Despite the advice of Hesh Rabkin, Tony decides to get involved in the motel business - specifically, a dispute between owner Shlomo Teittleman and his son-in-law, Ariel. But Ariel proves a tougher kettle of (shell)fish than most of Tony's other business partners, and Tony finds himself thinking about paintings and Jackie Aprile, wasting away in a hospital bed. Meanwhile, Christopher is caught between a bullet and a hard place when Meadow approaches him for a favor, and Brendan does his best Moe Green impression. "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" is the third episode of the first season of The Sopranos, and while there's barely any acceptance, denial and anger are in abundant supply.

Tony balances Jackie Aprile, Sr.'s worsening condition with Ariel's fearlessness at the fists of Silvio Dante and Paulie Gualtieri. Dr. Melfi draws a connection - while Tony watches death take his friend, is he envious of the Hassidic Jews' belief in the afterlife? At first Tony angrily rebuff's Melfi's suggestions that Jackie's condition is worse than it seems, but after a one-sided conversation with a listless Jackie, Tony isn't so sure anymore. Meadow and her friend Scangarelo (Michelle DeCesare) approach Christopher for some speed. Christopher initially refuses, terrified of what Tony would do if he found out, but relents in an attempt to keep Meadow away from street dealers. To help Artie (John Ventimiglia) and Charmaine (Katherine Narducci) after the destruction of Artie's restaurant in the pilot episode, Tony and Carmela invite them to provide the catering for a fundraiser held at the Sopranos' house. The event is a success, but Carmela unknowingly slights Charmaine, who viscously retaliates. Uncle Junior seeks out Livia's help on punishing Christopher and Brendan Filone for hijacking his trucks. Christopher shouldn't be touched, Livia warns, but he should be talked to. As for Brendan? She shrugs. "I don't know."

After the emphasis on family in the preceding episode, it's nice to see business take center stage. Tony advises Shlomo Teittleman that he's in the waste management business, but if he can help, he will. It's a decision he regrets, as Ariel refuses to relent, and later Shlomo puts the Talmud over his agreement with Tony (never a good move). Jackie Aprile's throwaway comment that he should start thinking about a successor takes on a new meaning as his health continues to fail (Tony's gift of a stripper notwithstanding). As much as all these stories move forward, the Tony/Dr. Melfi dance takes a half-step back. We know what Tony is like, James Gandolfini giving us that wonderful bulldog glare, so do we need to see him swear at Melfi and storm out of her office every week? It gets old. The situation is righted with their final scene in the episode, Melfi gently prodding Tony - does he feel like a monster? - and Tony unable to answer. That's good, and more of that would be welcome. Less of the "Fuck you!", door-slamming exit.

But as I said, the other stories are advanced, and they're advanced quite well. Christopher may have given speed to Meadow out of the goodness of his heart, but this can't end well for him. The final act of the episode is set up by the best scene of the episode, as Livia, helpless, feeble and frail as she is, condemns Brendan Filone to death with a shrug of her shoulders and three simple words: "I don't know". Tributes to The Godfather are far too easy, what with Meadow and Hunter's angelic voices providing the counterpoint for the mock execution of Christopher and the all-too-real execution of Brendan, but if there's one show that could pull it off, it's The Sopranos. "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" goes home with a perfectly business-like 4.0/5.