A Hit Is a Hit (S01E10)
Airdate: March 14th 1999
Written by: Joe Bosso & Frank Renzulli
Directed by: Matthew Penn
Running Time: 53 minutes
The tenth episode of The Sopranos, A Hit is a Hit, endeavors to explore the precarious line that separates organised crime from legitimate enterprises, with one of the most notable areas of convergence being the realm of show business. The world of organized crime, as depicted in The Sopranos, is one where the pursuit of wealth and power knows no bounds, and the characters are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. In contrast, the entertainment industry, particularly the music business, is portrayed as a realm where image and perception reign supreme, and the lines between reality and fantasy are constantly blurred.
The plot of A Hit is a Hit begins with a literal interpretation of the episode's title, as a "hit" is exactly what befalls Gallegos (played by Jessy Terrero), a Colombian drug dealer who made the ill-fated mistake of encroaching on the DeMeo family's territory. The opening scenes depict Paulie, Pussy, and Chris carrying out the deed in a Manhattan apartment, subsequently helping themselves to the deceased man's substantial money stash. Flush with cash, Chris treats Adriana to a night out in New York City, which includes a trip to watch the hit musical Rent on Broadway. It is here that they coincidentally stumble upon Massive Genius (played by Bookem Woodbine), a gangsta rap mogul who is aware of Chris' mafia connections and requests his assistance in settling a score with Hesh, who allegedly exploited black musicians, including one of Massive's distant cousins. Meanwhile, Adriana sees this encounter as an opportunity to launch her career as a music producer and utilizes both Chris' and Massive's cash to support a rock band led by her old boyfriend, Richi Santini (played by Nick Fowler).
However, the recording sessions prove to be unfruitful, as Richi lacks the necessary talent, a fact that becomes apparent to everyone except Adriana. Massive, on the other hand, appears to be using the situation as an excuse to get close to Adriana, rather than genuinely investing in the band's potential. When Chris eventually gives up on Richi, it leads to a falling out with Adriana. The attempts to settle the matter between Hesh and Massive ultimately end in the threat of legal action, which starkly contrasts with the "gangsta" image that Massive has cultivated, revealing a more nuanced and complex character beneath the surface.
Another subplot introduced in this episode is the character of Dr. Bruce Cusamano (played by Richard LuPone), a wealthy physician and Tony's next-door neighbor who has referred Tony to Dr. Melfi. Tony, apparently pleased with Dr. Melfi's services, expresses his gratitude and gains enough favour with Cusamano to be invited to a barbecue with his wealthy friends. It is here that Carmela receives stock market tips and decides to dabble in the stock market, while Tony is further invited to a golf game, which he accepts in the hopes of becoming a member of Dr. Cusamano's exclusive club. However, the golf game turns into a humiliating experience for Tony, as Dr. Cusamano and his friends persistently pepper him with mafia-related questions, treating him as a curiosity and a source of amusement. Tony's humiliation is further compounded when he learns that the golf club will not accept him as a member. In a bid to exact retribution, Tony plays a practical joke on Cusamano, filling a package with sand and asking him to keep it for a month as a favour, leaving Cusamano and his wife, Jean (played by Saundra Santiago), to wonder what dangerous contents it might hold.
A Hit is a Hit is a masterfully written episode that utilizes its two parallel plots to address the pressing issues of division in American society, both based on race and ethnicity, as well as class. Tony's description of Cusamano as an Italian American who abandoned his ethnic and cultural heritage to rise to the top serves as a poignant commentary on the sacrifices that individuals must make in pursuit of social mobility. This episode also delves into the theme of self-delusion, as embodied by Adriana and her seemingly harebrained idea of becoming a music producer. Moreover, the character of Massive Genius serves as a prime example of the disparity between one's outside "cool" image and the more banal reality, as he is revealed to be a college-educated businessman rather than a tough street gangster.
It is also worth noting that this episode features a significant amount of fan service for the male audience, with Drea de Matteo appearing scantily clad or in underwear on multiple occasions.
Ultimately, A Hit is a Hit concludes on a light-hearted and humorous note, which was, until this point, a rarity in The Sopranos. The show had always strived to maintain a serious and dramatic tone, but this episode's ending marks a notable and refreshing departure from this trend.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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