Have you ever noticed that there are some people who start talking, seemingly in the middle of their own conversion? You don't even know what they are talking about. There is no point of reference.
Paulie's mother has moved into Green Grove. She's not liked by the other ladies at the facility and isn't included in a lot of the activities. Even at that age there are cliques. You would like to think that as people get older they begin to mellow a bit and get along better with others. But, just as it is in the real world it is in Green Grove. Paulie's mother really does need to work harder to make friends. She's told she needs to quit crying so much and keep her teeth in! But, with Paulie as a son she has a strong ally. He does what any good son would do in this situation. He has one of the main old ladies' son beat up so he can force his mother to play nice with Paulie's mother.
The son in question is actually a Principal. It's an interesting contrast as when he is introduced he seems like a strong man who has the respect of the students. At least, he has strength over them. But, with Paulie and his associates he is not coming from a position of strength. It's all relative, right?
When you are giving people power in your organization it's important that you set boundaries or guidance. You can't expect people to be able to read your mind. Don't get mad at them if they don't do what you wanted them to do. Be clear or otherwise expect to be disappointed.
Some people, such as Janice, always have a price.
Tony starts digging into Ralph's sexual preferences after he takes a likening to Ralph's new girlfriend. I think Tony always knew Ralph was a bit strange but I didn't think he knew to what degree. Tony wanted to feel better about stealing his girlfriend.
Carmella found the new girlfriend's fake nail. With all Carmella's concerns about money and her infatuation with Furio she decides to steal Tony's money and put it into investments. Tony find that the money is gone. You can tell in the last scene that he's working it out. That Carmella is the person who took the money. It is at this point that the marriage takes a turn. Up to this point Carmella has not trusted Tony. But it wasn't until this moment that Tony now knew that HE couldn't trust HER.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 45 (Season 4, Episode 7 Watching too Much Television)
Paulie is out of prison. Immediately he starts complaining to Tony about money. Be patient. Ease back into things.
Sometimes innocent comments have repercussions beyond your intentions. Know your audience when telling stories about others. Unless you want to be an unwitting accomplice.
Songs can be powerful reminders. While in the locker room setting up the housing fraud that was inspired by Carmella's cousin's story the politician he is in cahoots with tells him that he is seeing Tony's ex-girlfriend, Irina. Just then the song, " I'd be in trouble if you left me now" by the Chi-Lites plays. You can tell it floods back memories. Tony mainly has an issue with possession. If he doesn't have her no one should. Even though it was his idea to let her go. His only response to jealous is, of course, violence. He emasculates the politican in front of Irina by beating him with his belt.
Sometimes it's difficult to see people as they are. For example, Tony's inability to see Christopher's downward spiral of drug use. He's too close to Christopher and is not thinking clearly of the signs in front of him.
You can't believe what you hear on television. Adrianna mistakenly thinks, since she saw it on T.V. that if she marries Christopher she can't testify against him.
Sometimes people start out with good intentions but in the end are just let down.
It's interesting as I've seen through Season 4 at least three times that my general feeling is the Sopranos gets weaker and less focused as it moves into the later seasons. My observations about wisdom are starting to dry up a bit. Not sure at this point if that is a trend or not. We'll have to see. As I get into the last two seasons I only watched those once. When they were on television the first time. I never wanted to revisit those seasons. I felt that the show had ran it's course and like most shows that are nearing the end added way too many new characters.
Sometimes innocent comments have repercussions beyond your intentions. Know your audience when telling stories about others. Unless you want to be an unwitting accomplice.
Songs can be powerful reminders. While in the locker room setting up the housing fraud that was inspired by Carmella's cousin's story the politician he is in cahoots with tells him that he is seeing Tony's ex-girlfriend, Irina. Just then the song, " I'd be in trouble if you left me now" by the Chi-Lites plays. You can tell it floods back memories. Tony mainly has an issue with possession. If he doesn't have her no one should. Even though it was his idea to let her go. His only response to jealous is, of course, violence. He emasculates the politican in front of Irina by beating him with his belt.
Sometimes it's difficult to see people as they are. For example, Tony's inability to see Christopher's downward spiral of drug use. He's too close to Christopher and is not thinking clearly of the signs in front of him.
You can't believe what you hear on television. Adrianna mistakenly thinks, since she saw it on T.V. that if she marries Christopher she can't testify against him.
Sometimes people start out with good intentions but in the end are just let down.
It's interesting as I've seen through Season 4 at least three times that my general feeling is the Sopranos gets weaker and less focused as it moves into the later seasons. My observations about wisdom are starting to dry up a bit. Not sure at this point if that is a trend or not. We'll have to see. As I get into the last two seasons I only watched those once. When they were on television the first time. I never wanted to revisit those seasons. I felt that the show had ran it's course and like most shows that are nearing the end added way too many new characters.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 44 (Season 4, Episode 6 Everybody Hurts)
When you work a job that you can be on call 24/7 it's best if you don't indulge too much.
It's a myth that you can trust "blood" more. Loyalty doesn't really come from being related. It doesn't hurt I'm sure but it's not the litmus test on trust.
It's important when you are in a position of power to have someone who can represent you. Especially, of course, if you are mixed up in this shady business. It can keep the direct connection between you and your sorry deeds apart. Makes it hard to track who ordered what. Limits your exposure.
A.J. is trying to piece things together about his dad's business. His friends and girlfriend seem to be more interested in his family's illicit status. Be sure your friends like you for who you are. It's important to find people who care about you.
Also, A.J. gets a lesson in humility. A.J. didn't realize how affluent his girlfriend is until he visits her at her Father's home. Carmella had bragged to A.J.'s girlfriend about an expensive figurine she had that cost $3,000. But, it turns out his girlfriend had Picassos on the wall. It's considered inappropriate to brag about the cost of your possessions. Despite all the money the Soprano's have they don't really fit in with the money types. This is a clear class distinction that played itself out with this boast.
Tony finds out in this episode that Gloria committed suicide. This shades his decisions throughout this episode. It forces him to question how he treats others asking in a couple of situations, "What am I a toxic person?"
First, Artie tries to get into loansharking through Tony's associate Ralph. Ralph doesn't lend Artie the money. Ralph's not a nice guy. He made a correct calculation that if things went badly Tony wouldn't appreciate the consequences to his long-time friend Artie. He dresses it up a bit and tells Artie, "If you don't pay me back I won't be able to hurt you". When Tony finds out he is upset that Artie didn't ask him first. Tony is feeling very vulnerable at this point still reeling from the realization that Gloria killed herself. He lends Artie the money. Of course, the guy who he lent the money too refused to pay him back. Artie tries to get tough with the guy but the guy ends of pulling his earing out of his ear and hitting him. So, if you aren't a tough guy you are not going to become one by practicing your speech in front of a mirror Artie. He's so distraught he calls Tony to tell him that he has taken a bunch of pills and is ending it. Fortunately for Artie Tony is really in turmoil over Gloria's suicide and he happens to really love Artie so he gives him an out. Tony is wise to let Artie know that he can't tell anyone he left him off the hook. Tony's reputation is on the line.
Second, earlier in the episode Tony has dinner with his sister, Janice. Janice has had a history of mental issues and Tony is wanting to check on Janice and at the same time relieve himself of any guilt he has felt over her past mental anguish. At one point Tony asks about Janice's relationship with Bobby and Janice thinks Tony is going to say something negative. Again, Tony says "What am I toxic person?
Thirdly, Carmella has been asking Tony for a long time for a living trust. Tony is so concerned at this point for appeasing those he cares about he finally agreed to sign the papers.
Another observation. A.J.'s friends kept bringing up references to the Godfather. It's interesting when you look at the aesthetics of the Godfather vs. the Sopranos. Two key elements that made the Sopranos so successful was Tony's much discussed eyes (see prior posts) and the fact that the way they lived was so normal. Upper middle class climbers. They didn't look like what people think of as typical mob families. It's a more modern look at these families that live among us, somewhat hidden behind their manicured lawns and SUVs. The glamour is gone. Earlier episodes have Tony nostalgically remembering their way of life that changed in his time. The mystic of the mob has been exposed by countless movies, television shows and the prevalence of members who have gave up secrets and named names to get out of convictions.
It's a myth that you can trust "blood" more. Loyalty doesn't really come from being related. It doesn't hurt I'm sure but it's not the litmus test on trust.
It's important when you are in a position of power to have someone who can represent you. Especially, of course, if you are mixed up in this shady business. It can keep the direct connection between you and your sorry deeds apart. Makes it hard to track who ordered what. Limits your exposure.
A.J. is trying to piece things together about his dad's business. His friends and girlfriend seem to be more interested in his family's illicit status. Be sure your friends like you for who you are. It's important to find people who care about you.
Also, A.J. gets a lesson in humility. A.J. didn't realize how affluent his girlfriend is until he visits her at her Father's home. Carmella had bragged to A.J.'s girlfriend about an expensive figurine she had that cost $3,000. But, it turns out his girlfriend had Picassos on the wall. It's considered inappropriate to brag about the cost of your possessions. Despite all the money the Soprano's have they don't really fit in with the money types. This is a clear class distinction that played itself out with this boast.
Tony finds out in this episode that Gloria committed suicide. This shades his decisions throughout this episode. It forces him to question how he treats others asking in a couple of situations, "What am I a toxic person?"
First, Artie tries to get into loansharking through Tony's associate Ralph. Ralph doesn't lend Artie the money. Ralph's not a nice guy. He made a correct calculation that if things went badly Tony wouldn't appreciate the consequences to his long-time friend Artie. He dresses it up a bit and tells Artie, "If you don't pay me back I won't be able to hurt you". When Tony finds out he is upset that Artie didn't ask him first. Tony is feeling very vulnerable at this point still reeling from the realization that Gloria killed herself. He lends Artie the money. Of course, the guy who he lent the money too refused to pay him back. Artie tries to get tough with the guy but the guy ends of pulling his earing out of his ear and hitting him. So, if you aren't a tough guy you are not going to become one by practicing your speech in front of a mirror Artie. He's so distraught he calls Tony to tell him that he has taken a bunch of pills and is ending it. Fortunately for Artie Tony is really in turmoil over Gloria's suicide and he happens to really love Artie so he gives him an out. Tony is wise to let Artie know that he can't tell anyone he left him off the hook. Tony's reputation is on the line.
Second, earlier in the episode Tony has dinner with his sister, Janice. Janice has had a history of mental issues and Tony is wanting to check on Janice and at the same time relieve himself of any guilt he has felt over her past mental anguish. At one point Tony asks about Janice's relationship with Bobby and Janice thinks Tony is going to say something negative. Again, Tony says "What am I toxic person?
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