Chris becomes a made man, while Tony experiences another panic attack. Meadow continues to seethe over Tony's treatment of her boyfriend.
Plot
Christopher Moltisanti has been elevated in the family structure following his induction. He is now overseeing a small crew and beginning to take on a capo's responsibilities. Tony mentors him closely, though the mentorship is always shot through with Tony's controlling nature. Christopher is motivated but also developing a serious drug problem, using heroin recreationally at first, then more regularly.
Tony's therapy with Dr. Melfi focuses this episode on his relationship with Christopher and what it means to bring someone up in this life. Tony talks about wanting Christopher to have opportunities he never had while also understanding that the opportunities he is providing are exactly the ones that destroyed his own childhood. Melfi probes at this contradiction without pushing hard enough to lose Tony's cooperation.
Meadow is dating Jackie Aprile Jr., the son of the late boss Jackie Aprile. Tony disapproves quietly. Jackie Jr. has none of his father's qualities and all of his father's sense of entitlement. He is trying to get into the mob without the discipline it requires. Tony tolerates the relationship because Meadow cares about Jackie, but he is already watching the kid with the assessment of someone who can see exactly how it ends.
Credits
Written by: David Chase
Directed by: Henry Bronchtein