Fortunate Son (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Fortunate Son" is the twenty-ninth episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos
and the third of the show's third season. It was written by Todd A. Kessler
, directed by Henry J. Bronchtein
and originally aired on Sunday March 11, 2001.
receives a call on his cell phone from Paulie Walnuts who tells him to meet at a shopping center parking lot in half an hour and to "look sharp" and "shine his shoes". Christopher begins to get excited along with Adriana
, since this may be his making ceremony. Christopher then shaves and dresses and drives to Modell's
. Silvio Dante
and Paulie pull up, and they all drive together to a basement of a made man
where Tony congratulates Christopher and Eugene Pontecorvo (who is also being made) on their accomplishment. They then gather at a table where Tony makes a speech and that if they have any doubts to speak up now since "once [they] enter this family, there's no getting out". Tony continues that the mob life comes before anything else, even blood family, and if a soldier cannot earn due to health problems they will assist him. Tony asks for their hands and draws blood by pricking them with a needle. He gives them both a picture of St. Peter which they light on fire in their hands. Tony then asks them to repeat the phrase "May I burn in Hell if I betray my friends". This is the traditional Cosa Nostra ceremony of omertà
. Christopher nervously eyes a raven
which has landed on the open window, fearing it to be a bad omen
.
After the ceremony, Tony throws a big party for Christopher at Nuovo Vesuvio with food and girl-on-girl pole dancers from the Bada Bing
. Paulie congratulates Christopher on being made and tells him of his responsibilities. Since Christopher is now officially in the family, Paulie's sportsbook
is now Chris', but Chris will have to give kick up
10% of his take or about $6,000, whichever is more, to Paulie every week, or he will begin getting points added on. Christopher tells Paulie that he loves him and looks forward to working with him.
However, Christopher finds out that the sportsbook
is not bringing in as much money as anticipated, and that he is inexperienced in bookmaking and being stubborn in taking advice from the more experienced sportsbook employees. He reluctantly gives his entire profits to Paulie, who is far from satisfied. Paulie warns Christopher to give him the remaining money owed by the end of the week with another $2,000.
Meanwhile, Jackie Aprile, Jr.
rudely skips out on dinner at the Soprano's house, and Carmela arranges him a sit-down with Tony. Jackie shows up late to meet Tony, and shows general disrespect for him. Tony recognizes Jackie's belief that he had his uncle Richie Aprile
killed, but denies it, and claims Richie was a rat
, and is now in the witness protection program. Tony discourages Jackie from entering a life of crime, saying his father didn't want that for Jackie, and that Tony himself doesn't want it for his own son either. Separately, Tony tells Christopher not to involve Jackie in any criminal activities.
Both Christopher and Jackie ignore Tony's advice. Needing money to pay Paulie, Christopher goes to Jackie, who had earlier mentioned plans to rob a benefit concert given by Jewel
at Rutgers University
. Christopher puts Jackie behind the wheel as their driver and robs the ticket booth at gunpoint. Christopher then gives Paulie the remainder of the money he owed him. Paulie, who sees that Christopher is worn out, more supportively tells Christopher to take it easy. Paulie gives the money to Tony, mentioning Jackie Jr.'s involvement. This angers Tony, since it's exactly what he had earlier discouraged both of them from doing. While Tony waits for Christopher to pick up the phone, Christopher instead ignores the call and rolls over in his bed.
Tony asks Dr. Melfi
where the therapy is going since he is still regularly passing out. Dr. Melfi suggests that he start seeing a behavioral therapist but Tony is uncomfortable with seeing anyone other than Melfi. Melfi becomes upset when Tony answers his cellphone during therapy. He claims that it is "his busy season" and has to take it. After learning that Janice
stole Svetlana Kirilenko's artificial leg as a form of blackmail (still hoping to get her mother's record collection from Svetlana), Tony eats capicola
and flashes back to his first panic attack. At the age of 11, Tony witnesses his father cut off the pinky finger of Mr. Satriale, then owner of the pork store that bears his name. At dinner that evening, Johnny Boy tells Tony that Mr. Satriale is a "degenerate gambler" who owed money, and that was his punishment. The elder Soprano then warns his son to never gamble. Tony then feels better but when he witnesses his mother and father become passionate as Livia
cuts the roast, Tony passes out. Melfi thinks that this is a breakthrough since several of his panic attacks have to do with the presence of meat. Tony claims it is merely a coincidence but that he does find it strange that Livia got "turned on by free meat".
A.J.
becomes involved with the school football
team, which makes Tony very proud, since he did the same in his youth. When A.J. recovers a fumble at a game, Tony becomes elated and would like his son to become more devoted to the sport and suggests training regimens and ways to reward himself by buying large hot dog
s. A.J. shakes it off, seeing as he would rather relax by playing his Nintendo
. Meadow
continues not to talk to Tony while Carmela
tries to get Meadow to forgive him. Carmela attempts to convince Meadow that she does not know anything about Tony and Noah's quarrel, but Meadow laughs it off, saying that everyone knows and the situation would never have happened if Noah was white.
While touring the Columbia University
campus, A.J. becomes dizzy and nervous, facing qualms about college. Later at football practice, after being elevated to defensive captain, A.J. passes out on the field. This is the first instance of what turns out to be a condition of having anxiety attacks that has run in Tony's family for many generations.
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
and the third of the show's third season. It was written by Todd A. Kessler
Todd A. Kessler
Todd A. Kessler is an American screenwriter, playwright, television producer and director. He is the co-creator and head writer of the FX drama series Damages...
, directed by Henry J. Bronchtein
Henry J. Bronchtein
Henry J. Bronchtein is a director, producer and production manager on the HBO television series The Sopranos.-Background:Henry Bronchtein was born and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, New York and attended New York City Public Schools...
and originally aired on Sunday March 11, 2001.
Starring
- James GandolfiniJames GandolfiniJames J. Gandolfini, Jr. is an Italian American actor. He is best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO TV series The Sopranos, about a troubled crime boss struggling to balance his family life and career in the Mafia...
as Tony SopranoTony SopranoAnthony John "Tony" Soprano, Sr. is an Italian-American fictional character and the protagonist on the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, on which he is portrayed by James Gandolfini. The character was conceived by The Sopranos creator and show runner David Chase, who was also largely... - Lorraine BraccoLorraine BraccoLorraine Bracco is an American actress. She is best known for her TV roles as Dr. Jennifer Melfi on HBO series, The Sopranos, and Angela Rizzoli on the TNT series, Rizzoli & Isles...
as Dr. Jennifer Melfi - Edie FalcoEdie FalcoEdith "Edie" Falco is an American television, film and stage actress, known for her roles in Oz as Diane Wittlesey, as Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, and as the titular character on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie...
as Carmela SopranoCarmela SopranoCarmela Soprano née DeAngelis, played by Edie Falco, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the wife of Mafia boss Tony Soprano and the program's most prominent female character.-Character biography:... - Michael ImperioliMichael ImperioliJames Michael Imperioli , commonly known as Michael Imperioli, is an American actor and television writer. He is perhaps best known for his role as Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2004. He also...
as Christopher MoltisantiChristopher MoltisantiChristopher "Chris" Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was Tony Soprano's protégé and a Capo in the Soprano crime family.-Biography:... - Dominic ChianeseDominic ChianeseDominic Chianese is an American film, television and theatre actor, perhaps best known for his role as Corrado "Junior" Soprano on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as Corrado Soprano, Jr.Junior SopranoCorrado John Soprano, Jr., played by Dominic Chianese, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually referred to as "Junior" or "Uncle Jun", he is the mentor and surrogate father for capo Tony Soprano. A younger Corrado sometimes appears in flashbacks and is played by Rocco... - Steven Van ZandtSteven Van ZandtSteven Van Zandt is an Italian-American musician, songwriter, arranger, record producer, actor, and radio disc jockey, who frequently goes by the stage names Little Steven or Miami Steve...
as Silvio DanteSilvio DanteSilvio Manfred Dante, often referred to as "Sil", played by Steven Van Zandt, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is the consigliere to Tony Soprano in the Soprano crime family. Silvio has one of the lowest profiles on the show. He is usually a behind the scenes figure... - Tony SiricoTony SiricoGenaro Anthony "Tony" Sirico, Jr. is an American character actor who is most famous for his role as Paulie Gualtieri in the television series The Sopranos.- Background and career :Sirico was born in Midwood, Brooklyn...
as Paulie GualtieriPaulie GualtieriPeter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri played by Tony Sirico, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is a caporegime and later underboss in the Soprano crime family.-Plot details:... - Robert IlerRobert IlerRobert Michael Iler is an American actor, known for his portrayal of A.J. Soprano on The Sopranos which aired on HBO from 1999-2007....
as Anthony Soprano, Jr.Anthony Soprano, Jr.Anthony John "A.J." Soprano, Jr. , played by Robert Iler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually just called "A.J.", he is the son of Carmela and Tony Soprano. He is a prototypical underachiever and is a constant source of stress and anxiety for his parents... - Jamie-Lynn SiglerJamie-Lynn SiglerJamie-Lynn Sigler is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on the HBO television series The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as Meadow SopranoMeadow SopranoMeadow Mariangela Soprano , played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos.-Character:Meadow is the first-born child of Tony and Carmela Soprano... - Drea de MatteoDrea de MatteoDrea de Matteo is an American television actress, perhaps best known for her roles Joey Tribbiani's sister Gina on the NBC sitcom Joey, as Angie Bolen on ABC's Desperate Housewives, and as Adriana La Cerva on the acclaimed HBO TV series The Sopranos, a role for which she won the Primetime Emmy...
as Adriana La CervaAdriana La CervaAdriana La Cerva played by Drea de Matteo, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the long-time girlfriend and, later, fiancée of Tony Soprano's protégé, Christopher Moltisanti.-Character history:... - Aida TurturroAida TurturroAida Turturro is an American actress probably best known for playing Janice Soprano, sister of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, on the HBO TV series The Sopranos .-Personal life:...
as Janice SopranoJanice SopranoJanice Soprano Baccalieri, played by Aida Turturro, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is Tony Soprano's elder sister. A young Janice has appeared in flashbacks, played by Madeline Blue and Juliet Fox.-Biography:... - John VentimigliaJohn VentimigliaJohn Ventimiglia is an American actor, known for his role as Artie Bucco on the HBO television series The Sopranos. He has had parts in feature films such as Cop Land, Jesus' Son, and Mickey Blue Eyes and has appeared in numerous television shows including Law & Order and NYPD Blue...
as Artie Bucco - Steven R. Schirripa as Bobby BaccalieriBobby BaccalieriRobert "Bobby Bacala" Baccalieri, Jr., played by Steve R. Schirripa, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was a Capo and later the acting underboss of the DiMeo Crime Family, as well as Tony Soprano's brother-in-law...
- Federico CastelluccioFederico CastelluccioFederico Castelluccio is an Italian-American actor and professional visual artist, who is best known for his role as Furio Giunta on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Early life:...
as Furio GiuntaFurio GiuntaFurio Giunta, played by Federico Castelluccio, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was an Italian mobster working for Tony Soprano.-Biography:... - Robert FunaroRobert FunaroRobert Funaro is an American film and television actor. Funaro is best known for the role of Eugene Pontecorvo in the Emmy Award-winning television series The Sopranos...
as Eugene Pontecorvo - and Joe PantolianoJoe PantolianoJoseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
as Ralph Cifaretto
Guest Starring
- Joseph SiravoJoseph SiravoJoseph Siravo is an Italian american actor and graduate of both Stanford and NYU. Among his most notable roles is that of "Johnny Boy" Soprano, father of Tony Soprano, on The Sopranos. He is credited as the voice of Carmine in the Disney film The Wild...
as Johnny Boy Soprano - Rocco SistoRocco SistoRocco Sisto is a stage, film, television, and voice actor.On television, Sisto played young Junior Soprano in the HBO series The Sopranos...
as Young Junior SopranoJunior SopranoCorrado John Soprano, Jr., played by Dominic Chianese, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually referred to as "Junior" or "Uncle Jun", he is the mentor and surrogate father for capo Tony Soprano. A younger Corrado sometimes appears in flashbacks and is played by Rocco... - Andrew Davoli as Dino Zerilli
- Tom AldredgeTom AldredgeThomas Ernest "Tom" Aldredge was an American television, film and stage actor.-Life and career:Aldredge was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Lucienne Juliet and W. J. Aldredge, a colonel in the United States Army Air Corps...
as Hugh DeAngelis - Suzanne ShepherdSuzanne ShepherdSuzanne Shepherd is an American actress and theater director. She is best known for her portrayal of Karen's overbearing mother in the film Goodfellas, and Carmela's overbearing mother in the television program The Sopranos. Shepherd studied acting with Sanford Meisner, and later went on to teach...
as Mary DeAngelis - Alla KlioukaAlla Kliouka SchafferAlla Kliouka Schaffer is a Russian actress, and former wife of Ken Schaffer. Her American TV work includes playing Svetlana Kirilenko on the HBO T.V. series The Sopranos.-External links:*...
as Svetlana Kirilenko - Vincent Curatola as Johnny SackJohnny SackJohn "Johnny Sack" Sacramoni, played by Vince Curatola, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was the longtime underboss and later the boss of the powerful Brooklyn-based New York City Lupertazzi crime family...
- John FioreJohn Fiore (actor)John Fiore is an American actor from Somerville, Massachusetts.Fiore is probably best known for his recurring role as Detective Tony Profaci on the long-running NBC crime drama Law & Order...
as Gigi Cestone - Dan GrimaldiDan GrimaldiDaniel "Dan" Grimaldi is an American actor who is known for his roles as twins Philly and Patsy Parisi on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Career:...
as Patsy Parisi - George Loros as Raymond Curto
- Max CasellaMax CasellaMax Casella is an American actor. He is known for his roles on the television series The Sopranos, Doogie Howser, M.D., and as the voice of Daxter in the Jak and Daxter video game series.-Life and career:...
as Benny Fazio - Jason CerboneJason CerboneJason Cerbone is an actor from Yonkers, New York.He got his start acting at age 4, appearing on a commercial for Sesame Street. He signed with the Ford Modeling Agency in New York City at age 7. Jason later appeared in Bon Jovi's "Silent Night" music video, as well as the title character in...
as Jackie Aprile, Jr.Jackie Aprile, Jr.Giacomo Michael Aprile, Jr. , played by Jason Cerbone, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. In the episode "...To Save Us All From Satan's Power", Cerbone's younger brother Matt played a younger Jackie Jr. in a flashback sequence.-Plot details:Jackie Aprile, Jr. was born into... - Tony LipTony LipTony Lip is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of crime boss Carmine Lupertazzi in the HBO series The Sopranos. He portrayed real-life Bonanno crime family mobster Philip Giaccone in Donnie Brasco.Lip is from Paramus, New Jersey...
as Carmine LupertazziCarmine LupertazziCarmine Lupertazzi, Sr., played by Tony Lip, was the fictional Boss of the Brooklyn-based Lupertazzi crime family on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Biography:... - Richard Maldone as Albert Barese
- Sharon AngelaSharon AngelaSharon Angela is an American film, television actress, screenwriter and director. Angela is probably most well known for her portrayal of Rosalie Aprile on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
as Rosalie Aprile - Oksana BabiyOksana LadaOksana Lada is a Ukraine born actress, probably best known for the role of Irina Peltsin, the mistress of Tony Soprano on the hit HBO TV show The Sopranos. She also had a role as a wedding dress saleswoman in 30 Rock, Season 2, Episode 1, "Seinfeldvision."...
as Irina Peltsin - Laila RobinsLaila Robins-Personal life:Robins was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Latvian American parents Brigita and Janis Robins, who was a research chemist. She attended the Yale School of Drama, and received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, . Robins has been in a...
as Young Livia SopranoLivia SopranoLivia Soprano , played by Nancy Marchand, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the mother of Tony Soprano. A young Livia, played by Laila Robins and later by Laurie J. Williams is sometimes seen in flashbacks... - Patrick Tully as Noah Tannenbaum
- Peter Byrne as Security Guard
- Megan Curry as Punked-Out Coed
- Steve Grillo as Pizza Customer
- Kevin Janicelli as Roy DelGuercio
- Mario Lavandeira as Male Student
- Steve Mellor as Bill Owens
- David Mogentale as Coach Goodwin
- Peter Napoliello as Football Dad
- Sal Petraccione as George Piocosta
- Frank Savino as Operator #1
- Paul Reggio as Operator #2
- Jessica Ripton as Pizza Customer #2
- Johnny Spanish as Junkie
- Brian Anthony WilsonBrian Anthony WilsonBrian Anthony Wilson is an American film and television actor. He first appeared in the 1997 film The Postman as Woody....
as Warren Dupree - Lou Bonacki as Francis Satriale
- Mark Damiano II as Young Tony SopranoTony SopranoAnthony John "Tony" Soprano, Sr. is an Italian-American fictional character and the protagonist on the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, on which he is portrayed by James Gandolfini. The character was conceived by The Sopranos creator and show runner David Chase, who was also largely...
- Juliet Fox as Young Janice SopranoJanice SopranoJanice Soprano Baccalieri, played by Aida Turturro, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is Tony Soprano's elder sister. A young Janice has appeared in flashbacks, played by Madeline Blue and Juliet Fox.-Biography:...
- Elxis McLaren as Young Barbara Soprano
Episode recap
Christopher MoltisantiChristopher Moltisanti
Christopher "Chris" Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was Tony Soprano's protégé and a Capo in the Soprano crime family.-Biography:...
receives a call on his cell phone from Paulie Walnuts who tells him to meet at a shopping center parking lot in half an hour and to "look sharp" and "shine his shoes". Christopher begins to get excited along with Adriana
Adriana La Cerva
Adriana La Cerva played by Drea de Matteo, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the long-time girlfriend and, later, fiancée of Tony Soprano's protégé, Christopher Moltisanti.-Character history:...
, since this may be his making ceremony. Christopher then shaves and dresses and drives to Modell's
Modell's
Modell's is a sporting goods retailer with locations in the Northeastern United States. Modell's carries both sporting goods and related apparel. Modell's currently has more than 140 retail locations in ten states and the District of Columbia as of 2008...
. Silvio Dante
Silvio Dante
Silvio Manfred Dante, often referred to as "Sil", played by Steven Van Zandt, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is the consigliere to Tony Soprano in the Soprano crime family. Silvio has one of the lowest profiles on the show. He is usually a behind the scenes figure...
and Paulie pull up, and they all drive together to a basement of a made man
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
where Tony congratulates Christopher and Eugene Pontecorvo (who is also being made) on their accomplishment. They then gather at a table where Tony makes a speech and that if they have any doubts to speak up now since "once [they] enter this family, there's no getting out". Tony continues that the mob life comes before anything else, even blood family, and if a soldier cannot earn due to health problems they will assist him. Tony asks for their hands and draws blood by pricking them with a needle. He gives them both a picture of St. Peter which they light on fire in their hands. Tony then asks them to repeat the phrase "May I burn in Hell if I betray my friends". This is the traditional Cosa Nostra ceremony of omertà
Omertà
Omertà is a popular attitude and code of honour and a common definition is the "code of silence". It is common in areas of southern Italy, such as Sicily, Apulia, Calabria, and Campania, where criminal organizations defined as Mafia such as the Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta, Sacra Corona Unita, and...
. Christopher nervously eyes a raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
which has landed on the open window, fearing it to be a bad omen
Omen
An omen is a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future, often signifying the advent of change...
.
After the ceremony, Tony throws a big party for Christopher at Nuovo Vesuvio with food and girl-on-girl pole dancers from the Bada Bing
Bada Bing
The Bada Bing! is a fictional strip club from the HBO drama television series The Sopranos. It was a key location for events in the series, named for catchphrase "bada bing", a phrase popularized by James Caan in The Godfather. The popularization of the fictional club benefited the real-life go-go...
. Paulie congratulates Christopher on being made and tells him of his responsibilities. Since Christopher is now officially in the family, Paulie's sportsbook
Sportsbook
In the United States a sportsbook or a race and sports book is a place where a gambler can wager on various sports competitions, including golf, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, horse racing, boxing, and mixed martial arts. The method of betting varies with the sport and the type of...
is now Chris', but Chris will have to give kick up
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
10% of his take or about $6,000, whichever is more, to Paulie every week, or he will begin getting points added on. Christopher tells Paulie that he loves him and looks forward to working with him.
However, Christopher finds out that the sportsbook
Sportsbook
In the United States a sportsbook or a race and sports book is a place where a gambler can wager on various sports competitions, including golf, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, horse racing, boxing, and mixed martial arts. The method of betting varies with the sport and the type of...
is not bringing in as much money as anticipated, and that he is inexperienced in bookmaking and being stubborn in taking advice from the more experienced sportsbook employees. He reluctantly gives his entire profits to Paulie, who is far from satisfied. Paulie warns Christopher to give him the remaining money owed by the end of the week with another $2,000.
Meanwhile, Jackie Aprile, Jr.
Jackie Aprile, Jr.
Giacomo Michael Aprile, Jr. , played by Jason Cerbone, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. In the episode "...To Save Us All From Satan's Power", Cerbone's younger brother Matt played a younger Jackie Jr. in a flashback sequence.-Plot details:Jackie Aprile, Jr. was born into...
rudely skips out on dinner at the Soprano's house, and Carmela arranges him a sit-down with Tony. Jackie shows up late to meet Tony, and shows general disrespect for him. Tony recognizes Jackie's belief that he had his uncle Richie Aprile
Richie Aprile
Richard 'Richie' Aprile, Sr., played by David Proval, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Richie was a capo and the older brother of former DiMeo crime family acting boss Jackie Aprile, Sr...
killed, but denies it, and claims Richie was a rat
Informant
An informant is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as confidential or criminal informants , and can often refer pejoratively to the supply of information...
, and is now in the witness protection program. Tony discourages Jackie from entering a life of crime, saying his father didn't want that for Jackie, and that Tony himself doesn't want it for his own son either. Separately, Tony tells Christopher not to involve Jackie in any criminal activities.
Both Christopher and Jackie ignore Tony's advice. Needing money to pay Paulie, Christopher goes to Jackie, who had earlier mentioned plans to rob a benefit concert given by Jewel
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
. Christopher puts Jackie behind the wheel as their driver and robs the ticket booth at gunpoint. Christopher then gives Paulie the remainder of the money he owed him. Paulie, who sees that Christopher is worn out, more supportively tells Christopher to take it easy. Paulie gives the money to Tony, mentioning Jackie Jr.'s involvement. This angers Tony, since it's exactly what he had earlier discouraged both of them from doing. While Tony waits for Christopher to pick up the phone, Christopher instead ignores the call and rolls over in his bed.
Tony asks Dr. Melfi
Jennifer Melfi
Jennifer Melfi, M.D., is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the psychiatrist of Mafia boss Tony Soprano. She is portrayed by Lorraine Bracco.-Character description:...
where the therapy is going since he is still regularly passing out. Dr. Melfi suggests that he start seeing a behavioral therapist but Tony is uncomfortable with seeing anyone other than Melfi. Melfi becomes upset when Tony answers his cellphone during therapy. He claims that it is "his busy season" and has to take it. After learning that Janice
Janice Soprano
Janice Soprano Baccalieri, played by Aida Turturro, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is Tony Soprano's elder sister. A young Janice has appeared in flashbacks, played by Madeline Blue and Juliet Fox.-Biography:...
stole Svetlana Kirilenko's artificial leg as a form of blackmail (still hoping to get her mother's record collection from Svetlana), Tony eats capicola
Capicola
Capocollo , or coppa, is a traditional Calabrian Italian cold cut made from pork shoulder or neck, and dry-cured whole. The name coppa is Italian for nape, while capocollo comes from capo—head—and collo—neck—of a pig. The Italian spelling, "capocollo'", is derived from Latin, "caput collum"...
and flashes back to his first panic attack. At the age of 11, Tony witnesses his father cut off the pinky finger of Mr. Satriale, then owner of the pork store that bears his name. At dinner that evening, Johnny Boy tells Tony that Mr. Satriale is a "degenerate gambler" who owed money, and that was his punishment. The elder Soprano then warns his son to never gamble. Tony then feels better but when he witnesses his mother and father become passionate as Livia
Livia Soprano
Livia Soprano , played by Nancy Marchand, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the mother of Tony Soprano. A young Livia, played by Laila Robins and later by Laurie J. Williams is sometimes seen in flashbacks...
cuts the roast, Tony passes out. Melfi thinks that this is a breakthrough since several of his panic attacks have to do with the presence of meat. Tony claims it is merely a coincidence but that he does find it strange that Livia got "turned on by free meat".
A.J.
Anthony Soprano, Jr.
Anthony John "A.J." Soprano, Jr. , played by Robert Iler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually just called "A.J.", he is the son of Carmela and Tony Soprano. He is a prototypical underachiever and is a constant source of stress and anxiety for his parents...
becomes involved with the school football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team, which makes Tony very proud, since he did the same in his youth. When A.J. recovers a fumble at a game, Tony becomes elated and would like his son to become more devoted to the sport and suggests training regimens and ways to reward himself by buying large hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
s. A.J. shakes it off, seeing as he would rather relax by playing his Nintendo
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
. Meadow
Meadow Soprano
Meadow Mariangela Soprano , played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos.-Character:Meadow is the first-born child of Tony and Carmela Soprano...
continues not to talk to Tony while Carmela
Carmela Soprano
Carmela Soprano née DeAngelis, played by Edie Falco, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the wife of Mafia boss Tony Soprano and the program's most prominent female character.-Character biography:...
tries to get Meadow to forgive him. Carmela attempts to convince Meadow that she does not know anything about Tony and Noah's quarrel, but Meadow laughs it off, saying that everyone knows and the situation would never have happened if Noah was white.
While touring the Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
campus, A.J. becomes dizzy and nervous, facing qualms about college. Later at football practice, after being elevated to defensive captain, A.J. passes out on the field. This is the first instance of what turns out to be a condition of having anxiety attacks that has run in Tony's family for many generations.
First appearances
- Carmine LupertazziCarmine LupertazziCarmine Lupertazzi, Sr., played by Tony Lip, was the fictional Boss of the Brooklyn-based Lupertazzi crime family on the HBO TV series, The Sopranos.-Biography:...
: Boss of the Lupertazzi Crime family, one of five New York mob organizations. - Benny Fazio: Associate of Christopher and member of the Soprano crew.
Title reference
- The title refers to the song "Fortunate SonFortunate Son (song)"Fortunate Son" is a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival on their album Willy and the Poor Boys in 1968. It was released as a single, together with "Down on the Corner", in September 1968. This song reached #14 on the United States charts. It won the RIAA Gold Disc award in December 1970...
", by Creedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater RevivalCreedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
, about spoiled and privileged American youth. - Several of the young men in the episode are "fortunate sons": the newly "made" Christopher (who has difficulty handling his new MafiaAmerican MafiaThe American Mafia , is an Italian-American criminal society. Much like the Sicilian Mafia, the American Mafia has no formal name and is a secret criminal society. Its members usually refer to it as Cosa Nostra or by its English translation "our thing"...
pressures), rebellious Jackie Jr. (who resents losing, what he misperceives to have been, heir apparentHeir apparentAn heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
status after the death of his father), and A.J., who suffers from the same panic attacks as his father.
Music
- The song played over the end credits is "Where's the Money" by Dan HicksDan Hicks (singer)Dan Hicks , is an American singer-songwriter working at the intersection of cowboy folk, jazz, country, swing, bluegrass, pop, and gypsy music...
. - The music that can be heard playing in the background in the first pizza parlor scene is "Rock and RollRock and Roll (Led Zeppelin song)"Rock and Roll" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, which was first released as the second track from the band's fourth album in 1971, with a guest appearance by The Rolling Stones pianist Ian Stewart.-Overview:...
" by Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
. - The music that can be heard playing in the background in the second pizza parlor scene is "Ain't Talkin' 'bout LoveAin't Talkin' 'Bout Love"Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" is a song by Van Halen, from their 1978 eponymous debut album.When Eddie Van Halen originally wrote the song a year before the album was released, he did not consider it good enough to show his bandmates....
" by Van HalenVan HalenVan Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
. - The music being played in the bar while the game is on is "All Good?" by De La SoulDe La SoulDe La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
. - The song played at Christopher's party at the Bada Bing is "I See You Baby" by Groove ArmadaGroove ArmadaGroove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
.