Commendatori - Season 2 Episode Guide

Commendatori (S02E04) - Tony, Paulie and Chris travel to Naples to conduct a business deal, while Pussy becomes more stressed over trying to balance his secret... — Tony, Paulie and Chris travel to Naples to conduct a business deal, while Pussy becomes more stressed over trying to balance his secret...

Plot

The season opener for our second year in New Jersey is quiet, which makes it dangerous. Tony Soprano returns from Italy to find his world has shrunk down to a single room and an empty house while he deals with the fallout of Jackie's funeral earlier that week. The episode opens on what feels like an intimate confession session between Bobby "Bacala" Bacaluso and Paulie Walnuts, who are sitting in Tony's office waiting for him before their scheduled meeting at Livia Soprano's home.

The dynamic shifts immediately when the trio heads to meet with Uncle Junior. This is a pivotal moment where loyalties begin to fracture under pressure from above as they discuss recent events involving Vito Spatafore and his daughter Carmela, who has been dating Christopher Moltisanti without telling Tony about it yet.

Tony's phone rings at the funeral home during this tense family gathering. It's Silvio Dante calling with news that might change everything for our protagonist: there is a new hitman on board known only as "The Dukes." The arrival of such talent within their organization suggests things are getting serious again, possibly signaling escalation against rival factions or internal threats.

The plot takes another turn when Tony visits Adriana La Cerva at her apartment building. He finds out she's been seen with others lately but still hasn't called him back since they last spoke over dinner months ago before the incident involving Bobby Bacala's death earlier in season one (though that specific event isn't discussed here directly). Their conversation reveals how much time has passed between them and hints at unresolved feelings on both sides.

Tony then stops by Dr. Melfi's office where he talks about his relationship with Carmela again, expressing frustration because she seems more interested in pleasing others than addressing issues within their marriage themselves. He also mentions having dreams lately involving Livia which bother him deeply enough to warrant discussion therapy sessions.

The episode ends abruptly after Tony leaves Dr Melfi's office walking toward home alone thinking about what happened recently including feelings guilt associated losing someone close like Jackie very suddenly without saying goodbye properly beforehand despite trying hard doing so earlier days leading up until now...

Credits

This installment features James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano and Michael Imperlioli again playing Paulie Walnuts among others including Steven Van Zandt portraying Silvio Dante. Also appearing are Frank Vincent reprising his role of Uncle Junior while Lorraine Bracco plays Dr Jennifer Melfi alongside Robert Iler who reprises James Jr along with Jamie-Lynn Sigel as Adriana La Cerva.

Music

"Look On Down From The Bridge" by Mazzy Star
(Album: Among My Swan)

The above track closes out the episode setting somber tones reflective mood fitting scene just ended earlier involving funeral services held recently prior.

Analysis

"Commendatori," named after an Italian word meaning "those who give thanks" or perhaps referring to religious processions, sets up themes of gratitude and loss that permeate the episode. It's fascinating how little happens in terms of action-packed sequences compared with previous episodes yet so much emotional weight carries through every scene we see unfold before us.

The choice for Tony visiting Adriana again feels deliberate; it shows he's still holding onto hope despite knowing full well what could happen if their paths cross improperly once more. There's tension there not just romantically but professionally too given her connections outside his organization making things complicated moving forward potentially leading into future storylines later on down road ahead.

We also get glimpses here about why certain characters behave differently than expected earlier seasons particularly regarding Uncle Junior who seems less concerned now with maintaining power structure inside mob hierarchy compared before when everything revolved around him being boss figurehead throughout entire operation run smoothly day-in-day-out by everyone involved including Tony himself along rest crew making decisions daily basis together.

The dream sequence involving Livia continues haunting thoughts running through mind constantly reminding viewers about unresolved issues between mother son duo causing friction even outside therapy sessions where things often get discussed openly without filters applied whatsoever leaving little room hiding secrets anymore especially when it comes dealing directly with her influence over Tony's actions towards others including family members themselves.

The music selection at end serves as perfect punctuation mark wrapping up entire night's events beautifully matching tone perfectly aligning itself emotionally resonating deeply within hearts watching audience listening intently along journey taken throughout course evening unfolding before them sequentially step-by-step manner until final notes fade away leaving lingering thoughts racing mind afterwards long after screen goes dark completely.

This episode acts as bridge connecting first season chaos with growing complexities emerging second year storyline arc developing slowly but surely building anticipation amongst fans eagerly awaiting next developments coming soon enough regardless whether good bad ugly whatever outcome awaits Tony Soprano and crew alike moving forward from here onward onwards ahead into uncharted territory yet again...