Guy Walks into Psychiatrist’s Office (S02E01)
Airdate: January 16th 2000
Written by: Jason Cahill
Directed by: Allen Coulter
Running Time: 50 minutes
The opening episode of Season 2 of The Sopranos, titled Guy Walks into a Psychiatrist's Office, ingeniously recaps the significant events of the first season while setting the stage for new developments. This is accomplished through a montage that showcases key characters in their everyday lives, all set to Frank Sinatra's melancholic rendition of "It Was a Very Good Year." The choice of this song adds a layer of irony, as it contrasts the seemingly mundane activities of the characters with the underlying tensions and unresolved issues from the previous season. The montage effectively conveys the passage of time and allows viewers to reconnect with the characters and their evolving circumstances without resorting to heavy exposition.
While the past year has undoubtedly been traumatic for Tony Soprano, he finds himself in a considerably better position at the beginning of Season 2 than he was at the outset of Season 1. The power struggle within the DiMeo crime family has concluded in his favour; his mother, Livia, is incapacitated in hospital following a stroke, and Junior is incarcerated. One of Junior's last loyalists, Phily Parisi (played by Grimaldi), who had been vocal in his disdain for Tony, meets his demise at the hands of Gianluigi “Gigi” Cestone (played by John Fiore), acting on Tony's orders.
However, a new threat emerges in the form of Tony's older sister, Janice (played by Aida Turturro, introduced as regular cast memeber). Having left New Jersey for Seattle to embrace a bohemian lifestyle under the name "Parvati," she returns ostensibly to reconnect with family and visit their mother. Yet her true motivation is revealed to be a desire to inherit their childhood home, leading to tension when she discovers that Tony has put it up for sale. Janice's return not only complicates family dynamics but also serves as a catalyst for introducing other family members, including Tony's younger sister Barbara (played by Nicole Burdette) and Carmela’s parents.
The unexpected reappearance of another character, Salvatore "Pussy" Bonpensiero, adds further complexity to Tony's life. His absence during the previous season created an air of mystery, and upon his return, Pussy explains that he had been living with a woman in Puerto Rico who had been his physical therapist. Despite his desire to rejoin Tony’s crew and provide financial support for his family, Tony harbours suspicions about Pussy potentially being an FBI informant.
In the meantime, Christopher Moltisanti embarks on a new venture that veers into white-collar crime. He establishes an investment firm that operates on dubious principles, employing an Asian man to impersonate him during an exam to secure a position as an SEC compliance officer. The firm's operations are akin to a "boiler room" scheme, pushing worthless stocks through aggressive tactics. Christopher’s laziness and lack of direct supervision leads to chaos when two of his associates - Matthew Bevilaqua (played by Lillo Brancato Jr.) and Sean Gismonte (played by Chris Tardio) – viciously beat and employee trying to sell legitimate stocks. Christopher now has to warn them not to bring law enforcement attention with these tactics, while his own relationship with Adriana (played by Drea de Matteo, promoted to regular cast member), begins to deteriorate because of drug abuse.
Tony’s struggles culminate in a nervous breakdown that results in a traffic accident, prompting him to seek therapy once more. His attempt to engage another psychiatrist fails due to his criminal notoriety, leading him back to Dr. Melfi, who is now conducting sessions from a motel room. When he tracks her down, she confronts him about her practice suffering due to his actions and refuses to treat him again.
Despite initial concerns about whether "Guy Walks into a Psychiatrist's Office" could live up to the high standards set by Season 1's finale, it successfully continues the overarching narrative of The Sopranos. The episode deftly balances moments of dark humour with serious themes surrounding mental health and familial dysfunction. While Tony presents himself as a successful mob boss who has triumphed over his enemies, he remains ensnared by unresolved issues related to his family and mental well-being.
The return of Pussy introduces an intriguing mystery that looms over Tony's life; it raises questions about loyalty and betrayal within his circle. Meanwhile, Dr. Melfi’s handling of Tony’s attempts at reconciliation marks a significant shift in their dynamic; her previous role as a conduit into Tony’s psyche seems diminished as she distances herself from him during a time when he needs her guidance most.
Guy Walks into a Psychiatrist's Office serves not only as an effective bridge between seasons but also as an exploration of character development amidst changing circumstances. The episode encapsulates the essence of The Sopranos—a blend of dark comedy and profound psychological insight—while setting up new challenges that will unfold throughout Season 2.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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