Television Review: Pine Barrens (The Sopranos, S3X11, 2001)

Pine Barrens (S03E11)**

Airdate: May 6th 2001

Written by: Terence Winter
Directed by: Steve Buscemi

Running Time: 60 minutes

The Sopranos stands out as one of the most exceptional television series of its time, renowned for its unparalleled quality of writing, production, and character development. This high standard makes selecting the show’s best episode a daunting task, as so many installments are masterpieces in their own right. However, one episode often rises to the top of fan discussions and critical acclaim: Pine Barrens. Frequently hailed as one of the most memorable and beloved episodes of The Sopranos, and indeed of early 21st-century American television, Pine Barrens encapsulates the series’ unique blend of brutal realism, dark humour, and profound character exploration. Its enduring popularity and cultural impact make it a prime candidate for the show’s finest hour.

Set in the depths of winter, Pine Barrens uses the season’s harshness as a backdrop, with the flu playing an unexpectedly significant role in the narrative. While only a few characters are directly afflicted by the illness, its ripple effects set off a chain of events that nearly prove fatal for some. The flu first impacts Silvio, who, feeling unwell, delegates the task of collecting money from a Russian gangster named Valery (played by Vitali Baganov) to Paulie and Christopher. What begins as a routine errand quickly spirals into a nightmare due to Paulie’s impulsive and confrontational nature. His deliberate provocation of Valery leads to a violent altercation, leaving the Russian apparently dead. Fearing repercussions from Valery’s connections to Russian mob boss Slava, Paulie and Christopher decide to dispose of the body in the remote Pine Barrens. However, their plan goes awry when Valery, seemingly indestructible despite being shot in the head, escapes. Lost in the woods, ill-prepared for the freezing conditions, and increasingly desperate, Paulie and Christopher find themselves in a dire situation. Tony Soprano is forced to abandon a romantic dinner with Gloria to lead a rescue mission, aided by Bobby Baccalieri, whose outdoorsmanship proves invaluable.

Meanwhile, the flu also affects Meadow, who is too unwell to have sex with her boyfriend, Jackie Jr. Frustrated, Jackie seeks satisfaction elsewhere, but his feeble excuses for his absence arouse Meadow’s suspicions. Despite her fever, she ventures out with a friend to confirm her doubts. When she catches Jackie in the act, Meadow confronts him on the street and ends their relationship.

Written by Terence Winter and directed by Steve Buscemi—a character actor who would later join the show’s regular cast—Pine Barrens exemplifies The Sopranos’ signature formula. It masterfully blends brutal realism, irony, and black humour, using seemingly mundane events as a springboard for rich character development. Winter’s script is a masterclass in storytelling, transforming a simple task into a catastrophic series of misfortunes. The episode operates as a darkly comedic application of Murphy’s Law, where everything that can go wrong does go wrong, primarily due to Paulie’s poor decision-making. His arrogance and impulsiveness not only endanger himself and Christopher but also strain their relationship. Once close allies, the two spend much of the episode bickering, with Christopher increasingly questioning Paulie’s mental stability and leadership.

Pine Barrens also offers a fascinating exploration of cultural and historical tensions, particularly the deep-seated Russophobia prevalent among older generations of Americans. Paulie’s hostility towards Valery is rooted in Cold War-era stereotypes and the rise of the Russian mafia, which he views as a threat to the traditional Italian-American mob. His actions reflect a broader anxiety about shifting power dynamics in the criminal underworld. In contrast, Tony’s pragmatic approach underscores his ability to deal with these changes, as he seeks to maintain a working relationship with Slava and avoid an all-out war. This tension between old-world prejudices and new-world realities adds a layer of socio-political commentary to the episode.

The episode also plays with ethnic stereotypes, albeit in a nuanced way. Valery, though portrayed as an alcoholic, is revealed to be a formidable opponent, drawing on his experience as a former Russian Interior Ministry special forces soldier and Chechen War veteran. His resourcefulness and resilience make him a stark contrast to Paulie and Christopher, who, despite their street smarts, are utterly out of their element in the wilderness. This inversion of expectations adds to the episode’s dark humour and highlights the limitations of the mobsters’ skills outside their urban domain. Notably, Paulie’s failure to execute Valery in the woods stands in stark contrast to his earlier success in a similar task, such as the killing of Mikey Palmice, further underscoring his incompetence in this unfamiliar environment.

Amid the chaos, Pine Barrens introduces a rare example of competence in the form of Bobby Baccalieri. Initially mocked by Tony for his seemingly excessive outdoor gear, Bobby proves to be the most prepared and effective member of the rescue team. His practical skills and calm demeanour provide a stark contrast to the ineptitude of Paulie and Christopher, offering a moment of levity and underscoring the episode’s themes of preparedness and adaptability.

What ultimately cements Pine Barrens as a legendary episode is its lack of resolution. The fate of Valery remains a mystery, with Paulie and Christopher unable to confirm whether he died from his wounds or survived. This ambiguity has sparked endless speculation among fans, with series creator David Chase and the cast offering conflicting or evasive answers. The unresolved storyline mirrors the unpredictability and messiness of real life, a hallmark of The Sopranos’ storytelling. It is this refusal to provide tidy conclusions that elevates the show above conventional television and contributes to its enduring legacy.

Pine Barrens is a triumph of television storytelling, showcasing The Sopranos at its best. It is not just an episode of television but a piece of art that continues to resonate with audiences nearly two decades after its original airing.

RATING: 9/10 (++++)

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