Tony sends Christopher and Paulie on an ill fated errand.
This is a brilliant episode that both intrigues and entertains.
Starting with what's makes 'Pine Barrens' so popular: the dark humour. Paulie and Christopher occupy the majority of the screen time dealing with a problem that spirals out of control, leaving them in a perilous survival situation. How is that funny? The characters are written so hilariously out of their depth and the performances of Michael Imperioli and Tony Serico are superb. It also has numerous memorable lines of dialogue.
There is much more to the episode hidden within the visuals and the circumstances of their predicament. If you want a full analysis then Google it's themes and motifs. However, it does a great job of portraying fairly simple characters, particularly Paulie, dealing with the uncertainty and ambiguity of their existence. Showing him in the comfort of a beauty parlour getting a manicure sets up everything that comes next. Certain events are appropriately left unexplained and the cold, bleak, endlessly circling, forest landscape sets the existential tone perfectly.
Tony, who has his own problems to deal with, gets dragged into it, before a brilliant bit of insight by the writers (through the Dr Melfi character) at the end puts a new spin on one particular aspect of his life. James Gandolfini is is exceptionally good and so is Annabella Sciorra.
There is a focus on Meadow and Jackie which is superbly done with visual storytelling and it heightens the bleak, empty portrayal of human relationships. Jamie-Lynn Sigler's facial expressions say everything you need to know about what's on the character's mind and she gives another excellent performance.
Visually it is one of the best episodes of The Sopranos. The location cinematography, camera angles, music and editing is all perfect.
This is a brilliant episode that both intrigues and entertains.
Starting with what's makes 'Pine Barrens' so popular: the dark humour. Paulie and Christopher occupy the majority of the screen time dealing with a problem that spirals out of control, leaving them in a perilous survival situation. How is that funny? The characters are written so hilariously out of their depth and the performances of Michael Imperioli and Tony Serico are superb. It also has numerous memorable lines of dialogue.
There is much more to the episode hidden within the visuals and the circumstances of their predicament. If you want a full analysis then Google it's themes and motifs. However, it does a great job of portraying fairly simple characters, particularly Paulie, dealing with the uncertainty and ambiguity of their existence. Showing him in the comfort of a beauty parlour getting a manicure sets up everything that comes next. Certain events are appropriately left unexplained and the cold, bleak, endlessly circling, forest landscape sets the existential tone perfectly.
Tony, who has his own problems to deal with, gets dragged into it, before a brilliant bit of insight by the writers (through the Dr Melfi character) at the end puts a new spin on one particular aspect of his life. James Gandolfini is is exceptionally good and so is Annabella Sciorra.
There is a focus on Meadow and Jackie which is superbly done with visual storytelling and it heightens the bleak, empty portrayal of human relationships. Jamie-Lynn Sigler's facial expressions say everything you need to know about what's on the character's mind and she gives another excellent performance.
Visually it is one of the best episodes of The Sopranos. The location cinematography, camera angles, music and editing is all perfect.