Paulie has to take care of some rough relationships for his mother, while Tony's fancy for a fellow horse fancier lands him in trouble...
Plot
Tony begins an affair with Valentina La Paz, who is also seeing Ralph Cifaretto. Valentina is sophisticated and direct, and the relationship begins without the complications that have marked Tony's previous affairs. Ralph learns about it and confronts Tony, who handles the conversation with the bluntness of someone who considers it unnecessary. Ralph backs down. His resentment deepens.
Carmela's attachment to Furio Giunta has become a full emotional affair, played out entirely in looks, accidental touches, and a shared awareness that nothing can happen without catastrophic consequences. Furio is loyal to Tony and to the family, and his feelings for Carmela are causing him visible distress. He manages his inner conflict by becoming more careful, not less.
Tony and Ralph's business partnership continues generating substantial income from the construction site and the Esplanade project, which keeps Tony from moving against Ralph despite his personal contempt. The season is threading the needle between Tony's business interest in keeping Ralph alive and his emotional interest in the opposite. Pie-O-My is mentioned -- she is recovering from her injury and back in training, which genuinely pleases Tony.
Credits
Written by: Lawrence Konner and Terence Winter
Directed by: Daniel Attias