The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 47 (Season 4, Episode 9 Whoever Did This)

 There are two separate story lines in this episode.  

This episode starts with Uncle Jr.'s continuing trial.  It seems has found an out by faking dementia.  The only thing is, he's not really faking it.  It ends with the brightness of a new day after Tony finally takes care of Ralph.

Uncle Jr. falls down the stairs at the courthouse and is taken to the hospital.  Tony decides to exploit this and claim Uncle Jr. has dementia.  If true it would cause a mistrial or would lead to a dismissal of the case.  However, although it's not evident to Tony and Uncle Jr.'s associates his mental state is diminished.  When they started coaching Uncle Jr. on how to answer questions at one point, they asked him what his name was.  The look on his face was one of complete confusion and a realization that he did not know how to answer.  Sometimes dementia happens so slowly that others fail to notice until too late.  It is like that with a lot of things that happen slowly.

Ralph's son (who I must say was never mentioned before and is added to create a convenient storyline) was hurt playing with a friend with arrows.  Rosalie comes to the hospital and Ralph apologies to her for not understanding what she was going through when Jackie Jr. was killed.  This is a true and wise statement.  No one knows what it is like when you lose someone.  Even if they say they understand, they don't.  How can they?  You can demonstrate sympathy but it's really not a good idea to tell someone you understand what they are going through.  You do not.  We are all too complex with different experiences that it is impossible to understand. 

Ralph goes to the priest.  He tells Ralph that God is merciful and there is a purpose to all things.  The priest talks about the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  The priest knows that Ralph is a mobster.  Another "devil" and he quotes from the song sympathy for the devil, "And I was 'round when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain".

Tony is forced comfort Ralph even though he really shouldn't have to. It’s not a role Tony is good at.  He lacks empathy.  Which is what makes him a good sociopath.  Except when it comes to animals.  Tony's favorite horse, Pie-O-My has to be put down after a terrible barn fire.  Tony goes to Ralph to tell him and it is apparent that Ralph arranged for the accident.  When Tony asks Ralph right out if he did Ralph wouldn’t look into Tony’s eyes.  Tony figures Ralph was involved, and Tony goes into a rage and a fight ensues with Tony eventually killing Ralph.  

Ralph’s death was a long time coming.  Tony has intolerance for harming animals.  Perhaps they remind him of his children and their innocence.  Maybe they give him the love he feels he is missing from his children.  Tony tried to connect with Anthony Jr. but he ignores his father.  It was an extremely uncomfortable scene.  At the end of this episode Tony is at the Bada-Bing after a night of cleaning up after disposing of Ralph.  Before he walks out, he sees a picture of the young woman that Ralph killed because she was pregnant with his child.  Another lost, innocent victim.  

Tony walks out to a new day…

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 48 (Season 4, Episode 10 The Strong, Silent Type)

Men are told from early childhood that they can't cry.  That it's not manly.  Some men turn this sadness inward I think and express it with violence or avoidance.

When Tony gets the painting of him and the horse, Pie-O-My Tony walks out of the room and tells his associates to get rid of the painting.  He leaves to avoid feeling the emotion he needs to express, sadness and tears.  He continually fights himself against feeling this way.

Tony's associates suspect that Tony killed Ralph.  They are right, of course.  It's easy to follow the most likely candidate and circumstances in concluding who was responsible.  Tony's reaction to the painting probably solidified their suspicions.  They are concerned for two main reasons.  One, if Ralph was a good earner and Tony killed him what security do they have?  And second, killing Ralph over a horse is a very strange reaction to people of their ilk.

Tony has always had an unusual soft spot for living creatures, ducks and horses come to mind. It's like they symbolize innocence that should be protected like his children.  He grieves for these living creatures.  Genuinely grieves. It seems out of character for someone who is an such a violent day to day operation.  But, it could be that even Tony has boundaries that he feels shouldn't be crossed.  If you are an adult and no longer an innocent then it doesn't matter to him if he beats you up or kills you.

Christopher is continuing on his drug spree.  This time he passes out and sits on Adrianna's dog instantly killing her.  They all decide to do an intervention.  Probably the fact that Christopher killed the dog made Tony mad enough that he forced Christopher into rehab.  He might have anyway but I don't think the dog killing helped Christopher.  Also, I wonder if what Tony told Christopher about if it was anyone else they wouldn't even have the opportunity to go to rehab if Tony really meant not just the drugs but also killing the dog.

Furio confesses to a confidant in Italy while he is leaving his father's funeral that he was in love with the boss's wife.  His confidant told him he shouldn't do anything about it and needs to be careful to not show any emotion about her so Tony will not suspect.  The only way out, his friend told him, is if Tony wasn't in the picture anymore.

When Furio returns Carmela visits him at his house.  She brings A.J. along.  So, if you want to mask what your intentions are bring someone with you as an alibi.

Tony spends time with the cousin of his ex-Russian Girlfriend. Svetlana is managing the home care worker of Tony's Uncle Junior.  Svetlana points out to Tony that Americans have everything and we have too much time on our hands.  We think too much about ourselves.  That's why we can't get ahead and have no ambition.  I think maybe she called it...

And then Tony sleeps with Svetlana.  Which we will find out will be the straw that breaks the camels back later (Sorry Tony, maybe not a good saying considering that camel is probably dead now.)

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 46 (Season 4, Episode 8 Merges and Acquisitions)

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.

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.  

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.  

Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 43 (Season 4 Episode 5 Pie-O-My)

As I was watching this episode I was afraid that my notes would come up empty.  Surprisingly that is not unusual for me.  It's not until I start pulling it together that I realize there are patterns and underlying themes in each episode.  What I don't know is if this is intentional or the writers thought processes just fall in place of these themes naturally without much thought.

If you don't want people to see what you are up to be sure to go somewhere out of sight.  The obvious example is the FBI meeting Adrianna in a different town.  The other example is Tony hiding money right under Carmella's nose.  It's not revealed yet but she finds his secret money stash.  He's not as clever as he thinks he is hiding his money.

Intimation by silence and staring someone down are demonstrated multiple times in this episode.  People are afraid of silence and will attempt to fill up the void by talking.   They are equally uneasy by being stared at.  Making direct eye contact while demonstrating a subtle threat can be extremely intimidating.   I'm thinking of Bobby talking to a Union Rep at a bar, Tony with his hand out to Ralphie for a bigger payout, the FBI sitting in the front seat not saying anything with Adrianna in the back squirming, Uncle Jr. staring down the court room artist as he was not happy with how he was being drawn and Janice standing in Bobby's kitchen waiting for her competition to make an exit.

Janice, as always, is adept at identifying her mark and going in to close the deal.  Janice has laid her sights on Bobby whose wife just passed away.  Janice is one of those characters that if she was really honest with herself and was a man she probably would have been vying for Tony's place.  But, she is ultimately too careless to have been successful.  Now she has decided to be the wind beneath Bobby's wings.  Not the first time she has tried this.  But, she's really good at it.   She feeds Uncle Jr. some positive lie about Bobby that her father supposedly said then talks to Bobby about getting back to work.  That one really likes to pull the screws.

Some people deal with stress and disappointment by doing drugs.  (This is an easy and so obvious pearl of wisdom brought to us  by our two lovebirds Michael and Adrianna.)

Tony has the compassion and love for animals.  I don't quite get it.  Maybe he feels the only true innocence lies in animals.  Maybe it's his judgement that all humans are guilty and unworthy of our fullest respect.  But, animals are just animals.  There is no stigmatism of sin.

Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 42 (Season 4 Episode 4 The Weight)

Johnnie Sack is still reeling from the mean hearted joke that Richie said about his wife Jeannie and her weight.  This one joke leads to suspicion, revenge and judgements of worth to the organization.

There is a fine line between being paranoid and correct in thinking people are talking about you.  It's not always easy to determine this so it's best to weigh the consequences of how you react.

Sometimes being honest is the best approach.  If who you are talking to is known to understand where you are coming from it's best to just being honest.  Understanding came come from being forth coming.

If someone is leaking your secrets you can become suspicious of everyone, jeopardizing your relationship with others.

Never apologize for something you didn't do.  If you apologize you might as well admit you did it.

Don't let the personal interfere with business.  It clouds your judgement.

Not backing someone up creates enemies.  If you know your actions are creating an enemy you need to swiftly move to address the lingering issue.

Carmela brought Anthony Jr. over to Furio's in an effort to provide cover for why she was there. Bringing someone else in your ruse even without their knowledge makes an appearance of being an innocent visit.

When you love someone you can see past their flaws.

When you are a victim of a crime you can't blame yourself.  The location, circumstances, etc. does not make you guilty.

Johnnie Sack finally let's it go when he finds out Jeannie has been cheating on her diet all this time.  Meanwhile his boss gave Tony the nod to take him out.  At the same time Johnnie had a hit on Richie that he called off.  The net loss to both Tony & Johnnie was half of their payments to their respective hit men.