YOU'VE STILL GOT THAT SHOTGUN SHINE

It's been a few years since I've brought up The Sopranos in this space, but then it's been a few years since there have been new episodes to talk about. I probably should have spent some of this time re-watching the first five seasons via Netflix — when Lillo Brancato was arrested recently, I had to think about it for awhile before I realized who he played — but as a fan, it's basically easier to forget the show exists than to agonize over the months, counting down to the next season, which for quite awhile there didn't seem like it was coming back.

Next Sunday it's on again, for at least a few months. Don't expect the Canard itself to become Sopranoland; I'll mostly be satisfying my jones online at TWoP. But then when something really big happens, well, I've been known to dwell on the really big, series-changing whackings, and with the show now heading into the home stretch, it could be almost anybody.

That point was driven home in a cover story in last week's New York magazine, which outlined the "Big Pussy rule" i.e. it's official policy that "no one lives forever," elicited David Chase's explanation of how he breaks the news to the actors, and how the cast assembles at a New York restaurant to toast departing colleagues at "whacking parties." Supposedly the author was present at one of these events, or was at least at the same restaurant with some of the cast members. And you could say they were on edge about their potential unemployment:

Maybe it’s the wine, maybe the late hour, but suddenly a lot of silver linings are being manufactured. As the waiters bring a round of espresso, [Tony "Paulie Walnuts" Sirico] grabs me by the arm and shoots me the sort of unhinged look — eyes flaring, jaw trembling — that I’ve seen his character give many a marked man before pulling the trigger. “Let me just say this,” he says. “For those of us who survive this year, we have the chance of coming back. That’s profound, you hear that?” His eyes scan his fellow soldiers, one at a time, in a gesture so over-the-top that no one dares interrupt him. “For those of us who don’t survive, there’s no coming back.”

An uncomfortable silence follows. Finally, it’s [Joe "Vito Spatafore" Gannascoli] who timidly raises his hand. “You never know,” he says. “There’s always a dream sequence.”

True, but somehow I'm guessing Tony isn't going to get all weepy if he has to pull the trigger on Paulie. And I doubt I'd be as shocked as I was last season, but I'd miss him.

Related and also worth checking out is the article where six writers imagine how the show will end. One or two are dumb, but they're generally pretty good. Me, I'm going with a combination of the Meadow scenario and one of the Moltisanti theories.

So I'll put my pet theory on the record — in the trailer, you've got Christopher talking about his loyalty to Tony as if it's troubling him. It sure might be after last season, but I'm not sold on the idea that he'll blame Tony for Adriana's death — after all, he's the one who turned her in. No, I say look further back. Specifically, to the first episode of season four, where Tony pointed Christopher toward the cop he said was responsible for the death of Christopher's father, Dickie Moltisanti. Later that episode, Chrissy shoots the man to death in his apartment, with Magnum P.I. in the background. Now, I don't believe the elder Moltisanti has ever been portrayed in the series, as Tony's father has — but Tony has talked of him as his mentor. I'm sure there's a fatal flaw in my theory, I'm guessing maybe Tony was responsible for the death of Richard Moltisanti. As we learned back when Jackie Jr. was still above ground, Tony got his start in the family business fairly young — maybe early enough to have this secret* in his past. And maybe Christopher has to kill Tony, and maybe the series ends with Chris running the family. Wouldn't that be appropriately epic? Oedipal even, therefore Greek, classically tragic.

And I dunno what happens with Meadow, I'm just saying now that A.J.'s long-expected descent into thug life looks nigh, his death might not be shocking and unthinkable enough to destroy Tony and Carmela. Whack Meadow or put her away for life? Is David Chase that cruel? Yeah, I think he might be.


Anyway, if you've gotten this far, go ahead and click on the image above — that goes to the extended trailer for the coming season, including footage of Ben Kingsley (whom I believe is playing a fictionalized version of himself), Hal Holbrook (who has been old since before I was born), several beatings, shootings and stabbings, and some interiors at the Bada Bing (therefore, NSFW). Like the shorter version this one resembles, it makes effective use of that Nine Inch Nails B-side. And it rewards multiple viewings, yet gives nothing away. Perfect.

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*One problem known unknown: who else would hold the secret? Silvio seems most likely, but then Hesh was big back in that era, and Hesh doesn't have nearly enough to do as it is.

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posted by WWB at 5:59 PM |