Writer: Michael Imperioli and Maria Laurino
Director: Tim Van Patten

Guest Stars:

Jerry Adler – Hesh Rabkin
Peter Riegert – Assemblyman Zellman
Richard Romanus – Richard La Pena
Richard Portnow – Attorney Melvoin
Paul Schulze – Father Phil Intintola
Carl Capotorto – Little Paulie Germani
Robert Funaro – Eugene Pontecorvo
Joyce Van Patten – Dr. Sandy Shaw

Roma Maffia – Professor Longo-Murphy
Sharon Angela – Rosalie Aprile
Christine Pedi – Karen Baccalieri
Maureen Van Zandt – Gabriella Dante
Dan Grimaldi – Patsy Parisi

Joseph R. Gannascoli – Vito Spatafore

Max Casella – Benny Fazio
Montel Williams – Himself
Joseph R. Sicari – Phillip Di Notti
Larry Sellers – Professor Del Redclay
Alex Rice – Maggie Donner
Frank Santorelli – Georgie
Tony Lip – Carmine Lupertazzi
Denise Borino – Ginny Sack
Mary Aguilar – Cousin Grace
Jerry Grayson – Marty Schwartz
Yul Vazquez – Reuben “The Cuban”
Val Bisoglio – Murf
Joe Pucillo – Beppy Scerbo
Nick Di Paulo – Joey The Cop
Robert Salas – Plains Tribeman
Irma Estella La Guerra – Native American Woman #1

Sami Sargent – Native American Woman #2
Tony Darrow – Larry Barese
Randy Barbee – Judge Whitney R. Runions
Dan Castleman – Prosecutor
Bruce MacVittle – Danny Scalercio
Julie Ross – Court Clerk

Angelo Massagli – Bobby Baccalieri, Jr.
Lexie Sperduto – Sophie Baccalieri
Michael O’Looney – Newscaster
John Montone – Radio Reporter
Carmine Mitore – Zi’ Pepin’

Music In This Episode (thanks to all the fans on the HBO Boards who help identify the songs):

U2 – “Elevation” (in gym)
Jennifer Lopez – “Waiting For Tonight” (in gym)

Theme from “Rocky” (Ralph’s cell phone ringtone)

“La Donna Mobile” – Bacala’s cell phone ringtone

“Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor for Organ and Strings” (Karen’s wake)

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – “Dawn (Go Away)” (closing credits)

The Chrisopher in question in this episode isn’t Chrisopher Moltisanti, but the “Great Italian” or, depending on which side you are on, the killer of ‘America’s native peoples”, Christopher Columbus. Cleverly, David Chase has found a way to address the controversy the series has caused amongst various Italian-American groups.

Silvio is up in arms over the ‘Anti-Italian discrimination” and concocts elaborate plans to squash the Native American protests. Tony ends up avoiding the entire thing by taking the Silvio, Patsy and Chris to Chief Doug Smith’s Indian casino for a day of comped gaming. Of course nothing is ever really free, the chief wants a favor and Tony orders Silvio to call Frankie Valli about scheduling an appearance at the casino, since he was the one who forced the entire issue.

The usually cool-as-a-cucumber Johnny Sack has been informed of Ralph’s joke and openly snaps at him. Carmine has also found out about Tony’s lucrative real estate deal and greedily demands his cut, since they “share” The Esplanade. All this news must have come from the same source, which means Little Paulie is doing a lot of talking when he visits Paulie Walnuts in lockup.

The ladies are gossiping at the gym, and for the first time Adriana pretty much keeps her mouth shut. Later, at the the church luncheon, the speaker has the wives enchanted with he talk of Italian-American pride… until she states that 74% of Americans still associate Italian-Americans with organized crime. Charmaine and others in the audience shoot looks at Carmela and company and Father Phil makes a pathetic effort to apease the benefactors of his parish, but it isn’t enough. On her way to a dental appointment, Bobby’s wife, Karen, is killed in an auto accident and it leaves him inconsolable. He feels guilty that he wasn’t there, and that he was mad because she had requested he stop by the store on his way home that night.

Even though Rosalie is devastated over the death of her friend, Ralphie still breaks up with her. Which leaves more time for him to engage in kinky role-playing sex with Janice. Thing is, she’s finally made up her mind that she doesn’t want him. She talks to her therapist, who tells her to be strong and break her old patterns. Instead she almost breaks Ralph’s back when she pushs him down the stairs. She finds comfort in Bobby and strength of his love for his wife. Just what she has been searching for.

Meanwhile, the first Sopranos family trial in 16 years is underway, and Uncle Junior is still quibbling over attorney fees. Shouldn’t he be worried about going to prison for the rest of his life?