"I'll tell you this, my estimation about John Sacrimoni as a man, just fucking plummeted."
"You make your own luck in life."
— Tony Soprano
Nearly every still surviving character in the series has been invited to the wedding of Johnny Sack's daughter Allegra, including his enemies such as Rusty Millio. Johnny successfully petitions to get a temporary release from prison to attend the wedding, but only for six hours, along with no alcohol and tabbing the expenses and other strict conditions.
Tony resumes therapy with Dr. Melfi. He's not ready to confront his lingering issues over his own mother, and now his own uncle, having tried to kill him, with the latter twice over now. He also expresses frustrations over A.J. not amounting to much of anything. Dr. Melfi tries to impress upon Tony that A.J.'s issues may be partially attributable to Tony's influences.
Johnny sends Phil to Satriale's to request Tony to carry out a hit on Rusty Millio. Johnny fears that Rusty will resume trying to take over the family again by finding another puppet. Tony initially refuses. But Tony changes his mind after speaking with Johnny personally at the wedding.
The Federal Marshals escorting Johnny minimize the amount of time that he can spend at Allegra's wedding by insisting that the six hours includes transportation time. They also make a point of humiliating Johnny by forcibly cuffing him and carrying him away in front of his daughter and all the guests. Johnny is reduced to tears as he's carried away, with his wife Ginny fainting. Phil loses respect for Johnny afterward.
Vito insists on leaving the wedding early and then leaves his wife Marie late that night. A member of the Lupertazzi family, Sal Iacuzzo, catches Vito dressed in black leather in a gay bar enjoying the company of another man. Vito flees and checks into a motel. He calls Silvio late at night to get a sense of whether he's been outed as homosexual in Mafia circles.
Tony more and more feels that his decisions and orders are being questioned (especially by Chris) and that he's losing the respect of the other mobsters on a perception that he's been weakened. During another therapy session, Dr. Melfi (inadverdantly) advises Tony that he needs to make a show of strength.
Tony shows up at Satriale's and hesitates for a few moments after being greeted by the guys. He resolves himself and then goads his own bodyguard, a younger and well-built man named Perry, into a fight. Tony manages to make short work of Perry, despite not having fully recovered from his surgeries, and thereby takes back respect as the Boss. He makes his way to the bathroom but ends up vomiting blood into the toilet from the physical strain of the fights in his condition.
Tropes:
- The Ace: Vito is not just a master poker player. He's also good at finding and tapping connections to make the money flow for Tony. These traits greatly attribute to his Bunny-Ears Lawyer status within the family, after his homosexuality is exposed.
- Asskicking Leads to Leadership: After his coma, Tony has been dealing with the other mobsters openly questioning his decisions and orders, and a gradual loss of respect among the men. After a brief moment of brooding on whether his Batman Gambit can work, Tony decides to provoke his own bodyguard, Perry, into a fight. Although Perry is younger and very muscular, Tony manages to make short work of the younger man despite not having fully recovered from his surgeries. Tony won't have to worry about open disrespect or being second-guessed anymore, at least not from his own men.
- Batman Gambit: Tony spends a few minutes in Satriale's pondering whether his intended course of action (inspired by his latest session with Dr. Melfi) will work out. He knows he'll continue to lose credibility and respect as the Boss unless he does something to take it back. He also knows that Perry is likely to fight back on account of his Hair-Trigger Temper. The point of uncertainty is whether Tony, still not having completely recovered from his surgeries, can win a fight against the younger and muscular Perry. Should he lose, the Gambit will backfire badly for Tony and he can pretty much kiss being the Boss goodbye. He decides to chance it and ends up achieving his objective.
- Bleak Abyss Retirement Home: Uncle Junior is checked into a psych ward that has features of a retirement home. And he desperately wants to leave the moment he arrives.
- Blood from the Mouth: Tony vomits blood into the toilet more than once, as a result of the strain of his Curb-Stomp Battle against Perry despite not having fully recovered from his surgeries.
- Bodyguarding a Badass: Perry's role. It turns out Tony is still very capable, but both he and Carmela think personal protection would be advisable in the immediate wake of having been released from the hospital.
- Broken Pedestal: Phil loses all respect he once had for Johnny Sack after the latter is has a Villainous Breakdown and cries while being hauled away by the Federal Marshalls.
- The Chains of Commanding: Johnny Sack tells Tony that Rusty could have taken over as Boss from Carmine Sr., but didn't want the responsibility of being the one who officially announces the decisions. Rusty's preference is to have the power but as The Man Behind the Man.
- Chekhov's Lecture: Dr. Melfi tells Tony that he must address his decreasing respect among the other mobsters by showing strength. He's already thought of it and ultimately puts the advice into motion.
- Chekhov's News: Carmela runs out to get the morning newspaper, and sees the front-page article about Uncle Junior going into "cushy psych-lock up". She decides to trash it, figuring Tony doesn't want to know.
- Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Tony admits to Dr. Melfi that while he's friends with the other Jersey mobsters, he's well aware that they would step over him and step over his grave if they saw an opportunity for themselves in it.
- Comically Missing the Point:
- Ahmed and Muhammad apparently weren't around in The '80s to be able to understand Chris' joke about not leaving home without their American Express credit cards.
- Chris himself still doesn't get it when Paulie corrects him on Allegra's name being Italian for "happiness".
- Continuity Nod:
- Vito is still The Ace when it comes to poker.
- Tony references A.J.'s talent for being an "event planner", only for A.J. to fob him off.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Tony manages to make short work of Perry.
- Deadpan Snarker: Paulie replies "nitroglycerin" when a security guard asks what his bottle of cologne is.
- Death Glare: Phil briefly gives Tony one after the latter initially refuses Johnny Sack's request to carry out the hit on Rusty Millio.
- Do You Want to Copulate?: Tony resumes therapy with Dr. Melfi by straight-up asking her to give him some Glad-to-Be-Alive Sex. He tries to ask it in a joking kind of way, but it's easy to tell he meant it.
- Double-Meaning Title:
- The title refers to the first words on the wedding invitation for John and Ginny's daughter, Allegra.
- It is also possibly a reference to John's request to his judge to be granted a leave from jail to attend his daughter's wedding.
- The title could also be a reference to John's request that Tony's family kill Lupertazzi capo, Rusty Millio.
- Double Speak: Tony relents to Johnny Sack's request to take out Rusty Millio, but the dialogue is just opaque enough to avoid being picked up on by the Marshalls escorting Sack.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Tony is more and more having his decisions questioned by the other Jersey mobsters, Chris especially, on the perception that he's weakened from
Badass Decay. He confides as much to Dr. Melfi. He ultimately addresses it with a demonstration of Asskicking Leads to Leadership. - Dumb Muscle: Perry is tall and very muscular. But it's an honest question if even Jackie Jr. had more going on upstairs.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones:
- It means the world to Johnny Sack to be able to attend his daughter's wedding. And he's reduced to Inelegant Blubbering when the Marshalls haul him off in front of her.
- Tony himself has high hopes for Meadow to get married and give him grandchildren.
- He also empathizes with Sack after being humiliated by the Federal Marshalls in front of Allegra and the other wedding guests. He also stands up for Sack to Phil on that point.
- Exact Words: The Federal Marshalls escorting Johnny Sack insist that his six hours include transportation time.
- Fainting: Ginny faints as Johnny Sack is being carried off by the Federal Marshalls.
- Friendly Enemies: Mobsters of various factions who can't stand to be in the same room as each other, and would love nothing more than to blow each other's brains out, go through the motions at Allegra's wedding.
- Foreshadowing:
- Vito looks uncomfortable holding his wife's hand, and dancing with her.
- Phil asks the question that if the federal authorities can reduce Johnny Sack to Inelegant Blubbering over his daughter's wedding, what else can they make him do. It turns out ...
- Vito goes out for "collections" late at night, which prompts Marie to ask him why so late. The fact that the Imitation of Life (1959) of life is playing on the television might suggest that the Spatafore couple is in a mirror reverse of the situation that Steve and Lora found themselves in during the film. Lora's career as an actress has her struggling to find time to spend with Steve. Vito's career as Tony's earner leaves him little time to spend with Marie. But it turns out to be something else ...
- Tony provides a clue that his post-coma change of heart may be short-lived when he tells Carmela: "You make your own luck".
- Green-Eyed Monster: Tony can't help but feel a little jealous when he notices Perry's chiseled physique, perhaps a painful reminder of his Formerly Fit days.
- Hair-Trigger Temper:
- Perry very clearly has one, as he's ready to get out of the car and take his fists to another driver who cuts him off.
- And Tony banks on Perry showing it again and fighting back when he puts his Batman Gambit based on Asskicking Leads to Leadership into motion.
- Hated by All: Tony grimaces at the very thought of having to talk with Phil for even a few minutes. And when Phil strides into Satriale's, it's obvious that the rest of the Jersey mob can't stand to be in the same room as him.
- He's Back!: Tony is welcomed back as the Boss at Satriale's. But it turns out things remain somewhat complicated.
- Hidden Depths: Minor henchman Dante Greco displays a surprising aptitude for aftercare in this episode. He reveals to his peers that he cared for his lupus-stricken mother and seriously considered a career in healthcare.
- I Don't Pay You to Think: Tony and Christopher discuss hiring outside help to wack Rusty. Christopher doesn't get the hint and doubles down on stupid when he starts questioning Tony's leadership in front of Phil Leotardo.Christopher: I'm just saying I don't think it's a good idea.Tony: Well, I didn't ask you what you fuckin' think.
- I Want Grandkids: Tony spells it out for Meadow, with his Convenient Coma providing background.
- In-Series Nickname: Phil refers to Rusty Millio as "The Mayor of Munchkinland".
- Inelegant Blubbering: Sack, as he's being cuffed and hauled off by the Federal Marshalls.
- Jerkass: Johnny Sack calls the Marshalls escorting him a bunch of "heartless pricks". And all things considered, it's hard to disagree.
- Kick the Dog:
- The way the Federal Marshalls treat Johnny Sack on the wedding day, particularly at the end when they block off the newlyweds' limo as it's about to drive off so they can haul him back into custody in front of all of the guests.
- Tony assaults Perry without any provocation so that his men will fear him.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: Uncle Junior now knows that Tony is his nephew and he knew about the gun in a general sense. But he's honestly convinced that he never shot Tony.
- Leatherman: Most of the patrons at the gay club. Vito himself has this going on with another patron. Being caught in the act by Sal Iacuzzo and another mobster is one of the events that lead to Vito being Forced Out of the Closet.
- Off the Grid: Vito checks into a motel, fearful of being outed as gay in Mafia circles.
- Oh, Crap!: Vito, when he bumps into Sal Iacuzzo at the gay bar, while he's got the Leatherman thing going on.
- Pay Evil unto Evil: The Federal Marshalls escorting Johnny Sack, well aware of who Sack is and what he's accused of having done, are petty enough to go out of their way to humiliate him and minimize the amount of time he can spend at his daughter's wedding.
- Pet the Dog: Mob associate Dante Greco takes Rosalie Aprile's hand and dances with her when a song comes on for couples, what with her being a widow.
- Plausible Deniability: The reason Johnny Sack wants Tony to carry out the hit on Rusty Millio. And the reason Tony in turn contracts the hit out to his connections in Naples.
- Politically Incorrect Villain: It's insinuated that Johnny Sack is himself a racist, and doesn't like the idea of any of his other relatives sitting near the Haitian boyfriend of one of his sisters.
- Pop-Cultural Osmosis Failure: Christopher also quips, when handing over the stolen credit card numbers: "Don't leave home without them!" This confuses the Middle Easterners, who are unfamiliar with the American Express advertising campaign Chris is referring to.
- Pride: Tony initially refuses to carry out the hit on Rusty Millio at Johnny Sack's urging, because he doesn't want to be seen as always subordinate to Sack.
- Psychotic Smirk: Tony wears one as he looks in the mirror in the realization that his Batman Gambit worked. Or at least he manages one in between bouts of Blood from the Mouth.
- Rule of Symbolism:
- Tony notes that Paulie's arm tattoo reads: "Good luck". An unintentional reminder to Tony that the Batman Gambit he is about to put in motion may not work out as he hopes.
- Tony also notes that both he and Perry wear a ring on their right pinky fingers. Another reminder that Tony won't necessarily come out on top should he provoke Perry into a fight.
- Scar Survey: Tony and Chris compare scars from their surgeries.
- Selective Obliviousness: Tony tries to convince himself that disowning his uncle and living by his newfound Aesop that each new day is a gift to be appreciated will be enough to deal with having been shot by Uncle Junior. It's too painful for him to confront issues stemming from both his own mother and his uncle (twice now) having tried to kill him.
- Shame If Something Happened: Vito on the surface gives complements to Finn, but it's really a reminder not to say anything about seeing him blow a security guard.
- Shout-Out:
- Christopher suggests to Tony that Johnny wouldn't be able to refuse a request on the day of his daughter’s wedding, as depicted in The Godfather. Also, Carmela picks up a newspaper headlining Junior's move to a prison psychiatric facility, using the phrase "Don Squirrel-Leone," mocking his mental state with reference to "Don Corleone".
- When Dante Greco offers to set a timer to remind Tony to take his medications, Silvio derisively comments "Nurse Betty over here."
- The Starscream: Johnny Sack orders the hit on Rusty Millio, convinced that Rusty will continue to his game of trying to take over as The Man Behind the Man.
- After witnessing Johny Sack's breakdown, it becomes clear Phil becomes this.
- Stealing from the Till: Chris purchases credit card numbers from Ahmed and Muhammad. Also doubles as Foreshadowing.
- Suddenly Shouting: Johnny Sack stresses out over everything, including the details of the wedding.
- Suspiciously Apropos Music: "Three Bells" by The Browns is played again, but this time it's with the lyrics that emphasize a romantic relationship in order to Foreshadow a new development for Vito as he's trying to go Off the Grid.
- Suspicious Missed Messages: Tony notes with anger that Vito isn't answering his calls.
- Too Much Information: It becomes obvious the guys don't want to hear much more about the details of Tony's multiple surgeries.
- Wedding Episode: Much of the drama and events in the episode unfold on account of Johnny Sack's daughter getting married, and almost every surviving character we have seen so far in the show getting invited.
- Why Couldn't You Be Different?: Tony expresses his frustrations to Dr. Melfi over A.J. flunking out of college and taking a menial job. Dr. Melfi points out that some of A.J.'s issues can be attributed to Tony's influences.
- You're Not My Father: Uncle Junior is dead to Tony.
