For the last few years on Thanksgiving I make Italian food and watch either the Godfather or Godfather II. I rotate every year. This year it was Godfather II. I bring this up because Michael Corleone spent most of the movie trying to figure out who tried to have him killed on his very secure, sprawling Lake Tahoe estate. He knew it had to be someone close. As Michael explained "My father taught me many things here — he taught me in this room. He taught me — keep your friends close but your enemies closer." Michael knew that it was only a matter of time before he found out who was behind the failed assassination attempt.
Listening and picking up on sometimes subtle clues can be vital in life. Someone like me who talks more than she should sometimes misses the important stuff. It takes disciple to get this right. Fortunately for me I don't have hit men trying to dispose of me. But, you get the point. Sometimes it's to your advantage to just sit back and take it all in.
What I don't know, and I really wish I did, was if David Chase really created these shows with specific themes wrapped up in each episode. Is it happy coincidence or am just reading into things a bit too much?
I bring up the Godfather II reference because this installment of the Sopranos is about picking up on clues. First, Jackie Jr. is having Meadow write his school paper for him. She's young so I won't give her a hard time. But, I wanted to scream out to her at this scene and tell her "He's using you! Can't you see that???"
Tony is continuing his affair with Gloria, the manic suicidal sex kitten. He tells her he has never met anyone like her before. But, is that really true? Notice how when Gloria says "poor you" he winces. I actually think he was close to fainting. (How many takes did they do to accomplish that? Masterful!) Before that he confronted her on the fact that he doesn't like to play games. Later she tells Tony that he is really in love with himself. There are clues for Tony on why he was attracted to her in the first place. She is emotional damaged goods. Tony has had enough therapy to figure this out, even if you haven't.
Jackie Jr. asks Ralph for a gun. (As a side note I really hate Ralph. He is the lowest of the low. He will get his and I'll be sure to have a glass a wine to celebrate again!) But, one of the wisest of all lines comes from this scum-buckets mouth when explaining what kind of gun is best, "the best kind of gun is one that the mother****er is going to work".
Jackie Jr.'s posing as a tough guy with effective connections was practically comical. You need to earn your stripes Jackie Jr. Inheritance is only part of it. Your acting like you are already made. But, really you haven't even waded in the water yet. So, although people say you should fake it until you make it, being in their world is probably not a place where this saying is transferable. Cut it out Jackie Jr. or your going to get yourself wacked! (That's not a real prediction. I've seen every episode already several times. So, I'm not faking it until I make it on this one!)
Anthony Jr. gets himself in trouble at school. He and his friends vandalized the pool at school after breaking in one night. But, since he is so important to the football team the school lets it slide this time. Carmella wanted the school to punish him. But, every effort of punishment such as detention was thrown back as basically being harmful to the children. There isn't really any wisdom in there except for me to say that's stupid.
Side note: Who knew that Lady Gaga was in this episode? No, really Lady Gaga. It was before she was Lady Gaga. Check out the pool scene with Anthony Jr. she's one of the girls smoking cigarettes.
