The Death of Christopher Moltisanti

SPOILERS. Okay, if you watched the show and are still reading, you know that Christopher, at least physically, is not dead. Yet. But his crash and burn on what was a great episode is a sign not only of his likely actual demise but provides added fodder to my point last week that everyone is out to get Tony. I don't think Christopher will be able to pull a Sammy the Bull, but the threat is there and is growing.

Christopher's biggest problem is that he can't accept who he is. (Okay, it's also the alcohol and drugs.) He thinks he is a screenwriter/film producer but the only reason Cleaver was made was because he was able to strong arm J.T. into writing it. (On a complete side note, Mrs. Bartender and I were at a Cinco de Mayo party on May 5, and I commented that Tim Daly (who plays J.T.) and Tyne Daly are siblings; there was much doubt, but your faithful bartender was proven correct. Considering their disparate looks, they are the Randy and Dennis Quaids of different gender siblings. Now back to our story.) By killing J.T., Christopher has destroyed "his" ability to be a movie writer--supposedly the thing he wants to do. And it is J.T. telling Chris that Chris "is in the mafia" that leads to the killing. By refusing to face what he is, Christopher acts like who he is. He may have the child and the suburban home, but he IS in the mafia and he is a killer and an alcoholic, and he is going to die.

Other characters were stuck also with who they are, whether trapped by their pasts or, perhaps, their genes. The genius that is Tony once again was questioning what his purpose is and why has he condemned his son to depression. Yet in his attempts to help AJ by reuniting him with some old friends, he has possibly condemned him to something worse--the life of a hood. AJ may no longer be moping around the house, but he is now helping a bookmaking operation as muscle and still freaking out. The poignant scene at the end of the episode with the seemingly happy Soprano family having a midnight supper while trouble lurks under the table may be a final moment of family happiness for this clan. (Btw, having Carm reading Fred Barnes' love letter to President Bush was classic.)

Finally, I don't think it's a red herring, but Tony's providing of the FBI with help regarding the "Arabs" or "maybe Arabians" may provide an interesting ending to the show. Remember that many top mobsters have gotten away with murder due to helping the FBI. We'll see where this leads.

Next week--things heat up with New York. I think.