Pie-O-My (S04E05)
Airdate: October 13th 2002
Written by: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Directed by: Henry J. Bronchtein
Running Time: 54 minutes
At first glance, Pie-O-My appears to be a quintessential “filler” episode of The Sopranos, where surface-level plot progression is minimal. Yet, through masterful writing and layered characterisation, this quiet interlude becomes a compelling exploration of moral ambiguity, familial tension, and the fragile alliances underpinning Tony Soprano’s world.
The titular racehorse, Pie-O-My, symbolises the transactional relationships that define the DiMeo crime family. Ralph Cifaretto (played by Joe Pantoliano) acquires the horse as a financial asset, yet his indifference to her wellbeing starkly contrasts with Tony’s unexpected tenderness. After the horse’s victories, Tony leverages his “horse wisdom” to demand a cut of Ralphie’s winnings, ostensibly to secure his family’s financial future. However, his refusal to sign an irrevocable trust fund for Carmela—a decision rooted in fear of divorce—exposes the couple’s eroded trust. Their disputes over money, juxtaposed with Tony’s willingness to pay Pie-O-My’s vet bills, highlight his compartmentalised morality: generosity towards animals clashes with manipulative pragmatism in marriage.
Ralphie’s neglect of the horse culminates in a pivotal scene where Tony, learning of Pie-O-My’s illness, rushes to cover her medical costs. His overnight vigil in the stables, soundtracked by Dean Martin’s “My Rifle, My Pony and Me”, underscores a rare moment of vulnerability. This tenderness, however, is undercut by the knowledge that Tony’s affection for the horse will later fuel a brutal act of violence.
Adriana’s subplot exemplifies the episode’s ability to weave tension into quieter arcs. As an FBI informant, her new role forces her to navigate perilous dual loyalties. While she reluctantly provides trivial intel—such as Patsy Parisi’s involvement in stolen goods—her terror of Tony discovering her betrayal manifests in desperate attempts to convince Christopher to flee New Jersey. Pressure by her new handler, Agent Robyn Sanseverino (played by Karen Young), exacerbates Adriana’s paranoia, driving her to heroin use as a coping mechanism. This downward spiral, though subtly portrayed, foreshadows her tragic trajectory in later episodes.
Bobby Baccalieri’s grief over his wife Karen’s death initially renders him inert, jeopardising his role as Junior’s lieutenant. Janice Soprano, ever opportunistic, exploits this vulnerability by positioning herself as Karen’s replacement—a scheme marred by her comically inept domesticity. Her passive-aggressive interactions with JoJo Palmice (played by Michele Santopietro), Mikey Palmice’s widow whom she sees as rival, reveal a calculated bid for control over Bobby’s life. Bobby’s eventual return to work, aiding Junior in union dealings, signals a reluctant re-engagement with mob life, albeit now shadowed by Janice’s influence. This arc contrasts Bobby’s earlier sympathetic portrayal with a colder, more pragmatic edge.
Pie-O-My epitomises the series’ signature blend of main and subplots, each enriching the others. Tony’s financial wrangling with Ralphie and Carmela mirrors Adriana’s precarious balancing act, while Bobby’s grief parallels Tony’s fleeting moments of empathy.
The episode also subverts expectations of its characters. Bobby, previously portrayed as the family’s gentlest member, reveals a steely resolve in his union dealings. Conversely, Tony’s hypocrisy—lavishing care on Pie-O-My while undermining Carmela’s security—exposes the contradictions that define him. Ralphie, though villainous, becomes a tragic figure whose callousness invites his eventual demise.
Pie-O-My thrives not through explosive drama but through its nuanced examination of loyalty, guilt, and the fragile façades its characters maintain. The horse serves as both a literal and metaphorical vehicle: a symbol of Tony’s conflicted soul and a harbinger of the violence simmering beneath his paternal exterior. By embedding profound character insights within ostensibly low-stakes scenarios, the episode reaffirms The Sopranos’ mastery of storytelling—where even the quietest moments resonate with impending chaos.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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