There is no HBO chez Emily and as a result, I have in past summers rented The Sopranos from Blockbuster. Ah, the pleasures of watching episode after episode on hot summer days--my children off at wholesome summer activities and me alone in the air conditioning.

My husband gave me the 4th season on DVD for Christmas. My kids have been off at wholesome sports tournaments the last day or two. I stayed home because, uh, I have a terrible cold.

An abortion figures into the fourth season. Christopher's fiance Adriana has been targeted by the feds as someone who might be able to give them valuable information about the inner workings of the Soprano family. They assign an FBI agent to go undercover and strike up a friendship with Ade. After four months of getting close, Ade finally shares her deep secret:

Adriana:

Christopher talks about havin' kids once in awhile. I don't know.

Danielle:

Where is our angry young man ?

Adriana:

Out with his friends, I guess.

Danielle:

I used to date this one guy, vinnie. He was more like a fuck buddy, but he lived on staten island. I swear, we'd be in the middle of doing it and if his goddamn beeper went off... then he'd just leave. I think he was like connected or something. He used to carry a gun.

Adriana:

Probably just to protect himself. I mean christopher does too, sometimes. When you're in a cash business.

Danielle:

Stocks is a cash business ?

Adriana:

Can I tell you somethin' ?

Danielle:

Sure.

Adriana:

I don't think I can have kids.

Danielle:

What ? Why ?

Adriana:

I can't believe I'm tellin' you this. It's just I feel really close to you. A long time ago... before christopher, even, I had an abortion. I didn't want to, I mean, I know it was wrong. But the guy was such an asshole, it was really the best thing. Anyway... there were complications. My gynecologist says that there's a good chance that I won't be able to hold a pregnancy. Oh, god, I can't believe I'm tellin' you this. Christopher don't even know. My own mother, even. Sometimes it helps to talk, huh ?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slate features an obsessive and detailed conversation about The Sopranos between three psychotherapists. Margaret Crastnoponol is one of them. She has the following to say about Ade, Danielle and the revelation:

"I admit to pitying the poor Adriana, who of all the characters seems to be the most lacking in any of the seven or more types of intelligence. She is fool enough to bring 'Danielle' into her confidence and crushed when she learns her mistake. Ade's childlike longing and effort to achieve a mutually supportive intimacy with a girlfriend was the closest thing to healthy relating she had in her life. The symbolism of her feared inability to conceive (either 'think' or 'bear fruit') is accurate, if a little heavy-handed. Ade is the purest embodiment of what happens when you sell your soul to the devil and are incapable of seeing it."

Fellow Slate psychotherapist Phil responds:

"Meanwhile, I think you are being a bit too hard on poor Adriana. Sure, she won't be taking Meadow's seat at Columbia, but her being taken in by Danielle speaks more to the astonishingly effective 'vertical split' double life many undercover cops are able to lead. And having worked with them, it's one that can be extraordinarily devastating to themselves and their families. I think that Danielle was just that effective in setting aside any trace of conscience of her own, and therefore being able to unambivalently play the role of concerned best friend while setting Adriana up for a fall. There is a treachery in this that is the mirror image of the mob, only coming from the opposite of the street, law-wise."

~~~~~~~~~

It's interesting that neither therapist mentions the abortion, which is what Ade wanted to talk about. When Ade is hauled in by the FBI and told that she is going to be turned into an informant, the abortion exposure is clearly on her mind:

FBI agent:

Adrianna Lacerva ? Special agent dwight harris. Fbi. I believe you two have already met.

Adriana:

Holy fuckin' shit.

Danielle:

Don't make a scene. You don't wanna attract attention.

Adriana:

You're in the fuckin' fbi ?

Danielle:

We need to talk, ade. It'll only take a half hour and I assure you it's in your best interest. Come with us, please ?

Adriana:

My dog.

Danielle:

It's okay. Just take her with you. ( Car ignition starting )

Adriana:

am I under arrest ?

FBI agent:

Not at this time, but that can all change momentarily. That's a search warrant. Your office, your club, your cocaine.

Adriana:

It's not my cocaine.

Danielle:

Really ? That's not what I have you saying on tape.

Adriana:

You were fuckin' tapin' me ?

Danielle:

If I were you, I'd put aside my hurt feelings for awhile.

Adriana:

I told you shit in confidence that had nothin' to do with any of this shit ! Things that I never told no one.

Danielle:

We're offering you a way out, ade. A chance to save your life and christopher's life.

Adriana:

You don't give a fuck about us ! You and your fuckin' ob-gyn doctor.

~~~~~


For Adriana at this moment, the betrayal around her abortion story is of greater concern than all the other betrayals inherent in this situation. Nice screenwriting.

The screenwriters don't forget this. Several episodes later, the feds learn that Adriana is thinking about marrying Christopher. As they sit discuss the pros and cons for them of such a marriage, the possibility of kids is brought up. "Danielle" says a child isn't likely and when she is interrogated about why this is so by the others, she just says "female trouble".