Timothy Noah chatted with readers about The Sopranos on June 7. Read the transcript here.
Hey guys:
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StumbleUponI agree with Tim that the end of The Sopranos does not portend the end of the mob drama, which in my opinion is as firmly established a genre as the Western or screwball comedy. What I do believe is that in creating The Sopranos, David Chase has advanced the genre. And while Brooklyn Rules may not be the salvation of the mob movie, I do know that seeing it will cure gout, acid reflux, and at least three different forms of lumbago. (Especially if you see it in a theater, buying a full-price ticket.)
Speaking of cures, Brian mentioned the pizza order under way in the safe house, which reminded me of what someone said yesterday about the unavailability of antidepressants when you've gone to the mattresses. Well, who needs Zoloft when you've got ready access to Sicilian pizza?
And while I'm on the topic of food, I am in complete agreement with Jeff (by way of Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman) that one should never put mayonnaise on pastrami. Whether or not that rule extends to gabagool, I don't know. (We have seen Tony dip rolled-up turkey slices into a jar of Hellmann's, so we know that's OK.)
And to clarify, just because Godfather III doesn't exist for me, it in no way should imply that I wouldn't steal from it. As we speak, I'm writing a thriller wherein the murderer, Specs Muldoon, kills only by jamming his eyeglasses through his victims' throats. (In the thrilling final sequence, he actually lends the murder weapon to a homicide detective so the guy can read an autopsy report!)
I'm pretty sure that Silvio would not share John Gotti Jr.'s love of American Indians, or at least the segment of that group who malign Columbus. Many mob guys spend an inordinate amount of time sitting around on lawn chairs just looking for an excuse to beat people up—what better way to while away a few hours than by stomping the crap out of someone who dares besmirch the memory of a paisan? Pity the fools who ever talk shit about Enzo Stuarti.
Since I didn't write the episode, I can't say for sure whether "Flatbush Bikini Waxing" was a coincidence; only David Chase and Matt Weiner know for sure. I will say, however, that in an episode I co-wrote with those guys ("Kaisha"), Phil Leotardo almost gets blown to smithereens as he and his now-deceased Ukrainian mistress enter "Sheepshead Hair Design."
Thank you all once again for letting me join the dialogue, which as I knew from the last time, was a lot of fun.
Eight years, 86 episodes. Hard to believe it's almost over.
Whaddaya gonna do?
Terry
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Remarks from the Fray Editor:
As a basic cable slum-dweller, the Fray Editor has been following the discussion of The Sopranos with admiration and envy. The passion, erudition, and insight of the show's fans—Slate's commentators and Fraysters alike—proves the case that this series is not to be missed. Below, Fray poster lucabrasi considers how the 6.5 season story arc has led the show inevitably to the present moment.
May this weekend's finale exceed your wildest expectations. My prediction? Paulie Walnuts in the Bing with a shoe buffer.—G.A.
Remarks from the Fray:
I must salute the excellent close of the mob wars arc that started way back in Season One.
Looking back from today, with Tony's Jersey crime family indeed looking like a "glorified crew" in the eyes of New York, one can see it, almost clearly:
Season One: Tony's issues were of ascension in that smallish Jersey family. Jackie Sr. was dying; Uncle Junior was the designated "front don," and yet bitter enough about Tony's power to use Livia's ambiguous directives to hit Tony. Didn't work. Junior was exiled and took on Federal heat; Tony had the others killed.
Season Two: Richie Aprile gets out of prison. A theme begins: guys out of prison resent Tony, who never served. But Richie, too, is "local Jersey trouble." His escalating conflict with Tony is going to be dealt with rather easily -- Tony wants Richie hit, but Janice delivers a dose of even MORE "local" justice.
Meanwhile, I think NYC underboss Johnny Sack turns up living in Jersey, but promising Tony "I don't want to wet my beak."
The main NYC Don is Carmine Sr, an old school guy. Tony can deal with Carmine Sr, but Sack starts getting that lean and hungry look...
Seasons Three and Four: Other issues are on the table (Jackie Jr., Tony and Carm's marriage), but Tony's adversaries are manageable: made guy Ralphie and the ever-more-ambitious and angry Sack. Ralphie is eliminated, quietly (if NYC ever finds out...). Sack wants Tony to hit Old Man Carmine; Tony pulls out at the last moment. Sack looks to be vengeful.
Season Five: The big trouble all starts here, with the release of the "Class of '84". It's like four Richie Apriles. Tony has a lotta plates to spin: an old-timer named Feech who wants it all, locally, Tony's cousin Tony B, the "Rockford Guy" (Joe Santos) who Tony B idolizes as a father, and a real hothead named Phil Leotardo.
Carmine Sr. croaks. Phil joins with Sack against Little Carmine, Tony B joins with the Rockford Guy and Rusty in backing Little Carmine's play. Tony elects to back off and see how Jersey can benefit from the ensuing bloodshed, of which there is a lot.
During all this, two little matters occur: Seeking owed cash, Tony subjects Phil Leotardo to a body-breaking car crash and beats up Phil at the accident site as a "throw-in." Tony B kills Phil's brother Billy Leotardo.
In retrospect, these last two actions were perhaps...unfortunate.
Sack and Phil kill more guys than Little Carmine's team. Little caves ("It's a stagmire.") Sack ascends to Donhood. Tony can deal with Sack (having killed Tony B as a burnt offering), and Sack will stave off the still vengeful Phil Leotardo.
But right at the end of Season Five, the Feds nab Sack. Go directly to jail.
Season 6A: Sack's in prison, but the putative boss, with Phil fronting him on the outside. Tony's shot for a few episodes. The "gay Vito issue" gives Phil new reason for putting the pressure on Tony's Jersey boys. With Sack losing power by the day, Phil contemplates his rages against Tony: getting beaten up by Tony, paying money to Tony, brother killed by the cousin of Tony, gay Vito protected by Tony. Phil has a heart attack to match Tony's gutshot. Things seem peaceful between these two wounded warriors. But this guy Butch turns up, taunting Tony.
Season 6B. Tony's luck with New York runs out, via a series of crap outs: Sack dies of cancer; Doc kills Gerry; Phil kills Doc.. Phil is "the big boss man," finally, and the worst possible New York Don Tony Soprano could face. Filled with jailhouse vengeance and itching to consolidate power, Phil pushes Tony too far (with the sexual insult of Coco towards Meadow, ultimately). Tony retaliates (curbing); Phil says "there's nothing left to talk about," and here we are.
Now, I' m not sure how much of that was plotted early on by Chase and Company, but looking back on it, you see how this final, fatal gang war was literally years in the making. Tony Soprano fended off Jersey threats (Junior, Richie), kept the peace with Carmine Sr, dangerously dueled with Sack (the longest of Tony's strategic encounters), sat out the gang war to replace Carmine Sr...and ended up on the wrong end of Phil's bloody ascension to the throne of the New York Family.
Where things are now is where they HAVE to be. Inevitability.
--lucabrasi
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(6/9)