The Sopranos Season 4 Episode 13 'Whitecaps' Full TV Reaction!!

I agree with the opinion that it's among the worst, but it has an all-time favorite scene in the whole show (Rock the Casbah).

Marcus Cato

I honestly think it unfairly gets a bad rap. There’s an element to it that’s grating but supposed to be like that. It’s an important character-building episode and it has a great overall story. It’s not like ‘Christopher’ with its awkwardly shoe-horned Columbus plot.

Sol95

We should vote In Camelot as the stand alone episode.

Kevin Charley

Now u get to my favorite season that has one of the worst episodes of the series.

Ghost Crusaders

There can't be that many people that care if you call him Sack.

Kevin Charley

You're welcome! 😊

dieselbeast

Yes! Just fantastic writing all around and it makes for such a crazy show to watch when you have no idea what's really going to turn out to be important or just drop off and never spoken of again! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Absolute magic! So intense and heartbreaking! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Hahah i was like woah spoiler alert. Interesting! It feels like they're just kids so crazy they're all growing up and getting married -Sam

TBR Schmitt

We though Season 4 was dark! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Omg the call backs! Can the writing be any more clever! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

We've heard this! Thanks for the recommendation! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Ah thank you! We couldn't remember exactly where it was from! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

We haven't see Mad Men, but you guys are getting us so hyped for season 5! Can't wait! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Agreed!!! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Can't wait to get into Season 5! -Sam

TBR Schmitt

Yup, we heard you the first time... -Sam

TBR Schmitt

The more I think about it the more I feel like season 5 is my favorite if only because season 6 is so brutal to watch sometimes.

Sol95

It's been said before, but with Season 5 on the horizon and the New York crew being prominent, it's Johnny Sac, or just John. No one calls him just "Sack"

Shaun Eberle

Great episode and Tony and Carmela really go in on each other with some very ugly truths. Tony was 100% spot on when he told Carmela she would hate being just a middle class wife living modestly, and would probably have to work for a living and he's right, this was the implicit deal she made when marrying into "the family". Carmela is correct that Tony could not care any less about their vows and he is fundamentally untrustworthy as a husband. What I find interesting is that Carmela never says anything about the horrible things Tony and his crew does. Both Tony and Carmela are fundamentally selfish people. Carmela couldn't give a shit about all the deaths and misery Tony is responsible for. No, her honor being offended is the unforgivable sin. Hell, this is true for AJ and Meadow as well! I think its partly David Chase kinda saying that, yes, we're all self-interested to some extent and worry mostly about ourselves and loved ones. But these people have managed to exclude themselves from any sense of responsibility to the human race as a whole.

Jeffrey Miller

I really like that, too. It's not karma, it's the consequences of treating so many people so badly that you just keep making enemies and sooner or later one of them will get the opportunity to hurt you. The values of the mafia are so upside down and there's no sense of proportionality that Johnny Sack is willing throw the whole operation into chaos and get himself killed because Ralphie made a joke about his wife. The two guys Christopher hired to kill Carmine are killed partly to save money and in large part that there is a very small chance that one day they might somehow be in the position to say something about the hit.

Jeffrey Miller

I love the randomness of all the horrible things that happen to people in the show. I think it's a big theme of the series that if you live a life like this, you never know what will be your undoing. Svetlana's employee Branca retaliates because she may not understand the laws around federal tax withholding. A million jokes get told about Ginny Sack but only one of them gets back to Johnny. Ralphie could get clipped for a whole bunch things, but he gets clipped over a horse (which he may not have actually done). Richie and Tony are about to go to war but Richie gets killed by Janice for punching her. There must be a long list of other examples.

Marcus Cato

The entire show had been building up to this episode and in my opinion this is the end of the "first half" of The Sopranos. Yes I know we reached the half way point like 9 episodes ago but for me the "second half" starts with Season 5. If it weren't for season 6 it would be my favorite, but it's the most entertaining to watch instead if that makes any sense. It's such a fun time and like Season 4 is a major change to the series. I think this is when the budget got much bigger and it shows. As for this episode, Edie Falco puts the best performance of the series. When Tony grabs Carmela as she screams in frustration and sorrow is such a telling image of her role in the show, wanting to break free of the life she has but never being able to. On an unrelated note, only Tony would pack gabagool as he moves out lol

Sol95

It’s funny how the little, seemingly inconsequential things are at the root of such major upheaval. If Zellman hadn’t felt the need to do the “right thing” and mention to Tony that he’d begun seeing Irina, Tony wouldn’t have beaten him up in front of her, that relationship wouldn’t have gone south (at least not from Tony’s doing) and Irina wouldn’t have made the fateful, vindictive phone call to Carm and things would have gone on as normal. I’ve always thought that the theme of this entire series, born out in almost every character, comes down to self-delusion, and its limits. Until that phone call, the resentments and grievances roiling beneath the surface of this marriage could be obscured by the material facade and the self-delusion that made it possible, which is, after all, the unspoken bargain of Tony and Carmela’s entire relationship: keep me in luxury and I’ll pretend I don’t know what you do when I’m not looking—both sexually and especially regarding the criminality required to provide that luxury. But Tony did beat up the assemblyman and Carm got her face rubbed in Tony’s behavior and the self delusion got ripped from her coping arsenal. Similarly, Ralphie told the cruel but unremarkable Ginny Sack joke (something everyone of those guys, NJ and NYC alike, have all done behind closed doors, I’m sure), Carmine doesn’t resolve it to his Underboss’ satisfaction and an unspoken power struggle with unconsummated murder contracts issued by both for the other with Tony getting caught in the middle both times. The little things crack the self delusion shield because the shield is designed to protect from the big, obvious ones. The little things, the little things. Genius storytelling because it is true and it is earned. BTW, Bruce Altman, the actor portraying the lawyer/seller of Whitecaps, Alan Sapinsly, might be a truly lovely human being IRL, but he’s been in a million things over the years and he plays a prick in EVERY one of them, The guy is just brilliant at that particular niche. What a career that must be—he probably has fun doing it. Phenomenal reaction, guys! On to “Two Tonys”! Can’t wait!

Robert Livingood

*67 Blocked your calls from *69.

Ghost Crusaders

How about the acting from James and Edie in this? Such a delight yet so hard to watch both at the same time. What a whirlwind. Still my favourite show even after over 20 years of watching!

Elliot G.

Just to clarify: he means the actress, not the character.

Kevin Charley

After every re-watch of The Sopranos, my list of favourite seasons changes like the wind. While initially not thinking much when it first aired, Season 5 has really grown on me throughout the years. I now put it as my all-time favourite! So many moving parts and storylines that ultimately build into a perfect crescendo that sets the stage for the rest of the series. This is probably the only show where fans rate the seasons for their own specific reasons. Buckle up, Daniel and Sam…cause you ain’t seen nothing yet!…😉

JG

Meadow gets married in between season 5 and 6 and divorced between season 6A and 6B....they change her name in the intro twice I think.

Ghost Crusaders

Yes! Just finished The Offer. One of the best mini-series that I’ve ever seen. Really hope they add it to the list!

JG

Ladies be shopping!

Michael Kang-Beats

Heading into season 5 now. Shit be getting darker form here on

Smooticus

"The Offer" was a lot better than I though it was going to be - even with some Hollywood embellishments

Smooticus

"Oh poor you!" The spirit of Livia has possessed Tony

Laura Palmer

Thanks. Just removed it.

Joe Lazarus

Great analysis, as always!

Future Boy

This maybe something you wanna tackle not sure if after you finish the sopranos (it'll be a quick watch) since I know you guys like the gangster genre, the series is called "The Offer" (2022) it's on paramount plus, I believe it's ten episodes only, it's about the making of "The Godfather" and how it came to be, not a documentary but a mini series, I enjoyed it, stars Miles Teller, I think you guys will enjoy it but idk if you wanna take a break from the gangster genre after watching the sopranos lol just a friendly suggestion 😊🙏

dieselbeast

I always loved this episode. The scene in the pool house is just brilliant, devastating, and whatever other superlatives you can think of to use. Tony's BS aside, It really underlined just how awful Carmela is. I've always kind of looked at it as Tony getting his comeuppance for all the fucking around -- although I've found that scene where he calls Melfi half in tears but can't bring himself to say anything pretty moving -- but it really shows Carmela as being a total money-grubbing mercenary. The episode starts with her still all devastated over "losing" Furio, but she completely rebounds the moment Tony throws down yet another bribe, this time the biggest yet, with the big house down the shore. BTW, way to go Carmella for throwing Furio under the bus knowing it could cost him his life SMH. Carmela goes from sick, depressed, no makeup, and openly jealous of Meadow's relationship with Finn (that started in the previous episode) to all smiling and thrilled and happy again. All because of Tony buying her something.. That scene where she turns on the light in bed to wake up Tony is purely to get him to buy the house. One minute she's heartbroken over lost love. The she's once again selling her soul for stuff. Then Carmela has the nerve to attack Tony out in the pool, and finally throw Furio into his face. And that only came up because Tony totally called her on her hypocrisy, making that sarcastic comment about how she really just wanted a "Hyundai and a gold heart on a chain." Just a brutal scene. So much depth to it. They're both hypocritical. One of my fav episodes indeed.

Joe Lazarus

This is one of the stand out moments from Edie Falco and Gandolfini. Also the writing as they portray one of the most intense and realistic marital fights i have ever seen. These moments stand out to me more than any of the mobster stuff. This is when The Sopranos truly shines

Haye Zeus

20 years...

Tommy Smith

Absolutely incredible acting from Falco and Gandolfini. Easy to see why they got so many awards. Amazing dialogue too!

Marcus Cato

FYI: Carmela's line about telling Tony that he is going to hell is from the first season first episode after Tony has his first panic attack. I love the way this show constantly fakes us out. We expect some kind of conflict is brewing but so frequently it turns out to be something that we totally forgot about. I read an interesting theory about the strange dream that Tony has at the end of Calling All Cars. Possibly the strange woman that Tony sees on the staircase is not Livia (for once), but is actually a warning that his behavior with women is about to ruin his life. I lean towards thinking that it's Livia, but it's an interesting theory to think about. It's not really mutually exclusive in any case. Thanks for another great Sopranos reaction!

Marcus Cato

Season 5 is when Matt Weiner joins the writing staff. (would later go on to create Mad Men) I think Seasons 5 & 6 solidify The Sopranos from being an amazing TV show to art. I can’t wait for you guys to meet Phil Leotardo. You guys are in for a treat!

Wayne Delaune (cardaderdention)

I agree with everything you say, but come on. You're spoiling the opening few minutes of the season.

Future Boy

David Wilkins

That was such fun that I now can't wait for the Youtube edit to enjoy it all again! I find it hard to rank seasons of The Sopranos, but I think season 5 might be my favourite. Next week is gonna be the start of something special.

Future Boy

"What you really crave is a hyundai and a little heart on a gold chain" WHAT a line ... "What does she have that I don't have?" WHAT a line. The writing in this episode is in a league of its own...to say nothing of the acting which is in the same league.

Elisa Pfau

i'm reluctant and excited to watch this one. Edie Falco needs to be mentioned with the all-time greatest actors.

Michael Kang-Beats