| Author | Message | ||
     MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3572 Registered: 12-2004  |
Yes, but the "threatening" part was no surprise? Although I didn't see the actual threat because I kept changing the channel. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7389 Registered: 5-2001  |
It was painful to watch the Sir Kingsley scenes. That's what makes this show so great. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1810 Registered: 11-2001  |
Actually, I have always found Artie Bucco to be one of the most irritating characters on the show. His overblown hand gestures are ridiculous. So, why, in the final season of the show, do they create an all-about-Artie episode? It did have a few nuggets, however. Christopher and "Sir Kingsley" -- hilarious. Mugging Lauren Bacall?? But the best feature was Tony. Yes, part shrink, part coach. He showed remarkable understanding. I kept waiting for Artie to get whacked (wishful thinking?); Tony's recommendation of "a good psychiatrist" was really surprising. | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1480 Registered: 4-2004  |
After his own family, Artie is the character that Tony has cared for the most. The very first episode had Tony touching off the war with Junior to spare Artie (although burning down his restaurant is a strange form of love). And form the looks of things, Artie may soon leapfrog over AJ... | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 3548 Registered: 11-2001  |
Telling Artie to stay in the kitchen was noteworthy. Artie is in big trouble. But Christopha has a way in expressing himself........  | ||
| breal Citizen Username: Breal Post Number: 866 Registered: 6-2002 |
I saw the future yesterday as I was cooking dinner. It came to me in a flash. Here it is: Vito gives up Tony and enters the witness protection program. Please note the date and time of this post so that you can all give me props when it turns out I am right. | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1481 Registered: 4-2004 |
I say Vito doesn't last two more episodes- if Tony doesn't get him, Phil will. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22974 Registered: 6-2001  |
(deleted) | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22975 Registered: 6-2001 |
(undeleted) You have to admit that Breal has a valid perspective with her witness protection theory. We saw Vito recognizing his possible acceptance as a gay man in a jovial and vibrant community. Who's to say the Feds don't find him first? I mark the date, it's a great plot twist. I think we may see a barrage of plot twists as the season progresses. The tension between Christopher's paisons and others - in the family and out - while he was away will echo through quite a few more episodes; that's my guess. We'll see. It's been a riveting season thus far, in my opinion. Is it Sunday yet? | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1568 Registered: 9-2004  |
Vito gives up Tony and enters the witness protection program. Good one Breal! If he doesn't give-up PHIL first!  | ||
| breal Citizen Username: Breal Post Number: 868 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well, he might not have enough dirt on Phil. I'm just saying, the guy has already lost his old life--where he had money, standing (within a crime ring, true), and a family. It's gone. Even in his old life, he kind of lived under an assumed identity. That's because in his old life, being gay means your "friends" will try to hunt you down and kill you. In the New Hampshire town, it means that someone will try to sell you a vase. This is a no-brainer. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 22979 Registered: 6-2001 |
I am super impressed by the talent* in this year's season. Lauren Bacall and Ben Kingsley? As Tony would bark: "Whoa!" I pondered Breal's prediction today and think she may be correct in that one of Tony's inner circle gives him up and turns traitor. Who that someone is could be debated forever. Artie is a good possibility (Tony's position has now ruined him twice!). The FBI presence within the inner ring says someone (aside from Johnny Sacks) is going to prison. The entire goombah structure is cracking like a bad plaster ceiling. I love it. *Talent = guest stars. We all know the Sopranos has crowned many stars in its own right. | ||
| Buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 4613 Registered: 5-2001  |
AJ is a twerp. Please make him go bye bye. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1869 Registered: 11-2001 |
AJ is spineless and ignorant. I hope he is finally beginning to see that his "friends" are using him for his Soprano name and connections. I must say that, as a former Vito-hater, I liked much of this episode -- well, the Vito-centric portion of it. The way Vito was portrayed last night was really well-done. His confusion, identity, family ties -- all addressed quite well. Also noteworthy was Tony not going through with his tryst with Julianna. Perhaps that side of him is gone? Perhaps he appreciates and honors Carmela at last? That would be a positive development. | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 2393 Registered: 10-2001  |
ess - I thought that Tony had turned the corner w/r/t Carmela and his marriage until that last scene of him in the kitchen yelling about smoked turkey. I think it won't be long until we see the "old" Tony back again when he realizes that things are falling apart under the new, softer Tony. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1870 Registered: 11-2001 |
Sportsnut - you are right; I completely forgot about that scene! That changes everything, and that would make your theory very plausible. | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1488 Registered: 4-2004 |
The technique used in this episode- two characters going through parallel experiences with drastically different outcomes- has been used before. The best example was "University" in season four which chronicled Meadow's life at Columbia with Tracey the Bing girl trying to better herself by cozying up to Tony. Meadow of course weathers her crises to graduate college, while Tracey ends up beaten to death and rolled in a carpet to be thrown in a landfill. Tony and Vito walked the parallel paths this time, and while Vito ended up turning away from his family to embrace his true lifestyle, Tony ended up rejecting a very tempting affair to return to his. Neither is likely to stay the course and their current bliss is probably short-lived, but each was deeply moved when confronting his "fork in the road". A.J. is just a stooge who will never rise above his own shallow existence. He will be a cross to bear for the rest of his life. | ||
| Buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 4615 Registered: 5-2001 |
I also forgot about that smoked turkey bit..... How many episodes are left in this part of the season? Anyone know? | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3042 Registered: 9-2002  |
Loved the smoked turkey bit. My fave part though was the cut from Vito walking down the street in NH to Christafuh walking down the street in Newark oogling the trashy NJ girls. Oh and the old woman's profanity was a hoot. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1810 Registered: 10-2004 |
OK, I suspect that no one is going to like this theory (because Antony Jr is so despised) but here goes... This morning I woke up and thought, the season is going to end like this. Anthony Jr. is going to finally claim his part of the business. He is going to get indoctrinated, reach his potential (of being a true scumbag -- a necessity in this line of work) and the last episode will feature him killing his father to assume the head role. The reason I think that this will work as an ending is because it ties up the story that Tony Sr. is getting weak (even to his son's eyes) as well as play into the over arching theme that you can never leave the mob life (as Tony has been fantasizing about since awakening from his coma). It also works with the theme that the mafia goes on regardless of who is running the show, and that it's all in the family. That's my prediction, note the time and date stamp. | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1491 Registered: 4-2004 |
Alleygater- I don't agree but you definitely get points for originality. And if things do go that way, you'll be hailed as a visionary. | ||
| breal Citizen Username: Breal Post Number: 876 Registered: 6-2002 |
I don't see A.J. assuming control of anything. He's absolutely lost. Can't you feel it? Tony can. Think of that scene between Tony and A.J. in the parking lot of the police station. Tony knows A.J.'s not cut out to be Michael Corleone. Tony's got to get him into a different environment. Remember how Eugene wanted to get his junkie son away from N.J.? What he was willing to do to achieve that? Lots of undercurrents in this episode. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3623 Registered: 12-2004 |
The "splendor in the grass" scene with Vito and his new love was a little more than I could bear. I'm also not crazy about this stereotypical, Village People-esq, guy that's Vito's new love. Did they do that on purpose, because Vito is so "new" to the lifestyle that that's all he knows. It's kind of annoying. A.J. is a pain in the •••. The whole bumbling of the attempt on Uncle June's life. Very funny that he's inherited panic attacks from Tony! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7490 Registered: 5-2001 |
Didn't AJ have panic attacks in HS? I didn't think that Vito's new friend was that stereotypical. Although, I am trying to figure out why someone that buff and together would be attracted to Vito (yes, I am shallow). I can't quite figure out what that relationship is all about or where they are taking it. Somehow, I don't see Vito & Fireman settling into a cozy cottage or them coming back to NY as a couple to be near Vito's children. As for AJ, I can see Tony setting him up with a club & then AJ getting screwed over or losing money trying to be a big-shot with the hangers-on. I don't know if AJ really wants to be a tough guy or he's just wrestling with getting out from under his father's shadow/making daddy proud. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3052 Registered: 9-2002 |
Greenetree, that is exactly what I was thinking! Seem to be enough gay men in town that they firefighter guy could pick someone besides Vito. But then I can't understand Julianna being attracted to Tony either. | ||
| Mr. Big Poppa Citizen Username: Big_poppa Post Number: 606 Registered: 7-2004  |
C'mon....What about Vito's sexy walk??? What is he doing for money? Mobsters don't keep it in the bank. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3624 Registered: 12-2004 |
Don't you remember he threw a huge amount of cash in a duffel bag when he ran away from home? | ||
| Mr. Big Poppa Citizen Username: Big_poppa Post Number: 607 Registered: 7-2004 |
I probably missed that, but it makes sense. Nice how he only left his family the $30K underneath the floorboard. What a sleeze. | ||
| Greeneyes Citizen Username: Greeneyes Post Number: 787 Registered: 8-2001 |
Greenetree, A.J did have a panic attack in High School. It was during a football practice, following a stellar( for A.J.) performance in a game a week before. Good things were expected of A.J. after his performance in the game. He had the panic attack and his football career was over. I am curious to see what's really happening with Meadow and her fiance. Did anyone notice the sideways glances they gave each other at the wedding? And how Meadow shut her parents up real quick when they broached the subject of Meadow setting a date? | ||
| Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 649 Registered: 1-2006  |
The gay stuff with Vito is kind of cartoonish. Like a bunch of straight writers brained stormed "what's gay?" And it's' not just Vito's POV. The handlebar mustache, the "pot". It seems like when straight men write a gay love story. "First they get into a fist fight..." "No wait, definately have him stay at a bed and breakfast!" "That's SO gay." (Writers slap high five.) Do you know what I mean? J.B. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1586 Registered: 9-2004 |
Do you know what I mean? Yup! bed & breakfast=antique shops=Village people=a heavy weight lover!  | ||
| Twokitties Citizen Username: Twokitties Post Number: 433 Registered: 8-2004 |
What happened to this show? I don't care about panic attacks or falling in love with cooking again. I don't care about exploring your sexuality. Put this show on Lifetime and bring back the Soprano's. | ||
| Mr. Big Poppa Citizen Username: Big_poppa Post Number: 612 Registered: 7-2004 |
I agree, TwoKitties. This season feels more like I've been watching Desperate Houswives! J.B. - SNL should do a parody of the Sopranos' writers. I can envision that scene you described... | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 2396 Registered: 10-2001 |
All we need now is for Vito to purchase a Miata. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7506 Registered: 5-2001 |
Don't go there! The reason that I say I didn't find it particularly stereotypical is that, in my experience, small gay communities away from urban areas seem to be about 10 years behind in terms of style. Walk down Commercial Street in July and you can tell who is not from the east or west coast. And those charming little towns do suffer from over-cuteness. But, I still have no idea what the point is. I agree that Vito's inner-struggle with who he is seems to be a straight man's version. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3632 Registered: 12-2004 |
Yeah, I don't really get why anyone male or female would be attracted to Vito. And it's not even like you can say he has a great personality! So, Greenetree, what you're saying is if you go anywhere outside the New York Metro area or L.A. most gay men are still doing the Village People thing? | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1596 Registered: 9-2004 |
Hmmm… they could have chosen Fire Island of Provincetown for Vito. Then again, who would look in NH, which happens to be a very conservative state.  Kinda of clever. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1874 Registered: 11-2001 |
Maybe it's Vito's sexy waddle.  I sort of get what they are trying to do with Vito, but it does seem stereotypical. Nevertheless, I would rather see The Sopranos, not "The Vito Show", or worse, "Dinner with Artie Bucco". Bring back Uncle Jun! Where's Bobby Bacala? Where's Paulie????? | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3064 Registered: 9-2002 |
Bobby looks to be central in next week's episode. | ||
| Joe R. Citizen Username: Ragnatela Post Number: 410 Registered: 6-2004 |
I loved the $1800 bar tab for AJ at the club. $1250 was for Cristal. His "date" thinks he's "intense". The Phil and Tony beef is escalating. Patsy can't figure out how to shake down Starbucks. As for Tony and Julianna, was it his brand new conscience that made him leave the apartment..or is it that "it" only works at home? |
