The Sopranos 4x07 Reaction
Added 2025-01-19 00:18:16 +0000 UTC
Comments
I really like this take! Especially because when you think about it, even though AJ's responses to Tony's lecture are perhaps not the sharpest, I think that they do show a certain curiosity and an attempt to understand what Tony's talking about. In a way it seems like he's trying to bridge the gap between that time in history and the present, and although his questions aren't exactly super clever, let's say, he is asking Tony questions about the things that Tony is saying. Tony, like you say, conversely makes no effort to intellectually or emotionally engage with AJ on any terms but his own. And when that doesn't work, he reverts to platitudes like "buy land, God ain't making any more of it."
a. tree
2025-01-22 19:46:22 +0000 UTC@Ruben Welsh HEYY, he made a dumb comment now, but he is a great patron and comment writer, and in in this comment section Varus is a hero! END OF STORY!
Gaboxxy
2025-01-21 17:20:00 +0000 UTCI remember my mother and my father arguing about something and she kept talking about my father’s feeble minded brother and I always thought she meant Varus
Ruben Welsh
2025-01-21 12:26:30 +0000 UTC@Varus Sharp as a fucking cue ball, this one.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-21 06:32:11 +0000 UTCI never said it was my reaction, fuck are you talking about?
BNJ
2025-01-20 21:57:10 +0000 UTCIndeed. The show gets better on second and third watch
John
2025-01-20 21:09:53 +0000 UTCIt’s their reaction to the show, not yours.
John
2025-01-20 21:09:13 +0000 UTCTony was a bully here.
Varus
2025-01-20 19:53:23 +0000 UTCit attracts...negative...attenshun
Abacus
2025-01-20 06:34:13 +0000 UTCThe difference here is that Zellman and his buddy were the ones taking almost all the risk, so Tony didn't mind.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-20 02:17:10 +0000 UTCI will say that my first watch of the sopranos I was also focused on how reprehensible these characters are and trying to grasp the larger story and themes, so a lot of the comedy went over my head. I think once you have the whole story and the full picture, it’s easier to laugh at them a second time around
Kitchener Leslie
2025-01-19 22:30:07 +0000 UTCAnd there was nothing he could do about it. Tony was a made man, and Zellman wasn't, and he had to lay down and take it. Real greaseball shit.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 21:35:24 +0000 UTC@daron85 the characters will be literally saying the funniest shit ever and Lola and Milena will be shaking their heads in disgust LOL. Like, we get it, these are horrible human beings, but it would be nice if they could from time to time suspend disbelief a little bit and treat this as what it is: a T.V Show.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 18:30:29 +0000 UTCEven though I largely agree on a personal level, it's a staple of this community at this point and it's something that not only Lola and Milena don't seem to mind it but they even encourage it. Trust me, you're fighting an uphill battle you have no way of winning, I wouldn't waste my time in energy in something we all know it's not gonna change.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 18:25:53 +0000 UTC@Julien sure buddy
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 18:10:55 +0000 UTCNgl it's not that deep lol. As long as they're not spoiling details, then it's fine that people talk about their excitement for future episodes. Not sure why you're mad, talk a breather dude lol.
Elijah Glory
2025-01-19 17:53:39 +0000 UTCThere is no basis whatsoever for the idea you are pushing here that the Wire influenced the Sopranos (outside of perhaps this episode, which is a stretch already). There just isn't.
Julien
2025-01-19 16:27:34 +0000 UTCPeople in the comments setting expectations, whatever happened there...
enchantertim
2025-01-19 15:03:56 +0000 UTCI can’t wait for the next episode.
BNJ
2025-01-19 12:03:42 +0000 UTCRight? It's a show about gangsters. It's like of course they're awful. They always talk about how annoyed they are to the point they miss some of the comedic beats. I feel like that's all they focus on.
daron85
2025-01-19 11:06:36 +0000 UTCTake it easy ✋
Ruben Welsh
2025-01-19 10:05:19 +0000 UTCIf someone whooped my ass with a belt in front of my girl then said “go ahead cry like a bitch” you’d never see me again 😂
Ruben Welsh
2025-01-19 10:02:51 +0000 UTC"I'm on the verge of tears".. Immediately cuts to a small child in a crack house
windyMelon
2025-01-19 09:56:34 +0000 UTCI never had a problem with Tony’s weight to me he’s beautiful, Rubenesque
Ruben Welsh
2025-01-19 09:41:01 +0000 UTCYeah, nicely put. I was giving a bit of a hot take, but I do think the point Tony was trying to make is of equally as silly because he's honing in on one of many reasons the church is in the state it is. So AJ not getting Tony's point and Tony not getting AJ's point is equally as dumb. But one of them is an adult. What's to say the poor housing projects had their materials and infrastr. cheapened because of politicians wanting their taste? AJ should be making the beef here!
Ben G
2025-01-19 09:15:53 +0000 UTCA small connection with the beginning of the season, when Chris allows stealing the cable from the construction site. There Tony admonishes Chris for jeopardising the large project for the sake of looting materials for a few thousand extra, and encourages him to look at the bigger picture. In the HUD scam Tony chides Zellman for the exact opposite – Zellman wants to just carry out the "big picture" scam, ignoring a few thousand extra in salvaging copper pipes, but Tony wants to maximise profit, squeezing everything out of it that he can, even if it means complications of sending in gangbangers with guns to deal with squatters and crack-heads.
Abacus
2025-01-19 08:55:39 +0000 UTCWith regards to the scene between Tony and AJ in the church, it's a clear parallel to the season 1 scene of Tony and Meadow in the church as pointed out in the discussion. But what's interesting for me is that we also see the contrast between how Tony sees Meadow and AJ through both of these scenes. With Meadow, Tony bothers to stop and take her inside the church to give a brief sermon. The scene between them shows a connection that endures despite their growing conflict throughout the seasons. Tony reveres this church because of what it represents to him as an Italian and as a man, and how he most of all identifies with the builders. It's a great moment. Contrast with how he does the same church visit with AJ. He didn't bother to get out of the SUV and instead shows AJ how the neighbourhood declined around him. Whenever AJ tries to engage with the subject matter, ask questions, or think for himself, he shoots him down. He's connecting with AJ the way he feels he should connect with his son; don't complain, be a builder. It's not a sermon, it's a lecture this time. As a consequence, the whole thing goes over AJ's head and he lost interest. The moment where he told AJ to buy land is the exact moment Tony gave up on trying to connect with him the same way he connected with Meadow. This scene above anything else shows the different relationship Tony has with his two kids and how his inability to connect with AJ goes two ways. AJ can be dumb but Tony has to take responsibility in his inability to reach him. He talks down to AJ, while he talks with Meadow like a peer even if she can't understand it.
IanJ
2025-01-19 07:34:44 +0000 UTCBut Tony is right. It's AJ's "bricks" comment which is silly and missing the point. He is taking a very reductive and simplistic view of things, as though a building is no more than a pile of materials. They are parked right next to a row of derelict brick houses, which are still standing, but have turned to shit. What actually matters is the "spirit" of the people taking care of things and putting the effort into maintaining them, just as it took care and effort to build the church in the first place. Everything requires maintenance, whether built from brick or stone. The comparison to be made is that while Tony is talking about how the poor blacks allow their housing to degenerate, Tony is actively dismantling it, ripping out materials. He is at the same time saying that you need to care about and take pride in your neighborhood, while he himself is destroying it.
Abacus
2025-01-19 06:59:51 +0000 UTCNo idea. And sure, it is indeed tied to a wider evolution of cinematography. The point is that that evolution was mainly thanks to the Wire, same way the wider evolution of T.V Series becoming more cinematic and less "soap-opera-ish" was mainly thanks to the Sopranos. Both series started a lot of trends that shaped how T.V Shows evolved from then on. In this particular case, I don't think it's a coincidence that right about the time in The Sopranos when the Wire started airing the cinematography, color scheme and lighting changed significantly in a way that resembles the Wire's. But of course, that's just my take on in, I'm not claiming to be an expert. In regards to The Sopranos not writing black gangsters as well as the Wire... sure? But it's the same way the Wire will also not be as good with writing Italian American mobsters, it's just not the forte of each show for obvious reasons. On a side not, when you say "showrunner" in singular I assume you mean David Chase. We have to remember that even though he is the creator, a whole set of writers and crew was also responsible for the show success and they all had their personal influences. Matter of fact, David Chase himself admits that as the show went on his involvement in it became less and less, to the point he reached a stage in which he wasn't even in most shoots, and he only ever watched the entire series once in his life. His take in the show is obviously important, he created the whole concept after all and he did give the OK in everything, but it shouldn't be taken as gospel regarding it.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 06:19:24 +0000 UTCTiny talking about copper in the walls made me think of Bubs and his shopping cart
Mahni Alizadeh
2025-01-19 04:44:44 +0000 UTCTony's greed has been amplified since the beginning of the season when it was established that financially they weren't doing as well, which also was the first time we've seen money trouble for him in the show. It seems to be a trait that stuck around even after some financial rebound. Money is a big theme and the main recurring motif of the season. I don't put it above Tony to lord his power over the drug dealers, but I think his greed played the main part in regards to the copper piping.
Veya
2025-01-19 04:19:27 +0000 UTCYou got the the details of the scheme 100% correct: They have a friend of theirs buy the houses for cheap, after the purchase they have an appraiser on their payroll say the houses are worth a lot more, and then they have this charity program buy them for the massively inflated price. They split that profit, and then the charity never pays off the mortgage so it's all profit. The houses themselves are just left abandoned, and will eventually be reclaimed by the bank/government and maybe (MAYBE) be sold again. Until then, nobody can legally live there at all, so they will be used by squatters and homeless people who aren't allowed to improve or repair them even if they had the money to do so. Tony's conversation with Meadow about the church was in the first episode. It had the same content as his talk with AJ here -- talking about how Tony's grandfather came over from Italy with nothing and built a church -- but you're right that Tony conveyed it in a completely different way.
JBK405
2025-01-19 04:11:08 +0000 UTCIs there any specific interview or commentary that confirms this? Because i know the showrunner doesn't really watch much contemporary television (he said he once considered breaking bad but the length was daunting lol). And it feels like the shift in cinematography can maybe be tracked to a wider evolution of cinematography on tv from that time. Incidentally, sopranos flat out doesn't write black gangsters as well as the wire. This episode and some of the season 1 stuff makes it clear in my opinion.
Veya
2025-01-19 03:49:10 +0000 UTCI'm laughing so hard.
Varus
2025-01-19 03:46:04 +0000 UTC🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Varus
2025-01-19 03:45:32 +0000 UTCI think it helps that the wire had characters like marlo and clay davis as pure hate sinks while the other gangsters can be more front-loaded with softer traits. The sopranos pretty much merges both aspects to a smaller cast of characters. For instance tony has both avon's preaching of family and softer edges and marlo's sadism and brutality rolled into one. Even some of the other gangsters that are objectively bad like omar (same toxic influence on his environment like tony) and bodie (don't think there was ever any shred of guilt for some of his violent acts which even tony has on occasion) are shown in a softer light by comparison. I think not digging too deeply into everyday situations and personal lives helps a lot as that subgroup of the black community are incidentally also not known for their great treatment of women.
Veya
2025-01-19 03:45:05 +0000 UTCI also love this season. Favorite. I like Tony's personality in this season also compared to the first 3. He also looks better more overweight. Great birthday present for me you made my day with this.
Varus
2025-01-19 03:44:47 +0000 UTCThis episode had shades of the Wire, I understand why people waited for this one.
Alberto Cruz
2025-01-19 03:23:03 +0000 UTCPSA: CAN YOU FUCKING MORONS IN THE COMMENTS QUIT SETTING EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR REACTORS? “I can’t wait for the next episode” - Meanwhile this was an utterly generic episode of the Sopranos. ALL y’all do with these imbecile comments is set them up for disappointment. Please, kindly, seriously, for the of god, just shut the fuck up about future episodes, good or bad. Just fucking shut the fuck up. It’s REALLY not that complicated. Ridiculous.
Julien
2025-01-19 03:20:13 +0000 UTCTony can't be made to feel like he made a mistake or was wrong. When Melfi calls him out on his violent behaviour, he tries to call her out on things to deflect any critique or possiblity for him to change his behaviours. And the way he romanticizes the old Italians that built a nice church is so insanely shortsighted. AJ is actually somewhat right to point out that the bricks, which is to the say the materials, are of a different quality to the ones used for those cheap housing projects, and literally ARE whats keeping the building up, whereas Tony would have him believe its the spirit of hardworking italians that kept that church the way it is. Just ridiculous that he's then frustrated with AJ.
Ben G
2025-01-19 03:16:26 +0000 UTCI find it funny that LM still are surprised how at awful these characters are, even after 4 seasons. Running a real estate scam is actually one of the mildest things these people have done.
BNJ
2025-01-19 02:36:35 +0000 UTC22:37 The Wire actually premiered in the same year as the fourth season of The Sopranos, months before, so the chances are this episode took inspiration from The Wire rather than vice-versa. In later season you'll probably notice a lot more influence from it in the show, particularly in the cinematography and use of lighting.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 02:04:27 +0000 UTCwe really dont change…
LM Reactions
2025-01-19 01:47:36 +0000 UTCThe duality of Furio is interesting, as you guys noted. On one hand, even compared to the rest of his crew he's violent. Matter of fact it's the whole reason he was brought over, because he was willing to go to lengths in terms of violence that even most of his "colleagues" wouldn't, even against women, which is why he is the main enforcer of Tony's crew. On the other hand, outside of the business the series never show him as anything else than a nice, level headed guy but with a sensitive side to him. He really is a model soldier, capable of extreme violence if necessary but also kindness.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-19 01:35:22 +0000 UTCA detail about the final scene: originally, Zellman was supposed to be naked, but the actor wasn't comfortable with that. James Gandolfini himself backed him up and had it changed so that he could do the scene while partially covered instead.
castration_rite
2025-01-19 01:12:01 +0000 UTCI'm so glad you have been enjoying season 4 so far. I'm still not sure which is my favourite season, but I knew the storylines in 4 would appeal to you, and i've been excited for you to get here since you started the show. Can't wait to watch you watch the rest of the episodes!
The Josh
2025-01-19 01:00:23 +0000 UTCFrom the thumbnail, it looks like a happy episode:))
Jack SV
2025-01-19 00:38:59 +0000 UTChttps://imgur.com/a/nWsj4CQ Another classic LM Reactions reaction
Isaac
2025-01-19 00:23:41 +0000 UTCMy favorite episode LETS GOOOOO !!!
Elijah Glory
2025-01-19 00:22:24 +0000 UTC
