Two Tonys

There is a Tony size void in the Soprano house and Dr Melfi delivers some home truths.

This is an excellent start to the fifth season that sets the scene well.

The opening sequence brilliantly shows all you need to know about Soprano family life since the season 4 finale. This sets the tone for an episode where Tony's absence from the home is a recurring topic.

Largely the episode features more of the great character reflection that makes the show so good. I love the little moments like Tony observing the look of attraction between Carmela and the Ranger, the way he casually takes some OJ from the fridge, and the general sense of insecurity developed about his masculinity through various scenes.

Ironically the type behaviour Tony exhibits to assert himself as an alpha-male forms the basis of a fantastic exchange of dialogue between he and Melfi. This is a great scene, wonderfully written to present the truth to someone in a direct but respectful way, however it also shows a plausible reaction when that truth causes pain. It has great comic timing with the premise of someone insisting they can handle a dose of honesty when they most definitely cannot. James Gandolfini leads the episode brilliantly as ever and Lorraine Bracco makes a strong contribution.

The presence of the bear will most likely have been analysed to death by people theorising if it symbolises one side of Tony's personality or the perceived dangers left by his absence. Whatever the writer's intentions, it certainly works as catalyst for good banter and character moments. AJ's reaction to it for one is absolutely hilarious.

More humour (some of it pretty sick) is derived from the scenes of conflict between Christopher and Paulie. This little arc between the two characters had been simmering since the third season and it comes to a head in an extremely dark comic incident. Michael Imperioli and Tony Serico are on great form and bounce so well off each other.

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

As much as I like this show and this episode too, I wonder why Tony's cousin had to be played by Steve Buscemi. Apparently all actors are of Italian descend so that must be the reason. But as an actor, Buscemi really isn't very good. For example he has a tic that I first noticed in Boardwalk Empire: he pressed his lips together after having spoken a line. He probably developed that in real life because of his weird teeth. But as an actor one should get rid of those things: you're supposed to be another person!

Beside that, Buscemi is a very odd cast in this maffia role, with his pale, skinny, meek appearance.

I'm extremely grateful James Gandolfini is the main character in this series!

*spoiler* .I like the way the series shows some scene of psycoanalysis and how it works. I don't even see this perfection in The Prince of tide.How very important is the infancy for the future adult. If you don't know where you came from, who you were, you can be very confuse about your present.

The way the traumas are inherited by descendant are shown perfectly. I can't imagine how this will finish since Tony's life I don't believe will change too much in the short time. Will see. The script writer are genius, they works with too many characters. Its difficult. I know. I'm a writer my own.

Congratulation for the Tonys award !.-