Ep 7. Watching Too Much Television

Tony Soprano is feeling restless and frustrated in this episode of The Sopranos, entitled "Watching Too Much Television." As the season progresses, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with his life in the Mafia, questioning his loyalty to his family and crew. This episode sees him grappling with these feelings as he tries to distract himself with TV.

The episode begins with Tony channel surfing in his bedroom, flipping through various shows with a bored expression. He settles on a Nature documentary and starts watching, but quickly loses interest when his phone rings. It's his mother, Livia, who he's been estranged from for some time. She's in the hospital and he's hesitant to see her, but eventually gives in and visits her bedside.

Their discussion is tense and awkward, with Livia making veiled threats and Tony struggling to keep his emotions in check. When he leaves, he's clearly shaken by the encounter and heads back to his house. He flips on the TV again, this time settling on a movie about a hitman. As he watches, he becomes increasingly engrossed in the story, identifying with the character and his struggles.

Meanwhile, back at the office, Christopher is tasked with training another member of the crew in the art of hitting targets. He's distracted and frustrated, however, as he's still reeling from a recent stress-induced asthma attack. He confides in Adriana, his girlfriend, about his feelings of inadequacy and she tries to comfort him.

The tensions within the crew continue to simmer, with Johnny Sack growing increasingly agitated over Tony's leadership. He pays a visit to Phil Leotardo, a rival capo, and the two discuss their concerns. Phil is more cautious than Johnny, warning him not to rush into any action without thinking it through.

As the episode progresses, Tony becomes more and more enamored with the hitman film, even calling in sick to work so he can finish watching it. He starts exhibiting some strange behavior, becoming paranoid and jumpy. The juxtaposition between his onscreen persona and his real life as a mob boss is stark, and it's clear that he's struggling to reconcile the two.

Elsewhere, the tensions within the crew come to a head when Paulie decides to take matters into his own hands and tries to settle a dispute with a rogue member of the crew. The confrontation turns violent, and Tony is forced to step in and try to put things right.

As the episode draws to a close, Tony's struggles with his identity and his place within the family seem to come to a head. He has a surreal dream sequence that seems to be a reflection of his inner turmoil, with various characters from his life popping up and confronting him. The episode ends on an ambiguous note, leaving viewers wondering what the future holds for both Tony and his crew.

Overall, "Watching Too Much Television" is a tense and compelling episode of The Sopranos, with strong performances and an intriguing storyline. It's a great example of the show's ability to explore complex themes and emotions, and it leaves viewers eager for more.