The Sopranos go to Hollywood... again! The wiseguys grieve that they haven't been able to track down Vito yet, especially Phil Leotardo who gives a haunting Joe-Pesci-in-GoodFellas-like speech about how he wants to kill Vito. While the family deals with these issues, Tony grants Christopher the permission to travel to Hollywood with Little Carmine to promote their new upcoming movie 'Cleaver' about the mobster killed who comes back to life to reek vengeance on his boss that Christopher violently forced a second-rate screenwriter from his rehab support group to write. They pitch the idea to actor, Sir Ben Kingsley, who they agree was stunning in Sexy Beast (my sentiments exactly) to play the mob boss in the picture. Kingsley isn't interested, but the guys get to meet Lauren Bacall who they later beat up and rob after an awards ceremony to get their hands on her expensive gift basket. Back in New Jersey, Artie Bucco and Benny Fazio get in a tiff, that ends with Benny putting Artie's hand in hot tomato sauce. Also, Tony finally has two Italian guys from Naples whack Rusty Millio (Frankie Valli) in a crafty hit scene that was one of the highest points of the episode. This episode was half-entertaining, half-not. I loved the whole Hollywood thing, but I hated the Artie sub-plot. The last time they did the Artie sub-plot thing was Season 4's horrendous episode 'Everybody Hurts' which was by far the worst episode of the series. Artie is just a character that bothers me because he is so pathetic and stupid, but doesn't exude comedy with this. His scenes were boring, except when Benny burnt the crap out of his hand which resulted in Artie crying like a little baby. This episode was half good, half not-so-good, the second weakest episode of the season thus far. My Rating: 8/10.
HOW I RANKED OTHER EPISODES THIS SEASON Episode 71: 'Live Free or Die' - 9/10 ; Episode 70: 'Mr. and Mrs. Sacrimoni's Request' - 8.5/10 ; Episode 69: 'The Fleshy Part of the Thigh' - 8/10 ; Episode 68: - 'Mayham' - 9/10 ; Episode 67: 'Join the Club' - 7.5/10 ; Episode 66: - 'Members Only' - 8.5/10.
HOW I RANKED OTHER EPISODES THIS SEASON Episode 71: 'Live Free or Die' - 9/10 ; Episode 70: 'Mr. and Mrs. Sacrimoni's Request' - 8.5/10 ; Episode 69: 'The Fleshy Part of the Thigh' - 8/10 ; Episode 68: - 'Mayham' - 9/10 ; Episode 67: 'Join the Club' - 7.5/10 ; Episode 66: - 'Members Only' - 8.5/10.