@Yarrow And that's something the actors actually criticized about the showrunners. Sometimes they even felt the writers would expose their flaws as a type of revenge when the actors made them mad for some reason. For example, James Gandolfini was loved by the acting cast but had a lot of problems with the showrunners, and as the show went on they would write more and more scenes of him binge-eating even though they knew he struggled with that in real life. It's like if you were trying to quit smoking and the showrunners made you smoke on every scene (and all the eating in the show is real, so James would have to do multiple takes of him stuffing his face with cured meats).
Gaboxxy
2025-01-18 19:24:43 +0000 UTC
I saw that movie, I thought it was bullshit.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-18 19:18:08 +0000 UTC
Yeah, this comment is definitely not cringe at all.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-18 19:15:48 +0000 UTC
What a hilariously obsequious comment. Most bizarre parasocial cringe I've seen this week.
Abacus
2025-01-18 18:03:17 +0000 UTC
Mr. Empathy over there.
Alexander
2025-01-18 03:22:08 +0000 UTC
I love his cozy somewhat dim lighted restaurant.
Varus
2025-01-17 20:09:10 +0000 UTC
I always said this was my favorite season or one of them.
People on reddit and YouTube are so cringe and say no, the second or third are the best.
Um ew?? I think I think like a woman in many ways. We know best. Or I just have good taste like you two do.
Varus
2025-01-17 20:07:17 +0000 UTC
It's ok. But just ok. People were starved for Sopranos content and were hoping it was going to be amazing. That's where most of the let-down comes from.
Michael M
2025-01-17 16:22:50 +0000 UTC
I actually always feel great sympathy for Tony in the scene where Carmela tells him about Gloria's suicide. He's lying in bed on a normal day, and she just drops this nuclear bomb on his head like it's nothing, and he has to lie there and take it without even showing shock or sorrow. The stunned look on his face is really something as he takes it in. Tony isn't someone that I usually sympathise with, but this scene elicits it.
Abacus
2025-01-17 08:01:37 +0000 UTC
Gets lots of hate but I enjoyed it. Worth a watch regardless. Kinda like El Camino for Breaking Bad. Might as well. I also think the girls would really dig seeing Chrissy’s dad.
CHX2176
2025-01-17 07:11:57 +0000 UTC
David Chase and others have talked about Chase adding character traits based off the actors traits. I know James Gandolfini talked about Tony eating more often being at least partially inspired by Gandolfini's weight issues, and Paulie germaphobia & other quirks are because his actor Tony Sirico was like that too.
Tony Sirico is super interesting and used to do enforcer work for the mafia before going to prison, I gotta make a post about him one of these episodes
Yarrow
2025-01-17 01:56:22 +0000 UTC
Fair enough! I haven’t seen it so if it’s bad then better to avoid I suppose.
Patrick
2025-01-16 23:25:43 +0000 UTC
I’d rather see a reaction to anything other than the movie.
Cole
2025-01-16 23:24:22 +0000 UTC
Probably one of the most underrated episodes of the entire fuckin series
Johnny_Raincloud
2025-01-16 22:27:31 +0000 UTC
@Gaboxxy I wouldn't call him a horrible human being, I find him funny in a self deprecating way (he's what I would look like if I attempt to do Mafia stuff). What he is right now to me is ungrateful. He has a smart and beautiful wife, a successful business, and a family. All the things that most normal guys would envy and he's throwing it all away so he can play tough guy. Charmaine said it best when she told Artie to "be happy in own thine self".
IanJ
2025-01-16 20:57:39 +0000 UTC
Nonono. It's like Batman and Bruce Wayne. He's humble chef Artie by day, and super cool gangster Archie by night
windyMelon
2025-01-16 20:11:35 +0000 UTC
They never said he was a horrible human being. And right now in the show he’s definitely doing loser shit - it’s pretty rational to be clowning him rn
Mahni Alizadeh
2025-01-16 20:00:08 +0000 UTC
It's refreshing to see Tony be vulnerable every so often. "Am I a toxshic pershon?!" is somehow quite endearing
windyMelon
2025-01-16 19:41:10 +0000 UTC
I agree. The movie prequel was a failure, unfortunately!!
Joe Lazarus
2025-01-16 18:26:39 +0000 UTC
About Tony and his guilt the best way to put it is how Melfi described it in season 2 he commits heinous actions to take their mind away from the horrible things they do and craving action all the time there is more to it since Tony is one of if not the most deep complex character I’ve ever seen
Ruben Welsh
2025-01-16 17:55:15 +0000 UTC
Tbh I’d rather see a reaction to the new documentary that came out about the show beautifully made
Ruben Welsh
2025-01-16 17:39:40 +0000 UTC
Legit heard for the first time today that there was a sopranos prequel movie. Wonder if they will watch it after.
Patrick
2025-01-16 17:25:49 +0000 UTC
@IanJ sure, but the dude is not a horrible human being LOL. He's literally just going through a midlife crisis like most men will at some point or another. It always sucks how women always act so incredibly judgmental towards men when they are at a rough point of their lives. All the comments about Artie being a "Loser", a "small man", "pathetic" are honestly uncalled for especially considering other characters are way worse yet they don't get nearly this amount of hate, and it reinforces the idea of men not being able to look "weak" under any circumstances or they get ostracized by society, but then people act surprised when men kill themselves at higher rates and blame us for not "open up more".
Gaboxxy
2025-01-16 16:27:23 +0000 UTC
he doesn’t want to be a gangster.. he’s upset that he chose an honest living and the guys who didn’t choose an honest living are making lots of money and living how they want to live no matter what their families say.. he just wants to be his own man and make decisions on his own and do some things that (in his eyes) will gain respect from people (tony, charmaine)
Zach D
2025-01-16 15:59:54 +0000 UTC
It’s wild how Freudian this episode feels.
- Tony and AJ in this episode
both hooking up with women who look almost EXACTLY like Carmela: mid-height, light tan, blonde hair, thin). Always found it funny how AJ can’t even look at Carm when she walks in on him with Devon. Obviously it’s embarrassing in general but I think also they look the same
- AJ, feeling emasculated by Devon’s wealth after having been trying to have sex with her the whole episode, entering her dad’s art room and seeing a literal wall of (very expensive) penises. Later young Riddler asks why his Tony doesn’t have that same level of status
- Tony going to dinner with his sister because he needs his ego as a decent person validated; not only does he practically squirm in his chair watching Janice suck the marrow off of a bone, but then she explicitly brings up how their mother used to act when Johnny Boy brought home the weekly meat order
- “She reached out to me, for me to care, and I wasn’t there…” is this about his guilt over not being able to save Gloria, or for (as his mother would put it) abandoning Livia to a nursing home?
- With the show leaning in to Artie as a foil/“what could have been” character for Tony, the conversation in the hospital almost feels like the id and the ego clashing with each other — A.B. says that it is A.S.’s basic instinct (id) is to exploit people, and A.S. flies into a rage because he needs to believe he’s a decent guy (ego)
a. tree
2025-01-16 14:54:20 +0000 UTC
Honestly season 4 was my least favourite. But they're all good and hard to separate. I'd probably pick 5 as my favourite.
Mark M
2025-01-16 14:06:56 +0000 UTC
Could the reason Artie initially tried to borrow the money from Ralph instead of Tony has to do with Davey Scatino? Artie accusing Tony of intentionally lending him money because he knew he can profit off of him in the worst case scenario is exactly what happened with Davey after all, and Artie might knew about it deep down.
As the fight between Tony and Carmela in an earlier episode alluded to, AJ grew up in a household where love is equated with money. When he realized that his girlfriend doesn't need his money, he probably had a little existential crisis about how he can actually express his love towards her.
"How come your father doesn't have that Don Corleone money?"
For all the money and power than the family and their members have in their little world, it is still a very small and self contained one. Real money and real power will still always escape them. Tony is aware of this; often bemoaning the real crooks being rich bankers and waxing nostalgic about how the best days of the mafia are behind them. He doesn't have the Godfather style compound or the power and influence of Al Capone, and he never will. They condemned their souls for nothing.
IanJ
2025-01-16 12:31:10 +0000 UTC
Whole second half of this season is gonna be 🔥🔥
Abacus
2025-01-16 11:17:34 +0000 UTC
Any of yall seen Streetwise? - great documentary set in Seattle
Ben G
2025-01-16 11:09:55 +0000 UTC
Archie and Hutch (TV Series 1975–1979)
Ben G
2025-01-16 11:04:55 +0000 UTC
Eh, I mean is it any surprise though? His wannabe gangster shtick is as cringy as Jackie Jr's and unlike him, Artie is in his 40s now so he should've known better.
IanJ
2025-01-16 09:28:47 +0000 UTC
It's perfectly in keeping with Artie's character that the girls mis-named him "Archie" about 85 times during this discussion 😅😂 Things just don't go his way
Abacus
2025-01-16 09:12:17 +0000 UTC
Ana de Armas loool
Quasirng
2025-01-16 08:14:58 +0000 UTC
So glad they got the GF1 reference though! Patiently waiting the day we get the notification for the Godfather 2.
UNC
2025-01-16 06:17:34 +0000 UTC
This is a sign to watch Godfather 2! 4:24
leonthesleepy
2025-01-16 06:01:14 +0000 UTC
They've had a visceral hatred for Artie ever since he tried to make a move on Adriana. Even though they hate the idea of Ade marrying Chris, and Artie wanted to stop her from marrying him, their general contempt for the men in this show always takes top priority.
Abacus
2025-01-16 05:15:19 +0000 UTC
The tragedy of his character is that it doesn't matter how much introspection he achieves through therapy, as long as he's in the Mafia it won't do him any good and he won't be able to change in any meaningful way. And because he's a made man he can't quit without being whacked or turning witness protection against what little morality he has left, or simply leave his family to never turn back. We've seen time and time again that on a subconscious level he is weighted down by his guilt and wants to be a good man, but he's way too deep into "the life" and all his options suck, so there's not really any hope of him improving.
And to add to your second paragraph, another aspect that humanizes his character is the fact of how he can't help but forgive those close to him that cause him harm like Livia, Junior and Christopher, with the first two literally trying to kill him and the other fucking up constantly and putting the business at stake, yet he always seem to let it pass and still can't help but love these characters despite all.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-16 05:06:09 +0000 UTC
Can't wait for episode 7. It's one of my favorite episodes in the whole show
Elijah Glory
2025-01-16 04:27:09 +0000 UTC
When Artie came to Ralph and said he wanted to pass on loaning money because he couldn't hurt Artie, he meant it literally. He knows Tony will protect him.
Benjamin Dodds
2025-01-16 04:17:49 +0000 UTC
As a Seattle resident, I can confirm that the lack of sunlight can take a serious toll on some people. Personally, if the sun is out in winter time, I drop anything I'm doing and go outside. But it should be also be stressed that people do exaggerate how bad the problem is.
Marcus Cato
2025-01-16 03:27:03 +0000 UTC
Meadow tells Tony "believe it or not, the world doesn't revolve around you" a couple episodes back. His expression doesn't really betray what he thinks of it.
I think the narcissistic traits discussion is on point. There is a wrinkle though, in how he treats his kids. Against his wishes, he's letting Meadow explore being in law to help people he's racist towards despite really wanting her to be a pediatrician. If he knows he has a hold on his children, especially Meadow (who claimed she's going to Europe but just came running back into them) there's little reason for him to not try to manipulate her to fit his ideas unless he actually does want her to do whatever she wants. Again, as a stark contrast to how he's treating Christopher.
Overall it's an underlying question of the show. Tony can clearly feel emotions genuinely, and also clearly filters a lot of it towards himself. Without his parents would he have developed these narcissistic filters and did he have a chance at some point to be able to feel and express them more conventionally? Or would he always have been naturally self-centered regardless of him being deprived of love from his parents.
I also think as far as self-interest and guilt coexisting goes, I do think while it's extreme in Tony (and pretty much any other character on this show) since there is a immediate link to the mob, there are definitely shades of it in life across broader society. Look no further than how people do the bare minimum for environmental and social problems.
Veya
2025-01-16 02:24:08 +0000 UTC
Yeah, most of the year is grey and raining in seattle or at least it was known for that in the 90s, but its still a thing. So depression rates and suicide rate were known there nationally in the US for a long time.
Robert
2025-01-16 02:11:46 +0000 UTC
@Zach D "We'll keep this short and sweet: Artie Bucco is weak, is outta control, and has become an embarrassment to himself and everybody else"
-Lola and Milena, probably
Gaboxxy
2025-01-16 02:02:00 +0000 UTC
An interesting fact about the actor who plays Artie. When he first heard from his agent that he was wanted for a role in this new mob show called the sopranos he was excited to be the "tough guy" mob character. However later he was a little disappointed when he found out he was gonna be a chef in a mob show. I feel like they kind of translated some of this feeling to his character. As Artie is envious of Tonys lifestyle and wants to be a tough guy.
Nicholas
2025-01-16 02:01:30 +0000 UTC
Artie envies men who have wives that don’t challenge their destructive instincts, he’s emasculated by Tony more than anyone else but will always blame Charmaine
He smiles while serving food to the man who blew up his restaurant
space colon
2025-01-16 01:51:57 +0000 UTC
For real, the whole point of his character is that he's a nice dude trying to emulate the people around him (mostly gangsters) and failing miserably each time. He couldn't be a bad dude even if he tried. He's supposed to act as a comic-relief character, not to be taken too seriously.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-16 01:36:20 +0000 UTC
That’s the leading hypothesis, especially since by “major cities” I was specifically referring to the 33 largest metropolitan areas in the country. If we don’t include that, Montana “wins”. It also seems like people tend to commit suicide at a higher rate in rural areas in general, which goes against what most would think, but as somebody who lives in New York and (respectfully) could never see myself living anywhere else, it makes perfect sense to me. I’ll preference what I’m about to say by saying I’m no expert, I looked these numbers up literally after I first watched this episode years ago, but as someone who’s lived in New York their whole life, it seems to me like a major city always has a distraction for you to focus on, there’s always something to do or strive for. As opposed to a rural area where if you feel stuck, you feel really stuck.
Thomas De Peña
2025-01-16 01:34:03 +0000 UTC
*Archie
BNJ
2025-01-16 01:33:49 +0000 UTC
And hopefully Goodfellas, though I know is a longshot. The Godfather is referenced a lot more (probably because a whole deal of actors in the show appeared in the movie, so they don't want to ruin the inmersion), but the Sopranos actually has way more influence from Goodfellas, both narrative and cinematography-wise.
Gaboxxy
2025-01-16 01:33:37 +0000 UTC
Artie is an innocent goofball, and he’s shy and insecure.. in this house Artie Bucco is a hero, end of subject!
Zach D
2025-01-16 01:31:57 +0000 UTC
Poor Archie. Watching him trying to be a gangster was both hilarious and sad.
BNJ
2025-01-16 01:30:14 +0000 UTC
I think Janice was referring to Kurt Cobain and Nirvana when Tony asked her that question but I could be wrong lol. Another great episode exploring Tony’s way to deal with guilt. Don’t get it twisted, I feel he is feeling guilt and not sadness over Gloria. You might’ve noticed but he is always been this selfish. While this episode didn’t have that much progression with the main plot, I still would say it was enjoyable. Plus all the godfather references that now you girls are getting <3 ahh.. who would’ve guessed that you guys would get those references. I’m glad you girls at least watched The Godfather 1.
Jack SV
2025-01-16 01:27:11 +0000 UTC
I think they said they were hoping for one movie a month. I hope Goodfellas will be after The Godfather 2.
Damien Fenton
2025-01-16 01:14:30 +0000 UTC
@Thomas Jeez, no wonder grunge originated there. It's probably the weather, right?
Gaboxxy
2025-01-16 01:11:17 +0000 UTC
Seattle has the second highest suicide rate of any major city in America.
Thomas De Peña
2025-01-16 00:58:30 +0000 UTC
When Janice was asked for Tony about suicide, and she answered that she lived in Seattle so she did know a lot about that, i think did refer to the grunge scene there, Kurt Cobain, depression, etc.
Diego Palma
2025-01-16 00:55:26 +0000 UTC
I call Artie "Cringe Lord"
Michael M
2025-01-16 00:54:05 +0000 UTC
The Gloria nightmare is the greatest dream sequence in the history of television in my opinion. It’s so devastating, the song choice is perfect, and it really FEELS like a dream. The camerawork, the way it feels like some scenes are missing, it’s straight up incredible. I can’t say enough about how much I love that scene.
Thomas De Peña
2025-01-16 00:43:22 +0000 UTC
did you call Artie a loser?! what the fuck!? the Artie hate is so wild
Zach D
2025-01-16 00:37:01 +0000 UTC
LM: "We are bad with faces." Also LM: "That is a 17 year old Paul Dano!"
Michael M
2025-01-16 00:29:38 +0000 UTC
Girls you need to watch Godfather II before you finish the show. There's still a lot of references lol