Christopher (The Sopranos)

"Christopher" is the 42nd episode of the HBO original series, The Sopranos. It was the 3rd episode for the show's fourth season. The episode's teleplay was written by Michael Imperioli, with a story idea by Imperioli and Maria Laurino and was directed by Tim Van Patten. It originally aired on September 29, 2002.

Guest Starring roles

Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin
Max Casella as Benny Fazio
Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile
Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani
Arthur Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi
Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola
Larry Sellers as Del Redclay
Joyce Van Patten as Sandy
Lola Glaudini as Agent Deborah Ciccerone
Peter Riegert as Assemblyman Ronald Zellman
Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi
Matt Servitto as Agent Harris
Christine Pedi as Karen Baccalieri
Montel Williams as Himself
Richard Romanus as Richard La Penna
Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante

Episode recap

Silvio decides to take action against protests for the Columbus Day Parade by Native Americans. Without Tony's approval, Silvio and Artie Bucco along with a few other soldiers attempt to break up the riots when a cloth statue said to resemble Columbus is to burn. Silvio threatens them not to burn it and sends Patsy Parisi to take it down. As they leave after being warned by the police, Artie Bucco has a glass bottle thrown at him and several other soldiers injured. Tony learns about this and blames Silvio for intervening. Ralphie meanwhile tries to threaten the protest leader, Del Redclay to reconsider protesting since Iron Eyes Cody a popular Native American may supposedly not be from his place of origin. Tony tries to dissolve the situation by talking to an Indian chief to convince Redclay not to protest during the parade. This fails however the chief invites Tony and his crew to his casino to gamble. However, they do not realize it is Columbus Day until they drive off from the casino. Both the parade and protest occur without mob intervention angering Silvio. Tony tries to cheer him up by telling him how proud he should be for being who he is and not his heritage.

Meanwhile at a luncheon meant to enforce Italian pride in women, the "mob wives" are singled out especially Carmela when the speaker discusses the stereotypes of being an Italian. After the luncheon, Gabriella Dante lectures to Father Intintola on how much Carmela Soprano has given to the parish and that he had no right to bring in a guest speaker who intended to shame them of how they make a living.

In addition to Uncle Junior's RICO trial beginning, Paulie Walnuts begins to create tension between the two mob families when he tells Johnny Sack about the joke involving Ginny and how Tony sold Uncle Junior's warehouse on Frelinghuysen Ave near the Riverfront Esplanade. Johnny Sack contacts Tony and demands a share of the profit since both crime families share the Esplanade and that it would be only fair if they shared the Frelinghuysen Ave profit.

Bobby Bacala receives a phone call that his wife Karen died in a car accident. At the wake, a devastated Bobby kneels near her casket and loudly sobs. The wives have pity on Bobby since he supposedly never took a comarė. Janice Soprano continues to see Ralphie Cifaretto quietly however after spending time with the widowed Bobby while on "ziti patrol" she breaks up with Ralphie by violently throwing him down the stairs.

Deceased

Karen Baccalieri: Wife of Bobby "Bacala"; dies in a fatal car accident.

Title reference

The title refers to the Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus who supposedly discovered the Americas in 1492. The controversy surrounding Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day parade protests are referenced repeatedly in the episode.

Trivia

The episode created a controversy when the cast of The Sopranos was banned from marching in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City.
The song played during the end credits is "Dawn" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.