Directed by: Steve Buscemi
Written by: Terence Winter
You make your own luck in life
Johnny Sack’s daughter Allegra is getting married and Johnny petitions for temporary release from custody to attend the ceremony and reception. He’s granted six hours under the supervision of the U.S. Marshals and ordered to pay the costs for the extra security measures.
The hotheaded – and muscle-bound – Perry Annunziata takes over as Tony’s bodyguard and driver. Seems everyone around Tony is in better shape than he is these days.
Tony goes for his first visit back to Dr. Melfi since the shooting. “So let me ask you right off, is there any chance at all for a mercy fuck?” She presses him on his reactions to being shot by Junior. “Gloom is your business and business is good,” he retorts. He insists on focusing his session on AJ.
Tony heads to the Pork Store back room to see everyone, comparing scars with Christopher and bemoaning his physical state. Phil Leotardo comes by to ask Tony for a favor from Johnny Sack. “Our friend, the Mayor of Munchkinland. John wants him gone.” But Tony refuses to off Rusty Milio: “Time and again I’ve done his dirty work. Time I set some limits.”
After hours at the Bing, Muhammed and Ahmed pay Christopher for 120 credit card numbers and security codes. They inquire about getting some semi -automatics: “Protection. It’s a family problem.” Christopher has to take a call before he can respond.
Lawyers argue over Junior’s mental state. When Carmela sees the morning paper headline touting Junior’s “cushy psych lockup” she tosses it before Tony can see. At the psych facility Junior insists he’s innocent – it was a gun malfunction – and begs to go home.
On the day of Allegra’s wedding, Tony pressures Meadow about when she’s getting married and giving him grandkids. At the Church, security checks at the church door make for a long line to get in. When Tony sets off the metal detector, he collapses trying to take off his shoes for a search as the other guests look on.
At the wedding Vito pulls Tony aside to give him a taste of a Weehawken strip mall job and report that the guy from the planning commission overseeing the municipal swimming pool bids is willing to play ball – “He’s f%$#in’ Joe DiMaggio.”
Johnny Sack pressures Tony to take care of Rusty. Surrounded by Marshals, Tony and Johnny join Johnny’s father and elderly relatives and discuss the situation in code. Tony gives in. When he talks to Christopher about farming it out (somebody from Naples), Christopher argues that he doesn’t think it’s a good idea.
When his time is up, Johnny is hauled away by the Marshals, sobbing in front of Allegra and the guests who have gathered for her departure. Ginny faints at the scene. Phil Leotardo loses all respect for Johnny but Tony sticks up for him: “I’ve seen tougher guys than John cry at weddings. Comes to daughters, all bets are off.”
After the wedding, Tony and Carmela count their blessings, while Johnny returns to jail. Vito heads out to “make some collections”- but heads to a gay bar instead. At the bar, he’s spotted by a fellow wise guy and panics. He sneaks back home and gets a gun and heads to a Motel. At 3 a.m. he calls Silvio “just to check in” but Silvio just wants to go back to sleep.
Back at Melfi’s, Tony complains about people questioning his judgment since he’s out of the hospital. “People sense you’re weak, they see an opportunity.” She suggests he take on the affect of a decisive leader.
Tony sizes up the group at the Pork Store and picks a fight with Perry Annunziata, the most fit – and impressive – person to reassert his authority with. Victorious, he heads to the bathroom to wash up…and vomits from the exertion.