Letters to the Editor
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yes, I think there were a number of reasons to think that Tony at least HALF- EXPECTED to be struck down by guilt
after killing Christopuh but that didn't happen... and at least in Las Vegas Tony was reassured that he could still feel joy -- something that has been largely absent in his life as well.
I'm a bit doubtful that Chase will "use" AJ as a tidy-tie-it-all-up-with-a-ribbon plot centerpiece ... but it's possible ..
Tony's existence "enables" AJ ... it's quite possible that AJ's only redemption (since he hasn't the ambition or balls to leave on his own) is Tony's departure (one way or another).
I'm more interested in the crew, Tony's mob, which is looking a bit threadbare and -- as Tony has mentioned -- isn't pulling in the expected revenue.
Tony has appeared to virtually despise EVERYONE in the last few weeks ... my suspicion is that they despise him back. I gather the mob in general has been shrinking ... Tony has lost his heir-apparent and trotted off to Vegas, leaving unfinished business .... Is this a ripe moment for Phil to make a bold move? I think so.
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Reading all these amazing letters......
Gosh..smartypants, alla youze.
I have nothing brilliant to add, other than ........gulp.....three more episodes, and then no more of this.
Damn. I'm gonna mourn this harder than Six Feet Under....and that was some mourning, dang it.
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Why I still fear for Melfi
Someone asked "Why would Tony off Melfi? She's the only one helping him," or something to that effect.
But (a) if he does something that triggers her obligation to report him to authorities, he won't hesitate to protect himself; and (b) who says it would necessarily be Tony that would whack her? It's no secret that Tony's in therapy, and wouldn't take too much effort to find out who the therapist was. If someone were led to the conclusion that Tony has told her a bit too much (not about himself, but about others), OR wanted to yank Tony's chain in a major way (Phil is that mean and vindictive), she really could be in danger.
Also, it seems to me that you could also cut Tony's business out from under him if you whacked Silvio, or if Silvio somehow turned out to be a betrayer. Silvio's the bean-counter and consigliere. There's an unquestioned reliance on him that Tony was never able to enjoy with Chris or anyone else. That could really make the whole operation come unglued.
Yeah, wouldn't it be a hoot if Paulie ended up at the top of the scrap heap, after shaking like a leaf on that boat with Tony a few weeks back and having to buy him a cappucino maker to avoid having to sleep with the fishes? He doesn't have what it takes to be a capo di tutti cappi over the long term, but you couldn't half-blame the guy for trying. Poor guy, still having to clip coupons to make ends meet!
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Paulie
You know - Paulie really has no one right now. no mother, no wife or kids. Paulie is really quite a strange character. Even though he has no wife and kids, and kills people, he still shows emotion, he looked pretty upset about Chris' death. He and Chris were together a lot, been through a lot. I don't know if I had a point with that. I guess I don't think he would turn on Tony or the guys, Paulie needs them. Even though he is a killer, he still doesn't show the coldness Tony does. I think he is emotionally attached to Tony.
I also think something is up with Carlo. They keep alluding to it. The kid at Tony's bedside after the accident. Carlo is also an impartial character. he is close enough to Tony but no one is attached to him.
to touch on the last post - maybe Phil does order Tony to take out Melfi, or says he will do it. I don't know if Phil knows about Melfi or not though. that would really Tony where it hurts. What is it that Phil wants that Tony replies something about "there being a limit"?
Anyone think the final episode will be another "trippy, dreamy" episode?
I would like to see a play on words with Tony seeing ducks and "Ducks" to avoid a fatal bullet or something. It would be so lame...
I really don't expect much to be explained about Tony "getting it". I think his actions will explain it.
I don't think anything is going to happen with Meadow. I think just because they haven't been focusing on her doesn't mean anything. I do agree that AJ will play a big role.
Does this seem like the longest week ever?
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heaven & hell
During the peyote trip -
Tony was experiencing heaven in the casino. or at least his version of it - winning at roulette - God's validation. The circles - represent halos. Tony laughing about Chris' death as if either he was forgiven for it, or that it lifted a curse But the image of the devil showed that Tony was more headed on an evil path.
The trip to the canyon - empty and hot. lonely. Tony GETS that he is headed towards hell.
Tony needs to confess his sins. He wants to - he has been dreaming about it, he needs forgiveness.
I feel that Tony will confess what he has done to AJ as he sees AJ starting on the path he (Tony) took at that age. He will tell him about Chris, and every other horrific thing he has done. This will alienate AJ from not only the Mob life, but also from Tony. It would be like Tony sacrificing his son - but Tony sees that he is saving AJ from the life and it will be a moment of cleansing for Tony. I predict he will be killed shortly after this.
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Safe and not safe: Melfi, NJ, NY, AJ
Frankly I have no clue where the notion that Melfi is in mortal danger is coming from (unless it's Chrissy's impulsive hit on JT as threadbare foreshadowing). It's not even known that her identity has leaked beyond Tony, Carmela, Cusamano, and Kupferberg. Spoons mentioned her to Gigi in season 2 - though not by name - and both of those characters died. There is nothing useful she can tell the authorities (yet), which is the sort of direct affront which is absolutely required before any family would target a civilian....
All of Tony's captains are in jeopardy. Paulie most of all due to his - contradicting a prior poster here - FREQUENT betrayals of Tony and insults to Tony's position as boss, for none of which he has been called to account (writing the family gossip column in NY, the Pie O My painting, robbing Mr. Lombardo, shorting Carmela when Tony was in a coma, etc. etc. etc.!). Plus Tony hates and fears him. Conversely, as Tony's hardest and most seasoned soldier, he's also the prime target for the seemingly inevitable New York show of force. My guess is he'll redeem himself by stopping a NY bullet for Tony. But even that might not kill him OR save Tony.
Sil, Carlo, Patsy, and Bobby are also potential NY targets. Sil and Carlo whacked a NY captain (Fat Dom), thus far without repercussions. And Bobby may have botched his first + only hit, having left evidence at the scene.... I rate Bobby as the most likely to survive even a NY takeover since he represents the lowest value and the lowest threat.
Phil L. is not safe. His vendetta is affecting his judgment, and his consiglieri (I forget his name) is even more bloodthirsty than he. Plus he has heart disease (ditto for SIl). The most likely scenario for his survival is as undisputed boss of both Brooklyn and NJ, since it seems to be all he'll settle for.
Tony S. is not safe. He can neither defeat Phil L., nor can he peacefully surrender. Barring some miracle, he's likely in a (losing) fight for his life. One can only hope for his high flash if insight last week holding some strategic key to his escape, but those hopes are slim.
That leaves AJ. We're all pulling for him, I think, and it seems he can still find a way out. The greatest danger to him (and vice versa) are the two Jasons. Like Melfi, he's a civilian, so it's basically impossible that NY would target him. The Feds are a different story, which would put him, Tony, and AJ's little crew in jeopardy, which could in turn put AJ on the hit list. My gut feeling is he'll survive and find a way out, perhaps involving some sacrifice or other direct assistance on Tony's part, like a nice big package from Slava...