This is the first episode where I think that 'The Sopranos' really starts to come into its own as something that is not just a good television show, but a great one. Death and decay are omnipresent throughout this episode, as Tony moves through the stages of grief as mentioned in the episode's title (mostly anger) as he comes to terms with the partially catalysed demise of his dear friend, Jackie Aprile. We also see direct parallels between the likes of Tony and the likes of Christopher, who desperately pleads for his life a few scenes after Tony tells Dr. Melfi that he does not fear death after appearing to come to terms with Jackie's situation. Of course, the episode then ends with the iconic scene of the Brendan being shot, a scene which deliberately does not linger for too long as the audience can gauge the fragility of order and command in the mafia.
Demise and decay do not just come in the literal form; after being continually patronised by Carmela throughout the episode, Charmaine Bucco deals the first visible blow to Tony and Carmela's marriage, which has seemed somewhat stable up to this point (apart from the heated conversation outside of the MRI machine, of course).
Another thing that was great about this episode was the scene where Junior asks Livia for advice on the situation with Christopher and Brendan. It is the only scene to feature Livia in the episode, yet her presence is felt tremendously during the final scenes with Christopher and Brendan as the audience begins to realise just how much of an influence this supposedly frail and passive woman has on mafia surroundings. Her alliance with Junior shown here is, of course, just the beginning of a tumultuous relationship that will lead to this season's ultimate climax.
Overall, 'Denial, Anger, Acceptance' was a real step forward for its nuanced character writing, and despite the gratuitous and darkly comic violence that prevails at this point in the time, this episode definitely signifies that The Sopranos has a hell of a lot more to offer than standard mob scenarios with a little bit of psychological drama on the side.
One thing I forgot to point out while writing earlier: that sequence of Christopher's mock execution intertwined with Meadow's tweaked-out singing is perfectly poignant.
Demise and decay do not just come in the literal form; after being continually patronised by Carmela throughout the episode, Charmaine Bucco deals the first visible blow to Tony and Carmela's marriage, which has seemed somewhat stable up to this point (apart from the heated conversation outside of the MRI machine, of course).
Another thing that was great about this episode was the scene where Junior asks Livia for advice on the situation with Christopher and Brendan. It is the only scene to feature Livia in the episode, yet her presence is felt tremendously during the final scenes with Christopher and Brendan as the audience begins to realise just how much of an influence this supposedly frail and passive woman has on mafia surroundings. Her alliance with Junior shown here is, of course, just the beginning of a tumultuous relationship that will lead to this season's ultimate climax.
Overall, 'Denial, Anger, Acceptance' was a real step forward for its nuanced character writing, and despite the gratuitous and darkly comic violence that prevails at this point in the time, this episode definitely signifies that The Sopranos has a hell of a lot more to offer than standard mob scenarios with a little bit of psychological drama on the side.
One thing I forgot to point out while writing earlier: that sequence of Christopher's mock execution intertwined with Meadow's tweaked-out singing is perfectly poignant.