Christopher Columbus Day, Native Americans, Italian stereotypes and childhood trauma all combine to make this episode's theme victimization. Everyone is a victim.
Paulie is in jail and causing problems from within. Since he's not around no one suspects that he is the leak spilling family business to New York to gain favor. As Tony says, "someone is talking too much and costing me money". Sometimes its easier to instigate trouble when you appear at a distance.
You never know when it's the last time you see or talk to someone. Be sure to tell them you love them (okay, only if you love them) so if it is the last time you know they went out knowing it (and you'll feel better about that last interaction too).
Don't bite the hand the feeds you Padre. The Priest had a speaker that talked about Italian stereotypes of Italians being in the mob. You could feel the embarrassment Carmela and her family friends felt sitting at that table. It seems the Soprano family has given a great deal of money to the parish and perhaps the Priest should have been more careful about subjecting Carmela to the humiliation. (However, I think the Priest erred earlier when he actually took money from the Sopranos.)
There gets to be a point in a protest where you just go too far and violence erupts. We've seen this played out recently (unfortunately). It happens in this episode when some friendly Italian guys came to voice their concerns about the Native Americans protesting the Christopher Columbus holiday. Things can quickly get out of control.
Janice, Tony's absolutely manipulative sister is seeing a counselor. They don't say but I'm pretty sure from the way this woman interacts with Janice that she's not qualified professional. Of course, Janice wouldn't want real growth. She just wants sympathy. Janice was talking about how much she suffered as a child. Janice acts of it she is the ultimate poster child for victims. Which she isn't. If you know what answers you want to hear, find someone who will tell it to you. Also, if you can't muster the courage to end a relationship just make up a stupid reason to argue.
There is no such thing as a free ride. Tony was reminded of this when an Native American Indian Chief invited him and this associates to a casino. What the Chief ultimately wanted was Frankie Valli to perform at the Casino. He figured Tony could make the call.
This episode ended, appropriately enough, with Tony asking the question about what ever happened to Gary Cooper? He was talking about the image of Gary Cooper as the silent, strong man who did what he needed to do. Gary Cooper didn't whine. He was a man. So, back to the theme. Gary Cooper, I suppose, is NOT A VICTIM.
Everyone should quit whining at this point and get on with it. If we would all collectively do this who knows where we would be as a country. (Now I'm probably going to hear from someone.)
