"Christopher" is the 42nd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the third episode of the show's fourth season. Its teleplay was written by Michael Imperioli, from a story idea by Imperioli and Maria Laurino. It was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on September 29, 2002.

Starring

• = credit only

Guest starring

Also guest starring

• Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile • Joseph R. Gannascoli as Vito Spatafore • Dan Grimaldi as Patsy Parisi • Matt Servitto as Agent Harris • Max Casella as Benny Fazio • Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo • Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola • Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani • Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi • Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante • Frank Santorelli as Georgie • Christine Pedi as Karen Baccalieri • Lexie Sperduto as Sophia Baccalieri • Angelo Massagli as Robert Baccalieri III • Denise Borino-Quinn as Ginny Sacrimoni • Richard Portnow as Harold Melvoin • Richard Romanus as Richard LaPenna • Peter Riegert as Assemblyman Ronald Zellman • Joyce Van Patten as Sandy • Larry Sellers as Del Redclay • Alex Rice as Maggie Donner • Nick Chinlund as Chief Doug Smith • Montel Williams as himself • Yul Vazquez as Reuben 'The Cuban' • Nick Di Paolo as Joey the Cop • Joseph R. Sicari as Phillip Di Notti • Randy Barbee as The Judge • Dan Castleman as Prosecutor Castleman • Roma Maffia as Professor Longo-Murphy • Jerry Grayson as Marty Schwartz • Val Bisoglio as Murf

Synopsis

Silvio wants to take action against Native Americans protesting the Columbus Day parade, believing their actions to be insulting to Italian-Americans. When, without Tony's approval, he, Patsy, and Artie attempt to break up the protest, Little Paulie and several others are injured. Ralphie threatens the protest leader, Professor Del Redclay, that he will make it known that Iron Eyes Cody, a popular Native American figure, was actually an Italian-American. Tony unsuccessfully appeals to Assemblyman Ron Zellman and to an Indian chief to convince Redclay to cancel the protest. The chief invites Tony and his crew to his casino. Both the parade and protest occur without mob intervention, which upsets Silvio. Tony forcefully argues to Silvio that his achievements came through his own abilities, not through his heritage, and scorns the idea that everyone belongs to a victimized group. At a luncheon meant to instill Italian pride in women, the "mob wives" feel singled out when the speaker attempts to dissociate Italian culture from the Mafia. After the luncheon, Gabriella lectures Father Phil about how much the mob wives, especially Carmela, have given to the parish, and says he had no right to bring in a guest speaker who intended to shame them. The Soprano and Lupertazzi families meet over a meal: Johnny, speaking for Carmine, demands a share of the profit Tony made from Junior's warehouse, which was recently flipped. Tony agrees, but comes to the conclusion that someone from his organization is leaking information to the Lupertazzi family. Now that Johnny knows of Ralphie's joke about his wife, he is furiously hostile to him, but will not say why. Bobby's wife Karen is killed in a road accident. The mob wives feel sympathy for Bobby during the wake and discuss his having never taken a comare. Spending time with him in his home, Janice is touched by his sincere grief. Shortly after Ralphie leaves Rosalie, Janice allows him to move in with her; but after a discussion with her therapist, she wills herself to break up with him. When he comes home with his baggage, she yells at him to leave and pushes him down the stairs, injuring his back. Janice locks herself in her room as Ralphie hobbles back to his car, bags in hand.

First appearances

Deceased

Title reference

Production

References to past episodes

Cultural references

Controversy

The episode created a controversy when cast members of The Sopranos (specifically Dominic Chianese and Lorraine Bracco) were banned from marching in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, despite having received an invitation to participate in the event from New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. This followed on from a ban for cast members two years before the episode went out.

Accolades

Joe Pantoliano won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 55th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2003 for his work in this episode and Whoever Did This.

Music