In this episode, the term "toothpick" serves as a cold, callous metaphor for human fragility and mortality in the face of terminal illness and mob violence. The Symbolic Meaning
The title refers to a comment made about (portrayed by Burt Young), a legendary mob hitman who is dying of lung cancer. [S1E5] Toothpick
: Artie Buco falls in love with Adriana La Cerva . When she quits her job at Nuovo Vesuvio because Christopher Moltisanti demands it, Artie becomes despondent. This leads to a cringeworthy dinner where he tries to take her hand, only to be rebuffed. In this episode, the term "toothpick" serves as