House Arrest (The Sopranos)

"House Arrest" is the 24th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the 11th of the show's second season. It was written by Terence Winter and directed by Tim Van Patten, and originally aired on March 26, 2000.

"House Arrest"
The Sopranos episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 11
Directed byTim Van Patten
Written byTerence Winter
Cinematography byPhil Abraham
Production code211
Original air dateMarch 26, 2000
Running time57 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

see below

Starring

* = credited only

Guest starring

Also guest starring

Synopsis

Tony is advised by his lawyer, Neil Mink, to "insulate" himself from the "shenanigans" so he spends time at home, where he is bored, and in the office of Barone Sanitation, where he draws up an office basketball pool and has sex with the office assistant, but is still bored.

Dr. Melfi is under heavy stress because of her relationship with Tony. She is drinking between sessions on the days that she sees him. Tony comments once, "You seem very mellow today. You look like you're on drugs." In a restaurant with her son, she creates a scene when she tries to stop another patron from smoking. She tells Dr. Kupferberg that, although she is repulsed by what Tony tells her, "I can't stop myself from wanting to hear it." Kupferberg prescribes medication, and urges her again to cease treating this patient.

Junior and Richie are selling cocaine on their garbage routes. Tony angrily tells Richie to stop, saying that this can draw FBI and DEA attention to their legitimate business. Richie glares at him before turning away. After this confrontation, Tony has a panic attack. He almost has another when he sees Janice behaving lovingly with Richie, who is now her fiancé. Thinking aloud, Tony says, "Oh, you poor bastard."

One of Junior's drivers continues selling cocaine; Junior says he needs the income for legal and medical expenses. At the hospital he is recognized by an old school friend, Catherine Romano, who is the widow—and also the mother—of a policeman. At first Junior evades her, ashamed of his illnesses and his house arrest. Eventually he phones her, and in his home she looks after him affectionately.

Tony returns to Satriale's and his crew welcomes him back.

Title reference

House arrest is a sentence issued by a judge as an alternative to prison time and helps keep track of convicted criminals after, or as an alternative to, a prison sentence. The sentence states that the person cannot leave their main domicile and can only be released for important family functions, medical appointments, or funerals. Junior is also able to leave his residence when he needs to visit a supermarket. Junior's social life begins to dwindle under his sentence.

The title also applies to the increased amount of time that Tony spends at home, surrounded by mundane activities that do not interest him. In this way, Tony experiences a sort of "house arrest", isolated from his friends and the work that he enjoys. Although Tony's sentence is more self-imposed than his uncle's, it has been advised by his lawyer.

Cultural references
  • When Tony is reminded of the Bevilaqua murder case by his lawyer, he remarks "I told you, I was home alone". Mink replies "You and Macaulay Culkin", referring to the 1990 film Home Alone.
  • One of the nurses in the hospital laughs at the U.S. Marshal sent to affix an electronic bracelet to Junior's ankle when he mentions his last name is McLuhan. His professional name is therefore Marshal McLuhan, similar to the name of Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan. In his 1970 book From Cliche to Archetype McLuhan extensively analysed and discussed Eugène Ionesco play The Bald Soprano.
  • Mary Louise Wilson's character Catherine Romano shares a name with Nanette Fabray's character on the sitcom One Day at a Time, which Wilson was also on from 1976–1977.
  • During a therapy session, Tony mentions he was watching a movie starring Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow. Dr. Melfi guesses "Sliding Doors" (which stars Paltrow but not Pitt). Tony corrects her with Seven.
  • While Junior is talking to Catherine, she mentions her husband died "almost 15 years ago, the week the shuttle exploded", referring to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
  • At a meeting of Carmela's book club in her living room, her friends discuss the memoir Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. McCourt's follow-up memoir, 'Tis, lies on a nearby table.
  • Tony sarcastically rebuts Junior's nostalgic view of 1950s gangsters working together to settle their differences amicably, mentioning his memories of the picture of Albert Anastasia "lying there all amicable, on the barber shop floor". He's referring to the 1957 assassination of the Mafia boss in the barber shop of Manhattan's Park Sheraton Hotel.
  • During a therapy session with Dr. Melfi, Tony, frustrated with his recent lack of progress, angrily mentions he's "ready for the George Sanders long walk", which refers to the 1972 suicide of actor George Sanders.
  • The television show Junior Soprano and Catherine Romano are watching when he falls asleep is Diagnosis: Murder, starring Dick Van Dyke.

Music

Filming locations

Listed in order of first appearance:[1]

References
  1. Ugoku. "The Sopranos location guide - Filming locations for". www.sopranos-locations.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
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