Christopher (The Sopranos episode)

Infobox Television episode | Title = Christopher
Series = The Sopranos
Season = 4
Episode = 42
Guests= "see below"
Airdate = September 29, 2002 (HBO)
Production = 403
Writer = Michael Imperioli
Director = Tim Van Patten
Episode list = Episode chronology


Prev = No Show
Next = The Weight

"Christopher" is the forty-second episode of the HBO original series "The Sopranos" and was the third of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Michael Imperioli, from a story idea by Imperioli and Maria Laurino. It was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on September 29 2002.

Guest starring roles

*Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin
*Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile
*Max Casella as Benny Fazio
*Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani
*Lola Glaudini as Agent Deborah Ciccerone
*Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi
*Arthur Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi
*Christine Pedi as Karen Baccalieri
*Peter Riegert as Assemblyman Ronald Zellman
*Craig Zucchero as Uncle Junior's bodyguard
*Richard Romanus as Richard LaPenna
*Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola
*Larry Sellers as Del Redclay
*Matt Servitto as Agent Harris
*Joyce Van Patten as Sandy
*Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante
*Montel Williams as Himself

Episode recap

Silvio, intensely proud of his Italian heritage, wants to take action against protests for the Columbus Day Parade by Native Americans, believing it to be an insult to Italian-Americans. Without Tony's approval, Silvio and Artie Bucco, along with a few others, attempt to break up the demonstration where a Columbus effigy is to be burned. Silvio threatens them not to do so and sends Patsy Parisi to take it down. As they leave after being warned by the police, Artie Bucco has a glass bottle thrown at him and several others are injured. Tony learns about this and blames Silvio for intervening. Ralph Cifaretto meanwhile tries to threaten the protest leader, Del Redclay, to reconsider since Iron Eyes Cody -— a popular Native American figure -— may supposedly not be from his place of origin. Tony tries to pacify the situation by talking to an Indian chief to convince Redclay not to protest during the parade. Although this fails, the chief invites Tony and his crew to his casino to gamble. However, they do not realize it is Columbus Day until they drive off from the casino. Both the parade and protest occur without mob intervention, which upsets Silvio. Tony tries to calm him down by telling him how proud he should be for being who he is and not just his heritage.

Meanwhile at a luncheon meant to enforce Italian pride in women, the "mob wives" are singled out when the speaker discusses the stereotypes of being an Italian in America. After the luncheon, Gabriella Dante lectures Father Phil Intintola on how much the wives, especially Carmela, have given to the parish, and that he had no right to bring in a guest speaker who intended to shame them about how they make a living.

In addition to Uncle Junior's RICO trial beginning, Paulie Walnuts begins to create tension between the two mob families when he tells Johnny Sack about the joke involving his wife's weight and how Tony sold Uncle Junior's warehouse on Frelinghuysen Avenue near the Riverfront Esplanade. Johnny Sack contacts Tony and demands a share of the profit since both crime families share the Esplanade and that it would be only fair if they shared the Frelinghuysen Avenue profit.

While stuck in traffic, Bobby Baccalieri receives a phone call asking him to buy some food on the way home, he later discovers that his wife Karen has died in the car accident causing the traffic problems. At the wake, a devastated Bobby kneels in front her casket and loudly sobs. The wives have pity on Bobby since he supposedly never took a "comare". Janice Soprano continues to see Ralphie Cifaretto, who splits with Rosalie Aprile in order that he can be more open about his new relationship. However, after spending time with the widowed Bobby while on "ziti patrol", Janice breaks up with Ralphie by violently throwing him down the stairs.

First appearances

The episode marks the first appearance of:
* Pie-O-My: The horse that Tony befriends.

Deceased

* Karen Baccalieri: Wife of Bobby "Bacala"; dies in a fatal car accident.

Title reference

* The title refers to the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who discovered the Americas in 1492. The controversy surrounding Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day parade protests are referenced repeatedly in the episode.

* Also, this is a reference to St. Christopher who helps travelers bear the burdens of misfortune, sudden and otherwise, by his example.

* Also, this is plausibly a reference to Christopher Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, who wrote the episode (although Moltisanti himself plays only a minor role in it).

Production

*The episode created a controversy when the cast of "The Sopranos" was banned from marching in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City. [cite web| url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/10/14/1034561097422.html| title = The Sopranos out of tune with parade | accessdate = 2008-02-08] [cite web| url = http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=114938&page=1 | title = 'Sopranos' Banned From Parade | accessdate = 2008-02-08]

Music

* The song played over the end credits is "Dawn" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Valli himself portrayed Lupertazzi capo Rusty Millio in seasons five and six.
* "Elevation" by U2 and "Waiting for Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez are both heard when Carmella and Rosalie are in the gym.

References