As a die-hard fan of The Sopranos who has spent countless hours dissecting every scene and episode, I can confidently say that “Pine Barrens” remains one of the most iconic and memorable episodes in television history. This masterpiece is a testament to David Chase’s genius as a storyteller, showcasing his ability to weave intricate narratives filled with suspense, humor, and cultural references.
Known for being hailed as the best-written television series ever by the Writers Guild of America, The Sopranos boasts no less than exceptional episodes (none scoring below 7 on IMDb). Given the caliber of writers like Matt Weiner (known for Mad Men) and Terrence Winter (of Boardwalk Empire, Tulsa King, and The Wolf of Wall Street fame), this high quality is hardly unexpected. Additionally, the entire cast deserves recognition, and with David Chase orchestrating as the showrunner, it’s clear why everything unfolded so smoothly.
Among all the fantastic episodes, “Pine Barrens” from Season 3 is particularly notable, resonating with both viewers and critics. This episode is packed full of laugh-out-loud slapstick humor within its hour-long duration. A multitude of characters channel their inner Charlie Chaplin, and Paul Sirico and Michael Imperioli deliver some of the most eccentric performances in their acting careers. The concept for this episode originated from a dream by regular series director Tim Van Patten, but it was Steve Buscemi, making his first venture into such a role, who ultimately took charge. Sadly, “Pine Barrens” leaves us with a significant unresolved question: Whatever became of the Russian mobster (or “Russkie,” as Tony refers to him), Valery?
In “Pine Barrens,” All the Jokes Land, and the Comic Sequences are Exquisitely Orchestrated
The setting, “The Pine Barrens,” manages an intriguing blend of melancholy and humor, with a touch of awkwardness and uproarious antics. Although there are multiple subplots, the central storyline gains momentum when Tony orders Paulie to retrieve money from Valery on Silvio’s behalf. Silvio’s health status is ambiguous, ranging from being unwell to hungover (a common trait among the mob). Paulie objects, citing a prior commitment to take his mother for her Social Security appointment; however, Tony reminds him that these men generate income. Consequently, Paulie enlists Christopher to accompany him. Predictably, a brawl ensues within Valery’s residence. The Russian man ends up unconscious, and due to their lack of intelligence, both Paulie and Christopher assume they have killed him. As a result, they follow the standard mob protocol for disposing of bodies.
As a movie reviewer, I’d rephrase that line as follows:
The humor intensifies at this stage. Both characters act comically, quivering like animated figures, and soon after, Paulie contacts Tony to share some troubling news. This phone call provides one of the series’ most memorable lines. Tony explains to Paulie that Valery was a Russian Interior Ministry operative who eliminated 16 Chechen rebels, hence caution is advised. Due to poor cell reception, Paulie misunderstands and informs Christopher, “The fellow was an interior decorator. He exterminated 16 Czechoslovakians.” Christopher’s response is priceless as he ponders over how Valery could have been an interior decorator given the state of his house.
The hilarity never stops. Bobby Baccalla, normally a priggish presence, enters the stage with a devilish sense of humor when he and Tony arrive at the Barrens to rescue fellow wise guys. He even comes dressed in full combat gear (A bit too much, Bobby?). Paulie’s car, containing the money from Valery, is also revealed to have vanished, suggesting the Russian mobster drove away with it. Interestingly, Valery is never seen again, and viewers never get updated on whether he was captured or not.
Even Insiders Don’t Know What Happened
Was Valery killed? Following the character’s escape into the Pine Barrens, Paulie shoots him, but it’s unknown where the bullet struck. Later, during the search, the camera briefly moves away from Paulie and Christopher to a bird’s-eye view, hinting that someone, perhaps the Russian, might be observing them from a tree. Additionally, the disappearance of Paulie’s vehicle implies that Valery may not have been killed.
In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Terence Winter confessed that he’s often been questioned about it, but he remains unsure: what is the response?
The question I’m asked most frequently is: “Where did the Russian go? Why isn’t he here anymore?” Instead of stating he’s dead or gone, let’s leave it open-ended. He might have left or perhaps he’s involved in some complex situation with the Russians. After all, life doesn’t always provide clear answers to every question.
It’s unfortunate that all questions don’t get answered in life, but it’s intriguing to understand why a meticulous person like Tony didn’t pursue the matter further with a significant debtor.
David Chase was much more dismissive of fans’ desire for an explanation:
“They shot a guy. Who knows where he went? Who cares about some Russian? This is what Hollywood has done to America. Do you have to have closure on every little thing? Isn’t there any mystery in the world? It’s a murky world out there. It’s a murky life these guys lead. And by the way, I do know where the Russian is. But I’ll never say because so many people got so pissy about it.”
Michael Imperioli, being deeply involved in the series, could provide insights on Valery’s fate. However, even he is left in the dark about it. In an article titled “One Final Whack at That HBO Mob” published by The New York Times, the actor explains that the unresolved nature of Valery serves as a testament to the show’s subversiveness, stating that it was “never what people expected.” Interestingly, Paul Sirico discloses in the same article that David Chase had initially written a Season 6 scene involving Christopher and Paulie encountering Valery outside a bar and fatally shooting him. However, this scene was later removed from the script.
“Pine Barrens” Ambiguity Painfully Reminds Us of “Made in America.”
In “Pine Barrens,” an unexplained moment echoes the finale of ‘Made in America.’ Instead, the scene fades to darkness following Tony’s gaze as he savors a meal with his family at a diner. The theory goes that the enigmatic figure wearing a Member’s Only Jacket, who had recently stepped into the diner, was the one who ended the life of the New Jersey mob boss. However, it is puzzling because Tony had recently brokered a truce with the Lupertazzi crime family, which would make such an assassination unnecessary.
Over time, Chase has given conflicting explanations regarding the ending, and in his recent documentary series, “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos“, he tantalizes viewers even more by saying, “The reality is…” just as the screen fades to darkness.
Just as it remains uncertain what actually transpired regarding Valery with Tony, that mystery doesn’t diminish the greatness of “Pine Barrens.” In fact, it’s an episode that showcases a remarkable level of intelligence and clever storytelling in every other aspect.
In this show, music plays a significant role. For instance, when Gloria Trillo, Tony’s mistress, shows up at the docks, you can hear Van Morrison’s “Gloria” playing. Earlier in the episode, AJ is spotted watching Blur’s “Coffee & TV”. The lyrics of these songs seem to foreshadow the events that unfold in the episode. Furthermore, the episode is filled with pop-cultural references. At one point, Paulie compares Valery to Grigori Rasputin, the famous Russian mystic and faith healer who was notoriously hard to eliminate.
23 years on, we’re just as pleased that this episode saw the light of day. Unfortunately, we’re left pondering the unresolved mystery of Valery.
The Sopranos
is available to stream in the US on Max
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2024-11-11 00:03