Post: #126

(12-28-2014 01:19 AM)Pride male Wrote:  Animals were a big deal in the Sopranos. Like the orange cat that stared at Chris' picture. I always felt it meant Chris was going to be a rat at some point. He thought about before killing that writer from, Cleaver.

Didn't Chris get freaked out by a black bird when he was being "made"?

Post: #127

^^Yeah, he thought it meant bad luck. I dont know what it symbolised.

Post: #128

(12-28-2014 02:20 AM)Pride male Wrote:  ^^Yeah, he thought it meant bad luck. I dont know what it symbolised.

I always thought a black bird was a common symbol of bad luck. Isn't Gene made at the same time as Christopher, too?

Post: #129

(12-28-2014 10:57 AM)Th0r Wrote:  

(12-28-2014 02:20 AM)Pride male Wrote:  ^^Yeah, he thought it meant bad luck. I dont know what it symbolised.

I always thought a black bird was a common symbol of bad luck. Isn't Gene made at the same time as Christopher, too?

Yep, the bird is a symbol of bad luck. And it is Eugene, who mets a pretty unfortunate end also.

In the episode when Chris gets made Paulie tells him that he has to pay him "10% of his take or $6,000 whichever is more." Does that mean Chris is paying Paulie $300,000 a year?

It seems high. Everyone's living hand-to-mouth, and with the exception of Tony, everyone is living a pretty middle-class existence.

Post: #130

(12-29-2014 08:48 AM)Hedonistic Traveler Wrote:  It seems high. Everyone's living hand-to-mouth, and with the exception of Tony, everyone is living a pretty middle-class existence.

I was thinking that too. Well, Silvio was well-off financially, but then again he was #2 so it made sense. Come to think of it, unless you're in the upper echelons of these crime families you're not gonna be pulling in much. Might as well get a college degree and find an entry-level job At least then you won't have to deal with the constant threat of being whacked.

Another thought popped into my head the other day. If you look at the so-called greatest series of all-time like The Sopranos, The Wire, BB, Mad Men etc. they all have one thing in common: they feature a predominantly male cast and a virtual absence of "strong female leads" and all that nonsense. That's what separates those shows from shit like CSI, Damages, and every single fucking soap opera where you have writing created specifically for ball-busting Americunts.

Post: #131

(12-27-2014 05:32 PM)Lucky Wrote:  

(12-27-2014 09:50 AM)Hotwheels Wrote:  As an adult I have only shed tears over the death of a pet.

Never at funerals for relatives, etc.

hmmmmmm

Hotwheels didn't you score like 100% across the board back when everyone took the Dark Triad test?

You and Tony may have something in common.

It wasn't 100% but the numbers were up there I recall.

How does one get an executioner job anyway?

Post: #132

(12-29-2014 02:10 PM)Cunnilinguist Wrote:  Another thought popped into my head the other day. If you look at the so-called greatest series of all-time like The Sopranos, The Wire, BB, Mad Men etc. they all have one thing in common: they feature a predominantly male cast and a virtual absence of "strong female leads" and all that nonsense. That's what separates those shows from shit like CSI, Damages, and every single fucking soap opera where you have writing created specifically for ball-busting Americunts.

I've noted this as well.

In contrast to what all the nutjobs say about how shows like these are anti-feminist, they are very popular, with a high percentage of female viewers.

I was looking through some stuff online the other day about the show and there was a quote from the actress that played Adrienne. (Chris' hot ass fiance that git clipped) She said that Gandolfini, in character, was the hottest man she ever met.

Post: #133

Yeah, there was a discussion in Melfi's office about why women throw themselves at Tony (I think specifically they were talking about Gloria). Melfi said it is because Tony is an alpha male. Tony agreed and said something about how so many men are pussies these days that when someone like him comes along who still has balls, they go crazy.

Very red pill show.

Post: #134

Women do like foreigners. The different accent. That is what I think drew Carmella to Furio.

Post: #135

(12-29-2014 08:48 AM)Hedonistic Traveler Wrote:  In the episode when Chris gets made Paulie tells him that he has to pay him "10% of his take or $6,000 whichever is more." Does that mean Chris is paying Paulie $300,000 a year?

It seems high. Everyone's living hand-to-mouth, and with the exception of Tony, everyone is living a pretty middle-class existence.

But what percentage of that 300K would Chris be kicking up to Tony? And then what percentage of what Tony gets is then kicked up to Junior?

Tony was the smartest of the New Jersey crew, and maybe that's why he has the nicest house. Johnny Sack was the smartest on the whole show, and he also had the nicest house on the show.

Even when Junior was running Jersey he still lived in a piece of shit house. Paulie lives in a shitty house, but he also supports his mom and donates a significant amount to his church. He's also an idiot though and blows money on whores and who knows what else.

Chris' also lived in shitty houses but he wasn't too bright either. He continually blew money on luxury cars and on jewelry for his wife.

Jackie Aprile Sr was the boss longer than any of them, yet the house he left for his wife wasn't anything great either.

Post: #136

Hesh said that Tony minus assets is under 6. I don't know if he meant 600 000 or 6 million. Johnny Sack had 5 million. Chris when he was capo bought a 300 000 dollar house without batting an eye lid. Paulie lives in a pent house.

Post: #137

(12-31-2014 10:44 AM)BallsDeep Wrote:  Tony was the smartest of the New Jersey crew, and maybe that's why he has the nicest house. Johnny Sack was the smartest on the whole show, and he also had the nicest house on the show.

Yeah, I guess another big factor is that they have to have w-2s to prove they can pay for their big purchases. I know when Johnny Sack buys the maserati Tony mentions that a purchase like that attracts a lot of attention.

Guys who are lower one the totem pole might just have $60,000-$100,000 in legit income, so their housing options are limited.

Post: #138

Funny how AJs beta game didnt work on Bianca. Dude is pulling out rings and necklaces and she leaves him. That guy who pulls up at the festival was probably banging her.

Post: #139

I found the Jackie Jr killing a bit confusing.

Tony wanted to give him a pass, but left the decision up to Ralphie. Ralphie told Tony twice that he was going to give him a pass. Ralphie then ordered Vito to whack him.

There was never any further discussion about this. No questioning by Tony about the change of plans.

Any insight to this?

Post: #140

(12-31-2014 02:44 PM)Pride male Wrote:  Funny how AJs beta game didnt work on Bianca. Dude is pulling out rings and necklaces and she leaves him. That guy who pulls up at the festival was probably banging her.

Meadow was turned off by her weaksauce boyfriend as well when he would never make a decision, always trying to leave things up to her. They showed her physical reactions to his "Whatever you want to do" responses and it was never good.

Post: #141

@BalllsDeep. I watched the commentary. Tony was telling Ralph to kill Jackie indirectly so he doesnt feel guilty.

Remember in the pork store, Tony is speaking backwards.

He shows Ralph the gun. Ralph's fault.
'you took him under your wing'

Ralph tries to get Tony to give the order but Tony reminds him he is a captain. A decison must be made in a 'timely fashion'.

This is what Chase said in the commentary.

Post: #142

Fuck is up with Furio, crying in his car over an aging housewife? Lol. Notice he didnt get her a gift from Italy, just some last minute vinegar. Game recognised.

Post: #143

(12-31-2014 05:12 PM)BallsDeep Wrote:  I found the Jackie Jr killing a bit confusing.

Tony wanted to give him a pass, but left the decision up to Ralphie. Ralphie told Tony twice that he was going to give him a pass. Ralphie then ordered Vito to whack him.

There was never any further discussion about this. No questioning by Tony about the change of plans.

Any insight to this?

I don't remember all the details about that one, but I know they do a lot of "signaling" which contradicts their words. In other words, Tony might say "you don't have to do XYZ, it's understandable if you don't" but everyone understands what he means is you better do XYZ.

An obvious signaling one is "it'd be a shame if anything ever happened to Fred" which means Fred needs to be whacked.

It's a way for Tony to get stuff done while maintaing plausible deniability and to appear like the decision is someone else's.

Post: #144

(12-31-2014 06:15 PM)Pride male Wrote:  @BalllsDeep. I watched the commentary. Tony was telling Ralph to kill Jackie indirectly so he doesnt feel guilty.

Remember in the pork store, Tony is speaking backwards.

He shows Ralph the gun. Ralph's fault.
'you took him under your wing'

Ralph tries to get Tony to give the order but Tony reminds him he is a captain. A decison must be made in a 'timely fashion'.

This is what Chase said in the commentary.

This is my interpretation as well. When Tony pulls out the gun, it's his way of signifying Ralph has to kill Jackie Junior.

Ralphie walks away from his meeting with Tony completely mindfucked.

We were talking earlier in this thread about feeling sorry for Ralph at the end. Not me. I remember watching the show on its initial run and being so angry that he managed to escape being whacked by seconds. This scene was incredible to me, the first time I watched it.

Post: #145

I recently stumbled upon an hour long interview of David Chase by Peter Bogdanovich, who had a bit part in the show as well.

As far as I can tell, this interview was done at the end of season two. Lots of insight onto what was going on inside Chase's head when writing. I enjoyed it.

Post: #146

Yeah, Chase said season 1 was about Tony as a son, 2 Tony as a brother, 3 as a father and 4 as a husband. Not sure about 5 and 6. My favourite was 4. Watching Chris sink into addiction and Tonys maariage fall apart.

Post: #147

Regarding the wealth of Sopranos' characters there are two very important things that need to be taken into consideration

A) Illicit Income

Tony could get a nice house because he had a 'legitimate' chain of income such as his consultancy with the sanitation company. Sylvio had the Bing and Johnny Sack (I think?) had a restuarant. Also the lifestyle would have taken a toll; drinking, gambling, drug use, prostitutes.. these guys were engaging in enough vice to last several lifetimes. The fact they had any money left over would have been amazing. Laundering money is exceptionally hard now as well- retrospective tax laws in common law countries are probably the most punitive and less stringent (E.g. you don't need a huge case to deem all assets as being obtained by illegal means.)

B) The Golden Age is over

These guys grew up in the 70s/80s etc. and saw it as a high risk high reward venture. When the late 90s early 00s have rolled around, it's a much different kettle of fish but these guys don't know any better. There's no 'other' career option for them so to speak. There weren't any geniuses in this show, but the young guys in particular are dumb as shit.

Post: #148

Cool scene where Tony gets back from the hospital and notices all the guys are in decent shape while he's still feeling weak (and fat). I interpreted this as Tony trying to re-assert his dominance as the alpha male.

Post: #149

I just finished Justified last month and The Shield this weekend, Sopranos is next on the list. I've never seen it so I hope it lives up to the hype. Timely bump.

Post: #150

(12-29-2014 02:10 PM)TigerMandingo Wrote:  

(12-29-2014 08:48 AM)Hedonistic Traveler Wrote:  It seems high. Everyone's living hand-to-mouth, and with the exception of Tony, everyone is living a pretty middle-class existence.

Another thought popped into my head the other day. If you look at the so-called greatest series of all-time like The Sopranos, The Wire, BB, Mad Men etc. they all have one thing in common: they feature a predominantly male cast and a virtual absence of "strong female leads" and all that nonsense. That's what separates those shows from shit like CSI, Damages, and every single fucking soap opera where you have writing created specifically for ball-busting Americunts.

You can trace it to every great show no matter the genre.

Sci-fi shows now have multiple female characters who are not only cliche but capable of filling in a lot of airtime with feeling speak. I tuned into this show called Under the Dome, which is basically a remake of the original series.

The episode involved a catastrophic meteor shower bombarding the Earth but the inhabitants within it were ok. I did not see anything of the meteor shower or any carnage for most of the program. I am serious.

The same happened to the Walking Dead. What a shit show that became. Full of talk, talk, feelings, more talking and oh heay a zombie! Some violence!

Boring.

Star Trek had talking, discussions and diplomacy alongside the action but it developed characters along the way. Now you have none and too much chit chat in the new Enterprise and what happens? It becomes shit.

There was a very good reason JJ.Abrams made a good Star Trek reboot. Less talk, more action and whatever talk took place it meant something.