The Sopranos (TV Series) Pie-o-My (2002) User Reviews

Each one of us is alone in this universe

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 28 August 2022]

Tony looks after Ralph's horse, whilst Carmela continues to plan for her financial security.

This is another very strong reflective episode.

Although the overarching story only progresses slightly in 'Pie O My', a number of important themes come through strongly, particularly the bleak outlook certain characters have towards each other and their relationships.

There is a great deal of self serving behaviour cleverly shown in scenes where numerous characters like Tony, Janice, Christopher, Ralph, Junior, the FBI agents, a vet, Carmela, Adriana, all act in their own personal interests. As depressing as these scenes are to witness they are very well made and reflect the characters capacity to form meaningful relationships.

Ultimately these behaviours make it impossible for certain characters to fully trust and bond with others and it is cleverly shown in the personalities of people like Tony, who has more of an affinity with animals than people and Junior who's line (above) reveals a lot about why he's spent most of his life alone.

I love the use of 'My Rifle, Pony, and Me' at the end of the episode, as it takes film fans (like me) back to a great bonding scene in 'Rio Bravo', aka John Ford's famous rebuttal to one of Tony's favourite movies 'High Noon'. This is along with previous references to Gary Cooper's Will Kane are a brilliant way of defining aspects of Tony's character.

There are some interactions that are so well made (in an awkward sense) that they are excruciating. Tony leaving his hand out in front of Ralph, Janice's manipulation of Bobby, Adriana's interactions with everyone at this current point in the show.

All performances are brilliant as ever, with James Gandolfini, and Drea de Matteo just about standing out for me.

"Carmella shut the doOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!"

[Neptune165 · 7/10 · 15 July 2022]

I think that the reason Tony had so much compassion for animals is completely because they are truly innocent, and almost nobody in this world fits that, at least no adults. He justified what he did to others as being part of "the life" and in a lot of ways he had to do what he had to do in order to live with the path he chose in that life. He says to Ralph "what did she ever do to you?!", which may show that he saw his human victims as all having done "something" whether it was to Tony himself or just in life in general. Animals aren't "good" or "evil" (well, cats may fit that second term), so what was left of Tony's soul felt protective towards them. It was also a way for him to keep telling himself that he wasn't bad, just a soldier doing his duty. It's right. That final scene of Tony sitting next to Pie-O-My was so moving. I don't know that goat that comes in was scripted, but gives the scene a great touch. I don't know if I remember this wrong, but I think that Tony says something like: "look at your friend that comes to visit". Not a great episode, but has some important stuff, Bobby/Janice relationship, the beginning of the end of ralph, and a great way to show the ambiguous personality of Tony in a more clear or obvious way.

Pie-o-My (#4.5)

[ComedyFan2010 · 8/10 · 14 March 2014]

Ralph gets himself a horse for racing, and wins some money but when the horse gets sick he doesn't feel like paying. Yet Tony does. Adriana is going through lots of struggle with FBI. Janice is pursuing Bobby by cooking him food. Carmela tries to get Tony to sign the trust but he has second thoughts.

I love Tony for his love for animals. First the ducklings, now the horse. I don't care how many people he killed, somebody who is caring of other beings that are innocent is good in my book.

Junior had me once again in this episode. Him being so upset over the court sketch was one of the highlights for me.

More going on than just the horse.

[HumanoidFromTheDepths · 10/10 · 20 January 2009]

I'm writing this review just to try to expand on the other reviews which seem to only cover a portion of this excellent episode.

There are several interesting story lines in this mid-season episode, carrying along previous story lines and starting some new ones. Like many Sopranos episodes there's a lot going on here.

The main storyline and title of the episode of course refer to the horse that Ralph bought and is racing. This gives a great chance to see Tony and Ralph interacting with each other, which typically always ends in conflict. Plus, in the end we get to see a softer side to Tony who like many people can find more compassion for animals than people. This storyline is extremely important for this season.

There's still a lot more going on. Carmela is still worrying about the family's financial future and while Tony begs her off by saying that money is tight, he's still somehow able to find money to spend at the track.

Adriana was missing from the previous episode but shows up again here for a lot of screen time. The FBI contact her a couple of times and she's becoming very nervous about the situation especially since Tony and the guys are starting to use The Crazy Horse as a place to conduct business. By the end of the episode all of this stress pushes her into a decision that can only end in disaster.

For fans of Bobby Baccalieri this is a must-see episode. Bobby is still mourning his wife and Janice is there trying to move-in on him using her typical selfish and disgusting tactics. The best moment comes when Bobby shows that he deserved his bump in rank earlier in the season when he takes care of a job for Junior. This is the first time in the series I saw Bobby be intimidating, adding a whole new dimension to this character that has been getting deeper and more interesting with this season.

Meanwhile, Uncle Junior is on trial and provides some of the funny moments since it seems he's more concerned about the sketch artist than the jury.

A great episode with a lot more going on than just the horse, showing once again how a show can carry several story lines and several characters, developing them all superbly.

Tony's loneliness

[Faristuta · 27 January 2021]

Maybe I'm reading too much into it but I think the last few minutes revealed Tony's loneliness. Carmela and AJ can't head his screams inside his own house and his best friend seemed to be an ailing dying horse.

The one with the freaking horse

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 7 May 2008]

Remember how Seinfeld is often described as "the show about nothing", with episodes revolving around frozen yogurt, ponies or parking spaces? Well, Pie-o-My could be considered an almost Seinfeldian moment in the history of The Sopranos, since a large part of the story is centered around... a horse.

The animal in question, which gives the episode its title, is a race horse Ralph has bought on Hesh's suggestion to make some extra money. Tony is introduced to the creature one day and unexpectedly finds himself attached to Pie-o-My, whereas Ralphie coldly resorts to violence to make her run faster. On the home front, Carmela's worries for the future increase, leading her to ask Tony to sign a life insurance policy.

At first sight, one could classify this episode as irrelevant, and you couldn't blame anyone for doing so: nothing substantial happens, apart from Ralph and Tony's differences emerging clearer and clearer as the story progresses. With hindsight, though, Pie-o-My is as superb as other episodes because it sets the suspense for the second half of the season, which will see some characters hit new lows in their life.

Plus, a horse: reminds of the Godfather, doesn't it?

Margetis Review: The Sopranos, Episode 44 "Pie-O-My"

[MichaelMargetis · 11 February 2006]

A lot of Sopranos fans will call this the worst episode of the series, but that's not true. It is very well written and true to life, it just isn't interesting. At all. Tony buys a new race horse. That's all. It borrows a lot of the subtleness from last season's episode "Second Opinion", but is in my opinion better. If you don't have any great expectations of this episode, you will enjoy it. Otherwise, when the credits start to roll you'll say to yourself "That's all?!". The relationship with Ralph and Tony is always funny to watch, as Ralph tries to be a cheapskate and try not to pay Tony the vig he deserves. Hesh is in this one, and that's always a positive. This was more about a freakin' horse then about The Sopranos. It was well written and had smooth dialogue, but I pay god knows what price every month to view 'The Sopranos', not 'Tony Soprano Present's The Horse Whisperer'. I hope next week's is more intriguing, because it certainly looks more intriguing. Written by Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess; Directed by Henry J. Bronchtein. My Rating: 7.5/10