‘Sopranos’ two families can’t stay separate

With Johnny Sack in orange coveralls instead of a Hugo Boss suit because of a silly misunderstanding over RICO statutes, Phil is the New York family’s acting boss. That should make for some interesting three-martini business lunches with Tony. Whether Phil can put aside his seething rage and work together with the New Jersey branch of the mob for the common good, or if he kisses Tony on each cheek and then punctures his jugular with a screwdriver, only time will tell.

Somehow, Tony avoided the FBI raid at Johnny Sack’s house, which formed the end of the last season. He was on the premises, but according to Tony’s lawyer, he was not named on the indictment, so the feds let Tony high-tail it through the snow back to his own abode. It was reminiscent of Christopher and Paulie’s experience during the wintry “Pine Barrens” episode of season three, except that they only had packages of ketchup to eat, whereas Tony surely had his face in a plateful of sausage and peppers within minutes.

The separation of business and personal has never been more difficult than in the case of Uncle Junior, although it may get easier in this sixth season because the old grouch is not doing all that well. Federal prosecutors are still determined to put him behind bars, and he is becoming more feeble and forgetful. In season one, he was hale enough to conspire with Livia to have Tony whacked. But sadly, Uncle Junior doesn’t remember that far back.

Besides Tony and Carmela, the personal side will likely focus on the diverse paths explored by Meadow and A.J. Whereas Meadow is all grown up and pondering a career in law, A.J. is thinking about party planning. If he only plans to attend them, that’s bad. If he plans to plan them, that’s good.

Of course, there’s Janice and Bobby. Now that the last frozen tray of ziti from Bobby’s late wife has been consumed, they can turn their attention toward making a life together. One report suggests the two will have a baby together. In this case, all I can say is that it’s never too early to take preventative steps against childhood obesity.

Silvio and Paulie will try and be good soldiers, with mixed results. Silvio will listen to Tony’s grousing with a mixture of amusement and annoyance, while Paulie will work an angle, any angle, that succeeds in feathering his nest.

Lastly, there’s Dr. Melfi. She’ll continue to charge Tony a lot of money to sit and listen to him unburden himself so she can afford to pay Elliot Kupferberg to listen to her complain about having to listen to Tony, further illustrating that most of us are in the wrong business.

That’s probably what will happen this season. Just don’t tell anybody, or else.

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