.gif)
Second Opinion (The Sopranos episode)
Encyclopedia
"Second Opinion" is the thirty-third episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos
and the seventh of the show's third season. It was written by Lawrence Konner, directed by Tim Van Patten
and originally aired on Sunday April 8, 2001. Edie Falco won her second Emmy for "Best Actress in a Drama" by submitting this episode.
is put under anesthesia
for his surgery to remove the cancerous tumors in his stomach. As he is given the anesthetic, he hallucinates about FBI agents offering him a cure to his cancer if he cooperates with them. A Star-Ledger
newspaper is then seen, featuring the following headline: "Soprano wins freedom, indicts nephew — star witness weds Angie Dickinson
". (Junior's desire to "fuck Angie Dickinson" had been revealed in a prior episode.) In reality, Dr. John Kennedy delivers news to Tony Soprano
and the other mob associates that Uncle Junior will be fine and that they have removed all of the tumor that they could find. However, on a later doctor's visit, Dr. Kennedy informs Junior and Bobby Baccalieri
that they have found more malignant cells and would once again like to perform surgery. Uncle Junior agrees, since he puts his full confidence in Dr. Kennedy. However, Tony disagrees: he believes that Uncle Junior is more fascinated that his doctor happens to have the same name as President John F. Kennedy
. Tony and Uncle Junior visit another doctor in New York City
, who recommends that Junior receive chemotherapy
treatments. Eventually, a tumor board review
is called and they reach the same conclusion, though more because Kennedy does not wish to have the other doctor breathing down his neck than for any medical reason. Junior undergoes chemotherapy and suffers unpleasant side effects. Unsatisfied with the chemotherapy, Junior waits to hear from Dr. Kennedy, who is not returning any of his calls. To appease his uncle, Tony and Furio Giunta
visit Kennedy on his golf course and intimidate him into being more receptive to Junior. At the hospital during Junior's chemotherapy treatment, Kennedy gives Junior all of his contact information.
Carmela Soprano
attends a couples therapy session with Dr. Melfi
, scheduled for Carmela and Tony, alone. She begins to break down as she realizes her ignorance about Tony's job and the fact that she has become very depressed. Melfi recommends Dr. Krakower, a colleague in Livingston
, if she would like to see a therapist on a regular basis. Carmela reluctantly calls Dr. Krakower and agrees to see him for one appointment. As she describes her situation, she discusses her husband's profession and her marital woes. The doctor recommends that she leave the marriage (something Carmela has contemplated before) since Tony's life is indeed dangerous and that his steady income is derived from blood money. He refuses to accept any money for the session but advises her to leave while she still can. Krakower also suggests Tony could possibly renounce his prior life of crime, and spend time in prison reading Fyodor Dostoevsky
's Crime and Punishment
while reflecting on his past wrongs. He advises Carmela to use only the legitimate funds she can muster to survive on and raise the two children she and Tony have alone — a hefty task.
Carmela also has plans to meet with the dean of Columbia University
regarding a donation; Tony considers it a shakedown and makes other plans. She meets with Meadow in her dorm room beforehand, but Meadow is still sour over her breakup with Noah Tannenbaum and is still angry with her father. Carmela defends Tony and challenges Meadow to explain herself, but she does not respond. Later, Carmela has lunch with the dean and they bond quickly, learning they attended nearby schools in college. The dean entices Carmela with a picture of the planned university student center, saying that donors who give $50,000 will have their name engraved on a wall nearby. Carmela is receptive to the idea, but when she tells Tony, he becomes angry and says he will only go as high as $5,000. Later, depressed and lying on the couch (in the aftermath of the aforementioned session with Krakower, which hit Carmela hard), Carmela tells Tony that she has already told the dean she will give $50,000, and that Tony must do something nice for her. Tony, feeling badly, agrees, and suggests they go out to dinner.
Christopher Moltisanti
is aggravated when Paulie Walnuts asks him if he is wearing a wire during a pool game at the Bada Bing
. Christopher quickly denies the accusation but when Paulie asks him to disrobe in order to prove it, he becomes very offended. Paulie humiliates a nude Chris, making fun of his penis size. Later, at 2:00 a.m., Paulie and Patsy Parisi arrive unexpectedly at Christopher's apartment and comb through Chris and Adriana's belongings, looking to see if Chris has acquired swag
that he hasn't given Paulie a share of. Christopher grows extremely upset when Paulie takes Adriana
's new (stolen) designer shoes for his comáre
and sniffs the panties
in Adriana's lingerie drawer. Christopher informs Tony about this the following day, but is advised that Paulie "can be a little quirky." Furthermore, Christopher is later reprimanded by Paulie himself, who tells him to never go to the "boss
" again about an argument between the two of them. They agree to settle things after Christopher leaves a motel room with another woman and Paulie strategically positions his vehicle behind Christopher's, suggesting he had just found an answer to Christopher's grievance that was possibly legitimate, and they bond over a Big Mouth Billy Bass
that Paulie plans to give Tony (not knowing that Tony smashed one already, its animated fish features having resurrected guilt over killing Pussy).
Meanwhile, Carmela spots Angie Bonpensiero at a Pathmark
supermarket and invites her to dinner. Angie politely rejects the offer, saying that her dog is very sick and that she is worried to leave her alone. Also, Angie cannot afford veterinarian
bills and needs some extra money now that Pussy has disappeared. Carmela tells Tony about their encounter which leads him to visit the Bonpensiero residence. Tony spots Angie's new Cadillac
in the driveway and, because she had mentioned grievances that are Tony's (not Carmela's) business, he angrily breaks the window. He then honks the horn through the broken window with the bat. When Angie comes out, he notices the dog appears to be in good health and assumes that Angie has been lying, in addition to the issue he already has with her. Still embittered by Pussy's betrayal, he takes it out on Angie's car by damaging the rear lights, as well, telling Angie that if she needs money to not ask Carmela, but to come directly to him, but to think twice before even doing that.
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 seventh of the show's third season. It was written by Lawrence Konner, directed by Tim Van Patten
Tim Van Patten
Tim Van Patten is an American television director, actor, screenwriter, and producer. As a director, Van Patten has directed episodes of The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, Boardwalk Empire, Rome, The Pacific, Game of Thrones, Ed, and Sex and the City. Van Patten is perhaps best known for portraying...
and originally aired on Sunday April 8, 2001. Edie Falco won her second Emmy for "Best Actress in a Drama" by submitting this episode.
Guest starring roles
- 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 De Angelis - Sully BoyarSully BoyarIrving "Sully" Boyar was an American actor of Russian descent.Boyar was one of seven children, some of whom grew up to become lawyers and businessmen. He also worked as a lawyer before turning to acting...
as Dr. Krakower - 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 - Tony HaleTony HaleTony Hale is an American actor, best known for his role in the Fox comedy series Arrested Development as the neurotic Byron "Buster" Bluth.-Early life:...
as RN Collins - Toni KalemToni KalemToni Kalem is an American actress, screenwriter and director. Kalem is best known for her portrayal of Angie Bonpensiero on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
as Angie Bonpensiero - Sam McMurraySam McMurraySam McMurray is an American television, film and voice actor.-Early life:McMurray was born in New York City, the son of Jane and Richard McMurray, both actors...
as Dr. John Kennedy - 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 De Angelis - Frank WoodFrank Wood (actor)Frank Wood is an American actor who has appeared in various television, film, and theatre roles. His most frequent role was performing as Greg in the HBO series Flight Of The Conchords.-Early life:...
as Dean Ross
Episode recap
Uncle JuniorJunior Soprano
Corrado 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...
is put under anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
for his surgery to remove the cancerous tumors in his stomach. As he is given the anesthetic, he hallucinates about FBI agents offering him a cure to his cancer if he cooperates with them. A Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger is the largest circulated newspaper in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. It is a sister paper to The Jersey Journal of Jersey City, The Times of Trenton and the Staten Island Advance, all of which are owned by Advance Publications.The Newark Star-Ledgers daily...
newspaper is then seen, featuring the following headline: "Soprano wins freedom, indicts nephew — star witness weds Angie Dickinson
Angie Dickinson
Angie Dickinson is an American actress. She has appeared in more than fifty films, including Rio Bravo, Ocean's Eleven, Dressed to Kill and Pay It Forward, and starred on television as Sergeant Suzanne "Pepper" Anderson on the 1970s crime series Police Woman.-Early life:Dickinson, the second of...
". (Junior's desire to "fuck Angie Dickinson" had been revealed in a prior episode.) In reality, Dr. John Kennedy delivers news to Tony Soprano
Tony Soprano
Anthony 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...
and the other mob associates that Uncle Junior will be fine and that they have removed all of the tumor that they could find. However, on a later doctor's visit, Dr. Kennedy informs Junior and Bobby Baccalieri
Bobby Baccalieri
Robert "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...
that they have found more malignant cells and would once again like to perform surgery. Uncle Junior agrees, since he puts his full confidence in Dr. Kennedy. However, Tony disagrees: he believes that Uncle Junior is more fascinated that his doctor happens to have the same name as President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. Tony and Uncle Junior visit another doctor in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, who recommends that Junior receive chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
treatments. Eventually, a tumor board review
Tumor board review
Tumor board review is a treatment planning approach in which a number of doctors who are experts in different medical specialties review and discuss the medical condition and treatment options of a patient...
is called and they reach the same conclusion, though more because Kennedy does not wish to have the other doctor breathing down his neck than for any medical reason. Junior undergoes chemotherapy and suffers unpleasant side effects. Unsatisfied with the chemotherapy, Junior waits to hear from Dr. Kennedy, who is not returning any of his calls. To appease his uncle, Tony and Furio Giunta
Furio Giunta
Furio 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:...
visit Kennedy on his golf course and intimidate him into being more receptive to Junior. At the hospital during Junior's chemotherapy treatment, Kennedy gives Junior all of his contact information.
Carmela Soprano
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:...
attends a couples therapy session with 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:...
, scheduled for Carmela and Tony, alone. She begins to break down as she realizes her ignorance about Tony's job and the fact that she has become very depressed. Melfi recommends Dr. Krakower, a colleague in Livingston
Livingston, New Jersey
Livingston is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 29,366.Livingston was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Caldwell Township and Springfield...
, if she would like to see a therapist on a regular basis. Carmela reluctantly calls Dr. Krakower and agrees to see him for one appointment. As she describes her situation, she discusses her husband's profession and her marital woes. The doctor recommends that she leave the marriage (something Carmela has contemplated before) since Tony's life is indeed dangerous and that his steady income is derived from blood money. He refuses to accept any money for the session but advises her to leave while she still can. Krakower also suggests Tony could possibly renounce his prior life of crime, and spend time in prison reading Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevsky was a Russian writer of novels, short stories and essays. He is best known for his novels Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov....
's Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It was first published in the literary journal The Russian Messenger in twelve monthly installments during 1866. It was later published in a single volume. This is the second of Dostoyevsky's full-length novels following his...
while reflecting on his past wrongs. He advises Carmela to use only the legitimate funds she can muster to survive on and raise the two children she and Tony have alone — a hefty task.
Carmela also has plans to meet with the dean of 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...
regarding a donation; Tony considers it a shakedown and makes other plans. She meets with Meadow in her dorm room beforehand, but Meadow is still sour over her breakup with Noah Tannenbaum and is still angry with her father. Carmela defends Tony and challenges Meadow to explain herself, but she does not respond. Later, Carmela has lunch with the dean and they bond quickly, learning they attended nearby schools in college. The dean entices Carmela with a picture of the planned university student center, saying that donors who give $50,000 will have their name engraved on a wall nearby. Carmela is receptive to the idea, but when she tells Tony, he becomes angry and says he will only go as high as $5,000. Later, depressed and lying on the couch (in the aftermath of the aforementioned session with Krakower, which hit Carmela hard), Carmela tells Tony that she has already told the dean she will give $50,000, and that Tony must do something nice for her. Tony, feeling badly, agrees, and suggests they go out to dinner.
Christopher Moltisanti
Christopher 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:...
is aggravated when Paulie Walnuts asks him if he is wearing a wire during a pool game at 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...
. Christopher quickly denies the accusation but when Paulie asks him to disrobe in order to prove it, he becomes very offended. Paulie humiliates a nude Chris, making fun of his penis size. Later, at 2:00 a.m., Paulie and Patsy Parisi arrive unexpectedly at Christopher's apartment and comb through Chris and Adriana's belongings, looking to see if Chris has acquired swag
Swag
In Australia and New Zealand, a swag is a bundle of belongings rolled in a traditional fashion to be carried by a foot traveller in the bush. Before motor transport was common, foot travel over long distances was essential to agriculture in the Australian bush....
that he hasn't given Paulie a share of. Christopher grows extremely upset when Paulie takes 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:...
's new (stolen) designer shoes for his comáre
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
and sniffs the panties
Panties
Panties are a form of underwear, usually light and snug-fitting, designed to be worn by women or girls in the area directly below the waist. Typical components include an elastic waistband, a crotch panel to cover the genital area , and a pair of leg openings which, like the waistband, are often...
in Adriana's lingerie drawer. Christopher informs Tony about this the following day, but is advised that Paulie "can be a little quirky." Furthermore, Christopher is later reprimanded by Paulie himself, who tells him to never go to the "boss
Crime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
" again about an argument between the two of them. They agree to settle things after Christopher leaves a motel room with another woman and Paulie strategically positions his vehicle behind Christopher's, suggesting he had just found an answer to Christopher's grievance that was possibly legitimate, and they bond over a Big Mouth Billy Bass
Big Mouth Billy Bass
Big Mouth Billy Bass is an animatronic singing prop, representing a largemouth bass, popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The fish is made of rubber stretched over a mechanical frame; at first glance it appears to be a mounted game fish...
that Paulie plans to give Tony (not knowing that Tony smashed one already, its animated fish features having resurrected guilt over killing Pussy).
Meanwhile, Carmela spots Angie Bonpensiero at a Pathmark
Pathmark
Pathmark is a supermarket chain headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey. It was founded in 1968 when its then parent, Supermarkets General Corporation, pulled out of the ShopRite retailers' cooperative...
supermarket and invites her to dinner. Angie politely rejects the offer, saying that her dog is very sick and that she is worried to leave her alone. Also, Angie cannot afford veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
bills and needs some extra money now that Pussy has disappeared. Carmela tells Tony about their encounter which leads him to visit the Bonpensiero residence. Tony spots Angie's new Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
in the driveway and, because she had mentioned grievances that are Tony's (not Carmela's) business, he angrily breaks the window. He then honks the horn through the broken window with the bat. When Angie comes out, he notices the dog appears to be in good health and assumes that Angie has been lying, in addition to the issue he already has with her. Still embittered by Pussy's betrayal, he takes it out on Angie's car by damaging the rear lights, as well, telling Angie that if she needs money to not ask Carmela, but to come directly to him, but to think twice before even doing that.
Title reference
- Uncle Junior seeks a second opinionSecond opinionA second opinion is a consultation with an additional physician for an alternative point of view.Second opinion may also refer to:* Second Opinion , an American medical program...
from another doctor for his cancer treatment. - Carmela gets a second opinion from a psychotherapist.
Media references
- The psychologist who speaks to Carmela references Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor DostoevskyFyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevsky was a Russian writer of novels, short stories and essays. He is best known for his novels Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov....
's Crime and PunishmentCrime and PunishmentCrime and Punishment is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It was first published in the literary journal The Russian Messenger in twelve monthly installments during 1866. It was later published in a single volume. This is the second of Dostoyevsky's full-length novels following his...
.
Production
- The scene wherein Carmela waits in Dr. Melfi's waiting room, gazing at the green statue, is almost identical to the opening scene of the very first episode, with Tony in the waiting room.
- The episode features the toy Big Mouth Billy BassBig Mouth Billy BassBig Mouth Billy Bass is an animatronic singing prop, representing a largemouth bass, popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The fish is made of rubber stretched over a mechanical frame; at first glance it appears to be a mounted game fish...
, a popular singing animatronic fish from the late 1990s that most of Tony's crew gets a kick out of. However, Tony is reminded too strongly of his best friend whom he was forced to kill (and more specifically, the dream where Pussy appeared to him as a talking fish), so although he seems amused when he first finds the item, he is shown to be still mourning and presumably feeling other emotions about Big Pussy's betrayal. - Mike NicholsMike NicholsMike Nichols is a German-born American television, stage and film director, writer, producer and comedian. He began his career in the 1950s as one half of the comedy duo Nichols and May, along with Elaine May. In 1968 he won the Academy Award for Best Director for the film The Graduate...
was originally cast to play the role of Dr. Krakower. However, the role eventually went to Sully BoyarSully BoyarIrving "Sully" Boyar was an American actor of Russian descent.Boyar was one of seven children, some of whom grew up to become lawyers and businessmen. He also worked as a lawyer before turning to acting...
. During the episode's original broadcast, Nichols was credited instead of Boyar; this was corrected for repeats and the DVD release; Boyar died of a heart attack on March 23, 2001, two weeks before the airing of the episode.
Music
- The song played when Carmela visits Meadow at Columbia and, again, over the end credits is "Black Books" by Nils LofgrenNils LofgrenNils Hilmer Lofgren is an American rock music recording artist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
. - A remix of "Mysterious WaysMysterious Ways (song)"Mysterious Ways" is a song by the rock band U2. It is the eighth track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby and was released as the album's second single on 25 November 1991. The song reached the top ten of the singles charts in several countries, including Ireland, where it went to number one...
" by U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
is playing in the Bing when Tony beats up Georgie with the Billy Bass. - Songs sung by Big Mouth Billy Bass are "Take Me to the RiverTake Me to the River"Take Me to the River" is a 1974 song written by singer Al Green and guitarist Mabon "Teenie" Hodges. Hit versions were recorded by both Syl Johnson and Talking Heads...
" by Al GreenAl GreenAlbert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
(presumably the specially-recorded version for the toy), and "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People.