The Sopranos - "Remember When" OAD: 4-22-2007 *spoilers*

[terpfan1980]

Lots of irony in Jr.'s friend in the aslyum and his rant about getting the 96 on the test only to be pressured about where the other 4 points were. (If you don't get my point, consider the individual in the show and then think about recent events at Va Tech) :(

---

OMG: Jr.'s letter asking for help from a very important person hahahah. Classic. Totally classic.

[terpfan1980]

Lots of misdirection in tonites episode and in previews that led up to this week's episode. Just how close did Tony come to taking out Paulie?

And lots of parallels in Jr.'s life in the asylum to a classic movie starring Jack Nicholson.

[NatasNJ]

Hated it. Maybe 5 good minutes.

[bqmeister]

didn't hate it at all. Good, slow storytelling.

But as an episode leading up to the series end, too slow.
They need to pick the pace up pronto.

[Bulldog7]

Lots of misdirection in tonites episode and in previews that led up to this week's episode. Just how close did Tony come to taking out Paulie?

And lots of parallels in Jr.'s life in the asylum to a classic movie starring Jack Nicholson.

I would have bet my house right up till the end that Tony was gonna off Paulie on the boat, just like Pussy was. Paulie even flashed back to it in his mind, so I was waiting for it to happen....and then he sees Pussy in his dream. I still think Paulie may not be long for this world. Maybe the "escalating gangland warfare" will catch up to him soon!!! Just how much good will does a $2000 espresso machine buy anyway???

[jschuur]

Why did Paulie get on the boat in the first place? Either he thought he could take Tony on if he attacked him, or he figured he'd rather know when he's going to buy it than look over his shoulders the next few weeks.

[spikedavis]

"Remember When" this show used to be great?

[Satchel]

Well...this isn't 24...there are 7 hours of this show left and it can't be nonstop action...

We are seeing Tony's life spelled out...he and Chris are still estranged...he realizes Paulie's earning life is ending...his wife is nagging him about the life...he sees Phil offing all the heirs to the NYC throne...

I think Tony is going to retire...hand it off to someone else...

[spikedavis]

Well...this isn't 24...there are 7 hours of this show left and it can't be nonstop action...

We are seeing Tony's life spelled out...he and Chris are still estranged...he realizes Paulie's earning life is ending...his wife is nagging him about the life...he sees Phil offing all the heirs to the NYC throne...

I think Tony is going to retire...hand it off to someone else...

You don't retire in the family. Remember that dude last year who wanted to retire but couldn't? He hung himself.

[mikeinla]

David Chase is giving hints in each episode as to how the series might end. Each of the episodes thus far has hinted at a potential ending.

Tony might end up in prison. (Episode 1)
Tony might get whacked by Christopher. (Episode 2)
Paulie might rat out Tony. (Episode 3)
Tony might get whacked by Phil Leotardo. (Episode 4 next week...just look at the previews!)

Each episodes alludes to a possible ending. The guessing is what keeps it fun!

I, for one, don't believe any of those happen to him. I think they're all misdirections. I think they're going to make a movie so they need him alive and being a criminal!

[jschuur]

You don't retire in the family. Remember that dude last year who wanted to retire but couldn't? He hung himself.
The guy they visited in Florida sure did.

You retire when there's nobody there to tell you that you can't.

[SoupMan]

I admit, I was getting a little disappointed about halfway through the ep, but by the end, I was satisfied. I think they tied up the Jr. story arc pretty well. After the shot of him at the end, beaten, drugged, and defeated, I don't think there's much left to say about that character.

[Gregor]

David Chase is giving hints in each episode as to how the series might end. Each of the episodes thus far has hinted at a potential ending.

Tony might end up in prison. (Episode 1)
Tony might get whacked by Christopher. (Episode 2)
Paulie might rat out Tony. (Episode 3)
<SNIP>(Episode 4 next week...just look at the previews!)

Each episodes alludes to a possible ending. The guessing is what keeps it fun!

I, for one, don't believe any of those happen to him. I think they're all misdirections. I think they're going to make a movie so they need him alive and being a criminal!

If your're going to post previews, please spoiler them. Some folks like myself, deliberately don't watch them. Thanks!

[Anubys]

Paulie's dream about Big Pussy was AFTER the boat ride, right?

hey, mikeinla, please use spoiler tags when talking about previews...

[Rob64]

Lots of irony in Jr.'s friend in the aslyum and his rant about getting the 96 on the test only to be pressured about where the other 4 points were. (If you don't get my point, consider the individual in the show and then think about recent events at Va Tech) :(

---

OMG: Jr.'s letter asking for help from a very important person hahahah. Classic. Totally classic.

I couldn't help but think the same thing about the VT situation. How eerily similar.

[Rob64]

If Paulie admitted to telling Johnny Sac about the joke Tony would have killed him for sure. I noticed in the first three episodes that each has Tony having doubts about members of his crew.

[Anubys]

I couldn't help but think the same thing about the VT situation. How eerily similar.

other than being Asian, I fail to see the similarities :confused:

[bqmeister]

I don't recall Tony needing to worry about getting whacked by Christopher last week. Short recap anyone?

[terpfan1980]

other than being Asian, I fail to see the similarities :confused:

Not that I'm trying to be racist, but yes, there was the asian connection...

More so that it was someone that was relatively quiet, but obviously subject to very violent swings and outbursts. For most of the early part of the show that character was subdued except for when he was serving as a distraction for Jr., trying to help keep him from having to take the drugs. Once he really started showing his violent streak though, it was obvious that he was a character capable of a lot of violence.

By the end, that character seemed to circle around to being a direct parallel to the "Chief" (or whatever the character name was) was in Cuckoo's nest, seemingly trying to put Jr. out of his misery after watching him pretty much numbed out of his mind.

[terpfan1980]

I don't recall Tony needing to worry about getting whacked by Christopher last week. Short recap anyone?

I don't think that was directly stated, more implied through the movie that Chrissy had made (Cleaver).

[markp99]

Loved the minivan. Pauly & Tony ridin' in style! :)

My wife asked if Pauly was gonna get whacked on the boat, "like that other guy." Pauly sure had a worried look on his face as they shoved off. We also noticed the hatchet strategically placed on deck. Tony noticed too, it appeared.

When Tony reached down to grab the knife...err...beer, we thought Pauly was done for.

[Anubys]

I never thought Paulie was in danger...it made no sense...

I also didn't think that Paulie is not a good earner anymore...Tony was complaining that Paulie didn't have a legit cover job to hide his earnings...he wasn't complaining that Paulie didn't bring money...

[Rob Helmerichs]

I also didn't think that Paulie is not a good earner anymore...Tony was complaining that Paulie didn't have a legit cover job to hide his earnings...he wasn't complaining that Paulie didn't bring money...
And mostly, he was complaining that Paulie talks too much, which given Tony's current legal issues could become a major problem for him...

[Bradc314]

The guy they visited in Florida sure did.


Beansy wasn't a made guy (iirc). He owned a pizza joint and made regular 'contributions' to the Family. Richie Aprille ran him over with the car. Had Beansy been a made guy, Tony would have dealt with Richie instead of letting Janice have that 'pleasure'.

[Paperboy2003]

I have a feeling that Tony's conversation with Heshie is going to play a bigger part of things coming up. Tony pissing away money on gambling and having to go to Hesh for a 200 grand 'bridge' loan to me says that they're going to pursue the money angle a little more coming up....we'll see....

[Anubys]

I have a feeling that Tony's conversation with Heshie is going to play a bigger part of things coming up. Tony pissing away money on gambling and having to go to Hesh for a 200 grand 'bridge' loan to me says that they're going to pursue the money angle a little more coming up....we'll see....

I got the impression that gambling was an excuse -- a lie -- to cover up that he needed the money to do some business down there...I don't know why he needed to cover it up since he's the boss...

[Joeg180]

I have to rewatch, I thought Paulie had an entire dream sequence until the expresso maker arrived.

[TonyD79]

You don't retire in the family. Remember that dude last year who wanted to retire but couldn't? He hung himself.

Junior is retired.

[spikedavis]

Junior is retired.

Junior is a special case. He was set up to be the fall guy for the Soprano family while Tony really ran things. Then he was sent to the joint, then sent home under house arrest, and now he's in a mental home. That's not retirement.

[thedudeabides]

One problem with the Sopranos is that given the enormous periods between seasons, its hard to remember plot points from previous seasons.

Remember that when Johnny Sack was in charge, there was a time when Paulie was trying to get in his good graces, at Tony's expense. Nothing really ever came of it, if memory serves.

But Tony didn't forget. He's always had mixed feelings about Paulie, from love to disgust. This episode explored all those emotions in an incredibly effective way. I thought it was brilliant.

This is the last time we are going to get to spend time with the characters. I, for one, am thankful that Chase is concentrating on these relationships, which is really what the show is about, and not who gets "whacked" (although Doc's death was pretty gruesome).

Great, great episode, and consistent with the previous two.

[5thcrewman]

Tony's gambling was evident in last week's episode too.

Who was losing all the 'legitimate' front businesses, Tony?

[Magnolia88]

I didn't think that Tony was going to whack Paulie at all when he first suggested the fishing trip.

But then when I saw that hammer (or whatever it was) and Tony eyeing it, I started to think that Paulie was gonna be sleeping with the fishes. I don't think Paulie would intentionally rat out Tony, but he does have a big freakin' mouth and could easily spill something without thinking.

Tony seems pretty convinced it was Paulie who told Johnny about the joke about Ginny, despite Paulie's denial. I wonder what Tony would have done if Paulie had come clean about it.

[TAsunder]

I liked this episode quite a bit. I enjoyed the fact that the two main storylines were about the old guard that tony was replacing. I like that Paulie got on the boat thinking he was going to get whacked... loyal to the end, that one.

The scene at the end with tony rolling his eyes made me think he wants to kill paulie solely because he's annoyed by paulie and not as much because he thinks paulie will cause problems.

Looks like phil's heart is due for another incident pretty soon.

[Rob64]

other than being Asian, I fail to see the similarities :confused:

Mentally ill, violent ect....

[terpfan1980]

I liked this episode quite a bit. I enjoyed the fact that the two main storylines were about the old guard that tony was replacing. I like that Paulie got on the boat thinking he was going to get whacked... loyal to the end, that one.

The scene at the end with tony rolling his eyes made me think he wants to kill paulie solely because he's annoyed by paulie and not as much because he thinks paulie will cause problems.

Looks like phil's heart is due for another incident pretty soon.

I think Tony's concern with Paulie is that Paulie is too free on the chatter and telling stories about past events. Paulie has always had a loud mouth, and always seems to be letting out information at the wrong time. Tony normally puts up with it, but it was also obvious that Tony is concerned that Paulie could wind up being the leak that gets him taken down.

It seemed for a while that Tony was going to whack Paulie, and yes, it was fairly obvious from Paulies side that he was expecting it to happen, and he might even have to take out Tony to save his own life. That boat ride seemed an awful lot like 'two go out, one comes back' for most of it. That nothing happened at all seemed to be a bit of a let down, but it also set up things in the next scene, which had also been set up earlier, when Paulie sent the Espresso machine to Tony and Carm. It was fairly obvious that Paulie was saying thanks to Tony for not whackin' him, and yet he was also able to give Tony and Carm something that he by then knew they could use.

[Mr. Soze]

Mo Green.

[Gregor]

I'm puzzled by a few things....

How could Tony and Paulie observe the cops at the house where the body was found, without being noticed by the cops?

Why did Tony do all the driving with Paulie? Shouldn't rank have it's privileges?

Interesting to see the quieter Tony got, the more Paulie talked.

What's the significance of Doc getting shot in the eye?

Who might be the informant who gave up the bookie's body, and why did the informant bother to do that and then finger a dead man as the triggerman?

[jgerry]

Does anyone remember if Paulie actually did tell Johnny Sack about the joke about his wife? I honestly can't remember how that got started. This is indeed the problem with the long gaps between seasons.

EDIT: I seem to remember that it was him, when he was playing up to Johnny Sack to get into the NY family perhaps?

[SoupMan]

I'm puzzled by a few things....

Who might be the informant who gave up the bookie's body, and why did the informant bother to do that and then finger a dead man as the triggerman?


I can't remember the names involved, but the motive is pretty easy to figure out. The FBI has you by the sack, you've made the choice to cooperate to make things easier, but can't stand being a total snitch. You give up the body to give you cred as a snitch, then put the body on a dead dude (Jackie Aprille) so not to hurt anybody that can still get charged.

[ireland967]

EDIT: I seem to remember that it was him, when he was playing up to Johnny Sack to get into the NY family perhaps?

Yeah, while he was in jail Paulie called Sac, and tried to be subtle mentioning the joke to him. I believe Paulie was kissing up to Sac in various ways, up until a wedding a few episodes later when Carmine hadn't heard of him and Paulie realized all his efforts were for nothing.

[Rob64]

Does anyone remember if Paulie actually did tell Johnny Sack about the joke about his wife? I honestly can't remember how that got started. This is indeed the problem with the long gaps between seasons.

EDIT: I seem to remember that it was him, when he was playing up to Johnny Sack to get into the NY family perhaps?

Yes Paulie was the one who told Johnny Sac about the joke. Remember he was in prison and John kept calling him and getting him stuff and Paulie felt ignored by the Jersey crew. His nefew Little Paulie told Paulie at a prison visit about the joke Ralfie told and Paulie let John know.

[TonyD79]

Junior is a special case. He was set up to be the fall guy for the Soprano family while Tony really ran things. Then he was sent to the joint, then sent home under house arrest, and now he's in a mental home. That's not retirement.

Yes, it is retirement. Tony "retired" him because he was no longer useful.

The point is, you can retire from the mob when you are not useful any longer. For whatever reason. And the boss can retire any time he wants to.

If Tony wants to retire, he can.

[pdhenry]

What's the significance of Doc getting shot in the eye?I thought it was just an opportunity for a damn fine special effect - it was a chance shot on the part of the shooters rather than conveying some message.

[pjenkins]

i thought both the gunshot to the eye and Tony's tomatoes were nods to the Godfather again, no?

[Mr. Soze]

i thought both the gunshot to the eye and Tony's tomatoes were nods to the Godfather again, no?
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5088780&&#post5088780, and yes on the tomatoes too.

[pdhenry]

OK, zoom.

Still zoom. I was never into the Godfather.

[Mr. Soze]

OK, zoom.

Still zoom. I was never into the Godfather.Can someone in PA stop by and take away his Man Card?

[jschuur]

Beansy wasn't a made guy (iirc). He owned a pizza joint and made regular 'contributions' to the Family. Richie Aprille ran him over with the car. Had Beansy been a made guy, Tony would have dealt with Richie instead of letting Janice have that 'pleasure'.
OK, you got me. I honestly have no clue who most of the other mobsters and associates are outside of Tony's immediate crew. I'm lost in this whole New York power struggle storyline.

My take on Paulie isn't so much that he talks to much, it's that Tony thinks he doesn't realize himself that he talks too much. That's why he asked him about Tourettes.

[marksman]

Hated it. Maybe 5 good minutes.

I thought it was an excellent episode.

I think all the episodes of the second-half of the last season have been one of the strongest runs of the entire show.

[marksman]

I didn't think that Tony was going to whack Paulie at all when he first suggested the fishing trip.

But then when I saw that hammer (or whatever it was) and Tony eyeing it, I started to think that Paulie was gonna be sleeping with the fishes. I don't think Paulie would intentionally rat out Tony, but he does have a big freakin' mouth and could easily spill something without thinking.

Tony seems pretty convinced it was Paulie who told Johnny about the joke about Ginny, despite Paulie's denial. I wonder what Tony would have done if Paulie had come clean about it.

I think Tony is really torn about Paulie. Clearly he hates his big mouth, and worries that Paulie has nothing else to keep him grounded, so he could look out only for himself if push came to shove.

He doesn't want to kill Paulie, but I think part of him thinks he needs to do it, for his own survival. The entire body scare, made that clear to him.

Of course at the end when he heard about the NY hit, and you heard Paulie jabbering away in the back of the Bada Bing, I got the impression that he was saying to himself, "As bad as Paulie is with his yapping, things could be a whole lot worse for me."

[jschuur]

Of course at the end when he heard about the NY hit, and you heard Paulie jabbering away in the back of the Bada Bing, I got the impression that he was saying to himself, "As bad as Paulie is with his yapping, things could be a whole lot worse for me."
I took it the opposite way. I thought Tony was regretting not having gone through with whacking Paulie.

[jradosh]

By the end, that character seemed to circle around to being a direct parallel to the "Chief" (or whatever the character name was) was in Cuckoo's nest, seemingly trying to put Jr. out of his misery after watching him pretty much numbed out of his mind.
He wasn't trying to do Jr. a favor. He was attacking Jr. because he felt betrayed and was possibly even projecting his hatred of his father onto Jr. (a father figure). Nothing at all like Chief.

I think the whole "Cookoo's Nest" comparison is off. Sure, there was a poker game in both, and both were in hospitals for the mentally ill. That's about it though.

[Chibbie]

I got the feeling, after the FBI starting digging, that Paulie was working with the FBI, and was the one that tipped them off to the body.

Especially at the beginning of the road trip when the conversation was "remember when you killed that guy", etc. I was thinking, I hope that Paulie isn't wearing a wire.

[astrohip]

Especially at the beginning of the road trip when the conversation was "remember when you killed that guy", etc. I was thinking, I hope that Paulie isn't wearing a wire.
That's something that struck me as this episode developed. So many times they start blabbering about something in the car, or on the phone. Doesn't the FBI wiretap? Don't they bug cars? Especially the road trip, with all the Remember Whens--geez, what a setup for a sting later. :confused:

[phox_mulder]

That's something that struck me as this episode developed. So many times they start blabbering about something in the car, or on the phone. Doesn't the FBI wiretap? Don't they bug cars? Especially the road trip, with all the Remember Whens--geez, what a setup for a sting later. :confused:

I believe that's why the took the minivan.
A minivan that's never shown it's face before, therefore no chance of it being wired for sound.

Tony also mentioned to Carm about calling him on "the backup cellphone" or something to that effect.
A disposable phone that the FBI doesn't know he has, and therefore can't tap.


phox

[InterMurph]

Tony wasn't going to kill Paulie on the boat. He had just spent several days with him at a very public hotel, and he had no way of disposing the body properly. Paulie's body would have washed up on shore very quickly, and too many people could have ID'd Tony as his best friend.

And I think Chibbie is right; I think Paulie was wearing a wire, at least while he was in the car watching the FBI dig up the basement. But I can't imagine that he was still wearing a wire all the way down to Miami. The FBI would have had to trail them too closely to pick up a signal, and the batteries would have run out anyway.

[Rob Helmerichs]

Tony wasn't going to kill Paulie on the boat. He had just spent several days with him at a very public hotel, and he had no way of disposing the body properly. Paulie's body would have washed up on shore very quickly, and too many people could have ID'd Tony as his best friend.

And I think Chibbie is right; I think Paulie was wearing a wire, at least while he was in the car watching the FBI dig up the basement. But I can't imagine that he was still wearing a wire all the way down to Miami. The FBI would have had to trail them too closely to pick up a signal, and the batteries would have run out anyway.
I think you're wrong on both counts. It was very clear from Tony's actions on the boat that he was at least wrestling with the idea, and probably planning on it but backing out. And I don't see any way that Paulie was wearing a wire. There's just no foundation for that in the show.

[Bananfish]

I'll put my two cents in - there's no f'ing way Paulie was wearing a wire or is a snitch.

How long have you been watching this show? - that's just not the way this show goes about its business. They don't do "Surprise! - Paulie's been a snitch and you didn't even know it! We gotcha!"

For one thing, if Paulie was a snitch, that would be a major plot point that would have tons of dramatic potential - would Tony find out? would Paulie open his big mouth during the van ride and reveal it somehow? would Paulie get too nervous? etc. etc. Imagine a scene with Paulie putting the wire on, getting nervous and angry. There's no way David Chase wouldn't exploit all that dramatic potential.

[CTLesq]

There's no way David Chase wouldn't exploit all that dramatic potential.

I still want the plot line with the Russian who runs away from them in the winter in the woods resolved.

That is the only plot line I want resolved, after that - makes no difference.

[Anubys]

I still want the plot line with the Russian who runs away from them in the winter in the woods resolved.

That is the only plot line I want resolved, after that - makes no difference.

I recall that someone posted (how's that for wishy washy?) that Chase said that the russian guy died in the woods...end of story...

[phox_mulder]

Paulie has been around too long, and done too much to be a snitch, at least on purpose.
He could very well be flapping his gums and let something out without even realizing it, and could easily happen in the presence of someone else wearing a wire.
Tony is becoming aware of this potential problem, very aware.

It didn't even cross my mind that Tony was planning on doing anything on the boat, until Paulie had the flashback to Big Pussy, even then the glance at the hatchet looked like misdirection.


phox

[Rob64]

He wasn't trying to do Jr. a favor. He was attacking Jr. because he felt betrayed and was possibly even projecting his hatred of his father onto Jr. (a father figure). Nothing at all like Chief.

I think the whole "Cookoo's Nest" comparison is off. Sure, there was a poker game in both, and both were in hospitals for the mentally ill. That's about it though.

I took the poker game as Junior copying the big card game he used to run in the past when he was a boss.

[SoupMan]

I recall that someone posted (how's that for wishy washy?) that Chase said that the russian guy died in the woods...end of story...

I remember hearing that, too. But in the "death montage" trailer prior to this season starting, they were showing all the people that had been whacked and what episode number it occurred. They came to the Russian and after flashing his name (Valeri, maybe?) and the ep number, they put up a question mark beside his name.

That trailer is available on iTunes.

[Win Joy Jr]

I'll put my two cents in - there's no f'ing way Paulie was wearing a wire or is a snitch.

How long have you been watching this show? - that's just not the way this show goes about its business. They don't do "Surprise! - Paulie's been a snitch and you didn't even know it! We gotcha!"

For one thing, if Paulie was a snitch, that would be a major plot point that would have tons of dramatic potential - would Tony find out? would Paulie open his big mouth during the van ride and reveal it somehow? would Paulie get too nervous? etc. etc. Imagine a scene with Paulie putting the wire on, getting nervous and angry. There's no way David Chase wouldn't exploit all that dramatic potential.

The vision Pauly had of Big Pussy and asking (paraphrased) "When my time comes, will I be brave enough to stand" clearly tells me that Pauly sees himself going to route of Big Pussy. After all the years, why would Pauly NOW be reliving the Big Pussy hit?

[Mr. Soze]

Paulie a snitch? Fuhgeddaboudit!

[busyba]

Paulie a snitch? Fuhgeddaboudit!
I recall several years ago reading an interview with the actor where he said that he told Chase in no uncertain terms that he would flat out refuse to play Paulie as a snitch.

[Weezoh]

being a snitch is one thing -- being perceived as a snitch is another. but I think tony's satisfied with paulie's loyalty for now.

[Anubys]

being a snitch is one thing -- being perceived as a snitch is another. but I think tony's satisfied with paulie's loyalty for now.

I don't think it's a question of loyalty...the entire premise of the season (and especially the last 3 shows) has been Tony's realization that things can end very quickly...he could die (gun shot from his Uncle), go to prison and die (Sacks), get whacked (Doc), retire (the guy in Miami), or go senile (his uncle)...none of these options are too pleasing to him in one form or another...

but he is most worried about going to jail for the rest of his life...so he is very worried about people who expose him to such a threat...Paulie's big mouth and the fact that he doesn't shield his income with a front/legit job exposes him...

the larger picture is Tony's fear that the end is near...he can feel the noose getting tighter around his neck...we are being shown his paranoia right now...this should soon lead to panic...

[pmyers]

Tony asks "but has he really ever been put to the test?" regarding Pauly....then he takes Pauly out on the boat and puts him to the test....he passes by not admitting guilt even though I'm sure he knew that Tony knew. The test is over and Tony is satisfied and life will go on.

[Paul Wozniak]

I don't think it's a question of loyalty...the entire premise of the season (and especially the last 3 shows) has been Tony's realization that things can end very quickly...he could die (gun shot from his Uncle), go to prison and die (Sacks), get whacked (Doc), retire (the guy in Miami), or go senile (his uncle)...none of these options are too pleasing to him in one form or another...

but he is most worried about going to jail for the rest of his life...so he is very worried about people who expose him to such a threat...Paulie's big mouth and the fact that he doesn't shield his income with a front/legit job exposes him...

the larger picture is Tony's fear that the end is near...he can feel the noose getting tighter around his neck...we are being shown his paranoia right now...this should soon lead to panic...

Ding, ding ,ding, we have a winner!

[Bulldog7]

I don't think it's a question of loyalty...the entire premise of the season (and especially the last 3 shows) has been Tony's realization that things can end very quickly...he could die (gun shot from his Uncle), go to prison and die (Sacks), get whacked (Doc), retire (the guy in Miami), or go senile (his uncle)...none of these options are too pleasing to him in one form or another...

but he is most worried about going to jail for the rest of his life...so he is very worried about people who expose him to such a threat...Paulie's big mouth and the fact that he doesn't shield his income with a front/legit job exposes him...

the larger picture is Tony's fear that the end is near...he can feel the noose getting tighter around his neck...we are being shown his paranoia right now...this should soon lead to panic...

And panic should lead to some interesting episodes, we all hope! :)

[BryanRDC]

And panic should lead to some interesting episodes, we all hope! :)
Like panic attacks, which is how this all started about eight years ago, right?

[Bananfish]

The vision Pauly had of Big Pussy and asking (paraphrased) "When my time comes, will I be brave enough to stand" clearly tells me that Pauly sees himself going to route of Big Pussy. After all the years, why would Pauly NOW be reliving the Big Pussy hit?

Because Tony has been pressuring him about whether he blabbed to Johnny Sack about Ralphie's joke. Because he knows he has knowledge about Tony's whacking of the bookie that the feds were digging up that Tony doesn't want to risk being revealed. Because he knows Tony has a short fuse with him because of his big mouth. Because there have been a lot of hits in New York lately that has the possibility of getting whacked on just about everybody's minds. (And perhaps because he was going to be going out on a boat with Tony, though I don't remember if he knew that when he had the dream.)

[InterMurph]

I recall that someone posted (how's that for wishy washy?) that Chase said that the russian guy died in the woods...end of story...
Even if Chase didn't say it, let's assume that the Russian died in the woods. If he didn't, what has he been doing for the past two or three years? Biding his time, waiting for just the right moment to exact his revenge? I don't believe that the Russian mob does business that way.

[busyba]

Even if Chase didn't say it, let's assume that the Russian died in the woods. If he didn't, what has he been doing for the past two or three years? Biding his time, waiting for just the right moment to exact his revenge? I don't believe that the Russian mob does business that way.
Maybe he's part Klingon.

[frombhto323]

Even if Chase didn't say it, let's assume that the Russian died in the woods. If he didn't, what has he been doing for the past two or three years? Biding his time, waiting for just the right moment to exact his revenge? I don't believe that the Russian mob does business that way.

Actually, Chase said in an interview that we as viewers are not to know what happenned to the Russian, just like Tony's crew doesn't know. He disappeared. End of story, according to Chase. Everyone is left to speculate.

As far as what Tony had in mind on the boat, I think he just wanted Paulie to think he was going to whack him, not that he actually intended to do it. Whacking Paulie in those circumstances would have required to much explaining, especially with tensions brewing in NY.

I also think Junior's friend went off on him because of latent unresolved issues he has with his father. He perceived Junior as letting him down because Junior capitulated, which enraged him.

[DUDE_NJX]

I loved how Paulie treated the Cubans: "So everybody come tonight 'cept Charo?!" LOL :D :up:

[Chibbie]

As far as what Tony had in mind on the boat, I think he just wanted Paulie to think he was going to whack him, not that he actually intended to do it. Whacking Paulie in those circumstances would have required to much explaining, especially with tensions brewing in NY.

I think he was debating it. If he wanted Paulie to think he was going to whack him, he would have picked up the knife, or the hammer, etc to frighten him. Instead, he looked at those items, as if he was saying, "I could use this to kill Paulie", but then he didn't.

[jradford]

I think he was debating it. If he wanted Paulie to think he was going to whack him, he would have picked up the knife, or the hammer, etc to frighten him. Instead, he looked at those items, as if he was saying, "I could use this to kill Paulie", but then he didn't.
This is how I took it. I really didn't think there was any chance of him actually doing it, but even with all my doubt, for a second I thought, 'wow, he really might..."

[Timbeau]

I was really surprised by the whole scene on the boat. When Paulie and Tony got on the boat I figured it would be that Paulie thought that Tony might whack him but that to Tony it was an innocent day of fishing. There was really no reason for Tony to whack Paulie, yes Paulie runs his mouth and yes "maybe" he told Sac about the joke (Tony didn't know for sure) and yes if Paulie was a snitch he could implicate Tony but none of those are grounds for whacking a made guy. Whacking a made guy is not something you do just because you *think* he might do something. Even if Tony knew he blabbed to Sac about the joke it wouldn't be grounds for whacking. He'd probably be penalized some money or territory but not killed.

I thought the part about Tony looking at the knife and thinking about killing Paulie was kind of off.

I did think that when Paulie wouldn't eat the pasta that maybe he put something in it to take Tony out but I couldn't figure where he would come up with the poison.

All in all, another good episode!!

[Marco]

When Paulie and Tony got on the boat I figured it would be that Paulie thought that Tony might whack him but that to Tony it was an innocent day of fishing. ...

I thought the part about Tony looking at the knife and thinking about killing Paulie was kind of off.

I did think that when Paulie wouldn't eat the pasta that maybe he put something in it to take Tony out

I saw the boat the same way. I think the point of the scene was to show the situation from Paulie's paranoid point of view -- that Paulie thought he was about to get whacked. Shooting the scene to accentuate the sea-sick rolling of the waves only heightened the "discomfort" effect.

I don't think Tony had any thoughts of getting rid of Paulie -- he realizes he's stuck with him, both the good and the bad, and Tony is all Paulie's got.

I thought showing the axe, or knife, was a red herring.

My wife also thought Paulie put something in the rigatoni. My only thought was, they rented a boat and Paulie brought all the ingredients for rigatoni with him? :)

[Satchel]

Got a warning call from my ISP today about a letter they got from HBO...telling me to stop (allegedly) downloading The Sopranos via Bit Torrent...

just sayin...be careful out there...

[Timbeau]

Got a warning call from my ISP today about a letter they got from HBO...telling me to stop (allegedly) downloading The Sopranos via Bit Torrent...

just sayin...be careful out there...

Definitely be careful about this, you don't want any of Tony's crew paying you a visit...

[Martha]

Maybe the FBI should put bugs in Paulie's white loafers! :D

[angbear1985]

That was funny - when Paulie was packing for the trip ... how many pairs of white loafers did he need to pack?!?!?

[cheesesteak]

There's no way, no way, no frickin' way that Paulie would ever snitch on Tony. He's too loyal. Paulie's the one guy nobody should ever worry about because he has no wife or kids to protect. Tony would lose his crew's loyalty if he whacked Paulie without 1000% proof that he was working for the Feds. Paulie helped raise Tony. Tony should be ashamed of himself for even entertaining the thought.

[Royster]

There's no way, no way, no frickin' way that Paulie would ever snitch on Tony. He's too loyal. Paulie's the one guy nobody should ever worry about because he has no wife or kids to protect. Tony would lose his crew's loyalty if he whacked Paulie without 1000% proof that he was working for the Feds. Paulie helped raise Tony. Tony should be ashamed of himself for even entertaining the thought.

Tony's concern is that Paulie is going to say too much to the wrong person and that is going to come back to haunt Tony. He's not afraid of Paulie snitching, he's afraid of Paulie running his mouth.

And if Tony were to whack Paulie, the rest of the gang would never know what happened.

[Havana Brown]

I thought this episode was slow. What did amuse me was the continuity errors on the boat. Tony gets a plate full of pasta with a piece of bread on it, next scene there's no bread, next scene the bread is back. One scene he's holding the plate, next scene the plate is on the table. He must've been eating a lot that day on the retakes.