"The Weight" is the 43rd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the fourth episode of the show's fourth season. Written by Terence Winter and directed by Jack Bender, it originally aired on October 6, 2002. This episode marks the halfway point (43rd out of 86) of the series.

Starring

• = credit only

Guest starring

• Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile • Peter Bogdanovich as [[List of characters from The Sopranos - Friends and Family#Elliot Kupferberg| • Elliot Kupferberg]] • Denise Borino as Ginny Sacrimoni • Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani • Matthew Del Negro as Brian Cammarata • Raymond Franza as Donny K. • Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo • Joseph R. Gannascoli as Vito Spatafore • Dan Grimaldi as Patsy Parisi • Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi • Richard Maldone as Ally Boy Barese • Joe Maruzzo as Joey Peeps • Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante • Joseph Castellana as Lou 'Dimaggio' Galina • Richard Bright as Frank Crisci • Jeff Robins as Chris Galina • Lisa Altomare as Rose Galina • Stephen Sable as Florida Hit Man • Julie Goldman as Saskia Kupferberg • Angelo Massagli as Bobby Baccalieri III

Synopsis

Johnny is consumed with anger about Ralphie's joke about Ginny, leading him to savagely assault a member of Ralphie's crew whom he encounters at a bar. When Tony confronts him, he blames his temper, but also says he loves his "Rubenesque" wife. On Tony's instructions, Ralphie phones Johnny to try to make peace, but he ends up giving a botched apology; Johnny takes this as an admission of guilt and is further angered. Johnny asks Carmine to permit a hit on Ralphie; he refuses. There are two sit-downs. Johnny walks out of the first because Ralphie is present. At the second, Ralphie is not present, but Johnny remains inflexible and insists on retaliation to defend his wife's honor. Carmine turns him down again and tells him to "get the fuck over it." Johnny walks out again. Carmine hints to Tony that Johnny can be killed, and Silvio and Christopher arrange for it to be done in Boston, where Johnny will be visiting his father. Simultaneously, Johnny arranges for Ralphie to be killed in Miami, where he is staying in a hotel. Johnny leaves New Jersey for Boston but returns home to retrieve a sweater. He finds Ginny with a stash of junk food and candy. Initially angry, he reminds her that he never asked her to lose weight but is deeply hurt that she has lied to him. He calls off the hit at the last moment and tells Tony he will accept Ralphie's apology. Meadow joins a legal aid organization representing underprivileged clients in the South Bronx. Tony is not pleased that she is drifting away from her plan to be a pediatrician. Carmela and Tony argue bitterly about their finances. She and Furio, who comes each morning to pick Tony up, are growing closer. He has bought a house and she goes to see it with A.J. At the housewarming party, Carmela and Furio dance together to sensual Italian music. Tony buys Carmela some flowers and a little black dress from Saks Fifth Avenue. She puts it on. Greatly aroused, he takes her to bed. In the next room, Meadow starts to play the song Carmela and Furio danced to. Carmela yells for her to turn the song off and she complies. But as Tony lies heavily on top of her, Carmela's eyes open, and she imagines that she is still hearing the music to which she and Furio danced.

First appearances

Title reference

Music