Elements of the darkly humorous
Fargo (1996) are recalled in this Emmy-nominated episode directed by one of that classic film's stars,
Steve Buscemi. A simple collection from a Russian goes awry when he and Soprano family mobster Paulie Walnuts (
Tony Sirico) exchange words, then blows. Determining that the desolate Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey are the perfect dumping grounds for the Russian's body, Paulie drags soldier Christopher Moltisanti (
Michael Imperioli) with him, promising a night in Atlantic City once the corpse has been disposed of. Things don't unfold as planned, however; their victim isn't dead and turns out to be a former Army commando who assaults them, then escapes. Disoriented, Paulie and Christopher can't find their way back to the car and end up spending a frozen night in the woods. Meantime, the Mafia organization's boss Tony Soprano (
James Gandolfini) learns that his new lover Gloria Trillo (
Annabella Sciorra) has an unstable, violent streak, and his daughter Meadow (
Jamie-Lynn Sigler) sees another side of her boyfriend Jackie Aprile Jr. (
Jason Cerbone). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide