Matt and Sean grow frustrated with life as mob errand boys and Carmela intervenes in Meadow's college application process.
This is an eventful, intriguing episode that focuses on characters with actions that have a big impact on the overarching narrative of the season and arcs of other characters.
Several characters are trying hard to achieve certain objectives and it leads to scenes that are funny, dramatic and (intentionally) cringeworthy.
Matt and Sean have been trying and failing to be recognised since the season began. You almost feel sorry for them when portrayed as the lowest of the low in the Soprano crew's food chain. However, as their characters are written as lacking basic common sense, what happens in this episode is an extreme but plausible depiction of how the 'regularness of life' drives certain people down certain paths. Lillio Brancato Jr and Chris Tardio play these parts convincingly, particularly Brancato.
Carmela has a very impactful and entertaining episode. Her scenes interacting with the Soprano household are as great as ever, but it's her exchanges with Jean and Joan that for me are the highlight. The dialogue is exceptionally good and Edie Falco makes her character feel real as always. Saundra Santiago is also great in a duel role as twin sisters.
The character of Richie Aprile is used brilliantly in more excruciating scenes. When being depicted showing his nasty side, it is as vile and bullying as ever. Even when trying to be nice and ingratiate himself he has you on edge. Some of the writing that relates to his character is darkly funny, particularly the ramp and the jacket. David Proval does not even have to say anything to convey what's on Richie's mind, his physical performance is so good.
As ever the production is top drawer with strong cinematography and editing. Some of the scene transitions are so subtle in how they link to each other via dialogue they are hard to spot.
