The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 13 (Season 2: Episode 1 A Guy Walks into a Psychiatrist's Office

Michael Corleone: All right. This one time. This one time I'll let you ask me about my affairs.
Kay Adams:Is it true? Is it?
Michael Corleone: No.

The common thread throughout the Season 2 Opener is Lies...

The season opens with Frank Sinatra singing "It was a Very Good Year"  while reintroducing us to the cast of the Sopranos.  All members of the Sopranos family and the extended La Famiglia are highlighted.  Livia, Tony's mother laying in the hospital filled with rage and delusions, Christopher partaking in drugs to escape the reality of life, Tony conducting an extra-marital affair and once home attempts to cover up the perfume smell of this latest mistress by tossing his clothing in the washing machine.  Tony crawling in bed looks at Camella who also turns to face Tony with her eyes open.  Once she sees Tony is looking at her she immediately closes her eyes and rolls over. 

Tony is wrapping up the mess from last season - the attempt on his life.  He is like an accountant with a balance sheet.  When the episode is over he feels like he has measured the risk and dealt with it handledly.  He did it in part by creating a ruse.  In order to isolate your prey you create a ruse to catch them off guard.  Create a comfortable environment and then BAM.  We've seen this tactic before.  Maybe that is why we all get suspicious when things are going well. These wise guys are too egotistic sometimes to catch on to the threat right in front of them.  They continually fall into traps of their own making. 

When you lie be careful to cover your tracks.  Don't say too much that you might say something that contradicts your story.  Sometimes in denying something you actually let something slip that affirms your actual guilt.

Christopher gets someone else to pass a stockbrokers test so he can setup a boiler room selling valueless stocks to unspecting investors. Lies and more lies.

Tony met with Dr. Melfi after he suffered another one of his attacks.  He asked her to continue treating him.  She refused stating that due to her status of being in hiding for a while due to Tony's business she lost a patient due to suicide.  When Dr. Melfi is explaining this I couldn't help but wonder, was Dr. Melfi really telling the truth?

Just when I thought that the Sopranos couldn't bring anything more to the wisdom table he introduces Tony's sister Janice. The dynamic of siblings will bring more to the discussion of wisdom in the following episode reviews.  For this episode let's keep to the fact that Janice was not completely honest about why she has decided to return home.  Tony knows it...Siblings have a history of knowing each other like no other.  For now let that marinate like a good pasta sauce...

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 12 (Season 1: Episode 12 Isabella & Episode 13 I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano)

These are the two episodes of the Sopranos that I find most disturbing. The reason is because both Tony's Mother & Uncle conspire to kill him. These revelations weigh deeply on Tony. First subconsciously as I believe he realizes something is going to happen and then later once it does and he gains proof he doesn't dwell on it - he resolves to take proper revenge. The underlying reoccurring theme in this first season is Tony's mother. Dr. Melfi diagnosed Tony's mother as having a borderline personality. Let's face it this woman is a nasty piece of work. She is manipulative, dramatic, paranoid, verbally abusive and spreads guilt around like melted butter on a hot sourdough roll. Tony has tried everything to please his mother to no avail. He finally realizes this in these last two episodes.

One reason this show was so successful was that a character like Tony Sopranos was made to be sympathetic. Someone who murders, manipulates, steals, etc. for a living and we actually want him to be okay. We would rather his mother kill herself already. She is a big noose around Tony's life. There are probably countless others in the real world who have had similar experiences with their parents. This show is relatable- period. It demonstrates that no matter who you are, what you do we all have the same problems in life.

But, I am diverting my attention away from the purpose of this blog - to show the Wisdom of the Sopranos. But, maybe the show itself is wise in it's appeal to the regular person who is watching.

Episode 12 dealt this Tony's serious depression. One of his best friend's has betrayed him and he feels that something is going to happen. And of course something does happen. His Uncle issues a hit on Tony's life. After days of sleeping and apparently hallucinating/dreaming about a women named Isabella from the "old country" he leaves to see the Dr. and an attempt is made on his life. Turns out Tony's serious depression takes a turn. He wants to live and fights with his assassins to insure he lives to see another day and to take revenge. It's said that nothing give you a new release on life than an encounter with death.

Tony's relationship with this mother comes to a head in Episode 13. It's the great reveal by the F.B.I. that his mother has indeed conspired to do the worst - kill her only son. She further adds insult to injury by revealing a secret to a friend of Tony. Misguided in his method as Tony might have been attempted to save him from ruin. The friend though didn't take it that way at least initially. So, sometimes you can do someone a favor but it backfires.

Sometimes what happens to you, or doesn't is a matter of timing. Circumstance really.

"Someday soon you'll have a family of your own and if you're lucky you'll remember the little moments. Like this. That were good."

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 11 (Season 1: Episode 11 Nobody Knows Anything)

Never have more on you than you feel comfortable loosing (such as money).

Physical problems can be rooted in psychological problems. Remember that headache you got on a particularly stressful day at work?

Sometimes there are non-intended consequences to advice. When someone is asking you what you think they should do, etc. be cautious in your approach. The results may not be what you intended.

Some people create drama to get attention. Maybe if we paid attention to those around us more there wouldn't be so much drama.