So far I agree with my earlier assessment that after Season 3 The Sopranos takes a huge dip in quality. It's just not the same show. I've been trying to put my finger on it but I think it's the growing cast. Too many new characters. What was once a strong ensemble cast is expanding with people that we really don't care about. You develop a tentative relationship to the characters on a show. When too many new people are introduced it starts to dilute the story lines. It also causes further detachment of any empathy you might feel towards the characters.
Aside from the lesson of not introducing too many new characters to a winning show is what wisdom can be learned from this episode of the Sopranos?
Careful when making derogatory comments that you don't want to get back to the subject when you are in a room full of people. Someone will repeat what you said. Even if you trust everyone because someone will think it's funny and of no consequence to repeat.
Sometimes actions have to weighed not by the immediate results but as part of a big picture. For example, what seems like a small thing might, in the big scheme of things might be ultimately harmful.
If a person seems to be waffling on their opinions about something it's not always that they are fickle. They might be trying to work out how they feel, or what they believe, about it.
You can undermine someone in such a way that the person you are trying to get back at knows it's you but you can still claim innocence. But, the message is still heard. You just have to be prepared for the consequences. It's a gamble.
Carmela and Tony are discussing Meadow's attitude about going back to school. She has been angry all summer. Carmela told Tony that it is she that Meadow blames. Why do we think that is? I think Carmela realizes while Tony's level of involvement in that thing of theirs is part of who he is, it's inescapable. However, Carmela has had a choice all this time. She could have either not entered this marriage or at some point after the marriage could have left Tony. By staying she is being submissive to Tony. No matter how strong Carmela appears to be she's really dependent on Tony. Meadow is a young woman trying to learn what it means to be a woman and can't really look to her mother for how to be a strong, independent woman.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Sunday, May 14, 2017
The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 39 (Season 4 Episode 1 For All Debts Public and Private)
Side Notes:
The tragedy of 9-11 happened between Seasons 3 and 4 and the same fear and apprehension that we all felt was reflected well in this episode of the Sopranos. Economic downturn was interfering with business. Tony & Carmela fought about money, and the future if something was to happen to Tony. The best line came from Carmela, "everything comes to an end". I've always felt that Season 4 was the beginning of the end of the Sopranos. The show no longer had the same outstanding quality of the first three seasons. After Season 4 I quit re-watching episodes. Where I watched Seasons 1-3 probably 5 times before I started this blog and Season 4 for maybe twice, I didn't re-watch Seasons 5 & 6. I just didn't think they stood up to the earlier seasons. Since many years have passed maybe I can look at these episodes with fresh eyes and gain a different perspective. We'll have to see. But, more about the episode at hand.
Christopher is doing drugs and hiding it by shooting up in his foot instead of putting the needle some place where others can see. So, if you want to do something that you want to keep secret find a way to hide it under everyone's noses or in this case feet!
It's important when you are trying to curry favor that you pick the right time to talk. Knowing when someone is receptive to what you are saying is vital. It helps, therefore, to know the person you are trying to persuade.
Tony sets Christopher up to kill a retired police officer. He tells Christopher that this man killed this father. When Christopher goes to kill him the man tells Christopher that he's been set up. Christopher tells him that it doesn't matter, that the person who told him this wants him dead. This isn't a lesson so much for you, my reader, as it was for Christopher. He knew that this man may not have really killed his father but if Tony wanted him killed it was his job. So, Christopher understood his responsibility to Tony.
Be suspicious if someone tries come to your aid if it seems they might gain financially from what they are proposing. For example, Tony find out that there is economic development coming into an area where Uncle Jr. has property. Tony offers to buy it from Uncle Jr. to help him get money for his upcoming trial. Of course, maybe I can't really blame Tony. After all Uncle Jr. did try to get Tony wacked. What a crazy family!
When you are trying to appear more powerful or important let the person you are talking to know that something they did wasn't acceptable. Even a subtle reminder but very effective. It's like scolding a child. I'm referring to the Boss of NY who told Tony that he heard he had a cookout. When Tony said he did the Boss of NY told him, "A don doesn't wears shorts". Tony was clearly irritated at being told this but all he could do is ignore the unkind comment. (If memory serves me right I believe David Chase was interviewed one and told a story where a real wise guy came up to him and told him he enjoyed the show and it was really realistic. However, the part where Tony was wearing shorts would never happen. A wise guy doesn't wear shorts.)
The tragedy of 9-11 happened between Seasons 3 and 4 and the same fear and apprehension that we all felt was reflected well in this episode of the Sopranos. Economic downturn was interfering with business. Tony & Carmela fought about money, and the future if something was to happen to Tony. The best line came from Carmela, "everything comes to an end". I've always felt that Season 4 was the beginning of the end of the Sopranos. The show no longer had the same outstanding quality of the first three seasons. After Season 4 I quit re-watching episodes. Where I watched Seasons 1-3 probably 5 times before I started this blog and Season 4 for maybe twice, I didn't re-watch Seasons 5 & 6. I just didn't think they stood up to the earlier seasons. Since many years have passed maybe I can look at these episodes with fresh eyes and gain a different perspective. We'll have to see. But, more about the episode at hand.
Christopher is doing drugs and hiding it by shooting up in his foot instead of putting the needle some place where others can see. So, if you want to do something that you want to keep secret find a way to hide it under everyone's noses or in this case feet!
It's important when you are trying to curry favor that you pick the right time to talk. Knowing when someone is receptive to what you are saying is vital. It helps, therefore, to know the person you are trying to persuade.
Tony sets Christopher up to kill a retired police officer. He tells Christopher that this man killed this father. When Christopher goes to kill him the man tells Christopher that he's been set up. Christopher tells him that it doesn't matter, that the person who told him this wants him dead. This isn't a lesson so much for you, my reader, as it was for Christopher. He knew that this man may not have really killed his father but if Tony wanted him killed it was his job. So, Christopher understood his responsibility to Tony.
Be suspicious if someone tries come to your aid if it seems they might gain financially from what they are proposing. For example, Tony find out that there is economic development coming into an area where Uncle Jr. has property. Tony offers to buy it from Uncle Jr. to help him get money for his upcoming trial. Of course, maybe I can't really blame Tony. After all Uncle Jr. did try to get Tony wacked. What a crazy family!
When you are trying to appear more powerful or important let the person you are talking to know that something they did wasn't acceptable. Even a subtle reminder but very effective. It's like scolding a child. I'm referring to the Boss of NY who told Tony that he heard he had a cookout. When Tony said he did the Boss of NY told him, "A don doesn't wears shorts". Tony was clearly irritated at being told this but all he could do is ignore the unkind comment. (If memory serves me right I believe David Chase was interviewed one and told a story where a real wise guy came up to him and told him he enjoyed the show and it was really realistic. However, the part where Tony was wearing shorts would never happen. A wise guy doesn't wear shorts.)
Sunday, May 7, 2017
The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 38 (Season 3 Episode 13 The Army of One)
When something unpleasant is going to happen you sometimes prepare others for it by sitting the stage. You sprinkle hints in conversation so that when the bad outcome happens it's not a surprise. Also, it covers your responsibility if you are successful at directing the blame elsewhere.
The best quote of this episode comes from a guy Jackie Jr was staying with when he was in hiding. It actually harkens back to the last episode about not taking short cuts. Jackie Jr. was playing chess and he got frustrated and hit the chess pieces. The response from this guy was "Play it out it's the only way your going to learn."
Pick the right time to talk to someone. It's important to know the person well enough to know when they will be receptive to what you are saying or asking for.
Don't be the first to show up at a party. It makes you look too eager.
Sometimes when you are a boss you have to make difficult decisions. If your lucky though you can delegate some decisions to others. But, even if you do that your still responsible in everyone's opinion.
This is the official end of the first half of the running of the Sopranos. I always thought that past Season 3 the show started to take a downward turn. When I started this blog I even thought about ending it after Season 3. But, thinking about everything that is going to happen I think keeping this rolling is a good thing. I'm looking forward to re-visiting these last three seasons as it's been a while and they weren't watched as often as the first three.
The best quote of this episode comes from a guy Jackie Jr was staying with when he was in hiding. It actually harkens back to the last episode about not taking short cuts. Jackie Jr. was playing chess and he got frustrated and hit the chess pieces. The response from this guy was "Play it out it's the only way your going to learn."
Pick the right time to talk to someone. It's important to know the person well enough to know when they will be receptive to what you are saying or asking for.
Don't be the first to show up at a party. It makes you look too eager.
Sometimes when you are a boss you have to make difficult decisions. If your lucky though you can delegate some decisions to others. But, even if you do that your still responsible in everyone's opinion.
This is the official end of the first half of the running of the Sopranos. I always thought that past Season 3 the show started to take a downward turn. When I started this blog I even thought about ending it after Season 3. But, thinking about everything that is going to happen I think keeping this rolling is a good thing. I'm looking forward to re-visiting these last three seasons as it's been a while and they weren't watched as often as the first three.
The Wisdom of the Sopranons Part 37 (Season 3 Episode 12 Armour Fou)
Armour Fou - uncontrollable or obsessive passion.
Some people are attracted to drama. We all know people like that who bounce from situation to situation or person to person and wonder why the end result is always the same - disaster! They are on a roller coaster and they don't know how to get off the ride. Tony for example finally realized that Gloria was just like his mother. All doom and gloom and darkness. It takes a lot of therapy to realize sometimes that you are that hamster. Tony finally got it and jumped off the wheel.
Watch what you say to children or in the case young adults. When sharing stories of the past it's important to think how your audience is going to take that information. Sometimes they think that information is useful to their existing problem. The result is not always the same and sometimes, as in this case, deadly.
Don't try to take short cuts. Seriously, stop that. In business or your personal life sometimes it's best to follow the rules and work though your progress. Skipping the line or ignoring the normal order of things is not always a good thing.
Manipulation is the name of the game when you push someone for a specific, desired response by lobbying the appropriate measured verbal attacks on your intended perpetrator. You want them to push the situation where you are sometimes too afraid to take it yourself.
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