home

Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5

By Jeralyn, Section The Sopranos
Posted on Sun Apr 09, 2006 at 05:53:11 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

The Sopranos starts now. It looks like tonight is going to feature Meadow and her fiancee, but the actual description says. "Johnny files a petition to attend his daughter's wedding and Tony hires a new bodyguard." It's called "Mr. & Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request."

I think last week's was the best of the season so far -- so did several commenters. Let us all know what you think of tonight's show. And if you're not into the Sopranos, please just scroll on by.

< Democracy Stalling | Bush, the Declassifications and the Leaks >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 | 34 comments (34 topical)
    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Apr 09, 2006 at 06:38:18 PM EST
    Wow, I am begining to like this site now. I am a huge Sopranos fan. I feel sorry for what is eventually going to happen to Uncle Junior, Ithink Tony will probably have him "did" in prison.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#2)
    by roxtar on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 01:56:04 AM EST
    Lots of shiny new arcs launched this week.....Whither Rusty? Whither Vito? Whither Uncle Jun? Whither Johnny Sack? Most interesting to me was the exposition of Tony's decision to go violent on the bodyguard. We saw the calculation behind his choice, which was a response to Melfi's "alpha male" comment and the criticism of Johnny Sack crying at his daughter's wedding. There was no passion in that rampage...it wasn't even personal. It was just business, and Tony promptly showed us that he has no stomach for it any more. Nothing much happened last night, but many events were set in motion.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 06:35:05 AM EST
    Was Vito fixing to off himself, or just hiding out trying to dodge the inevitable hit at the motel with the piece at the end? So much for his plans of taking over.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#4)
    by Slado on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 06:38:48 AM EST
    Roxtar I agree that the fight was an "alphs" male scenario but I don't think he threw up because he was disgusted with himself, he threw up because he'd just been shot in the gut. That scene was classic Saprono's. First we see Tony weak at the wedding, dealing with the emmotional aspects of the shooting with the shrink and then opening up to Meadow. So we feel sorry for him then to end the show we see the other Tony Saprono, the one who'll kill for position and beat up someone just to make a point. Classic Soprano's.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#5)
    by Slado on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 06:41:19 AM EST
    Kdog, I thought off himself at first but I think he's hiding out. They mentioned at the end that they couldn't find him. I would guess he will try and kill those two guys or just disapear. Hard to know at this point.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 07:31:27 AM EST
    Maybe Vito will become a snitch and go to the Feds... What I think is interesting is that one by one, we're seeing the human flaws that will prevent each character from taking over from Tony as he loses interest/gets caught/whatever: Silvio: more comfortable behind the scenes, not really a decisive leader Vito: gay (fatal flaw in Mob eyes) Christopher: dealing with the Arab guys, this is going to be huge Paulie: way too irrational, especially after the whole thing with his mother So who does that leave? Carmela, who has started commenting out loud about who Tony should keep an eye on, and who remarked how the money Paulie & Vito gave her seemed a little light... and Anthony Jr., who may seem too dumb and apathetic, but whose cunning may have been stimulated by the shooting. Should be good.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 07:38:33 AM EST
    The arab dudes looking to buy Tek9's should prove an interesting sub-plot. Will the Soprano family put country before profit? Or will they prove to be like our government and take the profit, no questions asked? How cruel of the fed goons to ruin the wedding, btw. I thought it was gonna come to blows there for a minute, till Johnny broke down and embarassed the wise guys.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#8)
    by Slado on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 09:45:37 AM EST
    "How Cruel" Lets remember that Johnny ordered the hit of one of his wedding guests before being taken back to the slammer. How cruel indeed.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#9)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 10:00:46 AM EST
    How cruel to do to the daughter Slado. Johnny's got what's coming to him, but not his daughter. No reason for the feds to prevent her from leaving her wedding, except to be a'holes. Heartless.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#10)
    by Slado on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 10:41:47 AM EST
    Point taken. Awesome scene though.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 11:19:46 AM EST
    That closing scene was really well done. How fast things can change. Everything was set up perfectly. The Rolls. The fairy tale coach to Hawaii. Then the Feds run the Suburban right across their path complete with siren. They couldn't have handled it more gracelessly. Because they could. Vito's inevitable demise was handled really well, I thought. Instead of the obvious whacking or confrontation, it was a nice twist. Still, it's sad to see Rusty's time on Earth drawin' short. I was a huge Four Seasons fan as a kid. Rag Doll, Dawn, Walk Like a Man. They ruled Jersey in the mid-60s.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 01:13:15 PM EST
    Assuming Rusty does, in fact, get whacked, what are the chances that the music over the closing credits is a Four Seasons song, as a little inside joke?? "Walk Like A Man," indeed.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 01:44:25 PM EST
    Great scene indeed Slado. No pity for Johnny, but his poor daughter. You can't pick your parents and all that...they made her out to be a sweet innocent kid. I really thought it was coming to blows...did you catch the look on Phil's face?

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#14)
    by Slado on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 02:12:57 PM EST
    Oh yeah. But of course they always have to act tough even if they don't plan on fighting. My favorite scene was the skinny daughter blowing up at her mom, sister and dad for talking about food. The second I saw her I said to myself..."someone doesn't enjoy family dinners" and then her making the comment "Does everything always have to be about food?" was awesome. I'm starting to think Johnny is a food enabler asking..."Make sure you are eating right". As if his daughter is missing a lot of meals. Good stuff.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 02:14:52 PM EST
    Doubtful. Chase is rarely that obvious. He's much more likely to use something completely different. No, not Monty Python, but the use of irony or something subtle. That's my take, anyhow.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 02:34:45 PM EST
    That was funny...the other daughter screamed "eating disorder", but then again, the rest of the Sac' family may have an over-eating disorder. Like real life...everybody's got an issue or a demon. I was watching with a friend and during that scene we looked at each other and both simultaneously quoted George Carlin (a mutual hero) on anorexia..."Rich b*tch don't wanna eat?...F*ck her." One of my favorite Carlin lines.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 02:43:36 PM EST
    That didn't seem to be the issue du jour, but I remember Carlin as a straight comic in a tux on Ed Sullivan 40 years ago. Remember, he was followin' the flying plate act, and topo gigio like the rest of 'em?

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 02:54:06 PM EST
    Nah, ya can't feel bad for Johnny Sac. As Hyman Roth said in "2", "This is the business we have chosen!" Ya gotta take the bad with the good. What kind of Royal Wedding is that? That's a hell of a down payment on a house. That builds equity. Ice sculptures, crab cakes and a fortune on unwatched Wedding Videos don't. But, hey, I'm just a hopeless romantic.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#19)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 03:02:04 PM EST
    Wheres me hat?

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 05:24:06 PM EST
    Chase is rarely that obvious. Really? In the first episode of this season, Chris or Paulie brings a box full of burgers and fries into the Bada Bing and sets it on the bar. Vito, on the Atkins diet, looks into it, pulls a wiener out of a bun and starts chomping away. At the hospital after Eugene Pontecorvo's wake, Vito says "Maybe he was really a homo and couldn't talk to anyone about it."

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 07:53:20 PM EST
    I thought the most interesting moment was when the Sopranos were headed into the wedding and the security guys made Tony take off his shoes. Meadow said - with disgust - something like "The government is making him do that?" Interesting in light of Carmela's comment to Dr. Melfi that she's concerned that the kids are becoming "complicit," and Meadow's sorta kinda rebellion [when? I suck at remembering seasons] when she blew up at Tony saying, essentially, "enough pretending you are in waste management..." It will be interesting to see where both kids are headed. - Amy

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 08:07:23 PM EST
    Meadow's headed into the family business. She's the Michael Corleone for the new Millennium. AJ's the Fredo. That's my take. Maybe this season. Definitely next.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 08:13:24 PM EST
    It's Carmela who I find to be the most odious character. She acts very high and mighty about the behavior of others, but gladly accepts (and even solicits) the rewards of Tony's criminal enterprises. She's like Lady Macbeth.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 08:19:01 PM EST
    Posted by Randy Paul April 10, 2006 06:24 PM Chase is rarely that obvious.
    Really? In the first episode of this season, Chris or Paulie brings a box full of burgers and fries into the Bada Bing and sets it on the bar. Vito, on the Atkins diet, looks into it, pulls a wiener out of a bun and starts chomping away. At the hospital after Eugene Pontecorvo's wake, Vito says "Maybe he was really a homo and couldn't talk to anyone about it."
    Oh, and you're equating that with playing, oh, say, Rag Doll while the lead singer gets whacked, eh? Nice try. Those are asides, pal. That's not even close.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 08:43:40 PM EST
    You do realize, of course, that it's just possible that the Arab guys may not be Jihadists. They just may have assimilated and become your garden variety American thugs and drug dealers. God Bless America. You do have to allow for the possibility.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Apr 10, 2006 at 08:59:20 PM EST
    Have you ever read MacBeth? Seen it performed? Carmela has her faults, but she's no Lady MacBeth. Now Janice would be if given half an opportunity. She certainly tried with Richie Aprile. Gaby Dante sure had one hell of a week when Syl was acting Boss. But I still don't see Carm as Lady MacBeth at all. Again, she's got her faults, but that's not one of 'em.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 06:43:43 AM EST
    Yes I have. I even played Banquo in college. Carmela is mroally obtuse. Janice is wacky. As for the asides, yes they were asides - with the subtlety of anthrax.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 07:12:52 AM EST
    They just may have assimilated and become your garden variety American thugs and drug dealers
    Possible, but there was a hint they are possible terrorists. When Christopher said "don't leave home without it" and the arab dudes had no clue that he was referencing an AMEX commercial. These guys are recent arrivals. Look how wide eyed they get when they are in the "Bing...they have never seen that much female skin! I could swear the guy who brought the dates was thinking "this is what paradise will look like X 72"

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#29)
    by Slado on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 07:52:52 AM EST
    Don't forget the possibility that while they aren't actually terrorists Chris will be infer from the FBI that they are and kill them only to learn later that the FBI was wrong. See a strange duality between mega patriotism and later distrust of the government.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 07:59:07 AM EST
    I was also thinking that Slado, except I could see Chase having Chris rat them out instead of whacking them, only to find out they aren't terrorists, just criminals like him. Could lead to a lot of guilt and/or trouble with the family for cooperating with the feds.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#31)
    by hgardner on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 09:38:55 AM EST
    Anyone else think Tony set the fight up with his driver ahead of time to look tough and the driver got pissed in the middle and landed a hit in Tony's gut?

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#32)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 09:54:25 AM EST
    I don't know if he pre-planned picking a fight with the dude...but he certainly was thinking of a way to show "the boss still got it, don't f*ck with me". I too assumed he was puking blood, but my brother thinks it was just marinara. The color is usually the last thing you ate.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#33)
    by Slado on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 10:02:15 AM EST
    It was not planned. They showed him (through his eyes) looking at the kid then the fat guy who helped him at the wedding and then back to the kid. He was deciding which was best to pick on he figured the kid would react quickly (remember the truck drivers he tried to beat up) and the other guy wouldn't want to fight Tony and being a mob guy was probably used to getting into it and would fight dirty.

    Re: Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Tue Apr 11, 2006 at 10:07:39 AM EST
    Or, like prison, you pick a fight with the biggest guy you can find to prove your mettle.

    Soprano's Open Thread: Show 5 | 34 comments (34 topical)