User Reviews

Remember Annabella Sciorra in Jungle Fever? She played a normal Italian-American girl who shamelessly embarked on a relationship with the black Wesley Snipes, causing her closest relatives (including Sopranos cast members Michael Imperioli and Frank Vincent) to embrace a quite bleak solution to the problem. This time around, she has no one to upset with her behavior, but the guy she has chosen to bed spells "mayhem" like few others do: James Gandolfini.

Picking up from a brief scene in the previous episode, we now follow Tony's affair with Gloria Trillo (Sciorra), a patient of Dr. Melfi. At first, everything seems to be fine: they meet, chat and have casual sex without thinking too much. Soon enough, though, it becomes clear Gloria might be as big a pain in the ass as Tony's past mistress Irina, and that one tried to kill herself! Another relationship that is causing controversy is Meadow's involvement with Jackie Jr. : Carmela is particularly annoyed, even though Tony seems to think it could work out fine, especially after having an open conversation with the boy. Of course, no one told him Jackie is friends with a drug dealer who has been bothering Christopher recently, and that things are likely to get out of hand.

With the exception of the Chrissy part of the narrative (he gives Adriana a club as a present and makes sure nothing illegal happens there), the episode is entirely devoid of mob violence, focusing wholeheartedly on the two conflicting romances, one almost idyllic (Meadow-Jackie), the other destined to get screwed up (Tony-Gloria). The latter is given extra energy by Sciorra, who injects her role with appropriately Italian fiery passion that contrasts nicely with the emotional coldness of other women in the show (Melfi in particular). She is not exactly scene-stealing, but hers is one of the better guest appearances in the series.

Oh, and the title? It derives from the American pronunciation of "mozzarella", the kind of cheese they use to make pizza. It is one such meal that reveals A.J. and his buddies vandalized the school's swimming pool. Hilarious.

Tony continues his affair with Gloria and Meadow is falling for Jackie Jr.

This is an excellent episode with great character moments and compelling storytelling.

The story focuses mainly on the two relationships mentioned above and feels like it is laying the foundations for some heavy drama associated with both. In doing so it develops that certain sense of impending doom that the Sopranos does so well with certain characters.

Duplicity is a theme cleverly shown in the behaviour and actions of multiple characters. Tony gives someone the most guilt-ridden present you are ever likely to see. Chris also gives someone a gift that is not exactly obtained for the purpose of being nice. The face Jackie shows Meadow and most of the Soprano family hides something different beneath the surface. Gloria appears perfect to Tony, but we also see hints in her lies and general behaviour that something very dark lies beneath the surface. Even AJ's school (humorously) engages in a pretentious farce as a response to his behaviour.

Much of the above is not explained, but shown with clever visual storytelling in the way certain characters respond to the actions of others, as if there is something slightly off in this person's behaviour, but they do not acknowledge it. Plus the editing and transitions between certain scenes, particularly those involving Carmela and Gloria, is superb.

There are plenty of moments of jet black humour. The snake related scenes and visuals are pretty good. Matush's scenes at the Crazy Horse and with one 'Don Corleone' wannabe character are very funny.

Easily my favourite comedy situation is the police investigation of the swimming pool incident, which is hilariously deadpan in its delivery.

James Gandolfini leads the episode brilliantly and other notable performances come from Edie Falco, Annabella Sciorra and Lorraine Bracco.

For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.