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"46 Long"
The Sopranos episode
Jackie Aprile, Sr. having a sitdown with Tony Soprano
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 2
Directed byDan Attias
Written byDavid Chase
Cinematography byAlik Sakharov
Production code102
Original air dateJanuary 17, 1999 (1999-01-17)
Running time50 minutes
Episode chronology
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"46 Long" is the second episode of the first season of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by David Chase, directed by Dan Attias and was originally broadcast on January 17, 1999, in the United States.

Synopsis

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After A.J.'s science teacher has his car stolen, Carmela persuades Tony to help find it. Tony tells Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, who runs an auto repair shop, to look out for the vehicle. The thieves are found, but the car has already been "chopped," so they are told to steal another car of the same make and model. The teacher is surprised when the car is "returned" with the same plates, but with different keys and a different color.

Christopher and his friend Brendan Filone, who has a meth habit, hijack a shipment of DVD players. They deliver the goods to Tony, Silvio and Paulie Gualtieri at Silvio's strip club, the Bada Bing. However, the trucking company pays protection money to Junior, who arranges a sitdown with Tony and the DiMeo family's acting boss, Jackie Aprile, Sr. Jackie rules that $15,000 in restitution be made, which Tony accepts, but Christopher, who thinks he is due his button, attempts to reject. Tony insists on receiving the full amount, saying he will talk Junior down, but Christopher is aware that Tony will take some for himself and little will be left for him and Brendan.

Although they have been told not to target the trucking company again, Christopher and Brendan, both high on cocaine, plan to hijack a shipment of Italian suits. However, when Brendan arrives to pick him up, Christopher, stoned and reflective, backs out of the job. Brendan proceeds with the hijacking along with two inexperienced associates. One of them drops his gun, which discharges when it hits the ground, killing the truck driver. When Tony learns of this, he orders Christopher and Brendan to return the whole consignment to Junior and come to terms with him, though not before his crew help themselves to a few of the suits.

A small fire occurs while Livia is cooking. Tony insists that she accept a live-in nurse, who Livia soon provokes into quitting. While driving, she forgets to shift her car into reverse and badly injures a friend of hers to whom she has just given a ride. As a result, Livia is forced to move into the Green Grove retirement community. At her house, while collecting photos of himself as a child with his parents, Tony nearly has another panic attack.

Although Tony tells his mother, "You've got to stop with this black poison cloud, because I can't take it anymore!" he cannot bear hard words about her from Dr. Melfi. After he discloses feelings of guilt, Melfi says that he must either acknowledge or displace his "feelings of hatred" toward his mother; he walks out. At the Bada Bing, when Georgie Santorelli, the bartender, clumsily uses the telephone in a manner similar to Livia, Tony grabs the handset and beats him with it.

Deceased

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  • Hector Anthony: accidentally killed by a dropped pistol during the truck robbery.

Cast

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Guest starring

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Also guest starring

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Title reference

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46 Long is a large man's suit size.[1]

Production

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Drea de Matteo, who played the restaurant's hostess in the pilot episode, appears in a new role as Christopher's girlfriend, Adriana La Cerva. De Matteo was initially cast as the hostess in the pilot episode only, but creator David Chase liked her performance so much that he developed the role of Adriana for her starting with this episode.

Reception

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Alan Sepinwall wrote of the episode that "some of it – particularly anything involving Tony and Livia [...] feels fully-formed and very much of a piece with what we would come to know as one of the greatest shows ever made. And some of it is David Chase still fiddling with the knobs and levers"; Sepinwall considered the family-oriented scenes strong while viewing the subplot about the car theft as "still on the broader, lighter end of the comedy spectrum, [...] It's not bad, but it's not quite right, either."[2] In The A.V. Club, however, Emily St. James praised "46 Long" as "a confident expansion of the show's universe," considering it an example of "the show's keen sense of generational conflict, of the ways that different kinds of people come into conflict with each other."[3]

References

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46 Long

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from Grokipedia
"46 Long" is the second episode of the first season of the HBO crime drama television series , which premiered on January 17, 1999. Written by series creator and directed by Daniel Attias, the episode runs for approximately 50 minutes and is rated TV-MA for mature audiences. The title refers to a large men's size, tying into a central plot element involving a hijacked shipment of Italian suits. In the episode, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) navigates mounting pressures as the ailing boss of the New Jersey crime family, Jackie Aprile Sr., faces imminent death, prompting Tony to prepare for a potential power struggle with his uncle, Corrado "Junior" Soprano (Dominic Chianese). Simultaneously, Tony deals with personal family tensions, including his mother Livia's (Nancy Marchand) resistance to moving into an assisted living facility and her erratic behavior, which strains his marriage to Carmela (Edie Falco). Key subplots include Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) and associate Brendan Filone (Anthony DeSando) conducting hijackings of shipments from a Comley Trucking operation protected by Junior, first DVD players and later Italian suits during which a truck driver is accidentally killed, risking retaliation and underscoring themes of loyalty and impulsivity within the mob hierarchy. Additional threads include Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero (Vincent Pastore) investigating the theft of his son's teacher's car, highlighting the intersection of criminal and everyday life. The episode features notable performances from the ensemble cast, including Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante and Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts, and introduces recurring dynamics in Tony's therapy sessions with Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), where he grapples with anxiety over his mother's influence and leadership responsibilities. It received critical acclaim for expanding the series' world-building and character development, earning an 8.2/10 rating on IMDb from over 12,000 user votes, and is distinguished as the only Sopranos episode with a cold open sequence.

Episode information

Air date and production credits

"46 Long" is the second episode of the first season of the HBO series , airing shortly after the pilot episode that introduced the central characters and premise. The episode originally premiered on January 17, 1999. With a runtime of 50 minutes, it maintains the series' standard format for dramatic storytelling. David Chase, the creator and showrunner of The Sopranos, wrote the episode as the sole credited writer, continuing to shape the narrative voice established in the pilot. Daniel Attias directed "46 Long," employing a style that emphasized subtle character interactions to underscore the episode's exploration of familial and interpersonal tensions within the Soprano household and mob family. The episode carries the production code S102, reflecting its position in the series' early production schedule.

Title reference

The title "46 Long" refers to a standard men's size in American conventions, denoting a 46-inch chest with a "long" jacket and sleeve length designed for taller or larger builds, typically accommodating heights around 6 feet or more. This sizing system, common in off-the-rack tailoring since the mid-20th century, emphasizes proportional fit for broader-shouldered men, contrasting with "regular" or "short" variants. In the , the originates from a hijacked shipment of high-end Italian designer suits, where characters reference the size while trying on the stolen garments, serving as a visual and verbal cue to the loot's allure. This moment underscores themes of and excess within the mob lifestyle, as the crew indulges in luxury items symbolizing status and amid their criminal enterprises. The title thus ties directly to the depiction of these suits as coveted prizes in a heist subplot, highlighting how such material gains fuel interpersonal dynamics and bravado among the group.

Cast

Main and recurring cast

portrays , the central protagonist and mob boss navigating intense family and criminal pressures in the episode. plays , Tony's devoted wife who engages in discussions about potential family relocations amid domestic tensions. appears as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony's psychiatrist, conducting key therapy sessions that explore his psychological struggles. Michael Imperioli stars as , Tony's ambitious nephew and protégé, prominently involved in illicit hijacking operations that escalate crew conflicts. Other recurring cast members include as Uncle Junior, Tony's scheming uncle maneuvering for power within the family hierarchy; as , Tony's manipulative mother whose health issues influence family interactions; as , Tony and Carmela's young son caught in everyday family dynamics; as , their teenage daughter balancing school and home life; as Paulie Walnuts, a loyal but volatile soldier assisting in mob business; as , Tony's trusted providing strategic counsel during turbulent times; as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, Tony's longtime friend and associate who investigates the theft of his son's teacher's car; and as Jackie Aprile Sr., the acting boss of the DiMeo crime family whose terminal illness prompts the episode's leadership tensions.

Guest starring

Drea de Matteo appears as Adriana La Cerva, Christopher Moltisanti's girlfriend, who is introduced in a nightclub scene where she consoles him amid the fallout from a truck hijacking operation. Her character's presence marks an expansion from a minor mention in the series pilot, establishing her as a key figure in Christopher's personal life during tense mob activities. Al Sapienza guest stars as Mikey Palmice, the ruthless enforcer for Uncle Junior, who escalates the episode's central conflict by pursuing and his associate over stolen vehicles and the hijacked shipment of designer suits. Palmice's aggressive confrontation with underscores the internal power struggles within the DiMeo . Anthony DeSando portrays Brendan Filone, 's impulsive partner in the hijacking scheme, whose reckless decisions lead to violent repercussions in the storyline. Filone's brief but pivotal highlights the dangers of unauthorized scores in the mob . Mike Epps plays Jerome, the streetwise buyer who receives the stolen suits from and Brendan, facilitating a key transaction in the episode's criminal subplot. Several actors fill minor roles to support the episode's action sequences, including Charles Santy as the truck driver ambushed during the hijacking and David Moritt as Mr. Miller, a peripheral figure in the stolen car recovery efforts. These appearances provide essential context for the logistical and confrontational elements of the plot without extending beyond this installment.

Plot

Synopsis

The episode opens in the back room of the , where and his crew—Paulie Walnuts, , and Big Pussy Bonpensiero—count stacks of cash from their latest operation while chatting casually about the evolving nature of . Meanwhile, at the Soprano household, A.J. presents his school science project on the to his class, impressing his teacher Mr. Humphrey; later, the crew learns that Humphrey's Saturn car has been stolen, leading Big Pussy and Paulie to track it to a in Newark, where they recover the disassembled vehicle after intimidating the operators and noting its replacement parts from a similar model. Parallel to these events, and Brendan Filone carry out a hijacking for DVD players, defying orders from acting boss Jackie Aprile. Emboldened, they soon target a Comley Trucking shipment of Italian designer suits—protected under Uncle Junior's interests—pulling the driver over on a rural ; the driver steps out of the , and during the hijacking, one of the hijackers accidentally drops his , which discharges and kills the driver. Back at the , the crew unpacks the stolen suits and tries them on in the office, with Silvio noting Tony's size as "46 Long" while distributing pieces among themselves before deciding to return the rest to avoid escalating tensions with Junior. Tony's family life unravels amid concerns for his mother , who starts a by leaving the stove burner on while distracted by her about imagined intruders. Her caretaker quits in frustration, prompting Tony and Carmela to urge Livia to move to the Green Grove for safety; Livia resists vehemently, accusing them of trying to "put her away" like her late husband. Compounding the issues, Livia accidentally runs over her friend with the car while dropping her off, injuring the friend and further highlighting her unsafe driving. In a session with Dr. , Tony vents his mounting anger toward Livia, describing her manipulative behavior and struggling to reconcile his resentment with lingering guilt over their fractured bond. Tensions within the mob family simmer as Uncle Junior complains to Tony about the hijackings cutting into his Comley Trucking revenue, demanding greater respect and deference from the younger members like . Tony mediates, asserting his authority while navigating Junior's ego, and later displaces his frustrations by assaulting bartender over a minor phone malfunction. The episode concludes with Tony alone in his childhood home, sorting through old family photos after Livia's reluctant admission to Green Grove, as he ponders the intertwined burdens of his and criminal responsibilities.

Deceased characters

In the episode "46 Long," the sole deceased character is Hector Anthony, a truck driver employed by Comley Trucking. Anthony is killed accidentally amid a hijacking of a carrying designer suits, carried out by and Brendan Filone without authorization from or the broader crew. The fatal incident occurs when one of Brendan Filone's associates, , accidentally drops his unsecured , which discharges upon hitting the ground and strikes Anthony in the head. In the ensuing panic, the hijackers remove Anthony's body from the and leave it at the scene while fleeing with the shipment. This death significantly heightens conflicts within the DiMeo crime family, particularly by provoking outrage from Uncle Junior's faction over the unsanctioned nature of the hijacking on their protected territory, forcing Tony to intervene and mediate to prevent broader retaliation. It also underscores an early pivotal moment of lethal recklessness in Christopher Moltisanti's rising involvement in , foreshadowing his pattern of impulsive actions that strain loyalties and invite consequences throughout the series. No other characters perish in the .

Production

Development

The episode "46 Long" was written by series creator , building on the pilot's establishment of the balance between Tony Soprano's family life and his criminal activities in the mob. Truck hijackings feature as a plot element in the episode. The script emphasized Tony's dual existence, juxtaposing his ongoing sessions—which delved into personal vulnerabilities—with the violent demands of his criminal role, a core conceit of the series to humanize the mob boss . This episode develops Livia Soprano's influence over Tony as a source of emotional turmoil and familial discord. The script, in its green revision dated June 19, 1998, and directed by Daniel Attias, aimed to solidify the series' tone by blending humor—such as sequences involving Tony's wardrobe choices—with mounting tension from incidents like workplace mishaps and confrontations. Chase's creative influences centered on exploring themes of guilt and , reflecting Tony's internal conflicts over his father's legacy and the moral burdens of his style. The narrative underscores the duality between family and mob .

Casting notes

Drea de Matteo initially appeared in the pilot episode of in a minor, unnamed role as a hostess, a part she auditioned for after being told she fit the look. Following this, she auditioned for the role of , Christopher Moltisanti's girlfriend, which was originally scripted as a one-episode guest spot in "46 Long." Impressing series creator during the process, de Matteo's performance and on-screen chemistry with led to the character's expansion into a major recurring role that spanned multiple seasons. Her introduction in "46 Long" occurs in a key scene at the , where is shown interacting with , immediately establishing her as a central figure in his and foreshadowing her evolving narrative arc within the series. John Heard was cast as Vin Makazian, the recurring corrupt Newark detective who serves as an unconventional authority figure aiding , with his debut in this episode highlighting the blurred lines between and . The series' production emphasized authentic New Jersey representation in casting, prioritizing local talent to capture the region's cultural nuances.

Reception

Viewership

The episode "46 Long" premiered on in the United States on January 17, 1999, following the pilot's debut, which drew fewer than 4 million viewers and marked a strong start for the series on . This initial audience helped establish The Sopranos as a cornerstone of 's programming during its early seasons, with follow-up episodes like "46 Long" experiencing a typical slight dip in live viewership from the pilot (specific figures for "46 Long" are not publicly available) while still performing well relative to other premium cable content at the time. Internationally, the series began airing on in the in 1999, with "46 Long" broadcast shortly after the pilot's regional premiere, expanding the show's reach to European audiences. The episode contributed to the overall season's momentum, as quickly gained traction abroad through linear television distribution in various regions. In the long term, "46 Long" and the first season have benefited from streaming availability on Max (rebranded as Max in 2023), where the series has seen substantial viewership growth. Following the 2021 theatrical release of the prequel film , experienced a 65% week-over-week increase in streams, achieving the highest daily viewership of any title on the platform since its May 2020 launch and underscoring the show's lasting appeal.

Critical reception

The episode "46 Long" holds an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 on , based on over 12,000 user votes. Critics praised the episode's expansion of the series' world, particularly its confident exploration of family dynamics and generational tensions, with the scenes involving Tony and his mother standing out for their emotional depth and Nancy Marchand's sharp performance. James Gandolfini's portrayal of Tony's vulnerability during therapy sessions with Dr. Melfi was highlighted for its nuance, effectively blending introspection with mob life pressures. Reviewers noted strengths in balancing humor—such as the suit fittings—and dramatic tension from the hijacking fallout, while the introduction of added a fresh relational dynamic to the ensemble. However, some early assessments viewed the car theft subplot involving Big Pussy and Paulie as lighter filler that disrupted pacing, marking the episode as somewhat transitional following the pilot's intensity. In retrospect, later analyses have appreciated the episode's foreshadowing of Moltisanti's impulsiveness through the unauthorized hijacking, underscoring themes of recklessness and loyalty that permeate the series.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0705223/
  2. https://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos
  3. https://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/season-1/2-46-long
  4. https://www.dga.org/craft/visualhistory/interviews/dan-attias
  5. https://www.scriptslug.com/script/the-sopranos-102-46-long-1999
  6. http://tviv.org/The_Sopranos/46_Long
  7. https://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/threads/what-overarm-measurement-for-a-size-46.233652/
  8. https://www.brooksbrothers.com/mens/suits
  9. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TheSopranosS1E246Long
  10. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1398-the-sopranos/season/1/episode/2/cast?language=en-US
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1398-the-sopranos/season/1/episode/2/cast
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0705223/fullcredits/
  13. https://uproxx.com/sepinwall/the-sopranos-rewind-season-1-episode-2-46-long/
  14. https://sopranosautopsy.com/season-1-3/46-long-1-02/
  15. https://www.nj.com/sopranosarchive/2006/03/the_complete_sopranos_a_guide.html
  16. https://www.avclub.com/the-sopranos-46-long-denial-anger-acceptance-1798165192
  17. https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/david-chase
  18. https://screenrant.com/sopranos-pilot-episode-adriana-dred-de-matteo-different/
  19. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/1140622-drea_de_matteo
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/22/john-heard-home-alone-sopranos-dies-72
  21. https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2019/01/04/where-sopranos-filmed-20-years-later-sopranos-cast/2353893002/
  22. https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/online-originals/sopranos-by-the-numbers
  23. https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/2007-final-episode-of-the-sopranos-aired/5150495.article
  24. https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/sopranos-streaming-hbo-max-break-records-many-saints-newark/
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