Pax Soprana

"Pax Soprana" is the sixth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by Frank Renzulli, directed by Alan Taylor and originally aired on February 14, 1999.

"Pax Soprana"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 6
Directed byAlan Taylor
Written byFrank Renzulli
Cinematography byAlik Sakharov
Production code106
Original air dateFebruary 14, 1999
Running time50 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

see below

Starring

* = credit only

Guest starring

Also guest starring

Synopsis

Mikey Palmice beats up the leader of a card game which had been protected by Jimmy Altieri. Mikey says "Junior Soprano is the new boss. And he ain't respecting old arrangements." While Junior is being fitted for a new suit, he is told that his tailor's 14-year-old grandson committed suicide after taking drugs sold to him by Rusty Irish. Rusty is Larry Boy Barese's top earner, but Junior has him killed.

Prompted by Livia, Junior tells Hesh he must now, for the first time, make payments to him. Hesh goes to Tony, who goes to Johnny Sack, the underboss in New York's Lupertazzi crime family. They negotiate with Junior, who reduces his demands, and Hesh agrees to pay. Junior's capos are resentful because he is keeping too much money for himself. Tony speaks to Junior, who agrees to pass Hesh's tribute money down to his capos. Tony gives his share of this money back to Hesh.

Tony loses his libido as a side effect of his medication; Carmela and Irina become very discontented. He starts having erotic dreams about Dr. Melfi and believes he is in love with her. In a session with her, Tony tries to kiss her. She says, "You're feeling that way because we've made such progress." Carmela admits to Tony that she is jealous that his therapist can help him and she cannot. Tony tells her that she is his life, and they reconcile.

Junior celebrates his promotion with a banquet. A waiter has a button camera and takes photos for the FBI.

First appearance

Deceased
  • Rusty Irish: murdered by Mikey Palmice with help of Joseph Marino on orders from uncle Junior.

Title reference

The title is a reference to Pax Romana (Roman peace) and related terms (Pax Britannica, Pax Americana etc.), which refer to a lack of conflict over a long period of time due to the unchallenged rule of a single dominant power, which Tony hopes to achieve within the Soprano family. Pax Romana was an era initiated by the Roman emperor Augustus, mentioned by Tony in his conversation with Uncle Junior.

Cultural references
  • Tony speaks to Junior about Octavian, later the Roman Emperor Augustus.
  • Livia alludes to Rudyard Kipling's poem Gunga Din. He was a servant who carried water to soldiers in need.

Music
  • The song played when Mikey and his boys shake down a poker game that is under Jimmy Altieri's protection is "Willy Nilly" by Rufus Thomas.
  • The song played when Mr. Capri fits Junior for a new suit is "When the Boy in Your Arms" by Connie Francis.
  • While Junior visits Livia at Green Grove, some of the other seniors are singing to "I Whistle a Happy Tune".
  • The song played as Christopher walks into the card game at Satriale's is "Coconut Boogaloo," by Medeski Martin & Wood.
  • The song played during Tony's first dream featuring Dr. Melfi is "What Time Is It?" by The Jive Five.
  • The song played when Tony meets with Johnny Sack during his anniversary dinner with Carmela is "Pampa" by Gustavo Santaolalla.
  • The song played during the final montage and end credits is an instrumental version of "Paparazzi" by Xzibit, a song derived from Gabriel Fauré's "Pavane".

Filming locations

Listed in order of first appearance:[1]

Reception

In 2015, Alan Sepinwall argued that "Pax Soprana" is "so fraught with discomfort and complications with both family and Family (and whatever separate sphere Melfi occupies) that it's nearly as compelling in its own right as last week's Very Special Episode."[2] Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club wrote that the episode "isn't a tremendous hour of television like 'College' was, but it may be more significant."[3]

References
  1. Ugoku. "The Sopranos location guide - Filming locations for". www.sopranos-locations.com. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  2. Sepinwall, Alan (July 8, 2015). "'The Sopranos' Rewind: Season 1, Episode 6: 'Pax Soprana'". Uproxx. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  3. VanDerWerff, Emily (June 23, 2010). "The Sopranos: "Pax Soprana"/"Down Neck"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
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