The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 14 (Season 2: Episode 2 Do Not Resucitate)

I am increasingly delighted as each episode unfolds. When I started this blog I wasn't sure I would have enough material.  Granted some of the wisdom gets repeated. But, each episode seems to have a wisdom theme that is wrapped around the story line.  This episode should be called loose lips sink ships.  There should be caution in what you say as it may not be received well.  Sometimes you say the wrong thing to the wrong person like when Uncle Junior tells a judge in response to if he has any objections to wearing a monitoring bracelet that it's feels like Nazi Germany.   Or, when Anthony Jr. asks Olivia Soprano why she needs a DNR because he didn't know what a DNR was.   My personal favorite is when the owner of the nursing home Olivia Soprano was living in was running his mouth around town about Soprano business and about a certain son who almost killed his mother with a fluffy pillow.  Guess where he is?  Missing, a suspect of "foul play".  (I think that guy must have not been very smart.)  Another couple of Einsteins are the two guys working at the brokerage firm for Christopher who approach Tony at a pre-arranged attack on protesters at a construction site.  Tony didn't want to be seen there but these two bumbling idiots (and in future episodes we will see what bumbling idiots they are really are) identified Tony and approached him while he was sitting in his car.

It's interesting how you can use loose lips to not sink a ship but instead to save one.  Olivia hints to Janice about where did she put the money?  Implying that Olivia has money and Janice needs to keep her alive so she can share this bit of information.  Olivia has always acted like she is a bit senile but believe me she's no dummy.  She is worried about the DNR that Anthony Jr. asked her about.

Which leads me to sometimes things are not always what they seem.  For example the Preacher who is protesting at the construction site is really on the take.  Or, Tony wanting it to appear the Uncle Junior is still the boss so the Feds will not focus on himself. 

I would be off the mark if I didn't mention the theme of parents and their children.  The on the take Preacher's dad died.  In talking to Tony he mentioned that once the parents are gone the torch is passed to the children and now they become the elders.  Truly a wise observation.

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 13 (Season 2: Episode 1 A Guy Walks into a Psychiatrist's Office

Michael Corleone: All right. This one time. This one time I'll let you ask me about my affairs.
Kay Adams:Is it true? Is it?
Michael Corleone: No.

The common thread throughout the Season 2 Opener is Lies...

The season opens with Frank Sinatra singing "It was a Very Good Year"  while reintroducing us to the cast of the Sopranos.  All members of the Sopranos family and the extended La Famiglia are highlighted.  Livia, Tony's mother laying in the hospital filled with rage and delusions, Christopher partaking in drugs to escape the reality of life, Tony conducting an extra-marital affair and once home attempts to cover up the perfume smell of this latest mistress by tossing his clothing in the washing machine.  Tony crawling in bed looks at Camella who also turns to face Tony with her eyes open.  Once she sees Tony is looking at her she immediately closes her eyes and rolls over. 

Tony is wrapping up the mess from last season - the attempt on his life.  He is like an accountant with a balance sheet.  When the episode is over he feels like he has measured the risk and dealt with it handledly.  He did it in part by creating a ruse.  In order to isolate your prey you create a ruse to catch them off guard.  Create a comfortable environment and then BAM.  We've seen this tactic before.  Maybe that is why we all get suspicious when things are going well. These wise guys are too egotistic sometimes to catch on to the threat right in front of them.  They continually fall into traps of their own making. 

When you lie be careful to cover your tracks.  Don't say too much that you might say something that contradicts your story.  Sometimes in denying something you actually let something slip that affirms your actual guilt.

Christopher gets someone else to pass a stockbrokers test so he can setup a boiler room selling valueless stocks to unspecting investors. Lies and more lies.

Tony met with Dr. Melfi after he suffered another one of his attacks.  He asked her to continue treating him.  She refused stating that due to her status of being in hiding for a while due to Tony's business she lost a patient due to suicide.  When Dr. Melfi is explaining this I couldn't help but wonder, was Dr. Melfi really telling the truth?

Just when I thought that the Sopranos couldn't bring anything more to the wisdom table he introduces Tony's sister Janice. The dynamic of siblings will bring more to the discussion of wisdom in the following episode reviews.  For this episode let's keep to the fact that Janice was not completely honest about why she has decided to return home.  Tony knows it...Siblings have a history of knowing each other like no other.  For now let that marinate like a good pasta sauce...

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 12 (Season 1: Episode 12 Isabella & Episode 13 I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano)

These are the two episodes of the Sopranos that I find most disturbing. The reason is because both Tony's Mother & Uncle conspire to kill him. These revelations weigh deeply on Tony. First subconsciously as I believe he realizes something is going to happen and then later once it does and he gains proof he doesn't dwell on it - he resolves to take proper revenge. The underlying reoccurring theme in this first season is Tony's mother. Dr. Melfi diagnosed Tony's mother as having a borderline personality. Let's face it this woman is a nasty piece of work. She is manipulative, dramatic, paranoid, verbally abusive and spreads guilt around like melted butter on a hot sourdough roll. Tony has tried everything to please his mother to no avail. He finally realizes this in these last two episodes.

One reason this show was so successful was that a character like Tony Sopranos was made to be sympathetic. Someone who murders, manipulates, steals, etc. for a living and we actually want him to be okay. We would rather his mother kill herself already. She is a big noose around Tony's life. There are probably countless others in the real world who have had similar experiences with their parents. This show is relatable- period. It demonstrates that no matter who you are, what you do we all have the same problems in life.

But, I am diverting my attention away from the purpose of this blog - to show the Wisdom of the Sopranos. But, maybe the show itself is wise in it's appeal to the regular person who is watching.

Episode 12 dealt this Tony's serious depression. One of his best friend's has betrayed him and he feels that something is going to happen. And of course something does happen. His Uncle issues a hit on Tony's life. After days of sleeping and apparently hallucinating/dreaming about a women named Isabella from the "old country" he leaves to see the Dr. and an attempt is made on his life. Turns out Tony's serious depression takes a turn. He wants to live and fights with his assassins to insure he lives to see another day and to take revenge. It's said that nothing give you a new release on life than an encounter with death.

Tony's relationship with this mother comes to a head in Episode 13. It's the great reveal by the F.B.I. that his mother has indeed conspired to do the worst - kill her only son. She further adds insult to injury by revealing a secret to a friend of Tony. Misguided in his method as Tony might have been attempted to save him from ruin. The friend though didn't take it that way at least initially. So, sometimes you can do someone a favor but it backfires.

Sometimes what happens to you, or doesn't is a matter of timing. Circumstance really.

"Someday soon you'll have a family of your own and if you're lucky you'll remember the little moments. Like this. That were good."

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 11 (Season 1: Episode 11 Nobody Knows Anything)

Never have more on you than you feel comfortable loosing (such as money).

Physical problems can be rooted in psychological problems. Remember that headache you got on a particularly stressful day at work?

Sometimes there are non-intended consequences to advice. When someone is asking you what you think they should do, etc. be cautious in your approach. The results may not be what you intended.

Some people create drama to get attention. Maybe if we paid attention to those around us more there wouldn't be so much drama.

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 10 (Season 1: Episode 10 A Hit is a Hit)

We all want to move past stereotypes and feel like we belong. Stereotypes go beyond even opinions of people who are different. There are even stereotypes within your own group. We all live with stereotypes. Even if we don't want to admit it, we do.

Everyone wants to feel like they belong. That's probably why most people stick to people who they feel they can most identify with. I know that I would feel very uncomfortable trying to hang out with a multi-millionaire. I wouldn't feel like I have anything in common with them. What would we talk about? Suspicion arises when someone who is different from you asks you to join them for an outing. Is it possible their motives are less than kind? Do they want you around for amusement? Are you a novelty to them? Honestly, if you have ever been in this situation do you not wonder?

As long as people want something from you they will tolerate your (choose an option) offensive/boring/irritating behavior. Once they get what they want they will disappear from your life.

Am I being to harsh? Maybe. But, keep in mind I'm following the wisdom of the Sopranos. Many people don' t make it out alive on this series. Anything less than complete frankness just will not cut it on this blog...

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 9 (Season 1: Episode 9 Boca)

If you have ever been to a children's ballgame you will see parents who seemed more motivated than their own children to win. It's as if the parents are trying to relive their own childhood through their children.

It's important that as a loyal friend you know when you are being told something in confidence even if it's not explicitly stated. Be sensitive to what should be kept private about someone even before they ask you to not talk about it. When you know someone so well and they reveal something they might be thinking that due to the nature of your relationship that is already private and that you will not discuss with others. Revealing secrets can sever a relationship irreparably.

We all feel at one time or the other that we have the responsibility to set things right - even when we are not directly involved. It's important to understand these feelings and have an appropriate response. It's not always our responsibility to act. Be careful to not be the judge and jury.

Just some raw human stuff...staring down your prey long enough can be an effective method to gaining submission. Also, remember to choose your words wisely. Insults can lead to counter insults which can get out of control.

As our society seems to be more and more casual in our dress and appearance this reflects a societal change. "Values today, standards are crumbling." Nicely said Artie Bucco!

The Wisdom of the Sopranos Part 8 (Season 1 Episode 8: The Legend of Tennessee Molisanti)

Every ethnicity has it's stereotypes. It's not always those on the outside who promote these stereotypes. Sometimes it's an inside job.

When you don't feel you are getting the proper respect or recognition you sometimes lash out on others who you perceive as inferior or weak.

If you are going to hide something hide it in an unexpected place.

Some people don't want to just survive. These are the people who desire to create drama in their lives and thus in the lives of those around them. Real life is not like the movies which is why people sometimes get frustrated with the monotony of day to day. It even causes some to act irrationally and subconsciously do things to further their cause of needing drama in their life. To quote Christopher Molisanti, "The f!?!? regularness of life is too f!?!? hard for me or something."