Army of One (S03E13)
Airdate: May 20th 2001
Written by: David Chase & Lawrence Konner
Directed by: Allen Coulter
Running Time: 60 minutes
The Sopranos is often hailed as a groundbreaking series that distinguished itself from other drama television shows by striving to reflect real life, not only in its content but also in its structural choices. This commitment to realism is particularly evident in its season finales, which, contrary to the typical expectations of being climactic and eventful, can sometimes feel decidedly anti-climactic. A prime example of this is the Season 3 finale titled Army of One. Rather than delivering a grand resolution or dramatic showdown, the episode unfolds with a sense of inevitability and subdued tension, mirroring the often mundane and unresolved nature of real life.
The most significant crisis facing the Soprano family and their criminal empire during this episode is Jackie Aprile Jr.'s attempt to reclaim his father's legacy and status within the mob. However, by the time Army of One airs, this conflict has already reached a resolution. Following his breakup with Meadow and a disastrous attempt to rob a poker game, Jackie’s fate is all but settled. His actions—specifically attacking made men—seal his doom, as such transgressions are met with severe repercussions in the mob world. Seeking refuge in an African American neighbourhood in Boonton, Jackie finds temporary shelter with Ray-Ray (played by Michael K. Williams). While hiding, he briefly connects with Ray-Ray's young daughter, Lena, who attempts to teach him chess. He also makes a desperate phone call to Tony, pleading for his life.
Jackie's fate is ultimately decided when Ralphie Cifaretto hears from Tony that the situation must be resolved quickly. As Jackie steps out of Ray-Ray's apartment for groceries, he is shot dead by Vito Spatafore. The news of his death spreads rapidly through the DiMeo family and their associates. Meadow is devastated by the loss of her former boyfriend but chooses to publicly accept the narrative that Jackie was killed in a drug dispute rather than acknowledging the truth of his mob-related murder. The only dissenting voice is Kelli Aprile (played by Melissaa Marsala), Jackie Jr.'s sister, whose insistence on revealing the truth is quickly dismissed by Meadow. This denial culminates in Meadow's emotional outburst at Jackie's wake, where she resorts to heavy drinking and ultimately storms out after confronting her feelings about the funeral's hypocrisy.
For Tony Soprano, Jackie Jr.'s demise represents a personal failure. He had promised Jackie Sr. that he would protect his son from the dangers of mob life, yet he finds himself unable to fulfil that promise. This failure weighs heavily on him as he grapples with his own parental anxieties concerning A.J., who is struggling academically and socially and might end exactly as Jackie Jr. Those concerns seems justified following A.J,’s ill-fated attempt to improve grades by breaking into school and stealing exam answers. This results in final expulsion from Verbum Dei school, after which Tony decides to send his son to Hudson Military Institute. This decision is initially met with resistance from Carmela, but Tony nevertheless goes through with it, convinced that sudden encounter with harsh discipline would help his son. Ironically, just before A.J.'s departure for military school, he experiences a panic attack reminiscent of Tony's own struggles with anxiety; this leads the pediatrician to declare him unfit for school.
Meanwhile, Paulie Gualtieri faces his own challenges as he attempts to secure a suitable nursing home for his elderly mother, Nucci Gualtieri (played by Frances Esemplare). The financial burden weighs heavily on him, especially as he seeks compensation from Ralph for his involvement in a lucrative heist. When Tony resolves a dispute between Paulie and Ralph over a relatively small sum of money in Ralph's favour, Paulie’s frustration grows. He confides in Johnny Sack about his dissatisfaction with Tony's leadership, hinting at potential discord within the ranks of the DiMeo family.
Another looming threat for Tony arises from Christopher Moltisanti, who has been identified by the FBI Task Force as a potential weak link susceptible to being flipped as an informant. The FBI's strategy involves targeting Christopher's girlfriend Adriana La Cerva through an undercover female agent named Deborah Ciccerone (played by Lola Gualdini), who is to befriend Adriana.
Army of One stands out for its lack of suspense; even viewers who are less attuned to narrative cues can predict Jackie Jr.'s fate early on in the episode. His attempts at bonding with Ray-Ray’s daughter through chess serve as an unconvincing red herring that fails to generate genuine tension or intrigue about his survival. Instead, Jackie’s death occurs abruptly and without fanfare—an execution that underscores his insignificance within the larger narrative tapestry of The Sopranos. The sparsely attended funeral coinciding with Super Bowl Sunday further illustrates how little impact Jackie had on those around him.
Despite this apparent insignificance, Jackie's fate serves as a cautionary tale for Tony regarding A.J.’s potential trajectory. Ironically, while Meadow possesses the intellect and capability to both escape mob life and potentially lead her father's empire if she desired, her gender and resentment towards Tony create a rift between them that complicates their relationship.
The episode also introduces two notable supporting characters who would go on to achieve fame: Michael K. Williams as Ray-Ray and Tobin Bell as an authoritative figure at Hudson Military Institute. Williams' portrayal foreshadows his later iconic role as Omar in The Wire, while Bell would become synonymous with horror through his role as Jigsaw in the Saw franchise.
Additionally, Army of One features Lola Gualdini as Deborah Ciccerone; interestingly enough, her character was originally portrayed by Fairuza Balk during the episode's initial airing before her recasting for subsequent seasons due to scheduling conflicts.
The episode concludes with Uncle Junior celebrating what he perceives as victories over both cancer and federal indictments at Jackie's wake—a stark contrast to Jackie Jr.'s fate. His impromptu singing session provides Dominic Chianese an opportunity to showcase his vocal talents; however, this moment is undermined by what appears to be an overly clever artistic choice by the creators—replacing Chianese’s heartfelt rendition of "Core 'ngrato" with songs in various languages.
Army of One serves as an intriguing time capsule reflecting cultural sentiments at the turn of the millennium; during discussions about A.J.’s potential military school enrolment, Tony remarks that American military engagements have shifted away from traditional warfare in the 21st century—a statement rendered poignant just months later by the events of 9/11 and subsequent military interventions abroad. Notably, this season finale marks one of the last appearances of the World Trade Center towers in opening titles—a visual element that would be absent from future seasons following their destruction.
While Army of One may not conform to conventional expectations for season finales within dramatic television narratives—lacking suspense and grand climaxes—it offers profound insights into character dynamics and themes central to The Sopranos' exploration of family ties and personal failures against a backdrop steeped in crime and moral ambiguity.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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