A Hit Is a Hit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “A Hit Is a Hit” | |
|---|---|
| The Sopranos episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 10 |
| Guest stars | see below |
| Written by | Joe Bosso and Frank Renzulli |
| Directed by | Matthew Penn |
| Production no. | 110 |
| Original airdate | March 14, 1999 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Boca" | "Nobody Knows Anything" |
| Episode chronology | |
"A Hit Is a Hit" is the 10th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was the tenth episode for the show's first season. The episode was written by Joe Bosso and Frank Renzulli and was directed by Matthew Penn. It originally aired on Sunday March 14, 1999.
Contents |
[edit] Guest starring roles
- Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin
- Nick Fowler as Richie Santini
- Bryan Hicks as Orange J
- Oksana Lada as Irina
- Saundra Santiago as Jeannie Cusamano
- Robert LuPone as Dr. Bruce Cusamano
- Bokeem Woodbine as Massive Genius
[edit] Episode recap
Paulie, Christopher and Big Pussy kill a drug dealer in a hotel room as a warning to his organization to stay away from New Jersey, Soprano territory. They steal cash from the scene, a big score that Tony states should be used legitmately, such as an investment in an IPO of some kind.
Tony gives Dr. Bruce Cusamano, his neighbor, a box of Cuban Cigars as a gift for his referral of Tony to Dr. Melfi. As part of the follow up conversation, Dr. Cusamano invites Tony to play golf with him and friends at the private club of which Bruce is a member. After some initial hesitancy, Tony does so. At a barbeque with Dr. Cusamano and his friends, Tony is looking for stock tips, but Carmela receives a tip from one of the wives, and invests in the company. The company splits 3-for-1 and Carmela is pleased.
Tony regrets his decision to play golf with Cusamano when he realizes other players all wanted to meet him to hear his stories about life in the Mafia. They even ask him if he has ever met John Gotti. Tony discusses the incident in therapy with Dr. Melfi, and how he felt used for the amusement of others, much like his high school friend with a cleft palate. But Tony gives himself a small revenge. He fills a parcel with sand and asks Cusamano to "hold on to it" simply to freak him out and it works.
Christopher and Adriana go to the theatre in New York. While waiting for fast food afterwards Christopher makes racist comments about the clientele of the diner. This draws the attention of Massive Genius — a rap star — who also happens to be there. A cop tells Massive's friend Orange J that Christopher is semi-hooked up with the Soprano crew when it appears there might be violence. Massive dispatches J to invite Chris and Ade to a party at his home. Adriana recognizes Massive because of his fame and urges Christopher to take her to the party. Chris and Massive talk business and admire guns after which Massive checks out Adriana. After the encounter Adrianna proposes that she should pursue a career as a music producer, and Christopher agrees, given her experience in listening to music. Her ex-boyfriend Richie Santini is the singer in a band called Visiting Day. Christopher agrees to put up the money for her to produce a demo for them.
Richie has some problems of his own: he's a recovering drug addict and never fully recuperated from an injury sustained while trying to use a downed power line to grill a trout. The demo recording progresses slowly and the producer and Richie often argue. Christopher starts to realize that the band may not be a sound investment. He takes the demo to Hesh, who has a history in the music business and tells him that the band has no talent. Massive meets with Christopher and Ade to listen to the demo and claims to be impressed. However, he seems more interested in Adriana than the music. Christopher notices this and later tells Adriana he thinks that the only reason Massive G is encouraging her is because he wants to get into her pants. Adriana becomes angry and accuses Chris of trying to hold her back and storms out of their apartment.
Massive G has Christopher organize a sit-down with Hesh. He tells Hesh that he is a relative of a deceased artist with whom Hesh once worked and claims Hesh owes $400,000 in music royalties to a relation. When Hesh refuses to pay, Massive responds with a threat of litigation. Hesh mentions a counter-suit over unauthorized sampling by Massive G's label of music that Hesh still controls. The issue is left unresolved.
[edit] First appearances
- Dr. Bruce Cusamano: Soprano family physician and next door neighbor
- Jean Cusamano: Wife of Dr. Cusamano and friend of the Soprano family.
- Massive Genius: Famous rapper interested in Adrianna and seeking money from Hesh.
- Orange J: A member of Massive Genius' crew.
[edit] Deceased
- Juan Valdez: Shot in the forehead by Paulie Walnuts
[edit] Title reference
- Rather than referring to a planned murder as might be expected in a show about the mafia, the title is actually a quote from the episode. The line was spoken by Hesh when discussing Visiting Day's demo with Christopher. The misleading nature of the title is mirrored in the episode itself with the tension built between Hesh and Massive G dissipating without violence.
[edit] Miscellanea
- This episode introduces the notion that Hesh has a penchant for African-American women.
- The song played in one of the closing scenes, which Hesh hears and then says to Christopher, "Now that is a hit", is "Nobody Loves Me But You" by Dori Hartley.
