Ep 4. Commendatori

Tony Soprano, the New Jersey mob boss, is on a business trip to Naples with Paulie and Christopher. Meanwhile, Carmela, Tony's wife, hires Furio Giunta, an enforcer, as a gardener in their home. The episode is titled "Commendatori," which is the Italian word for a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, but in this context, it refers to the title given to the head of the Camorra, the Neapolitan equivalent of the mafia.

The episode begins with Tony, Paulie, and Christopher arriving in Naples and being greeted by their Italian counterparts. They are taken on a tour of the city by an Italian mob boss named Don Altobello, who introduces them to local customs and traditions. Tony is not impressed by the poverty and squalor he sees in Naples and comments on the inferiority of the Italian mafia to the American one.

Back in New Jersey, Furio Giunta starts work at the Soprano residence as a gardener. Carmela is immediately taken by Furio's good looks and charming personality, and she starts to become attracted to him. She confides in her neighbor Father Phil, who suggests that she is feeling neglected by her husband and needs to feel desired. Carmela tries to resist her feelings for Furio, but she is unable to do so.

Back in Naples, Tony, Paulie, and Christopher are taken to a restaurant by Don Altobello, where they receive a warm welcome from the owner. During the meal, they are approached by a man who introduces himself as Annalisa, the new Commendatore of Naples. Tony is polite but dismissive of Annalisa, who takes offense and challenges Tony to a race. Tony accepts and the two men race their cars through the streets of Naples, with Annalisa ultimately winning. This sequence is one of the most famous in the entire series, and it showcases the show's ability to seamlessly blend drama, humor, and action.

As the episode progresses, Carmela's attraction to Furio intensifies, and he begins to reciprocate her feelings. He confides in Tony's consigliere, Silvio, who warns him that he is playing with fire and that Tony will not tolerate any infidelity. Furio ignores the warning, and he and Carmela share a passionate kiss.

In Naples, Tony, Paulie, and Christopher are shown more of the city by Don Altobello. They visit a museum, where Tony becomes enamored with a beautiful painting of a woman. He is told that the painting is by Caravaggio and that it is worth millions of dollars. Tony becomes obsessed with the painting and starts to form a plan to steal it.

The episode concludes with Tony, Paulie, and Christopher attending a party thrown by Annalisa at his villa. The party is interrupted by a group of armed men who are there to kill Tony and his companions. A shootout ensues, and Tony manages to kill one of the attackers. The episode ends on a tense note as Tony realizes that the Italian mafia is not as weak as he initially thought.

"Commendatori" is a standout episode of The Sopranos. It showcases the show's ability to tell complex, character-driven stories while also providing moments of humor and action. The episode also introduces Furio Giunta, who becomes a major character in later seasons. Overall, "Commendatori" is a must-watch for fans of the show and is a great example of what made The Sopranos such a groundbreaking series.