who'd like you to invest and, while they might filch your loose change is more likely borrow money from you under flimsy pretense, never to be seen again.

Tony and the boys better fit "antisocial personality type" for whom the "greater good" is irrelevant ... they're selfish and their greedy ... they aren't even entirely truthful or loyal to one another -- how many times did Chris get into trouble with his maverick "schemes"?

It's easy to underestimate the impact of the underground economy ... but it's a fascinating subject and becoming increasingly important as it grows internationally ...and assumes a larger and larger percentage of our national economy -- from drugs, sex, illegal labor, pornography, smuggling of EVERYTHING from cattle feed to pharmaceuticals to (notably) auto and airplane parts -- and often the traffic in COUNTERFIT goods ... which are not up to standards ...

and then there's the taxes NOT PAID, the local officials corrupted, and the regular prices jacked up and legitimate enterprises losing out in competition with blackmarket goods.

It's also worth noting that in depressed urban areas, sometime "black market" is the ONLY market. "Money is power" is even more applicable in poor and dysfunctional societies. Coming soon to a country near you ... see also Mexico, for example.

The author of Fast Food Nation came out with "Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs, and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market by Eric Schlosser (Paperback - April 1, 2004)" and there have been several more scholarly books since.

Highly recommended.

but I only found that out on a re-watch ... I had thought the hit men had gone to wrong address, after following the car ...

It was the right address for Phil's mistress. Apparently, her silver haired dad just happened to stop by long enough to be mistaken for Phil.

The question seems to be, Did Pauli tip-off Phil?

fwiw, imho, Paulie has the "fire-in-the-belly" that Tony lacks ... so does Janice ... both dangerous passionate loose cannons ... both very "alive" ... I loved how Paulie "approved" of AJ's new girlfriend, simply glad for AJ ... something Tony wouldn't have felt in a million years.

As for Melfi becoming collateral damage, I'm doubtful. I think she got her comeuppance in spades last week.

Eliott's disrespect of her practice, her therapy was brutal and then to have Tony arrive at session, deface her office reading materials (which apparently they had discussed previously) and then start the "session" wanting to know how much she "pulled in" a year ... that's a "pull down your pants, we're gonna have a measuring contest right here, right now" ugly disrespect. Followed by obvious maudlin, poor-me boo-hooing about Meadow's career choices ... etc.

Yes, after 7 years, Tony's behavior was showing IN SPADES that he had NO genuine respect for his "therapy" or Melfi or Melfi's stuff. Yes, after 7 years, time to go, long overdue in fact.

I thought another funny line was when Carmella in the restaurant greeted the news Melfi had fired Tony with the reassurance that well, she wasn't doing him much good anyway ... like Carmella has a clue what Tony's been up to ... 99% of which Tony can't/won't tell Melfi anyway ... At least, Tony was HONEST when he told Melfi that Chris's death was sorta a relief. Tony's problem with killing Chris was concealing just how relieved and NOT-greiving he was.

Over at MSNBC, there was mention that "now of all times" for Melfi to can Tony ... because this was when he needs her most, apparently ... I have to ask, TO WHAT PURPOSE? So he can "feel better" about things? Avoid pesky anxiety attacks? Get over whatever vague bad feeling?

Times of crisis often distract from the central work of therapy and provide all sorts of distraction and drama away from core issues. Lots of folks cope quite well in crisis and fall apart when things return to a boring, unsatisfying "normal."

Paulie will lament how Tony was the son he never had ... Paulie and the safehouse gang will decamp ...

Uncle Junior may get wacked just for tidiness sake ... who's gonna pay for his custodial care? who's left?

Eventually Carmella will get to join the ranks of the widows -- so many all at once -- joined at the hip with Janice 4-ever ... while they try to figure out where the off-shore account numbers are recorded ... so many widows and no one apparent to write the checks and handover the "taking care of family" money.

I don't know if Silvio will survive ... but if he does, as a loyal soldier and hard worker, I think NY would be wise to make him an offer... which I think he would take ... provided he gets to continue at the BadaBing -- "to watch after the girls" ..

Paulie may get wacked in return by Phil, just "because" ...

or Tony may "50-ways-to-leave-your-lover" just sneak out the back Jack, make a new plan, Stan" ... hook up with the FBI and -- vanish -- all on his own.

Carmella, Meadow and AJ may well discover that their "foundation" is nonexistent ... and they are left with nothing.

I don't think we have time for Melfi to rip Eliot a new one as she dumps HIM ... but she can go out humming, "she works hard for the money" ... sadder and wiser.