"Pax Soprana" is the sixth episode of the HBOoriginal seriesThe Sopranos. It was written by Frank Renzulli, directed by Alan Taylor and originally aired on February 14, 1999.
beats up the leader of a card game which had been protected by Jimmy Altieri. Mikey says "Junior Soprano is the new boss. And he ain't respecting old arrangements." While Junior is being fitted for a new suit, he is told that his tailor's 14-year-old grandson committed suicide after taking drugs sold to him by Rusty Irish. Rusty is Larry Boy Barese's top earner, but Junior has him killed. Prompted by Livia, Junior informs Hesh he must now make payments to Junior, though he never has before. Hesh goes to Tony, who goes to Johnny Sack, the underboss in New York'sLupertazzi crime family. They negotiate with Junior, who reduces his demands, and Hesh agrees to pay. Junior's capos are resentful because he is keeping too much money for himself. Tony speaks to Junior, who agrees to pass Hesh's tribute money down to his capos. Tony gives his share of this money back to Hesh. Tony loses his libido as a side effect of his medication; Carmela and Irina become very discontented. He starts having erotic dreams about Dr. Melfi and believes he is in love with her. In a session with Dr. Melfi, Tony tries to kiss her. She says, "You're feeling that way because we've made such progress." Carmela admits to Tony that she is jealous that his therapist can help him and she cannot. Tony tells her that she is his life, and they reconcile. Junior celebrates his promotion with a banquet. A waiter has a button camera and takes photos for the FBI.
The title is a reference to Pax Romana and related terms, which refer to a lack of conflict over a long period of time due to the unchallenged rule of a single dominant power, which Tony hopes to achieve within the Soprano family. Pax Romana was an era initiated by the Roman emperorAugustus, mentioned by Tony in his conversation with Uncle Junior.
Livia alludes to Rudyard Kipling's poem Gunga Din. He was a servant who carried water to soldiers in need.
Music
The song played when Mikey and his boys shake down a poker game that is under Jimmy Altieri's protection is "Willy Nilly" by Rufus Thomas.
The song played when Mr. Capri fits Junior for a new suit is "When the Boys in Your Arms" by Connie Francis.
While Junior visits Livia at Green Grove, some of the other seniors are singing to "I Whistle a Happy Tune".
The song played as Christopher walks into the card game at Satriale's is "Coconut Boogaloo," by Medeski Martin & Wood.
The song played during Tony's first dream featuring Dr. Melfi is "What Time Is It?" by The Jive Five.
The song played when Tony meets with Johnny Sack during his anniversary dinner with Carmela is "Pampa" by Gustavo Santaolalla.
The song played during the final montage and end credits is an instrumental version of "Paparazzi" by Xzibit, a song derived from Gabriel Fauré's "Pavane".
In 2015, Alan Sepinwall argued that "Pax Soprana" is "so fraught with discomfort and complications with both family and Family that it's nearly as compelling in its own right as last week's Very Special Episode." Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club wrote that the episode "isn't a tremendous hour of television like 'College' was, but it may be more significant."
