Marco Polo (The Sopranos)

"Marco Polo (The Sopranos)"

"Marco Polo" is the 60th episode of the HBO original series, The Sopranos. It was the 8th episode for the show's fifth season. The episode was written by Michael Imperioli and was directed by John Patterson. It originally aired on April 25, 2004.

Guest starring roles

• Toni Kalem as Angie Bonpensiero
• Frank Vincent as Phil Leotardo
• Joe Santos as Angelo Garepe
• Ray Abruzzo as Little Carmine
• Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola
• Allison Bartlett as Gwen McIntyre
• Joe Maruzzo as Joe Peeps
• Suzanne Shepherd as Mary De Angelis
• Tom Alderidge as Hugh De Angelis
• Chris Caldovino as Billy Leotardo

Episode recap

Template:Spoiler The conflict in New York increases, as Little Carmine’s party boat gets sunk. Tony tries to keep his crew out of the hostilities. He meets with Johnny Sack and agrees to have Phil’s car fixed, even though it was damaged because Phil owed Tony money. To save money, Tony has the work done in Pussy Bonpensiero’s former body shop (now run by his widow Angie).

Carmine’s crew begins courting Tony B. through his old prison buddy, Angelo Garepe. Angelo and Rusty Millio approach Tony B. and offer him a freelance job. They want him to kill Johnny Sack’s associate Joe Peeps in retaliation for the hit on Lorraine Calluzzo. Tony B. turns them down, but he soon realizes he isn’t moving up in Tony’s crew fast enough and wants more than he is being given.

Carmela plans a 75th birthday party for her father. After Uncle Junior ruins the surprise by telling Hugh he isn’t coming, the old man gets involved with planning the event. When he hears Tony is not invited, he demands the "man of the house" attend. When Tony arrives at the party, Carmela’s mother Mary is humiliated at his behavior and presentation. She apologetically explains the behaviors of the Sopranos to her more cultured friends. Hugh, however, is overjoyed with Tony's attendance. When Tony presents Hugh with a Beretta rifle, his gift warrants a condescending comment from one of Mary’s friends, informing the party goers that the best Berettas never leave Italy. As her parents leave, Carmela expresses her disgust at her mother for her behavior.

After most of the guests depart, Artie leads the younger guests in a game of Marco Polo. During the game, Tony and AJ grab Carmela and throw her in the pool, where she is immediately made “it” by Artie. After everyone else is out of the pool, Tony and Carmela find themselves together. A few kisses in the pool lead to the two of them spending the night together.

The evening at the Sopranos’ house seemed to bother Tony B., chafing at the way Carmela instructed him to help her at the party. His sons were dissatisfied returning to their own home after they had so much fun at the Sopranos’. After thinking about the situation, Tony B. calls Rusty and agrees to do the hit. He finds Joe Peeps outside a whorehouse in his car and shoots him and his female companion, but Tony B. gets his foot injured when the vehicle rolls over it. He limps back to his own car to make his getaway.

Deceased

• Joe Peeps: shot by Tony Blundetto on Little Carmine's orders
• Heather: prostitute with Joe Peeps; shot by Tony Blundetto

Title reference

• At Hugh’s birthday party, a game of Marco Polo breaks out in the Sopranos’ pool.
• The title may also be a reference to Tony B. "exploring new territory/making deals with "foreigners" (i.e.- the New York families).