Клан Сопрано A Hit Is a Hit (1999–2007) Online

A Hit Is a Hit, the tenth episode of The Sopranos' first season, is a bit of an oddity in the show's canon, in the sense that the events of the show have no real connection to the longer plot David Chase established for the series. Despite this, it remains compulsory viewing.

After getting a stash of money from his henchmen (needless to say blood was involved in the acquisition), Tony decides to invest some in the stock market in order to provide his family with some legal income, and befriends his neighbor, Dr. Cusamano (the man who recommended he go see Dr. Melfi), so as to find out what stocks are valuable. Meanwhile, Chris's argument with a guy in a restaurant leads to him getting acquainted with rap artist Massive Genius, who suggests Adriana become a music producer. Everything seems to be in order, until Chrissy's temper ruins the whole deal (he is convinced M.G.'s sole aim is to get in bed with Ade, and it's hard to think otherwise).

The story, mostly revolving around the music business, is fairly disconnected from the main plot of the entire season, in fact there is virtually no sign of Livia or Uncle Junior, the two figures who sort of dominate the show's first year. The whole episode is more about defining characters than it is about telling a great tale of gangster life. And yet it is extremely compelling, thanks to the sharp writing and spot-on characterizations: Chris and Adriana's relationship begins to get a little meatier, and Tony's conversation with Dr. Melfi about Italians and "Merigans" is one of the best ever written for the series. Stunning; not exactly essential, but captivating anyway.

Chris and Adriana meet up with a gangster rapper who wants to meet the "family" and after they want to get into music production but it seems that Adriana's band isn't as great as her and Chris think. And Tony befriends his next door neighbor whose friends make fun of him on the golf course. He is also a friend of Dr. Melfi and she spies on Tony's house while visiting him for a dinner party.

The episode takes a bit of a break from a hard on mafia issues and shows us different stories. I really liked the conversation Chris and Adriana had at the end. Their relationship seems to be pretty well developed on this show.

Just as interesting was to see Tony react to being the amusement of his neighbor's friends. And it also makes one laugh when we find out what those "cries of pain" are that Dr. Melfi heard.

The above quote is lifted from a scene in which Harv Wagner, a friend of the Soprano's family doctor (and the man who recommended Dr Melfi to Tony) John Cusamano, muses of the dog-eat-dog nature of American industry. It is a concept which will be explored throughout the series like many, but the music industry and stock market are the particular trades which mob-life is compared to in this episode when Chris and his girl Adriana are invited to a party at gangsta rapper Massiv G's crib (yo money, I can't help dat), where everybody's favourite mob screenwriter-on-the-side is propositioned to set up a sit-down between our non-shellfish eating friend (and former music producer) Hesh and the notorious 'G'.

He isn't the only one being offered a sneak peak at the 'good' good life though, as Tony is invited to a barbecue at the Wagner's house where he is bored by his very bourgeois hosts. They make lame jokes, and don't have the dynamism we are used to from Tony's usual male associates. In the world of the Sopranos, it seems these qualities are more intrinsic than morals for us to like the character. Later, on the private golf course which Tony is unaccustomed to, they will tease Tony on his mob lifestyle. This amuses us and annoys Tony as he will tell Melfi of how he felt used for the amusement of others (something which he does all the time) like his childhood friend with the cleft-palate Jimmy Smash.

Meanwhile, the mob WAGs Carmela and Adriana are both trying to gain some fiscal independence to break free from the grip of their men. This goes well for Carm's small investment but not so for Ade's music management aspirations when Chris smashes a guitar over the head of Richie Santini, her first chosen artist.

As Hesh will later inform Chrissy, Richie probably deserved no less than the downed power cable for all his contributions to the music industry. It seems in this world 'a hit is a hit' for Christopher will equate his success in the mob with success in the entertainment industry, being an "OG Original Gangster" while pretenders like Massive G can't handle the real thing... But he's got something else to look forward to, as his 'Uncle' foresees his eminence in the stock market.

At the aforementioned dinner at the Cusamano home, Melfi peers in on Casa de Soprano for another slant on her favourite patient only to be scared away by loud wailing of the Frankenstein horror film variety (which turn out to be grunts of physical exertion). Tony is even christened with his own monster name, after the pre-power cable incident Richie Santini's heavy-metal song 'Defiler', when he avenges Cus's unintended insults by entrusting the innocent Cusamano's with a mysterious package (which we and the Sopranos know contains only sand). They know it won't end with those Cuban cigars or the package, because whether you want it or not, if you so much as know Tony Soprano he will 'come to defile defile you'.

The Sopranos

A classic take on the most beloved genre which clearly suggests the crazy love it received from the audience but also left a long lasting impression on critics and awards shows where it took away five justified Golden Globes to its home. The Sopranos is a character driven series about a family that basically runs the whole town, just illegally.

The writing is adaptive, gripping and ground-breaking on terms of its structure that is so eerily easy as it slips away from the audience like some jelly; it is sweet, nutritious and immensely pleasing.

It is rich on technical aspects like its metaphorical cinematography, sharp sound effects and up beating songs along with palpable background score. The series is shot beautifully, each and every color sparks up neatly; especially the visuals that are taken in sunny days are amazing.

The performance by the cast is plausible since the effort is clearly visible but Gandolfini, Bracco, Falco and Imperioli stands alone due to their easiness in their acts. Gandolfini; at the heart of it, oozes power and the aegis nature which is what helps makers keep the audience rooting for the character.

The relationship between Gandolfini and Bracco is the highlight of the series due its fragile tone which is soothing to experience as it lights up the series in a whole new way.

Pragmatic conversations, three dimensional character, gut-wrenching politics, brawny dialogues and brilliant execution are the high points of the feature that makes it one of the best series.

Season 01

The first act is just preparation for the coming events that needs essential triggering and boy do they prepare for it, its brutal unexpected politics and morality conflicts are easily surpassed by its thought-provoking concepts that justifies each bold decisions.

A Hit Is A Hit

It is cunning and evolves in an even pace for the audience to settle in and inhale the tone and the sensitivity of the subjects and tension created in here that ends in an excellent note.