The Fleshy Part of the Thigh

Episode 4 of The Sopranos picked up on the themes introduced earlier this season.

Tony, while making an astounding recovery, is at risk of losing another aspect of his identity – his “job” at Barone Sanitation. The Barone family can’t get out of the deal, so Tony has to negotiate with the New York family – via Philly Leotardo – for the best deal he can get. (Love the scene where Tony stands outside to talk with Philly, clutching the IV pole in one hand and a cigar in the other – but is that really a realistic spot for a sensitive conversation?)

Paulie also faces an assault on his identity and his family as he learns that his birth mother is the nun whom he had believed was his mother’s sister. It is no surprise that Paulie reacts with the self-pity that all of Tony’s captains have displayed this season and that is referenced in the anonymous note in Tony’s room.

Evangelicals made their first appearance in the show. They were in front of the hospital demonstrating on both Terri Schiavo and forcing pharmacists to sell medications that are used intentionally to kill people. They recognized Janice and got invited up to see Tony before his surgery. In addition to the pro-life images, they brought up creationism and Chuck Colson, hitting a blue-state trifecta of terror. The preacher was clearly most interested in getting a high-profile feather in his cap, but he did mention that salvation is more than just looking after one’s eternal destination, but that it had ramifications as to how we live.

Tony demurred on the question of pharmacists applying their consciences to their work, worried that it might eventually impact his ability to procure Viagra. The baby boomer ethos – whatever I want, when I want it and how I want it – wins out again.

Still in the hospital, Tony meets up with two other patients. One is a high-living rapper recovering from a few gunshots, the other is a mystical figure. John Schwinn – no relation to the bicycle company – is a scientist. The name is emphasized as is his profession, implying that he knows where we’re going and how we can get ourselves there. He gives a very oriental position stating that we’re all part of something bigger and that the opposites of “you” and “me” aren’t necessarily valid constructs. Tony gives much more credence to the undemanding secular prophet than he did to the earlier explicitly religious visitors.

Bobby gets into a conversation with a member of the rapper’s entourage and sells him on the idea that Bobby should shoot the lesser rapper so the latter will get the publicity and credibility to become successful. The kid shorts Bobby on his payment, so Bobby modifies his performance by shooting the kid in the butt rather than in the “fleshy part of the thigh” as promised.

Things come to a head when Mrs. Barone asks Tony for an assurance that nothing will happen to her son whom she loves. Tony gives her his word as Paulie stands in the hallway crying. Ultimately Tony and Philly come to an agreement on the terms of Tony’s compensation in the Barone deal. The show closes with Paulie hunting down Jimmy Barone, assaulting him and demanding ongoing protection money – displaying the awesomely destructive power of self-pity.

More of the name game to come eventually. Really.