Television Review: Denial, Anger, Acceptance (The Sopranos, S1X03, 1999)
Denial, Anger, Acceptance (S1E3)
Airdate: January 24th 1999
Written by: Mark Saraceni
Directed by: Nick Gomez
Running Time: 45 minutes
Third episode of The Sopranos was the first one not written directly by David Chase. However, like many episodes of similar shows, it sticks to the formula and flawlessly remains within parameters of the series’ style and general themes.
The title refers the issue which is important for Tony Soprano both on professional and personal level. Jackie Aprile Jr. is struggling with advanced cancer and his death could soon lead to open conflict within the Mafia organisation between factions led by Tony and his uncle Junior. Both sides try to win favour by visiting Jackie, who is now hospital-bound. Tony tries to cheer Jackie up by bringing Bada Bing stripper dressed as nurse to his room, but this effort is short-lived. Jackie’s condition deteriorates quickly, which affects Tony deeply, because Jackie is his old friend. He confesses his feelings to Dr. Melfi.
Tony has issues with another friend. Artie Buoco, whose restaurant Tony had secretly torched, has trouble collecting insurance, because arson is suspected. In order to help him financially, Artie stages charity event during which Artie and his wife Charmaine (played by Katherine Narducci) would work as caterers. This creates unexpected friction between Carmela and Charmaine, who resents being hired help and who confesses that she had slept with Tony long time ago.
Another issue that could endanger Tony is Meadow’s apparent inability to study for her SAT while practicing at her school choir with the best friend Hunter Scangarelo (played by Michele De Chase, daughter of show’s creator). Hunter suggests that they solve their problems through amphetamines and they reluctantly visit Chris and asks to sell them. He is, due to precarious position within organisation, reluctant at first, but agrees when his girlfriend Adriana argues that the girls would be safer if they receive drugs through them than through regular street dealers. In the meantime, Junior is determined to take out Chris and Brendan, but Livia advises to kill only Brendan, while Chris is just to be taught the lesson.
In the meantime, Tony is hired by Hersh as a “muscle” in the struggle between Hassidic Jewish businessman Hilel Teitelman (played by Sig Lebowitz) and his estranged son-in-law Ariel (played by Ned Eisenberg). The latter refuses to divorce his wife and give motel to his father-in-law. Tony sends Silvio and Paulie, but Ariel, as a man of principle, refuses to buckle, even under torture, until they threaten him with castration.
Denial, Anger, Acceptance is well-written and well-directed episode that cleverly navigates between unpleasant content, dark subjects and light humour. James Gandolfini provides excellent performance and mobster who, through his friend’s fate, must deal with his own mortality. Subplot involving Jewish businessman and Italian mobster is also opportunity well-used for some ethnic humour. But it is the Godfather-like ending that mixes triumphant singing by Hunter and Meadow with execution that shows the true potential of The Sopranos.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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