The Sopranos Season 1 Episode 13

Episode 13: I Dream Of Jeannie Cusamano

At the Satriale pork store hang out Junior, Tony, and the captains are having a meeting to discuss some concerns Jimmy has. Coming out Junior says to Tony "You're right it's him." Tony says "All of a sudden he asks for a meeting? To discuss shit we already covered? He's wearing a wire." Junior confirms "You got my okay. Make sure you send a message to everybody else." They leave. Tony looks on smiling, contented. In New York Christopher and Jimmy head to see a couple of girls. They head into a motel/hotel room after saying hello to one of the girls. Christopher tells Jimmy to sit down. He does. Directly behind him a door swings open, it's Silvio, Jimmy senses this and reaches for his ankle holster which has a small pistol,  which Christopher anticipates grabbing it away from Jimmy and by this time Silvio has a silenced pistol pointing at the back of Jimmy's head. Jimmy acting defensive says "You fuckin' punk ass sons of bitches. What did ya forget I'm a captain?" Silvio says "Why don't you call for help in your radio mic, you fuckin' rat." Jimmy seeming to despair says "Mother of god." Silvio says "What's the matter, you're not wearing one tonight?" Christopher says "He didn't have the time to put on anything decent." Jimmy says "Oh, god." confirming he's a police/FBI informant. Silvio pulls the trigger executing Jimmy. Blood spraying on the lamp in front of him. Meadow is home with a classmate and they are making out. She comments on the monster movie playing "Georgia O'Keefe." They can hear some strange noises and then sees Livia walking past the door. She walks in herself. She seems to be delusional calling Meadow her deceased sister Setemia. There's someone at the door. A police officer walks in. He asks why she was walking around at 1 AM. He asks her a few more questions testing her mental acuity.

In therapy Tony is talking with Melfi about his mother. "They're transferring her to the nursing unit. Which is the thing she dreaded and feared." Melfi says "Isn't it interesting how this memory loss has cropped up right after you failed to be killed in the carjacking? You think it was a carjacking?" Tony says "Of course not. But I got an idea who was behind it and enough said. You don't want to go there." Melfi says "Maybe you don't want to go there." Tony asks "What are you talking about?" Melfi says "Let's track it. Right around the time of the shooting you were having hallucinations of that Isabella figure. The protective loving mother. Your subconscious was shouting something at you. On the day before the shooting you said to me that she kept going on yet again about news stories of mothers throwing their babies out of windows." Tony says "Why don't we put our fucking cards on the table here. What do you think my mother tired to have me whacked because I put her in a nursing home?" Melfi says "In your worse dreams a duck flies off with you penis. Castration." Tony says "My mother never went after my basket." Melfi tries to explain "Not literally. Look, ordinarily a patient is helped to make his own breakthroughs. But your life is in danger. Ok, I'm willing to put the cards on the table. I say what your mother has at the very least is what we call borderline personality disorder." Tony repeats this. Melfi explains further "A pattern of unstable relationships, affective instability. It means, intense anxiety or joylessness. These people's internal phobias are the only things that exist to them. The real world, real people are peripheral. These people have no love or compassion. Borderline personalities are very good at splitting behavior. Creating bitterness and conflict between other in their circle." What Dr. Melfi has just articulated even though Tony can't accept it is what we have been and the show has been building towards all season long. At every turn in nearly every episode Tony runs into problems that spring up due to his not dealing with unresolved feelings surrounding his mother. And now when everything has pointed to her being involved even his subconscious he can't accept it despite the fact that she has never shown him love, and now that we know more about her know that she most likely never loved Tony because she was unable. Which makes the fantasy of Isabella all the more heartbreaking, if only now concretely understood as incredible character development. Just as Melfi is finishing explaining Tony in a rage knocks the table against the wall shattering the glass and charges Dr. Melfi. Tony says "You twisted fucking bitch. That's my mother we're talking about. Not some fuck up in attica, stab you in the shower. See, we're through, you and I. We're finished. You're lucky if I don't break your fucking face in 50,000 pieces." Tony turns around to leave. Melfi gets up and locks the door. The values Tony grew up with were to honor your mother so much to the point that Tony feels an obligation to defend her even if it's because she is ultimately half of who he is. He can't see the deeper truth that she's not even like him, that she's unable to care for him in the way that he always needed. At Vesuvio Rosalie and Carmela are having lunch. Artie enjoying opening his new restaurant. He asks Carmela about Livia, saying he's known Mrs. S since a kid. "What a pistol, a character." Artie leaves them to eat. Charmaine is hanging back in the kitchen, remarking that she doesn't want the place to turn into a mob hangout. Father Phil sits down with Carmela and Rosalie and to talk food and cooking. Phil mentions he wish he could of talked with Tony about the carjacking.

Jimmy Altieri's body is found with a rat stuffed in his mouth. The FBI has requested Tony's company so he can listen to an audio recording. They play the tape for him. The tape is of the conversation Junior and Livia had earlier in the season where Junior asks about wanting to crack Tony's coglioni for putting her in a retirement community. It then goes to Livia telling Junior about Tony's visits with a psychiatrist. "A psychiatrist, he's been seeing one for awhile now. God only knows what he says." Tony says "You wired Green Grove?" The FBI confirms they did. They fast forward. Livia says "My cousin Cakey after he had his lobotomy, looked exactly like my son. Empty, a shell. Better Cakey had died than go on living like that. That's what his own mother always used to say." They stope the tape. Tony looks on and eventually hits play to hear more of the tape. He plays the part where Junior is incensed about Tony having his Capo's move their mothers into Green Grove and that he has to act against Tony. This information sets in. It confirms that both his Uncle and Mother wanted him dead. Artie is bringing some food to visit with Livia at the nursing section of Green Grove. She's reading the obituaries. Livia still showing signs of dementia calls Tony, Johnny her late husband, Artie corrects her. Asking about his mother, he mentions she passed away six months ago, then says to give her best regards. Seeming to forget what he just said. Artie brings up the food he brought from his new restaurant. She becomes upset and tells Artie about the restaurant blowing up. Being manipulative knowing that Artie might go after Tony because of this. At the bing Paulie mentions Jimmy Altieri's wake is tonight, Chris mentions he called in a bomb scare, Silvio says he goes too far. Again a dark comic moment. Tony and his crew discuss the strategy of taking out Junior and his crew, they agree they have to take out Junior's guys first. At home tony is given a sleep aid by Carmela and a glass of water. "What kind of person can I be where his own Mother wants him dead?" Carmela tells Tony "The problem is not with you. The woman is a peculiar duck. She always has been. She's gotten worse with age." Tony tries to say that's not the point, again letting his Mother off the hook, even now knowing she tried to have him killed. Carmela reminds Tony "You were different, you tried to make it work." Tony reflects "Two pricks with nine millimeters. My self esteem is non existent right now." Carmela mentions she could kill her. Tony mentions she has to play the concerned daughter. Carmela mentions the dementia thing is convenient so Livia can't be called on her shit. Tony mentions he shouldn't have made fun of Uncle Jun' in Boca. "Cunnilingus and psychiatry brought us to this." He says without skipping a beat, another comic moment. Carmela reminds him he needed to see the shrink because of the mother he had. Tony says he'll take care of Junior and Mikey P and get satisfaction. But inside he'll know it was his mother.

At the boating dock Tony sneaks up behind Mikey Palmice's soldier associate with a big mouth bass in his hand. Tony pulls out a handgun from the fish and shoots him multiple times in the torso, killing him. Silvio gets the weights and chains out of the trunk, handing them to Tony, they head out into the water to dump the body. Tony tries to go see Melfi, when she sees him she tries to lock the door. He eventually gets her to talk to him. Melfi says "I take no pleasure in the fact that I was right about your Mother. Did you have any dreams since you've heard the FBI tapes? Tony mentions he's had some sex dreams about Jeannie Cusamano. Tony mentions one of the reasons he was targeted was his therapy. He mentions she could be a target. He tells her to leave town. She says she can't just leave she has patients to care for. Tony apologizes. Says he'll take care of it. Melfi worries that people will get murdered because of this. Tony says to not worry about those distractions to not go to the cops because they won't help because she can't give them anything. Tony leaves. Artie is waiting for Tony outside Satriale's. After Tony says hello Artie has the rifle pointed at him. "What'd she tell you my mother?" Artie said "When you blew up the restaurant you made me party to a criminal conspiracy, did you ever stop to think that?" Tony says "I don't know what she told you, my Mother of all people. Two arson investigators gave that fire a clean bill of health, Artie. Why the fuck would I blow up your restaurant?" Artie still upset says "To help me! You fuckin bent psycho. You hear your Uncle's gonna hurt my business by staging a hit in my place and that's your solution? To burn it down for the insurance money! What kind of stupid, sick twisted logic?" Tony still trying to reason with Artie says "Ask yourself a question. Am I that fucking stupid? Am I that fucking stupid, really? My mother...god bless her, is going senile, Artie. I mean, you saw her. I swear to god. I didn't touch your place Artie. My mother is confused." Artie says still pointing the rifle "Look me in the eye, tell me you didn't lay a finger on my place." Tony answering "I didn't burn down your restaurant. I swear on my mother." This is some of the best and most sincere acting by James Gandolfini in the first season, the empathy he elicits in his eyes in trying to manipulate Artie into believing his sincerity. In talking about his mother everything he says is true, and yes it's true that he didn't lay a finger on the place, the arsonist did. But it doesn't change the fact that despite all the terrible things his mother has done to him she has given him the gift of manipulation. Artie upset takes the rifle and smashes it against his station wagon and drives off. At the Soprano house for Sunday dinner, Livia and Uncle Jun' join the family. Livia continues to make morbid comments, this time about a family that died of Trichonosis. Tony mentions that this happened last year. Tony mentions that Artie came to see his Mother. He has to remind her of who he is, owns a restaurant. She acts like she can't remember, asks where this was etc. Uncle Junior looks on. Artie is meeting with Father Phil regarding Tony. He lost faith a long time ago, uses the Church as a social touchstone, for the kids etc. He's debating telling Charmaine about Tony being involved with blowing up his restaurant. He tells Father Phil he didn't go to the Insurance company, he couldn't.

Tony meets with Paulie, Christopher, and Silvio to tell them he has been seeing a psychiatrist for the last 4 or 5 months. Saying he's been getting help for his panic attacks. Silvio says "Well I'm sure you did it with complete discretion. And speaking for Pussy, if he's still alive, I'm sure he would agree." Tony says "Business was not discussed, no names were mentioned. He assures them. "Junior knows. He's decided to use it against me. Ask now. Cause we're not discussing this again." Paulie says "It's not the worst thing I ever heard. I was seeing a therapist myself about a year ago. I had some issues, enough said. I learned some coping skills." Silvio says "Look this thing of ours, the way it's going it'd be better if we could admit to each other these painful, stressful times. But it'll never fucking happen." Tony asks Christopher if he has a problem with it. He asks if it's like Marriage Counseling and Tony says it is. He gets up and walks out. Carmela is bringing some food for Father Phil but Rosalie is already there with food visiting. Carmela turns around and dumps the food in a trashcan outside the church. Artie sits down with a plate of food contemplating telling his wife, it appears Adriana is the new hostess. Charmaine asks Artie what he wanted to talk to her about, he mentions he likes the bar stools. Tony is awake the next morning as Carmela is making Eggs and the kids are at the kitchen counter. Mikey Palmice is leaving his house telling his girlfriend goodbye. He's going on a jog. Mikey notices a Caddillac following him down a narrow country road. He makes a break for it into the woods trying to lose the two hitmen. It's Christopher and Paulie. They take off after him in the woods. Firing their guns as they get closer to him. They keep missing. Paulie runs through some Poison Ivy. Mikey falls into a creek after tripping and Christopher shoots him in the leg. Mikey says "Oh, come on please. Please, please." Christopher yelling at Mikey "My friend Brendan, you shot him in his bathtub, naked. No chance to run." Mikey lying says "I swear to god, it wasn't me! It was Junior. He hated that kid it was him." Christopher says "Yeah right, it was Junior. Mr. Magoo." Mikey pleading "Oh come on, please." Paulie and Christopher both unload their magazines killing Mikey. Next we see several top guys getting home visits from the FBI indictments that they were discussing a few episodes back. Junior, Larry, and Joseph Sasso all were picked up under the indictments including 13 other mob figures. Tony mentions he's lucky. They watch on TV the press conference about the indictments. Tony gets a call from his lawyer. He lets his family know that he's not included in the indictment. "That prick Altieri gave them reams of shit, they got stuff on me, and surveillance of all of us at the Green Grove. They just don't have a case yet." Tony mentions what he has to worry about now is the guys who were arrested today flipping. This information from his lawyer confirms that Jimmy was in fact a rat. Father Phil shows up at Vesuvio to talk with Artie. Artie thanks Father Phil for talking, saying he didn't tell his wife. He mentions that Livia is an strange woman who never has a kind word for anyone. Father Phil mentions Artie seems at peace, he says he is. The prosecuting attorney is meeting with Junior and offers him immunity on the charges if he testifies that Tony is the real boss. He mentions he wants the New York guys "We want Johnny Sack, but more than him we want Mongano and Terese." Junior replies "I want to fuck Angie Dickinson, let's see who gets lucky first." Junior tells him to fuck off. A company man until the end. He's the real boss of North Jersey.

Father Phil is at the house when Carmela shows back up arms full of groceries. He says he's showing up to see how their doing with the indictments. Carmela still upset over seeing Rosalie at the church is just reacting to Father Phil's familiar behavior. She lets Father Phil he doesn't give a flying fuck about saving his soul. "He's a sinner Father and you come up here and eat his steaks and use his entertainment center." He says the movie is for her, and she responds she mentioned she's not a big Renee Zellweger fan. She mentions the similar attention being show to Rosalie Aprile. Father Phil says he understands. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me Father Phil, truly. I am very fond of you. But I think you need to look at yourself. Call this an intervention. Because I think you have this MO where you manipulate spiritually thirsty women and I think a lot of it is tied up with food somehow as well as the sexual tension game." Father Phil says "Whoa." He walks into the other room to get his coat, slowly absorbing what she said. While he could be a bit embarrassed I think he realizes there is truth in what she said and it's realization surprised him. Tony shows up at Green Grove. Tony picks up a pillow, flexing it with his one hand. The administrator for the nursing wing calls out to Tony. "Mr. Soprano. You're wife found you, good." Tony asks "Found me, what are you talking about?" She says "You haven't spoken, we left a message on your home machine. Your Mom's had a stroke." Tony asks "A stroke?" "The news on TV yesterday it really upset her, not that it's any of my business, it just happened. The EMT's are stabilizing her for the ride to St. Vincent's." Tony walks over to the gurney his Mother is on. "I know what you did. Your only son. Your middle child." One of the EMT's tries to tell him she can't answer you her speech center has been affected. Tony continues "I heard the tapes, Ma. The fucking FBI tapes. Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about. Your protector Uncle Jun's in jail now and I got one more little last detail I got to take care of. I don't die that fucking easy ma, I'm gonna live a nice long happy life, which is more than I can say for you." While Tony is saying all of this they are wheeling her down the hall way and Tony has to be restrained. He yells after her "I tried to to do the right thing by you and you try to have me whacked? She's smiling. Look at the look on her face, look at the look on her face! She's smiling." And Livia is in fact smiling. Tony yells "She's got a fucking smile on her face!" But she's gone on her way to the hospital. Tony goes to look for Melfi but her office is closed, the janitor says she's on vacation. The power going out shortly after this. Tony and his family can't make it through a rough rain and wind storm. They have to stop at Vesuvio to avoid the weather, they are closing but Artie makes an exception for them seating them with the other patrons eating. Paulie, Silvio. Christopher and Adriana. They're with family. Everyone says hello. Charmaine rudely ignores Carmela. She mentions no Cigars. Silvio says about Christopher "Look at that fuckin' lovesick pygmy over there." Paulie says to him "The skip seeing a psychiatrist, how's that sit with your ass?" Silvio says "I usually do sit with my ass, why don't you sit with yours?" Paulie says "Hey, Pat Cooper over here." Silvio says "Wait, this bothers you? You saw a fuckin' psychiatrist." Paulie says "Not a woman. I can't get past that. It don't compute for me." Silvio says "You're the one with the fuckin' issues. Woman issues. I don't even wanna fuckin' go there. Look he's going to be the new boss now in name and everything. Let's wish him a bone fortuna." They agree. Artie brings out the food for the Soprano family. Tony proposes a toast to his family "Someday soon you're gonna have families of your own and if you're lucky you'll remember the little moments. Like this. That were good. Cheers." This in retrospect is what the show is about, enjoy life while it's good because the end is coming, for us all. Season One comes to an end.