Worn-Out Archetype

The Sopranos: Season 4 Analyzed; Week 6

Worn-Out Archetype

The Sopranos: Season 4 Analyzed; Week 6

Worn-Out Archetype
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Talking television.
Oct. 21 2002 7:55 AM

The Sopranos: Season 4 Analyzed; Week 6

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Dear Gang,

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The message of last night's show was that it's time to puncture the godfather myth in television and cinema. The world surrounding Tony was disintegrating, and there was little he could to about it beyond what any other schlub could. Gloria offed herself, for which he rightly or wrongly holds himself responsible, and then his childhood friend, restaurateur Artie Bucco, nearly mimicked Gloria's problem-solving method. Tony had to call in 911 to save his buddy! How non-superhero is that?

In case we hadn't noticed yet, the godfather ain't all that powerful after all, and lest dreamy-eyed teens think otherwise, A.J. faced the humiliation of seeing his girlfriend's house, which makes his own look like guest quarters on her property. Papa Tony barely makes chump change compared to what Devon's papa makes. So far as we can tell, her papa got to where he is the old fashioned way. To quote the old Smith Barney commercial, "He earned it!"

Phil