1998
Crime boss Paul Vitti experiences panic attacks, forcing psychiatrist Dr. Ben Sobol to treat him, disrupting Ben's wedding plans and life with constant threats from rival Primo Sindone. Vitti's emotional instability and the FBI's pressure on Ben for information escalate, culminating in a violent shootout at Ben's wedding rehearsal dinner. During a tense meeting, Vitti announces his retirement, triggering another shootout where Ben is wounded protecting him, leading to Vitti's arrest. Months later, Ben visits Vitti in prison, where they lead a therapy group for inmates, and Ben and Laura celebrate their renewed relationship with a backyard wedding.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Analyze This loosely follows the Save the Cat structure, introducing both the mob world and Ben’s family life before colliding them through Vitti’s panic attacks.
Open full beat sheetBen Sobol is listed as Psychiatrist. Mid-40s, expressive, quick-witted, gifted psychologist. In the parsed data, Ben Sobol is connected to 56 scenes, 138 dialogue lines, 140 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
56 scenes / 138 dialogue linesPaul Vitti is listed as Powerful crime boss. Dark, intense, intelligent man in his late 40s suffering from panic attacks. In the parsed data, Paul Vitti is connected to 39 scenes, 107 dialogue lines, 114 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
39 scenes / 107 dialogue linesJelly is listed as Vitti's bodyguard. Hulking bruiser, fiercely loyal to Vitti. In the parsed data, Jelly is connected to 35 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
35 scenes / 21 dialogue linesJimmy is listed as Vitti's soldier. Tightly-wound ferret-like sidekick. In the parsed data, Jimmy is connected to 22 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
22 scenes / 15 dialogue linesLaura MacNamara is listed as Ben's fiancée. Pretty, charming TV news correspondent. In the parsed data, Laura MacNamara is connected to 15 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
15 scenes / 11 dialogue linesDominic Manetta is listed as Aging crime boss. Man in his 70s, narrator of the opening montage. In the parsed data, Dominic Manetta is connected to 13 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
13 scenes / 16 dialogue linesMichael Sobol is listed as Ben's son. 14-year-old boy, observant and tech-savvy. In the parsed data, Michael Sobol is connected to 12 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
12 scenes / 16 dialogue linesPrimo Sindone is listed as Crime boss. Vain, pompous, Mussolini-like rival boss. In the parsed data, Primo Sindone is connected to 9 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
9 scenes / 9 dialogue linesIsaac Sobol is listed as Ben's father. Silver-haired, self-absorbed, successful self-help author. In the parsed data, Isaac Sobol is connected to 5 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
5 scenes / 12 dialogue linesDorothy Sobol is listed as Ben's mother. Ben's mother, often critical. In the parsed data, Dorothy Sobol is connected to 5 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
5 scenes / 5 dialogue linesMarie Vitti is listed as Paul Vitti's wife. Paul's wife, mother of his children. In the parsed data, Marie Vitti is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCaroline is listed as Patient. Woman in her early 30s, weepy and obsessed with her ex-boyfriend. In the parsed data, Caroline is connected to 1 scene, 5 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
1 scenes / 5 dialogue linesDominic Manetta narrates the 1957 Apalachin meeting of crime bosses.
Dominic ManettaA parade of mobster cars passes an Apalachin sign.
Dominic ManettaA deputy sheriff notices the unusual traffic and calls the Feds.
Dominic ManettaMobsters gather at the farm before the raid.
Dominic ManettaFederal agents move in to raid the meeting.
Dominic ManettaAgents break into the house.
Dominic ManettaGangsters flee the house.
Dominic ManettaWiseguys hijack a tractor to escape.
Dominic ManettaThe wiseguys drive away on the tractor.
Dominic ManettaManetta and Vitti discuss the need for a new meeting, followed by an assassination attempt on Manetta.
Dominic Manetta, Paul Vitti, JellyBen Sobol treats his patient Caroline.
Ben Sobol, CarolineBen and his son Michael prepare for a party.
Ben Sobol, Michael SobolVitti questions his men about the hit on Manetta.
Paul Vitti, Jelly, JimmyVitti interrogates Nicky Shivers.
Paul Vitti, Jelly, JimmyBen drives to the party and rear-ends a car.
Ben Sobol, Michael SobolBen interacts with the men in the car he hit.
Ben Sobol, Michael Sobol, Jelly, JimmyBen attends his father's party.
Ben Sobol, Michael Sobol, Isaac Sobol, Dorothy SobolVitti and his men discuss the war with other families.
Paul Vitti, JellyVitti suffers a panic attack.
Paul Vitti, JellyVitti is treated for a suspected heart attack, which the doctor identifies as a panic attack. Vitti threatens the doctor to keep his visit secret.
Paul Vitti, JellyVitti asks Jelly to find him a psychiatrist, insisting it is for a friend.
Paul Vitti, JellyJelly forces a patient out of Ben's office so Vitti can consult Ben about his panic attacks.
Ben Sobol, Jelly, Paul VittiBen and Michael prepare to leave for vacation.
Ben Sobol, Michael SobolLaura finishes her final news report and reunites with Ben and Michael.
Laura MacNamara, Ben Sobol, Michael SobolVitti is unable to perform sexually with his mistress, Sheila.
Paul VittiJelly wakes Ben up to tell him Vitti wants to see him.
Ben Sobol, JellyVitti confronts Ben about his sexual dysfunction.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolVitti explains his vulnerability as a crime boss to Ben, who initially refuses to treat him but eventually relents after Vitti breaks down.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolBen lies to Laura about his patient, Paul Vitti.
Ben Sobol, Laura MacNamaraGarment workers are shown at work.
Sindone orders the death of Paul Vitti.
Primo Sindone, JimmyBen, Laura, and Michael watch a whale show while Jelly and Jimmy observe.
Ben Sobol, Michael Sobol, Jelly, Jimmy, Laura MacNamaraJelly and Jimmy confront Ben.
Ben Sobol, Jelly, JimmyBen hallucinates being thrown into a shark tank.
Ben SobolBen and Vitti walk on the beach while Ben conducts a therapy session.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Jelly, JimmyTino watches Ben and Vitti.
Ben continues the therapy session with word association.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolFBI agents monitor Vitti.
Vitti's family visits; Ben continues the therapy session.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Jelly, Marie VittiLaura's family gathers for a rehearsal dinner.
Ben Sobol, Laura MacNamaraTino the hitman arrives at the hotel.
Jelly tells a bodyguard he is going to get food.
JellyTino kills the bodyguard.
Scott threatens Ben during the wedding ceremony.
Ben Sobol, Michael Sobol, Jimmy, Laura MacNamaraTino enters Vitti's suite to kill him.
Paul VittiVitti is in the bathroom unaware of Tino.
Paul VittiJelly saves Vitti from Tino.
Paul Vitti, JellyTino falls into the buffet table during the ceremony.
Ben confronts Vitti about the chaos.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Jelly, Jimmy, Laura MacNamaraVitti calls Sindone to threaten him.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Primo SindoneVitti shoots a pillow to vent anger.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolBen and Laura discover a fountain gift from Vitti.
Ben Sobol, Michael Sobol, Laura MacNamaraFBI agents arrive at Ben's house.
Ben Sobol, Michael Sobol, Laura MacNamaraBen's parents look at the fountain.
Isaac Sobol, Dorothy SobolBen decides to go outside to talk to his parents.
Ben Sobol, Laura MacNamaraBen talks to his parents.
Ben Sobol, Isaac Sobol, Dorothy SobolBen talks with his parents, Isaac and Dorothy, about his involvement with Paul Vitti.
Ben Sobol, Isaac Sobol, Dorothy SobolFBI agents confront Ben and Laura about Vitti's upcoming meeting.
Ben Sobol, Laura MacNamaraMasiello confronts Vitti about his therapy sessions.
Paul Vitti, Jelly, JimmyFlashback of Ben being shot.
Dominic Manetta, Paul Vitti, Ben SobolBen wakes up from a nightmare.
Ben SobolBen and Vitti meet at a funeral.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolBen and Vitti argue outside the church.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolAgents listen to an altered recording of Vitti.
Ben meets Vitti and Mangano.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Jelly, JimmyBen is forced into a car by Jimmy and Vitti after trying to leave.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, JimmyThe Lincoln drives off, followed by Handsome Jack and Potatoes.
FBI agents realize the bug in the bathroom is compromised.
FBI van arrives at the restaurant.
Steadman finds the bug in the toilet.
Vitti confronts Ben about his perceived betrayal, leading to a breakthrough.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Jelly, JimmyJelly and Jimmy wait for the execution.
Jelly, JimmyBen comforts Vitti.
Paul Vitti, Ben SobolJelly and Jimmy hear Vitti crying.
Jelly, JimmyA gun battle erupts.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, Jelly, JimmyThe aftermath of the gun battle.
Paul Vitti, Ben Sobol, JellyBen gives unconventional advice to a patient.
Ben Sobol, Michael SobolJelly and Jimmy arrive at Vitti's house.
Jelly, JimmyVitti prepares for a meeting, feeling strong.
Paul Vitti, JellyWedding day.
The '57 meeting was about how we were going to divide up the whole country. This meeting is about how we're gonna survive. You got 'made' guys informing for the Feds; bosses going to jail; everybody's dealing drugs; people are getting whacked without permission. And on top of everything, now we got the Chinese Triads and these crazy Russians to deal with. Everything's changing. We need a leader. Someone with fresh ideas. Someone like you. It's gonna be a new century, Paul. We gotta change with the times.
Well, Caroline, I think the first thing you have to do... stop whining about this pathetic loser! You're a tragedy queen! 'Steve doesn't respect me. Steve doesn't love me anymore.' Who gives a shit! Get a fucking life! You are, without a doubt, the most boring human being I have ever met! Please, say something interesting before I lapse into a goddamn coma!
Vitti. Vitti. The whole time we were growing up, he was the smart guy; I was the dope. My father was a nickel-and-dime shitheel; his father had it all. Vito Genovese blew it at Apalachin because he forgot to kill Gambino before the meeting. I won't make the same mistake. I want Paul Vitti dead -- now. You two astronauts think you can handle that?
If he told me to jump off a tall building, not only would I do it, I would hope to survive so I could do it again and again until he told me to stop. This is all I know. This is all I got. So please don't think I won't kill you, because I'd hate for your last thought to be a wrong one. You're going to that meeting.
You with your schmucky little office in your schmucky little house out there in Schmuckville -- you're turning me down? What, so you can spend more time listening to housewives piss and moan about how nobody fucks them right?
Nod your head and smile. Now, you listen to me, goombah. I know what your game is, and you'd better call it quits, because if you and your paisans do anything to hurt my little girl, I'll kill you. Understand? Nod and smile.
If they did, we're heading for one big fuckin' war. Talk to Zello and Baldassare. Find out what you can. We got two weeks. If the other New York bosses are against us, I want to know it before I walk into that meeting.
Then along comes this farmer who almost runs us over in a tractor, so your father hauls out his piece, this .44 cannon he used to carry, and hijacks the goddamn tractor. Funniest fuckin' thing I ever saw.
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