Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Johnny Sack made the long gunman theory comment (in the sitdown in "Long Term Parking").
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
☞ Official SOPRANOS Thread (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Raider Nation
- Start date
packersfan
Footballguy
I'll believe what Chase says if he chooses to give a direct answer. In lieu of that, all I can do is go with what I saw and the last image I had of the show was Tony alive. If that isn't what Chase wants his viewers to believe then it's up to him to tell us directly what the ending meant. In my opinion.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
That was an absolutely amazing piece!Some of the comments were great as well. Thanks.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
RBM
Footballguy
for later
I don't think there is a definitive answer for him to give. The scene is what it is-intended to be ambiguous and let you draw your own conclusions. I don't know why everyone assumed Chase actually intended it to be one way or the other.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
meno, go read the blog we are all raving about from a few posts up. Hard to come to any other conclusion than Tony being dead.menobrown said:
TexanFan02
Footballguy
I read it. It's a neat theory, but it's not definive.
BeaverCleaver
Footballguy
It may not be definitive but is it the best thing I have read that indicates Tony is dead. Show us something that will counter that blog.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
From the link:
I seem to recall that Tony let Ralphie make the call whether to kill Jackie Jr. or not, mainly because Ralphie was engaged to Jackie's mom. They had a scene inside of a car. Also, it was one of Ralphie's guys--Vito--who pulled the trigger.(On a sidenote, I am usually not good with noticing flaws in scenes, but it always struck me as odd that they do a wide shot of Jackie walking, and there is no snow anywhere around him, but when Vito shoots, he falls face-first into a snowbank).
Last edited by a moderator:
yetiknight
Footballguy
same here
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Actually, Tony made it clear that he wanted Jackie Jr. gone, but he was gonna make Ralphie make the call, on the record. If you watch the scene in Satriale's, Tony played Ralphie like a fiddle, which is why Ralphie leaves with that look on his face. Remember when Tony said, "And who cares what people say behind your back that they don't have the balls to say to your face?" Or, "That's why I made you captain." Tony was trying to absolve himself of responsibility, while making it clear what he wanted done, and while also implying to Ralphie that it was his responsibility to take care of it, or else he would demonstrate that he was not worthy of being a captain, while also being undermined by others in their family.
Last edited by a moderator:
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
I thought that was the last thing Tony wanted. He saw himself in that kid so much, even when robbing the poker game. Jackie Jr. was Tony twenty years earlier.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I think Tony realized that Jackie Jr. had become a lost cause, and after what he did at Eugene's card game, he knew he had to go. If he had really wanted to save Jackie Jr., he would have. Jackie Jr. even called him at home and Tony blew him off. And Tony knew where he was (Sil mentioned to Ralphie that everyone knew where he was hiding, so you know Tony knew, too), so again, if he really wanted to save him, he would have. Heck, as the boss, all he had to do was say, "give him a pass," and it would have been done.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Couldn't have said it better myself. This is exactly what happened, Encyclopedia.
T
The Ghost of Common
Guest
Been watching the A&E episodes on Sundays before football.
God I miss this show
I never realized all the things you pick up on the second time through. You learn so much more about everyone's character, personality, etc - especially Tony's.
God I miss this show
I never realized all the things you pick up on the second time through. You learn so much more about everyone's character, personality, etc - especially Tony's.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Interesting. I never saw it that way, but I can't disagree. I always saw it as Tony leaving the decision to Ralph. But reading this post, I think it's obvious that Tony wanted Jackie dead.Couldn't have said it better myself. This is exactly what happened, Encyclopedia.
regularguy
Footballguy
Been watching the A&E episodes on Sundays before football.God I miss this showI never realized all the things you pick up on the second time through. You learn so much more about everyone's character, personality, etc - especially Tony's.
TV hasn't been the same since.
RBM
Footballguy
Been watching the A&E episodes on Sundays before football.God I miss this showI never realized all the things you pick up on the second time through. You learn so much more about everyone's character, personality, etc - especially Tony's.
Noticed the same thing. And after watching again, I was def too harsh on the Blundetto season. It was better than I initially thought. But I still hold strong on the Kevin Finnerty episodes being horrible.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I thought that season (5) was easily the third best, behind only 1 & 2.Been watching the A&E episodes on Sundays before football.God I miss this showNoticed the same thing. And after watching again, I was def too harsh on the Blundetto season. It was better than I initially thought.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
First episode ever is on A&E right now.
Third
Footballguy
I absolutely love mob movies . . . hands down my favorite genre. Yet I've never watched an episode of The Sopranos. It is almost sinful that I've not made a point to watch what many call the greatest television series in history.
Anyone know the cheapest place to order the entire series on DVD?
Anyone know the cheapest place to order the entire series on DVD?
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
You what I can't get out of my head? That band singing Jewish songs from the wedding episode where Feech steals the expensive Mercedes.Simi tov and mazel tov and simi tov and mazel tov Simi tov and mazel tov and simi tov and mazel tovSimi tov and mazel tov and simi tov and mazel tov Heyyyyy lahhhhhhnuuuuuuuuu
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
The cheapest used would be eBay. New would either likely be Costco or Amazon.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
BTW, pay attention to Gandolfini's sessions with Melfi in this episode.
He talks like Gandolfini instead of the heavy "Jersey Tony" accent.
He talks like Gandolfini instead of the heavy "Jersey Tony" accent.
desert rose
Footballguy
A friend of mine was really into the Sopranos and was always nagging me to watch it. I said that I didn't like mobster stories and wouldn't enjoy it and didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a show I'd probably hate. He said he'd lend them to me. Well, I have seasons 1 & 2, and watched them. But now he just makes every excuse to not let me borrow them, or just sits there silently when I ask about them and refuses to answer. Pisses me off!
I wish I never heard of
the ####ing Sopranos!!!
I wish I never heard of
the ####ing Sopranos!!!
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Watched the "In Camelot".
Is there a more loathed episode?
I recall on this board several pages declaring that this was such a terrible episode that they had forever given up on the show.
Tony dealing with the goomar of his father.
But I always liked this episode. Tony watching "Cannon", notwithstanding.
I enjoyed insight into "Johnny Boy" Soprano.
Is there a more loathed episode?
I recall on this board several pages declaring that this was such a terrible episode that they had forever given up on the show.
Tony dealing with the goomar of his father.
But I always liked this episode. Tony watching "Cannon", notwithstanding.
I enjoyed insight into "Johnny Boy" Soprano.
Last edited by a moderator:
pricklypete
Footballguy
The reason I hated it is because the old lady was so annoying. Old bag still thought she was hot and I found it quite disgusting.
I wasn't able to achieve an erection for 2 months after she did her creepy Happy Birthday, Mr. President song.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
pricklypete said:
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Easily the worst episode of the entire series. It had its moments, but it just had a weird feel. Even the parts with Christopher and J.T. just seemed a little off. Overall, a very forgettable episode; probably the only one I can say that about in the whole series, except for maybe "Chasing It," too.Encyclopedia Brown said:
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Lots of short memories up in here. As bad as "In Camelot" was, it was Godfather II compared to "Christopher" ... the episode which was an hour-long Italian history lesson dressed up as a Sopranos episode. Iron Eyes Cody... Columbus Day.... UGHHHHHHHH. Unwatchable.Ghost Rider said:
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Oh, my memory isn't short! I know almost every episode pretty well.
"Christopher" would be probably 3rd worst, for sure, after the two I already mentioned. The last scene, with Tony and Sil going back and forth in the car, is pretty great, though. "He was gay, Gary Cooper?" "NO!!"
"Christopher" would be probably 3rd worst, for sure, after the two I already mentioned. The last scene, with Tony and Sil going back and forth in the car, is pretty great, though. "He was gay, Gary Cooper?" "NO!!"
Last edited by a moderator:
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Explain money laundering to me as if I'm someone who would ever have enough money that I'd need it laundered.
In the Pine Barrens episode (or maybe the episode before it), Tony twice brings cash to Slava to have laundered. First he hands him a bag containing $250K in cash, the second time he gives him $200K. Slava says something to the effect of "the money will be sent to Moscow, then.... clean as whistle."
So what exactly happens from the point that Tony gives him the bag?
Specifically, what does Slava get out of it?
What is involved in the actual laundering process?
How will Tony be able to "use" this cash without raising red flags?
Etc.
In the Pine Barrens episode (or maybe the episode before it), Tony twice brings cash to Slava to have laundered. First he hands him a bag containing $250K in cash, the second time he gives him $200K. Slava says something to the effect of "the money will be sent to Moscow, then.... clean as whistle."
So what exactly happens from the point that Tony gives him the bag?
Specifically, what does Slava get out of it?
What is involved in the actual laundering process?
How will Tony be able to "use" this cash without raising red flags?
Etc.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I assumed that this was the definition (from Wikipedia)One method of keeping this small change private would be for an individual to give money to an intermediary who is already legitimately taking in large amounts of cash. The intermediary would then deposit that money into an account, take a premium, and write a cheque to the individual. Thus, the individual draws no attention to himself, and can deposit his cheque into a bank account without drawing suspicion. This works well for one-off paper trail and could raise suspicion.
bicycle_seat_sniffer
Smells like chicken
laudering is a way to get large amounts of ill-legit cash into a legit business then that business deposits it into a bank or other financial institution.
Try walking into a bank with like 10k in cash and see what they do
Try walking into a bank with like 10k in cash and see what they do
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
You don't walk into a bank with $10K. You walk in with $9K.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Okay, so then couldn't the IRS ask Slava what Tony did for him which warranted such a big pay day?It seems like a slippery slope no matter how you cut it. Don't forget what landed Capone in jail.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
You set up some kind of dummy company. You put cash in. You collect salary or payment for "services rendered" or something.
videoguy505
Footballguy
Capone got jailed for not reporting and paying taxes on the income. The laundering makes it all money that can be reported and taxed without having to admit to the underlying crime.Say Tony takes a half-mil payday as his cut of a drug deal. He can't turn over 33% to the IRS no questions asked, they're going to want to know how he got the money, even if just to make sure no other taxes are owed on it. He can't say how he got the money without incriminating himself.Raider Nation said:
So he gives the $500K to an intermediary. Say someone who owns a high-cash business like a restaurant/bar. That person says the bar just had great sales, an extra $10K a month for 50 months let's say. All in cash. Maybe they sold a lot of Zima at higher prices or something or took in extra tips or started charging for karaoke or whatever. Point is, a lot of cash came in, and the cash is untraceable any further back in the lines of transaction. Obviously the restaurant/bar is going to have to show some further info if the feds really looked into it (can't claim they sold 50,000 Zimas if they only had 10 cases on hand), but, for the sake of arguement, now this money is somewhat "clean", as in, it's entered a legal business as cashflow in. The IRS can tax it and can get an answer as to where it came from.
Now the bar/restaurant owner contracts Tony for some service, say, putting ads on his dump trucks or something, and pays him a fee. Most launderers pay back 50%. So the owner sends Tony a check for $250,000. Tony reports this to the feds as well as cashflow into his truck business. Whatever's left after taxes goes into Tony's pocket as cash.
The restaurant owner is on the hook for paying his share of the tax on the extra $500,000 of fictional sales. Whatever's left of his half, $250,000, after those taxes are paid is his cut of the deal, so that's what's in it for him. Launderers charge a fee for their service.
Part of taking a stake in joints like the Bing and Artie Bucco's is to provide a front for doing small laundering without needing to contract a launderer who'll take half. Dumping $10K into Bucco's every other month is no big deal.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Nice, VG. Thanks.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
January 10th was the ten year anniversary of the "Sopranos" debut.
I remember seeing the show and thinking: "is that guy Travolta chucked headfirst down the stairs in Get Shorty?
I remember seeing the show and thinking: "is that guy Travolta chucked headfirst down the stairs in Get Shorty?
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Now playing on A&E....... Jackie Jr.'s last stand.
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
Playing chess with the kid always gets me.I'm not one to usually notice "flaws" in scenes, but they do a wide-shot of Jackie walking and there is no snow anywhere around him, yet when Vito clips him Jackie falls into a snowbank.Now playing on A&E....... Jackie Jr.'s last stand.
RBM
Footballguy
What an ending to that episode.
Darth Cheney
Footballguy
He deals with Slava (instead of one of his own) because the money can go back to Moscow....a government that is not exactly unsympathetic to the interests of organized crime. It bypasses all Federal government involvement. The idea of "things used to be better" was a concept that was in the background of the entire run of The Sopranos. Tony at times talked about the lack of good men in the business anymore....but the reality is is that the Italian culture assimilated. Such as the Italians pushed the Irish out of organized crime at the turn of the century...other ethnic groups coming to this country are pushing the Italians out. That was one of the things I think Chase didn't utilize properly....the push of Russians and more importantly ex-KGB into the American organized crime arena at the expense of The Mafia.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Remember when Ralphie was showing Jackie Jr. his "pasta technique'...? I tried it tonight. 
Gotta say, it worked great.
For those who don't remember, you drain the pasta when it's done. Then you put some butter and gravy (or "sauce" for the Meddigan in the crowd
) back into the pan where the pasta was boiling, then throw the pasta back in and stir it all up for 45 seconds. Theory being that the spaghetti will absorb the gravy better that way, and damned if it didn't work. You know how sometimes when you get near the middle of the bowl, you've run out of sauce? Not when you do it this way. So simple, yet I never tried it before.
Gotta say, it worked great.
For those who don't remember, you drain the pasta when it's done. Then you put some butter and gravy (or "sauce" for the Meddigan in the crowd
) back into the pan where the pasta was boiling, then throw the pasta back in and stir it all up for 45 seconds. Theory being that the spaghetti will absorb the gravy better that way, and damned if it didn't work. You know how sometimes when you get near the middle of the bowl, you've run out of sauce? Not when you do it this way. So simple, yet I never tried it before. Darth Cheney
Footballguy
LOL we've done that since that episode.Remember when Ralphie was showing Jackie Jr. his "pasta technique'...? I tried it tonight.Gotta say, it worked great.For those who don't remember, you drain the pasta when it's done. Then you put some butter and gravy (or "sauce" for the Meddigan in the crowd
Adebisi
Footballguy
Why the sad banana? Of all the characters who were ever on that show, I think I hated Jackie Jr the most. Only Janice came close.Now playing on A&E....... Jackie Jr.'s last stand.
