The Sopranos 1x06 Reaction
Added 2024-09-03 22:48:18 +0000 UTC
Comments
Carmela grappling with the morality of her actions can sometimes be even more interesting that watching Tony do the same, and the conscience she reveals in these episodes is a big reason why.
Mike
2024-09-04 23:47:00 +0000 UTCOthers above have already explained the meaning behind "Pax Soprana", so I'll just translate that 'pax' is Latin for 'peace'. The term would therefore literally translate as "The peace of the Sopranos". The thing with the very small amount of money to keep quiet is one of those little touches that I actually really love for its real-world psychology: When a person makes somebody else feel like THEY are complicit in a crime (or anything immoral or untoward) they help to cover it up of their own volition. Those three men only accepted the money because they were terrified right then, but since they DID accept it they are now 'involved'. So if that fear ever fades they still won't want to come forward of their own volition, since they won't want to expose themselves. Hesh is in a very precarious position in the criminal hierarchy. He's classified as an Associate, somebody who works WITH the family but is not IN the family. They're happy to take the money that he brings in, but under 'the rules' he is an outsider. Hence why Junior is allowed to just decide that Hesh needs to start paying him, he's got no protection. This also shows that despite them always talking about honor and loyalty, these people really are just self-centered thugs who will overturn a long-standing relationship on a whim. Livia may have pushed Junior into it, but he still went to a lifelong friend of his own dearly departed brother and said "give me your wallet".
JBK405
2024-09-04 23:33:15 +0000 UTC"What's this, the fuckin UN now!!??" Love Sack
enchantertim
2024-09-04 16:27:19 +0000 UTCI don't know how to explain it but that ending scene with Tony saluting their new boss, with the FBI snapping pictures, Xzibit's Paparazzi beat in the background... This is literally my favorite scene in this whole show... How Junior is "The Boss" but the way that camera just lingers above Tony with BOSS... Chef's kiss
Karabo
2024-09-04 13:12:01 +0000 UTCmy fuckin’ temper…
Darrach
2024-09-04 12:17:48 +0000 UTCThe greatest voice raiser in history.
Cole
2024-09-04 12:15:22 +0000 UTCPax Soprana, referencing the historical time period known as ‘Pax Romana’ which was a 200 year period of peace and prosperity under the Roman Empire. Tony makes peace both with his uncle Junior and with Carmela by the end of this episode, hence the pun title. I love the ending sequence, one of those early “oh shit”moments in the show. The song is an instrumental of rapper Xzibits song ‘Paparazzi’. This, with just about everything in this show, has symbolism, as the mob members are being snapped without consent, much like a paparazzi would do. This episode introduces John Sacrimoni ‘Johnny Sack’. The guy Tony speaks to at his anniversary dinner, and who oversees the negotiation with Hesh and Junior. He is from one of the New York Mafia families, and therefore, as anyone with any knowledge of the Italian-American Mafia would know, holds a lot of sway and influence. His presence at the dinner for Junior at the end also shows his importance, as he is not a member of their family, but is given a seat at the table.
Darrach
2024-09-04 11:09:49 +0000 UTCPax Soprana is a play on Pax Romana (and other related terms like Pax Britannica and Pax Americana). Basically it means a lack of conflict over a long period of time under a single dominant power. That's why Tony brought up Augustus. It's also funny because he's trying to achieve the peace within the organization with his uncle and the other capos but then in his private life he's kissing his therapist and getting into squabbles with his wife/mistress and doing shit like trying to get his mistress to dress like his therapist.
Veya
2024-09-04 06:25:31 +0000 UTCLast week stealthily introduced a pretty important through-line: "I have forsaken what is right for what is easy", and I like that it's echoed here again in a completely different context. Also, this episode did a good job of showing just how disconnected Tony and Carmela are but still ultimately find a somewhat half-way reconciliation, and even with the kind words being traded, it doesn't necessarily resolve deeper issues, but it's still a genuine moment shared between them and that's how life is at times. No perfect solution but there are moments of warmth and salvation.
Veya
2024-09-04 06:19:29 +0000 UTCInteresting to see Father Phil blame Carmela (in part) for Tony's infidelity this week after she was honest and remorseful about his *criminal* activities in the previous episode. "You are not without sin in this, Carmela." It could be that he's more comfortable calling out her (and Tony, by proxy) for a "lesser" sin, or that he thinks she'll be more receptive to his guidance here, or that he's being more puritanical about sex and marriage than crime... Either way, the fact that Carmela's Melfi issues are contrasted against her acceptance that girlfriends are par for the course as a mob wife -- a necessary evil to "lighten the load" and make life easier -- speaks to her willful ignorance and/or general acceptance of the other (financial) benefits that Tony's job grants her. Hey, look at that, now she's buying a brand new furniture set. I wonder if this is all related somehow? Not as famous "College" or several other trademark episodes still to come, but this is a really terrific early instalment -- and a great example of the show honing in on how it can use the therapy sessions to reflect and refract the home and mob stories.
Mike
2024-09-04 04:59:14 +0000 UTCThis episode is just one amazing scene after another. The therapy scenes just have me holding my breath every time. Tony is such a complex character and his relationships to Carmela and Dr Melfi in particular just fascinate me. I really love her reaction to Tony's admissions about his feelings towards her. She didn't seem all that surprised, frankly this kind of thing isn't uncommon with people in therapy although the stalker stuff with the following and car stuff rightly had her shaken. The dynamic between Tony and all the women in his life remains one of the most interesting aspects of this show. James Gandolfini is an absolute genius in this role, the subtle changes in expression can shift the tone of a scene on their own and as you caught on the way he looks at people like Melfi in certain scenes speaks a thousand words. Hope everyone is having a good day
Max Carter
2024-09-04 04:12:15 +0000 UTCThe therapy scenes are some of the most enjoyable reactions I’ve seen in a minute. When you guys silently look at each other it kills me lol
cheech
2024-09-04 03:41:09 +0000 UTCYeah, well a lot of shows (especially some of which that came out after sopranos and was influenced by it) also has this challenge and morality play of the MC's life and feelings. But sopranos is uniquely detailed in laying out all aspects of his life and explores more of his relationships and psychology than the dramas that followed.
Veya
2024-09-04 02:46:28 +0000 UTCAs you girls started to realize.. therapy is an outlet for Tony to express his true feelings regarding his life and people in general. For me what’s the beauty of this show is how in contrast is his life with what he needs in order to get better. Also, the more you get into his mind, the more you get to understand why Tony is the way he is.. god I could watch this show over and over and never get bored.
Jack SV
2024-09-04 02:38:27 +0000 UTCIt's fascinating how The Sopranos constantly plays with the morality of Tony actions and his personal feelings. He's definitely a bad person, but at the same time, it's like he's a kid who's only needed his mother's love his whole life, and how that deeply affects who he is. David Chase really challenges the audience to hate this guy (and we fail).
ashton
2024-09-04 01:27:43 +0000 UTCTony is literally a cave man My psychoanalyst friend says it’s not uncommon for patients to go through a period of hating or idolizing their practitioner, common for feelings to manifest
space colon
2024-09-04 01:22:18 +0000 UTCI haven’t watched the video yet but I’m guessing the girls are cringing over that Tony scene lol
Jack SV
2024-09-03 23:23:23 +0000 UTC
