shoes with the electronic hand-held shoe-buffer. A small smile creeps up his face. Across the room, big bad mobster, Paulie says, "I'm having good luck with Swift's Basic Moisturizing Formula." "Maybe I'll try it," Silvio decides. On a bench, Hesh and Christopher are playing cards. And then—BOOM!!—there's a bang from outside. The group of mobsters race out and see a two-car collision. Tony sends two of his lieutenants to lecture the guy about the hazards of speeding in the neighborhood. Taking his usual seat outside, Tony lights a cigar and Paulie opens one of those old aluminum foil sun visors to work on his tan. Down the block, two FBI guys come to make small talk with Tony. (They even introduce the new guy who's going to be keeping Tony under surveillance!) Just another day in the life. "How 'bout those Nets?" Tony asks, unconcerned. It's a question that's answered, though we don't really hear it. We don't have to. It's the first time in the entire episode we see Tony with his friends. None of them is doing anything interesting. Indeed, every single action is absolutely mundane and boring (buffing your shoes!). But when they're all in the same room—surrounded by their closest friends—that's when the whole scene comes alive. It's what the writers of the Sopranos have banked their careers (and the show) on. Can you watch an explosion for the 95th time? Sure you can—but it'll always be far more interesting to watch the characters who set it off. LAW-BREAKING MOMENT OF THE WEEK: When the mobsters get their hands on some classic World War II uniforms and helmets. Said to Tony on the telephone: "Ton, I am lookin' at the f**kin' History Channel here!" CRIME OF TWO WEEKS AGO: That I neglected to mention that the best episode of the season (Episode 9, where Christopher has a near-death experience) was actually written by the actor who plays Christopher—Michael Imperioli. Kudos and huzzahs to him! Awesome writing. © Brad Meltzer Previous Episode | Next Episode