Television Review: Boca (The Sopranos, S1X09, 1999)

Boca (S01E09)

Airdate: March 7th 1999

Written by: Jason Cahill, Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Directed by: Andy Wolk

Running Time: 52 minutes

The ninth episode of The Sopranos, titled Boca, attempts to deal with the delicate boundaries that separate the protagonists' business dealings, familial obligations, and their most intimate personal lives. This exploration unfolds through somewhat predictable narratives centred around sexual themes, which, while engaging, do not stray far from familiar tropes. The episode's intertwining of sex and power dynamics reflects the overarching themes of the series, yet it often feels like a reiteration of established motifs rather than a fresh perspective.

The main plot begins with a scene that showcases Meadow's skills as a goalie in her school soccer team, which is successfully coached by Coach Don Hauser (played by Kevin O’Rourke). The team's victory is a source of pride for Tony, Silvio, and Artie, whose daughters are also part of the team. As a token of their appreciation, Tony and Silvio invite Hauser to the Bada Bing, offering him a lap dance and other services "on the house." Hauser's polite refusal is met with understanding, but things take a turn when Tony and Silvio learn that he is planning to leave Meadow's school for a better-paid job in Rhode Island. They launch a campaign of "friendly persuasion" to make him change his mind, which, although well-intentioned, ultimately backfires.

However, the situation takes a dark and unexpected turn when Meadow reveals that Hauser had an inappropriate sexual relationship with her teammate Ally Vandermeed (played by Cara Jedell). Ally's frustration with the situation has led her to slash her wrists in public, which further infuriates Tony, especially given the possibility that Hauser may have molested his or his friends' daughters. Tony's initial response is to exact brutal physical retribution, but Artie intervenes, pleading with him to let the proper authorities handle the situation. Although Tony initially rejects Artie's advice, he eventually relents, and Hauser is arrested as the scandal becomes public. The episode ends with Tony getting drunk, a testament to the emotional toll of the situation.

In the meantime, Junior is conducting his illegal business out of the office of his corrupt lawyer, Harold Melvoin. He is being pestered by Mikey Palmice, who has been tailing Tony and misinterprets his visits to Dr. Melfi's office as meetings with FBI agents. However, Junior appears more concerned with his romantic vacation with Roberta "Bobby" Sanfilippo (played by Robyn Peterson), a corrupt union official and his longtime girlfriend. The two travel to Boca Raton, where they have the time of their lives, and Bobby praises Junior's ability to satisfy her with his oral sex skills. Junior, however, is afraid that he won't be perceived as "manly" by other mafiosi, and when Bobby blurts out his secret despite his warnings, this is exactly what happens. Tony starts sarcastically referring to Junior's sexual practices during a golf game, and Junior, realizing he can't trust Bobby, breaks up with her. In the meantime, Junior relates the information about Tony's visits to Dr. Melfi to Mikey, which adds another layer of tension to the plot.

Despite its engaging storyline, Boca is, like most of the show's episodes, well-acted and well-directed, but the script in this particular case is a little too formulaic. The content resembles those of Very Special Episodes that were a staple of 1980s and 1990s US broadcast television. As soon as the school soccer team, made up of nubile teenage girls and their coach, is revealed to be part of the plot, more perceptive viewers can quickly guess where the plot is going and how it will be resolved. This predictability makes the episode feel slightly less sophisticated than other episodes of The Sopranos.
Despite these limitations, the writers manage to delve into intriguing themes such as the difficulty individuals face in keeping intimate secrets within a close-knit community. The episode also critiques macho stereotypes and societal expectations surrounding masculinity—elements crucial for building the show's intricate world. The interplay between personal relationships and public personas highlights how deeply intertwined these aspects are within the lives of mobsters.

One of the most compelling aspects of Boca is its unexpected character development, particularly that of Artie Bucco. Often portrayed as one of Tony's less assertive friends—frequently henpecked by his wife Charmaine—Artie surprises viewers by standing up for what is right. He successfully persuades Tony to reconsider his initial desire for vengeance against Hauser. This moment not only adds depth to Artie's character but also showcases The Sopranos' ability to defy audience expectations by revealing layers beneath its characters' established archetypes.

On the other hand, the resolution of the Junior/Bobby subplot is a little too overmelodramatic, with David Chase later admitting that he was inspired by a similar memorable scene from The Public Enemy. The episode's homage to this scene is clever, but it feels slightly forced and melodramatic. However, by showing how heartbreaking this development is for Junior, the episode becomes something more than just a clever homage. Junior's character is revealed to be more vulnerable and sensitive than initially thought, and his breakup with Bobby is a poignant moment in the episode.

Overall, "Boca" encapsulates many strengths and weaknesses inherent in The Sopranos. While it may not break new ground in terms of narrative innovation, it effectively highlights critical themes surrounding masculinity, secrecy, and morality within its character-driven stories.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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