The Weight (The Sopranos)

Last updated

"The Weight"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 4
Directed by Jack Bender
Written by Terence Winter
Cinematography by Phil Abraham
Production code404
Original air dateOctober 6, 2002 (2002-10-06)
Running time58 minutes
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Christopher"
Next 
"Pie-O-My"
The Sopranos season 4
List of episodes

"The Weight" is the 43rd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the fourth episode of the show's fourth season. [1] It is a stand-alone episode written by Terence Winter. [2] Directed by Jack Bender, it originally aired on October 6, 2002.

Contents

Starring

* = credit only

Guest starring

Synopsis

Johnny is consumed with anger about Ralphie's joke about Ginny, leading him to savagely assault a member of Ralphie's crew whom he encounters at a bar. When Tony confronts him, he blames his temper, but also says he loves his "Rubenesque" wife. On Tony's instructions, Ralphie phones Johnny to try and make peace, but gives a half-hearted apology; Johnny takes this as an admission of guilt and is further angered.

Johnny asks Carmine to permit a hit on Ralphie; he refuses. There are two sit-downs. Johnny walks out of the first because Ralphie is present. At the second, Ralphie is not present, but Johnny remains inflexible and insists on retaliation to defend his wife's honor. Carmine turns him down again and tells him to "get the fuck over it." Johnny walks out again.

Carmine hints to Tony that Johnny can be killed, and Silvio and Christopher arrange for it to be done in Boston, where Johnny will be visiting his father. Simultaneously, Johnny arranges for Ralphie to be killed in Miami, where he is staying in a hotel.

Johnny leaves New Jersey for Boston but returns home to retrieve a sweater. He finds Ginny with a stash of junk food and candy. Initially angry, he reminds her that he never asked her to lose weight but is deeply hurt that she has lied to him. He calls off the hit at the last moment and tells Tony he will accept Ralphie's apology.

Meadow joins a legal aid organization representing underprivileged clients in the South Bronx. Tony is not pleased that she is drifting away from her plan to be a pediatrician.

Carmela and Tony argue bitterly about their finances. She and Furio, who comes each morning to pick Tony up, are growing closer. He has bought a house and she goes to see it with A.J. At the housewarming party, Carmela and Furio dance together to sensual Italian music.

Tony buys Carmela some flowers and a little black dress from Saks Fifth Avenue. She puts it on. Greatly aroused, he takes her to bed. In the next room, Meadow starts to play the song Carmela and Furio danced to. Carmela yells for her to turn the song off and she complies. But as Tony lies heavily on top of her, Carmela's eyes open, and she imagines that she is still hearing the music to which she and Furio danced.

First appearances

Title reference

Music

References

  1. "The Sopranos Season 4 | Episodes". TV Guide . Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  2. Polan, Dana B. (2009). The Sopranos. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. pp. 80–81. ISBN   9780822343929.