Toodle Fucking-Oo

Infobox Television episode | Title = Toodle Fucking-Oo
Series = The Sopranos
Season = 2
Episode = 16
Guests= "see below"
Airdate = January 30, 2000 (HBO)
Production = 202 (2-3)
Writer = Frank Renzulli
Director = Lee Tamahori
Episode list = Episode chronology


Prev = Do Not Resuscitate
Next = Commendatori

"Toodle Fucking-Oo" is the sixteenth episode of the HBO original series "The Sopranos" and the third of the show's second season. It was written by Frank Renzulli, directed by Lee Tamahori and originally aired on Sunday January 30 2000.

Guest starring roles

* Peter Bogdanovich as Dr. Elliot Kupferberg
* Vince Curatola as Johnny Sack
* Michele de Cesare as Hunter Scangarelo
* Paul Herman as Peter "Beansie" Gaeta
* Matthew Sussman as Dr. Douglas Schreck

Episode recap

Richie Aprile, the late Jackie's brother, is paroled from prison after being incarcerated for 10 years. In his first few days out of jail, Richie manages to reunite and cause problems with old acquaintances and to put his message out to the other associates that he has returned. The first man Richie pays a visit to is respected pizzeria owner Beansie Gaeta, who was once partnered with Richie for drug dealings and crime. Richie states to Beansie that he wants respect and what is owed to him. Beansie feels threatened and tells him to back off, which angers Richie: he smashes a coffee pot over Beansie's head, throws a chair at him and hits him several times, eventually breaking his left cheek bone.

Meanwhile Tony Soprano is informed by the West Orange police that his daughter, Meadow, threw a party at Livia's house. In addition to the house being trashed, there were several different designer drugs and alcohol found at the scene, explaining the overdoses of several partiers. Since the officer owed Tony a favor, he agreed not to expose what really happened at the party. Meadow and Hunter are then driven home and interrogated by Tony. Meadow quickly defends herself with a flimsy excuse. At home, Carmela expects an explanation, but Meadow just runs up the stairs when questioned. When discussing a punishment, Carmela tells Tony that there must be consequences and asks what kind of parents they would be if they don't punish her. Tony then says that there will be, and he also adds that "with the laws today, you can't restrain your kid physically. 'Cause then she would sue you for child abuse". Carmela insists on consequences, but then he replies to her, "Let's just not overplay our hand, because if she finds out that we're powerless, we're fucked!" Meadow later comes clean, but she selects her own punishment by allowing her parents to take away her Discover Card.

Janice is initially in support of the punishment decision, a sign that Meadow is growing independent. Carmela asks Janice nicely to not invade in her parenting of her daughter. However, when Janice discovers the mess at Livia's house, stained walls and vomit on the hardwood floors, she thinks that Meadow is getting away too easily. This annoys Tony, who curtly tells Janice to stop intruding on how they raise their kids. Tony then leaves when Carmela yells, "Mind your fucking business, keep your mouth shut when it comes to my kids!" A hurt Janice then leaves the house. Meadow overhears the argument. Janice and Carmela reconcile at the end of the episode.

While eating dinner at an elegant Italian restaurant, Jennifer Melfi shares a bottle of wine with some friends. As they are leaving the restaurant, Melfi sees Tony and asks how he has been. Tony says that he is fine and exchanges the question with her. Melfi recommends a dish on the menu and Tony asks if they are now making small talk. Melfi then leaves saying, "Toodle-oo." At a session with her therapist, Dr. Elliot Kupferberg, she is annoyed at her behavior and because she feels that she acts differently when she is around Tony. The following night, Melfi has a dream that Tony suffers a car accident after running out of Prozac. As Tony crashes the car, music from "The Wizard of Oz" plays in the background. An alarmed Melfi wakes up from her dream and writes it down in her notebook.

Tony throws Richie a "welcome home" party after his long prison term. At the party, Richie's supporters all pay him homage with envelopes of money, except for Beansie Gaeta. When Richie asks if Beansie is present, Tony tells him to lay off Beansie. Hours after the party, Richie tracks down Beansie and attempts to shoot him for his disrespect. Beansie escapes and when he feels it is safe, he returns to his car, only to find Richie waiting. Richie runs over Beansie, severely injuring him. Tony later visits Beansie in the hospital where his wife becomes very confrontational over his injury. Beansie's doctor has minimal hope that he will walk again.

Tony later tells Richie that Beansie will never walk again and asks if he has any remorse. Richie reminds Tony that no one ever went to see him in jail—especially Beansie—and that he deserved what happened. Tony angrily reminds Richie by telling him "I'm the motherfuckin' fuckin' one who calls the shots" and demands Richie to respect his decisions, and the same way he gave his brother, otherwise there will be severe consequences. Richie then changes the subject by asking how Tony's sister Janice is doing. Earlier, Richie had seen Janice at yoga class, where they reminisced and talked about their recent past and current status. Richie then tries to win Janice over by bringing a bouquet of flowers to Livia's bedside. Over sodas, Janice told Richie that they are both in very different places but Richie insisted that they give their relationship another chance.

When Tony goes to change the locks at Livia's, he discovers Meadow scrubbing the floors and tidying up the house. Tony turns away from the house and puts his arms on his hips, clearly cogitating something. The episode ends with a closeup of his confused face.

First appearances

* Richie Aprile: The late Jackie Aprile's brother who is paroled from prison after a 10-year sentence.
* Peter "Beansie" Gaeta: a former mafia associate of Richie Aprile.
* Dr. Elliot Kupferberg: Dr. Melfi's colleague and therapist.
* Dr. Douglas Schreck: Junior Soprano's family physician.

Title reference

* "Toodle-oo" is a common form of "good-bye". An annoyed Melfi adds her own twist on the saying while mulling over her run-in with Tony.

Production

* Although this was the third episode of season two, it was the second to be produced.
* David Proval (Richie Aprile) is now billed in the opening credits.
* Proval originally auditioned to play the role of Tony Soprano. He was turned down because creator David Chase felt he looked "too right," for the part. He is credited within the main cast for season two.

Connections with future episodes

* When meeting with Tony at the mall, Richie reminds Tony that he helped him and his brother, Jackie, get a "pass" after robbing the card game of a mob capo from the 1970s named "Feech" La Manna. This is the first reference to the story, which is retold with more details in later seasons. Feech La Manna is released from prison and becomes a pivotal character in season five.

Music

* The song played over the end credits is "Viking" by Los Lobos.
* The song played while the women cook in the kitchen is "No Scrubs" by TLC.