ARTSETC.
The no show
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Also by Nick Marx:
- Freedom of Speech (May 1, 2003)
- Thank youse (May 8, 2003)
- Attack of the Clones (September 4, 2003)
- 'Once Upon a Time' in a land not so far away (September 17, 2003)
- Jazzmen jam on (April 16, 2003)
Related Stories:
- 'Sopranos' must break static streak, end with a bang (May 2, 2007)
- HBO files $100 million suit against 'Sopranos' star (March 12, 2003)
- Sopranos snippet (September 17, 2002)
- What's in store for "The Sopranos,' season five? (March 10, 2004)
- A "Sopranos" preview from A to Z (September 12, 2002)
by Nick Marx
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Sunday’s episode continued to give the impression that this season may turn out to be “The Sopranos’” best yet. Every scene was expertly layered with subtext (long one of the strong points of the show), and the acting only helped underscore each character’s hidden intentions. “No Show” had to have been one of the most sharply written installments of the series, as Tony continues to get trampled on like William H. Macy in a Coen brothers flick.
After a long summer of laziness, Meadow decides she’s going to Europe for the year, blaming Jackie Jr.’s death as the cause of her funk. This does not please the big man, and the situation takes a turn for the worse after a Dr. Melfi-recommended shrink supports Meadow’s decision.
Meanwhile, Tony makes Christopher acting capo while Paulie is in jail, a decision that gives “Chrissy” an inflated ego and clouds his decision making. After a couple of ill-advised heists at the Esplanade construction site, Tony sits down with his boss-in-training and urges him to use his head.
If only T knew the half of Christopher’s problems, his growing junk habit not being the least of them. In the episode’s best scene, he scolds Adrianna for not seeing Danielle for what she really is. As we all hope to God Christopher suspects Danielle of being a fed, he tells Ade not to associate with her anymore because she’s “a dyke.”
Adrianna’s lack of prescience comes back to haunt her when her former best friend, now clad in a business suit, hauls her in for interrogation.
The episode appropriately ends on a bitter-sweet note with another impeccable music selection from David Chase, Radiohead’s “How to Disappear Completely.”
Best line: “It is … considering I had to haul your last boyfriend out of the kitchen in a Hefty bag.” (Tony to Janice, after she tells him her love life is none of his business.)
