AJ: She's quitting modeling anyway. She's tired of being exploited.

Rhiannon is tired of being exploited, but she is destine to be exploited at least one more time - by the people who will endeavor to kill the Sopranos.

Scene: Post-Funeral Reception - Carmela and Tony Eating Alone

On first viewing, this scene appears to be transitionary and relatively inconsequential. However, upon further consideration, there is much symbolic meaning.

The construction of the scene is essential to correct interpretation. Carmela is seated with her back to the wall, on which is painted a mural of an erupting volcano. Tony is standing next to Carmela looking at the painting.

First, the volcano is a reference to Mt Vesuvius. Particular characteristics that make the painting a clear reference include the nearby body of water, the cratered appearance of the volcano, and the spewing-of-ash eruption. Mt. Vesuvius, which is located in Italy, is perhaps the most famous of all volcanoes throughout human history. It has, over the course of its numerous eruptions, wrought much in the way of death and destruction. Mt. Vesuvius's most well-known eruption occurred in 79 AD at which time it laid waste to the nearby Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Herein lies the relevant symbolism. The painting represents the Italian-rooted death and destruction that is the Mafia. More specifically, it is the violence that will soon claim the lives of both Tony and Carmela. By being seated with her back to the painting, we can interpret her character as being "comfortable" and "unaware" of the impending violence. Her comfort is likely due to the ultimately mistaken belief that "they don't touch family." On the other hand, Chase affords Tony no such comfort. Furthermore, Tony is not only aware of the painting, but seemingly engaged and intrigued by it. At some level, Tony is cognizant of the fate that awaits him.

Scene: Post-Funeral Reception - Table

Person 2: Jennifer Hudson? Absolutely.

Actually, Jennifer Hudson did not win American Idol. In fact, she didn't finish second or third, but seventh. The importance of this dialogue is that Meadow is making a mistake, a big mistake. This innocuous mistake is symbolic of the more significant mistake she is making: becoming engaged to Patrick Parisi whose father soon will be complicit in the deaths of her entire immediate family.

Paulie: Life goes on.

After Patsy betrays Tony, life will go on for the Parisis. Jason Parisi leaving the table to talk to his father is symbolic of how Patsy will eventually learn of the Sopranos whereabouts - he will enlist his son Jason who will get the information from Rhiannon.