Pax Soprana

"Pax Soprana" is the sixth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by Frank Renzulli, directed by Alan Taylor and originally aired on February 14, 1999.

"Pax Soprana"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 6
Directed by	Alan Taylor
Written by	Frank Renzulli
Cinematography by	Alik Sakharov
Production code	106
Original air date	February 14, 1999 (1999-02-14)
Running time	50 minutes
Episode chronology
List of episodes

Starring

• James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano
• Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi
• Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano
• Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
• Dominic Chianese as Corrado Soprano, Jr.
• Vincent Pastore as Pussy Bonpensiero
• Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante *
• Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri *
• Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr. *
• Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano *
• Nancy Marchand as Livia Soprano

* = credit only

Guest starring

• John Heard as Vin Makazian
• Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin

Also guest starring

• Al Sapienza as Mikey Palmice
• Paul Schulze as Father Phil
• Oksana Lada as Irina Peltsin
• Tony Darrow as Larry Boy Barese
• George Loros as Raymond Curto
• Joseph Badalucco Jr. as Jimmy Altieri
• Vince Curatola as Johnny Sack
• Freddy Bastone as Batman
• William Conn as Old Man
• Maurizio Corbino as "John" the Waiter
• Sylvia Kauders as Old Woman
• Salem Ludwig as Mr. Capri
• Prianga Pieris as Mechanic
• Salvatore Piro as Sammy Grigio
• Christopher Quinn as Rusty Irish
• Dave Salerno as Card Player
• Frank Santorelli as Georgie
• Donn Swaby as Guy on Bridge
• Sonny Zito as Eggie

Synopsis

Mikey beats up the leader of a card game that had been protected by Jimmy Altieri, a DiMeo family capo. While Uncle Junior is being fitted for a new suit, his tailor tells him that his 14-year-old grandson died by suicide after taking drugs sold to him by Rusty Irish, who works for DiMeo capo "Larry Boy" Barese. Junior has him killed, even though he is Larry Boy's top earner.

Prompted by Livia, Junior tells Hesh that he must now, for the first time, make payments to him. Hesh goes to Tony, who goes to Johnny Sack, the underboss in New York's Lupertazzi crime family. They negotiate with Junior, who reduces his demands, and Hesh agrees to pay. The other DiMeo capos are resentful because Junior is keeping too much money for himself. Tony speaks to Junior, who agrees to pass Hesh's tribute money down to his capos. Tony gives his share of this money back to Hesh.

Tony loses his libido as a side effect of his medication. Carmela, and Tony's mistress Irina, become very discontented. Tony also starts having erotic dreams about Dr. Melfi and believes he is in love with her. He tries to kiss her during a session, then has her aging car stolen and returned with a new starter. Carmela admits to Tony that she is jealous that his therapist can help him but she cannot. Tony tells Carmela that she is his life, and they reconcile.

Junior celebrates his promotion to boss with a banquet. A waiter has a button camera and takes photos for the FBI, which are affixed to a bulletin board mapping out the hierarchy of the DiMeo family.

Reception

In 2015, Alan Sepinwall argued that "Pax Soprana" is "so fraught with discomfort and complications with both family and Family (and whatever separate sphere Melfi occupies) that it's nearly as compelling in its own right as last week's Very Special Episode."^[1] Emily St. James of The A.V. Club wrote that the episode "isn't a tremendous hour of television like 'College' was, but it may be more significant."^[2]