The Second Coming — Season 6 Episode Guide

The Second Coming (S06E19) — Tony fails to reason with Phil as more problems increase with Anthony when his depression worsens and he attempts suicide. — Tony fails to reason with Phil as more problems increase with Anthony when his depression worsens and he attempts suicide.

Plot

The season opener picks up exactly where the previous installment left off, following the chaotic aftermath of Junior Soprano's failed escape attempt. The tension is immediately palpable as the family gathers to discuss the disaster. Junior was caught by a group of young men he intended to intimidate, resulting in a beating that has him back in the hospital. Tony and his team are forced to deal with the fallout, including the injured mobster who now owes the DiMeo crime family a significant debt for medical expenses. While Junior recovers in a hospital bed, surrounded by his own men, he remains convinced of his invincibility and continues to lecture the rest of the crew on the importance of loyalty and discipline. He insists that the incident was merely a misunderstanding born of youthful arrogance, failing to see the genuine threat the younger generation poses. The episode quickly establishes that the old guard is losing its grip on reality as they navigate these modern complexities. Meanwhile, Christopher Moltisanti finds himself in the middle of a crisis involving his girlfriend, Jamie. After a volatile argument at her apartment, he returns home to find the place ransacked and his mother, Livia, acting strangely subdued. The atmosphere inside the house is thick with unspoken tension as Livia tries to maintain control while Christopher struggles to reconcile his new life in New Jersey with the expectations placed upon him by his family history. A subplot involving Paulie Walnuts and Janice adds further friction to the dynamic. Paulie attempts to smooth things over after his own recent missteps, but his efforts are met with skepticism. The episode also touches on the growing rift between Tony and his associates regarding how to handle Junior's situation, highlighting the internal disagreements that threaten to fracture the organization before it has fully recovered from the previous season's events.

Credits

James Gandolfini as Anthony "Tony" Soprano Edie Falco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti Dominic Chianese as Corrado "Junior" Soprano Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano Drea de Matteo as A.J. Soprano Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Adriana Coletta Neil Frank as Uncle Junior (Six Flags commercial voice) Tony Sirico as Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti Matt Bomer as Paulie Walnuts (uncredited cameo in Six Flags ad context) *Note: Specific unlisted guest roles and minor characters appear throughout the hour-long runtime.*

Music

"The Second Coming" – Various Artists (Season 6 Soundtrack) "Second Coming" – The Shins (Opening Theme Variation) "Love You to Death" – The Cure (End Credits Sequence) "Blue Monday" – New Order (Featured in commercial break context) "God Bless America" – Bruce Springsteen (Underlying track during Junior's hospital scenes)

Analysis

From a fan perspective, this episode serves as a critical pivot point for the series. It marks the definitive transition from the traditional mob dynamics of earlier seasons to the more introspective and character-driven storytelling that defined the show's final arc. The title itself is loaded with subtext; it suggests a resurrection or a return of something familiar, yet twisted. In this context, it applies doubly: Junior is physically resurrected in the hospital bed, but the old way of thinking he represents is effectively dead, making way for the inevitable changes ahead. The handling of the Six Flags commercial reference within the narrative world adds a layer of meta-commentary that long-time fans would appreciate. The confusion regarding whether Uncle Junior was the same person in the ads highlights the blurred lines between the mobster's delusion and reality. It underscores a recurring theme: the inability of the older generation to adapt to a changing world. When Junior sees himself in commercials or hears his voice on the radio, he believes it is a sign of power rather than an advertisement for family entertainment. The episode also deepens the mystery surrounding Livia's mental state and her connection to Tony's psyche. Her subdued demeanor in Christopher's apartment suggests that even she is not immune to the shifting tides, though she remains a force of nature within the domestic sphere. The interaction between Tony and Dr. Coletta provides further insight into the complexities of their relationship, hinting at the deep-seated issues Tony carries with him regarding his mother's influence. Ultimately, "The Second Coming" sets the stage for a season that will challenge the Soprano family in ways they never anticipated. The introduction of new characters and the exploration of internal conflicts suggest that the external threats are now secondary to the battles being fought within the family unit itself. As fans who have followed the show since its inception, one can sense the gravity of this moment as the series moves into uncharted territory, balancing humor with tragic inevitability.