What’s the best ‘Sopranos’ episode ever?
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- March
- 30
It’s our third day celebrating “The Sopranos� – which kicks off its final round of episodes on April 8 – so here’s the question of the day:
What’s your favorite episode ever?
It’s a really hard question, because there are so many to choose from. You may even have more than one.
What’s mine? Here’s a hint:
(Photo from HBO.com)
More on that later…
But your choice might be a more recent episode, like last season’s “Long Term Parking,� when Adriana finally meets her end.
As I’ve written here before, her death scene was so pathetic: Silvio had been like a caring uncle to her, yet he shows his true colors by viciously dragging her from his car through the woods before shooting her.
Or perhaps you prefer one from the early days – back when Tony had some hair.
“College� is from Season 1: It was the only the show’s fifth episode, but it really showed how the series was breaking the TV rules. As Tony takes Meadow on a college tour, he spots a made man turned rat (now in the Witness Protection Program). So after dropping Meadow off for some interviews, he tracks the guy down and whacks him – by garrotting him with a wire.
As for me, it’s a no-brainer. Hands-down best episode ever is “Pine Barrensâ€? from Season 3. Directed by none other than Steve Buscemi – who later joined the cast as Tony’s ill-fated cousin, Tony Blundetto – this is a “Sopranos” masterpiece.
When Paulie and Christopher botch a collection from a Russian named Valery, they decide to dump his body in the South Jersey Pine Barrens. But when they open the trunk, Valery’s not dead, and escapes into the woods. Paulie shoots Valery in the head, but he still manages to get away.
Chistopher and Paulie get lost, unable to find their way back to their car. So they spend the night in an abandoned van, sucking on leftover ketchup packets and screaming at each other for the mess they’re in.
Just seeing Paulie’s always perfect silver wings messed up is worth crowning this episode the winner.
But in case you’re not convinced, here’s an example of an exchange between Chris and Mr. Walnuts. I dare you not to laugh out loud.
[Chris and Paulie are lost in the woods. They call Tony, and get a bad reception]
Tony: Listen to me, this guy was a Russian green beret. He was in the ministry of the interior or something. He single-handedly killed 16 Chechen rebels. Be f***ing careful.
Paulie: All right. [hangs up]
Christopher: What did he say?
Paulie: He said the guy killed 16 Czechoslovakians, and he was an interior decorator.
Christopher: Interior decorator? His apartment looked like s***.
So is “Pine Barrens� your pick, too? Let me know!
And don’t forget about our “Sopranosâ€? contest. “Go here”:http://remote.lohudblogs.com/2007/03/28/win-a-sopranos-prize/ to comment on how you think the series will end, and the most creative answer wins a “Sopranosâ€? cookbook!
This entry was posted
on Friday, March 30th, 2007 at 9:39 am by Heather Salerno.
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Knight in White Satin Armour is not only the best Sopranos episode it is perhaps the best single episode of a program in the history of TV. The shocking departure vicious Richie is sensational, but the scene at the end between Carmela and Tony on the couch in which she tells him that she needs a break or just might blow her brains out is just as riveting. Then there’s the music. Annie Lennox sings her most underrated song I Saved the World Today, and it is perfect for this memorable program.