some fluff,,,then some dirt...
I'm a huge Sopranos fan. From Season 1, when psychoanalysis was a main plot to this final season, where Dr Melfi is only on sparingly I have enjoyed it all. i agree with a lot of critics who found season 5 to be a little weak compared to the previous 4, but I enjoyed the David Lynch like surrealism of the 1st half of season 6. About the only thing david Chase didn't do in the previous season was have Tony and the boys break into song every once in a while.
Tony Soprano is just a great charachter. Who ever thought a mob boss could ever have so many moral dilemmas in between whacking his enemies? The constant struggle between trying to live a typical suburban life mixed in with high crimes and misdemeanors (but mostly high crimes) has fascinated me on many levels over the years. Trying to predict the moves of HBO's favorite criminals has become quite the hobby amongst my family and friends.
I also love the authenticity of the show. My in-laws and many people I have known over the years are "old school italian" much like the North Jersey crime syndicate. Many times in my life, I have been the "irishman' in the room as various italian words and slang terms were thrown around the room. Over the years, I have found myself using those words, often without trying to. When HBO put a ad together using all the words and phrases that are extremely common, I watched it like I was watching a typical day at one of my wife's uncle's or cousin's houses. I still don't know what all the words mean, but i've learned over the years that if an italian word is used, at least in public, many times it's used to only communicate to the people "in the know" and not for everyone's ears. The "medigans" (americans) who aren't italian or don't understand it or them weren't meant to hear it cause they'd probably just screw up the meaning anyway.
A typical example of that would be the term "goomba." Most people, when hearing it, think it's a put-down. It's not. It's a compliment. It's saying someone is a real stand up guy. Or to put it another way, someone who keeps his mouth shut when questioned by the authorities.
But I digress....This is an article about the Sopranos, not my in-laws. But I figure I should write some stuff in front of all the dirt so those who have second thoughts about reading the following spoilers concerning the final Sopranos season can go back without having anything ruined. But just in case I haven't typed a page's worth of stuff, here's a little more fluff....
Of all the charachters on the show, there is one that I really turned around on over the past few seasons.
I really hated Phil Leotardo when he 1st came on the scene. Probably because of his contempt for everything in Jersey, including my favorite criminal family. But over time, I have really come to like, and more importantly in the theme of the show, respect Phil more than most of the charachters on the show. I don't like everything Phil does or says, but if I was a mobster, I'd want Phil in my crew. Phil represents everything about the old mob, before the dominant business was being the neighborhood's unlicensed pharmicist. Back when hijacking trucks, numbers rackets and running brothels were the primary business interests. When dealing in cocaine and heroin would get you whacked instead of promoted.
Phil plays everything by the book. He gives respect where it is due and / or expected. He doesn't lead with his face, usually. Just like his old boss Johnny Sack and the people who mentored both of them, he knows that good manners are a key.
Phil also doesn't do anything that isn't in the crooked nose gang's book. And if it is in the book, he doesn't hesitate. When it became known that his brother in law, a made man, was a "fanuk" (a homosexual) Phil made sure the rest of the mob would no longer be tainted by the evil person. In life, I abhor his move to kill the gay mafioso, especially in the violent manner it was done. But in the context of who he is, and who he represents, it was proper and right. It was consistant with the mob doctrine that no homosexuals would be in their ranks. Real old school mob guys even consider "going down" on a woman to be too close to homosexuality to tolerate. To the mafia, it's considered weakness, and basically on the slippery slope to "fanuktown." Oral sex with a woman (giving) won't get ya whacked usually, but it will cause you to lose respect amongst your cohorts if it is found out that you are a generous lover in that way.
All of Phil's behavior is 100% AOK in the mob handbook. In fact, he's a poster boy for proper mob conduct.
But unfortunately, i'm not Phil. So, i'm gonna rat out a few of the coming demises of some Sopranos cast members. Please don't ask about my sources, I could tell ya, but then i'd have to have ya whacked.
Silvio--- My sources tell me that Sil will be rubbed out by the New York mobsters. Outside of his famous "Bada Bing" strip club. Why? I have no idea, but it probably has something to do with his loyalties to Tony over anyone in New York.
Bobby---This one will be tragic. Bobby has become "mr family man" in the show. He will be leaving a hobby shop that sells toy trains with his son, and his son will look on as his father is peppered with bullets.
Christopher--- I really didn't want to see Chris get whacked. I was hopin he might drift off to hollywood and leave jersey behind, except for the occasional "tribute" sent back home. But apparantly not. My sources tell me that Tony will take Christopher out sim. fashion to how his cousin Tony was killed by "T's" hand. It will be to avoid Christopher's torture by the new yorkers who still want revenge for Chris's denying watching Phil's brother get killed. There may be another "drug" issue at play too, but no one is sure.
Paulie--- "Word on the street" says that Paulie will piss off Tony and get himself killed. Many people thought that this might happen last week (espisode 3 of the final season), but it was a red herring. Yes, Paulie talks too much and can be a little hard on the nerves sometimes, but that won't get him killed. The grapevine says that Paulie will do something to Meadow, possibly killing her. It might be an accident, but that won't matter. And regardless of the Meadow incident, Paulie will make 1 more fatal mistake, he isn't earning. And as it was foreshadowed, when one doesn't eran, one is vulnerable to the feds, and thus, vulnerable in general.
Expecct some more "pussyvisions" and appearances by Adriana's ghost. Beyond that, I don't know much else.
Do you have any thoughts? There's still plenty of charachters who can end up dead, in prison or whatever....and of course, what will happen to Tony?
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