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Chasing It
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| "Chasing It" | |
|---|---|
| The Sopranos episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 16 |
| Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
| Written by | Matthew Weiner |
| Cinematography by | Alik Sakharov |
| Production code | 616 |
| Original air date | April 29, 2007 |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
"Chasing It" is the 81st episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos, the fourth episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, and the 16th episode of the season overall. The episode centers around Tony Soprano experiencing problems from multiple angles, from losing sports bets, owing Hesh Rabkin repayment on a loan, to intervening with Vito Spatafore Jr.'s behavior problems.
Written by executive producer Matthew Weiner and directed by Tim Van Patten, it originally aired on April 29, 2007, and was watched by 6.76 million viewers upon its premiere. Critical reception was generally positive.
Starring
[edit]- James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano
- Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi
- Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano
- Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
- Dominic Chianese as Corrado Soprano, Jr. *
- Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante
- Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri
- Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr.
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano
- Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano Baccalieri *
- Steven R. Schirripa as Bobby Baccalieri
- Frank Vincent as Phil Leotardo
- Dan Grimaldi as Patsy Parisi
- Max Casella as Benny Fazio
* = credit only
Guest starring
[edit]Also guest starring
[edit]- Nancy Sinatra as herself
- Gregory Antonacci as Butch DeConcini
- Tom Aldredge as Hugh De Angelis
- Elizabeth Bracco as Marie Spatafore
- Arthur J. Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi
- Dania Ramirez as Blanca Selgado
- Suzanne Shepherd as Mary De Angelis
- Brandon Hannan as Vito Spatafore, Jr.
- Anthony J. Ribustello as Dante Greco
- Taleb Adlah as Ahmed
- Donnie Keshawarz as Muhammad
- John "Cha Cha" Ciarcia as Albie Cianflone
- Matthew Del Negro as Brian Cammarata
- Paulina Gerzon as Francesca Spatafore
- Geoffrey Cantor as Eli Kaplan
- Tracey Silver as Beth Kaplan
- Lanette Ware as Renata
- Joseph Perrino as Jason Gervasi
- John Cenatiempo as Anthony Maffei
- Mason Pettit as Ted Yacanelli
- Drew Wininger as Fan
- Kobi and Kadin George as Hector Selgado
- Heidi Dippold as Janine Cammarata
- Southside Johnny as himself
Synopsis
[edit]Tony's losing streak in sports betting continues. When Hesh asks him about repayment of his previous $200,000 bridge loan, Tony pretends to have forgotten about it and offers to pay the vig. Hesh was not charging interest and is insulted that Tony treats the loan as a mere business transaction. Tony calls Hesh a "shylock" in front of his crew. Later, Hesh says to his son-in-law, "At what point is it cheaper for him to settle it another way?"
Carmela sells the spec house, with its sub-standard materials, to her cousin Brian Cammarata and his pregnant wife. She tells Tony that she has cleared $600,000 and he assumes that half the profit is his. Tony wants to bet it on a "sure thing", but Carmela refuses and he yields to her. The "sure thing" wins, but he reveals to Carmela that he only had $10,000 to bet on it. This leads to a furious argument about money, during which he manhandles her and she throws a Lladró figurine at him, breaking it. Later, the couple reconciles after Tony agrees to control his gambling. Carmela is worried about the many threats they are facing; Tony says he survived being shot: "Big picture-wise, I'm up, way up."
Vito's widow, Marie, asks Tony to help her son, Vito Jr., who has been deliberately misbehaving since his father's death. Marie requests $100,000 to move her family to Maine to start over; Tony is reluctant. Both he and Phil (Marie's second cousin) talk to Vito Jr., to no effect. When he is expelled for defecating in the school shower, Tony decides to pay for the relocation. However, he gambles away the $100,000 he had reserved for it. Instead, he offers Marie to send Vito Jr. to a boot camp program in Idaho. He plays down her worries about corporal punishment and says he will pay the $18,000 fee. Marie reluctantly accepts and Vito Jr. is taken away against his will by the boot camp's staff, leaving his mother and sister in tears.
Driving by, Tony happens to notice Ahmed and Muhammad mingling with traditionally dressed Pakistanis and Arabs on a street.
A.J. proposes to Blanca, who reluctantly accepts, but later breaks up with him.
Renata, Hesh's girlfriend, dies suddenly. He is grief-stricken. Tony visits him and speaks clichéd words of condolence. He presents a large paper bag, saying, "I brought your money."
First appearance
[edit]- Jason Gervasi: Son of DiMeo capo Carlo Gervasi. He is seen greeting his father getting out of a car.
- Anthony Maffei: Soldier in Bobby's crew. He is seen at the casino and the pork store.
Deceased
[edit]- Renata, girlfriend of Hesh Rabkin.
Final appearances
[edit]"Chasing It" marks the final appearances in the series of these longtime recurring characters:
- Hesh Rabkin: Close associate of the Soprano/DiMeo crime family ever since the times of "Johnny Boy" Soprano.
- Hugh De Angelis and Mary De Angelis: The parents of Carmela Soprano.
Production
[edit]- Max Casella (Benny Fazio) is promoted to the main cast of the series and billed in the opening credits but only for this episode.
- The character of Vito Spatafore Jr. was recast for this episode with Brandon Hannan replacing Frank Borrelli.
- John Cenatiempo, a stuntman on The Sopranos since its first season, joins the ranks of the show's actors as well, appearing as a mostly background Soprano crime family mobster character Anthony Maffei, beginning with this episode.
- This episode is unique in that it almost throughout its entirety employs the shaky camera style, with the exception of Dr. Melfi's scenes and scenes in Tony's car. The style may represent the episode's theme of Tony's feverish gambling and losing spree.
- The casino scenes were filmed at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel and Casino.
- The headstone that Vito Jr. knocks over in the cemetery is for "David M. Hackel". Episode writer Matthew Weiner worked for David Hackel as a writer for the sitcom Becker.[1]
- The harmonica player in Sinatra's band is Southside Johnny Lyon, an underground legend of New Jersey's music scene. He has worked extensively with Little Steven Van Zandt, who portrays the character of Silvio Dante. Van Zandt has written, produced and performed on four of Lyon's albums and was a founding member of his band, the Asbury Jukes, before leaving to join Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Both Springsteen and Van Zandt appear on the Asbury Jukes' Better Days album, on the song "It's Been a Long Time".
- The Tampa Bay-Buffalo football game being watched at the Bing that Tony loses money on is actually footage from the film The Replacements.
Music
[edit]- Nancy Sinatra sings "Bossman", a track off her 2004 album Nancy Sinatra, to a gathering of the New York and New Jersey families celebrating Phil Leotardo becoming boss.
- The song played in the Bada Bing! when the football game is on TV is "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation.
- The guitar instrumental "Cavatina" is playing in the restaurant when A.J. proposes to Blanca.
- The music A.J. listens to in his car, while driving to the Puerto Rican parade day, is "Rompe" by Daddy Yankee.
- The music heard in the background when Blanca breaks up with A.J. is an instrumental version of Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca".
- Song playing when Tony is driving in the Escalade is Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk."
- When Tony is in the back room of the Bing, talking to Silvio about Vito, Jr., "Peppermint Twist" (1961) is playing. It is by Joey Dee & The Starlighters (from New Jersey).
- The song played during the casino scene and over the end credits is "Goin' Down Slow" by Howlin' Wolf.
Reception
[edit]The episode had 6.76 million viewers as estimated by Nielsen Media Research, about 90,000 fewer viewers than last week's episode.[2] Television Without Pity graded the episode with a B.[3] IGN graded it with 8.5 points out of 10, with Brian Zoromski finding it to be "grounded and well rounded" for showing "the truly ugly side of Tony Soprano".[4] For Entertainment Weekly, Lisa Schwarzbaum found the Vito Jr. subplot to be an example of "love-hate struggle between fathers and sons that has always been one of The Sopranos' great themes."[5]
Paul Brownfield of the Los Angeles Times found a lack of plot development in "Chasing It": "Five hours left and all we have so far is foreshadowing."[6] Similarly, Alan Sepinwall noted in The Star-Ledger: "There may not be a lot of carnage (outside of Renata's peaceful passing, this was a completely bloodless hour), but doom is coming."[7] For TV Squad, Tom Biro called this episode "the weakest" of the season, due to dialogue lacking plot relevancy.[8]
George Vecsey commented about the episode plot in an essay for The New York Times: "Tony’s foray into gambling is a reminder that sports have a darker side than what innocents like me want to acknowledge."[9]
References
[edit]- ^ McNamara, Mary; Brownfield, Paul (May 13, 2007). "'Sopranos': its hits, its misses". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Huff, Richard (May 2, 2007). "'Sopranos' viewers on the lam". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 5, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Reed, Kim (May 4, 2007). "Chasing It". Television Without Pity. Archived from the original on May 7, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Zoromski, Brian (April 30, 2007). "The Sopranos: 'Chasing It' Review". IGN. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (April 30, 2007). "The Wager of Sin Is Debt". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Brownfield, Paul (April 30, 2007). "'The Sopranos': You'd need a crystal ball to bet on this ending". Show Tracker. LATimes.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (April 30, 2007). "Sopranos Rewind: Chasing It". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Biro, Tom (April 29, 2007). "The Sopranos: Chasing It". TV Squad. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Vecsey, George (May 10, 2007). "The Morning Line on Tony From Jersey". The New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
External links
[edit]- "Chasing It" at HBO
- "Chasing It" at IMDb
Chasing It
View on GrokipediaEpisode Overview
Broadcast Details
"Chasing It" is the sixteenth episode of the sixth and final season of the HBO series The Sopranos and the eighty-first episode overall. It was directed by Tim Van Patten and written by Matthew Weiner, with production code 616. The episode originally premiered on HBO on April 29, 2007.[1] As part of the split sixth season, "Chasing It" marks the fourth installment of the second half, which resumed broadcasting after a hiatus from the first twelve episodes that aired between March 12 and June 4, 2006. The second part began on April 8, 2007, with the episode "Soprano Home Movies," and continued weekly through the series finale on June 10, 2007. It follows "Remember When," which aired on April 22, 2007, and precedes "Walk Like a Man" on May 6, 2007.[5] The episode drew 6.8 million viewers in the United States according to Nielsen Media Research, ranking as the top-rated cable program for the week of April 23–29, 2007. This figure represented a decline from prior weeks in the second half of the season but remained strong for HBO original programming.[6]Synopsis
In "Chasing It," Tony Soprano embarks on a prolonged losing streak at the casinos in Atlantic City, where he wagers heavily on sports bets and roulette, resulting in significant financial losses that strain his role as the head of the DiMeo crime family.[7] These debts escalate tensions when Hesh Rabkin demands repayment of a prior loan plus accumulated interest, leading to a contentious meeting at Hesh's home where Tony argues against the usury rate but ultimately agrees to pay the vig, while Hesh grows fearful for his safety and experiences a severe panic attack.[8] At Satriale's pork store, Tony discusses the issue with his associates, including Christopher Moltisanti, who casually suggests eliminating Hesh as a solution, though Tony dismisses the idea.[9] Parallel to Tony's troubles, Vito Jr. Spatafore, the son of the late mobster Vito Spatafore, has become withdrawn and involved in goth subculture, facing bullying at school over his father's death. His mother Marie approaches Tony for $100,000 in financial support and help with Vito Jr.'s behavior, but after Tony loses the money gambling and Vito Jr. refuses therapy, Tony arranges for the boy to be forcibly taken to a military-style boot camp.[9] A.J. Soprano faces turmoil in his relationship with Blanca Selgado, who is pregnant with their second child. A.J. proposes marriage at dinner, and Blanca initially accepts, but later during the Puerto Rican Day Parade, a heated argument over his immaturity and lack of responsibility leads her to return the ring, end the relationship, and move out with their son Hector.[3] A.J.'s emotional distress is evident as he confides in Tony, who offers curt advice amid his own preoccupations.[10] Carmela Soprano grows increasingly frustrated with Tony's secretive gambling habits and their impact on the family's finances, confronting him during a tense dinner at home where she accuses him of hiding money and prioritizing his addictions.[7] Family interactions highlight the strain, including brief exchanges with Meadow Soprano about her law school aspirations and everyday matters at the Soprano household. Minor subplots involve Christopher handling construction site duties and other crew members' casual banter at the pork store, underscoring the broader ripple effects of Tony's losses on the organization.[9]Cast and Characters
Starring Roles
James Gandolfini stars as Tony Soprano, the New Jersey mob boss whose impulsive gambling habits drive the episode's central conflicts, leading to financial strain and interpersonal tensions.[1] Edie Falco portrays Carmela Soprano, Tony's wife, who confronts the domestic fallout from his betting losses and seeks to maintain stability in their family life.[1] Robert Iler plays A.J. Soprano, Tony and Carmela's son, whose evolving romantic relationship with Blanca prompts significant personal decisions amid family pressures.[1] Lorraine Bracco reprises her role as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony's psychiatrist, facilitating sessions that explore his psychological responses to recent setbacks.[1] Michael Imperioli is billed as Christopher Moltisanti, though the character does not appear in this episode.[1] Jamie-Lynn Sigler is billed as Meadow Soprano, though the character does not appear in this episode.[1]Guest and Recurring Roles
In the episode "Chasing It," Jerry Adler reprises his recurring role as Hesh Rabkin, Tony Soprano's longtime friend and business associate, who becomes a key antagonist in a subplot involving a contentious debt over unpaid loan interest from a prior horse racing venture.[11] Adler's performance highlights Hesh's frustration and vulnerability, culminating in a heated confrontation at Tony's home that underscores themes of financial strain and fractured loyalties among associates. Dania Ramirez appears in her recurring role as Blanca Selgado, A.J. Soprano's girlfriend, central to a subplot exploring the young couple's deteriorating relationship amid cultural and personal tensions. Ramirez portrays Blanca's decision to end the engagement, delivering a poignant scene of emotional confrontation that amplifies A.J.'s immaturity and isolation.[1] Brandon Hannan appears as Vito Spatafore Jr., the son of the late Vito Spatafore, whose rebellious behavior and school expulsion lead Tony to intervene by sending him to a military boot camp. Elizabeth Bracco reprises Marie Spatafore, Vito's widow, in a brief but impactful appearance that ties into family aftermath subplots, as she seeks financial help from Tony for relocation.[9] Other recurring performers include Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani, who supports mob-related discussions and operations in the background, adding continuity to the crew's dynamics.[12] Arthur J. Nascarella returns as Carlo Gervasi, contributing to scenes of internal mob negotiations and loyalty tests.[12] Frank Vincent appears as Phil Leotardo, the New York underboss, featured at his birthday celebration where tensions with New Jersey are subtly highlighted.[11] Guest stars feature Nancy Sinatra as herself, providing a cameo during a social gathering that injects a layer of celebrity glamour into the episode's interpersonal tensions. Tom Aldredge guest stars as Hugh DeAngelis, appearing in a minor family interaction scene with Carmela regarding a property sale that contrasts everyday domesticity with the mob world.[12] Suzanne Shepherd plays Mary DeAngelis, supporting the subplot through her involvement in the family and community ties during the house sale discussion.[12] Additional minor guests, such as casino staff portrayed by uncredited actors, enhance the atmosphere of Tony's gambling escapades without drawing focus from core narratives.[11]Production
Writing and Direction
The episode "Chasing It" was written by Matthew Weiner, who joined the writing staff during seasons 5 and 6 and later created the acclaimed series Mad Men.[13] Weiner's script for this installment, one of ten he penned for The Sopranos, centers on character-driven drama, exploring Tony Soprano's impulsive gambling losses and their ripple effects on his relationships.[14] Key dialogue underscores themes of financial strain, such as Tony's ruthless pressure on Hesh Rabkin to repay a loan amid Hesh's health issues, and moral ambiguity, exemplified by Dr. Melfi's observation that Tony's treatment of Hesh reveals a lack of true friendship.[3] Direction was handled by Tim Van Patten, a recurring collaborator on The Sopranos who helmed 20 episodes across the series, including several from season 6. Van Patten's approach in "Chasing It" employs tense close-ups to capture Tony's expressions during high-stakes gambling moments, heightening the viewer's sense of his mounting desperation.[3] The pacing of the casino sequences is deliberately slow, mirroring Tony's existential dread and self-destructive spiral as losses accumulate.[3] Filming the casino scenes at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, enhances the atmospheric tension of Tony's ill-fated night out with his crew, evoking the seedy allure of the Jersey Shore gambling world.[15] Van Patten also uses intimate compositions in family argument scenes, such as those involving A.J. and his fiancée Blanca, to emphasize relational fractures amid Tony's personal turmoil.[3]Filming and Development
The development of "Chasing It" occurred during the production of the second half of The Sopranos' sixth season, which creator David Chase expanded from an initial plan of 13 episodes to 21 to accommodate additional narrative material, leading to a split format where the first 12 episodes aired in 2006 and the remaining nine in 2007.[16] Filming for the episode utilized several established locations from the series, including the Soprano family home at 14 Aspen Drive in North Caldwell, New Jersey, for domestic scenes, and Satriale's Pork Store on Kearny Avenue in Kearny, New Jersey, for mob-related discussions. The key gambling sequences were shot on location at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, capturing the interiors and exteriors to depict the high-stakes casino environment.[17][15] Production logistics for the casino scenes required coordination with the Borgata to manage crowds and extras, ensuring seamless integration of the actors into the active gaming floor without disrupting operations. The episode's post-production emphasized tight editing to heighten suspense in the interpersonal conflicts arising from financial pressures, as overseen by the series' regular editors.[18]Music and Sound Design
Featured Songs
In the episode "Chasing It," several licensed songs are featured, enhancing key scenes through diegetic and non-diegetic placements that align with the characters' emotional states and activities. These tracks, drawn from various genres, underscore moments of tension, celebration, and personal turmoil without overlapping with the original score composed for the series. The following table lists the prominent licensed songs, their artists, and specific placements:| Song Title | Artist | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Peppermint Twist | Joey Dee & The Starliters | Plays in the back room of the Bada Bing during a conversation between Tony and Silvio about Vito Jr.'s situation.[19][20] |
| Kernkraft 400 | Zombie Nation | Heard at the Bada Bing while Tony and his crew watch a Tampa Bay-Buffalo football game, amplifying the atmosphere of the bar during Tony's betting loss.[19][20] |
| Cavatina (piano arrangement) | Stanley Myers | Performed in the restaurant as A.J. proposes to Blanca, providing a classical backdrop to the intimate moment.[19] |
| Rompe | Daddy Yankee | A.J. listens to this reggaeton track in his car while driving to the Puerto Rican Day Parade with Blanca's son.[19][20] |
| Livin' la Vida Loca (instrumental, marching band version) | Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band | Background music at the Puerto Rican Day Parade during Blanca's breakup with A.J., contrasting the festive setting with his rejection.[19][20] |
| Honky Tonk, Pt. 2 | Bill Doggett | Plays as Tony drives his Escalade and spots Muhammad, contributing to the driving scene's rhythm.[19][20] |
| Bossman | Nancy Sinatra | Nancy Sinatra performs this live at Phil Leotardo's party celebrating his ascension to boss, highlighting the mob's power dynamics.[19][20] |
| Goin' Down Slow | Howlin' Wolf | Featured during Tony's casino gambling sequence and over the end credits, emphasizing themes of inevitable decline.[19][20] |
