What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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I thought that one of the more interesting subplots of this season was unveiled in "JohnnyCakes", when Patsie and the other thug were trying to solicit new business.

In their first scene in the coffeeshop, they received some lessons in how franchises operate. Most all of those places protect against theft through computerized data collection. Patsie told the guy that his coffee outlet was in a transitional neighborhood, and that they still have marginal types who live there. I think the writers here are trying to indicate on a bigger level that the mob is on the down-swing. I remember reading in another thread that Tony has stated that he had gotten his place as boss in a historically low ebb in mafia or cosa nostra activities. Can someone shed some light on this?? Were they trying to tell us that the glory days of the mob are in the rear-view mirror??

In the second scene, we are told that a neighborhood mainstay has sold out to someone else. This particular place looked like an old-style, around-the-corner market. It might have been in the family a few generations, and would have fit right in in Godfather 2 in early-Vito era New York/New Jersey. This over-riding theme is all-too common for many mom and pop stores who cannot afford to compete versus Wal-Mart today.

Has the continued corporatization of America spelled doom for Patsie? I like his character, and root for anyone in the original cast. I think it was the pilot episode where Big P*ssy and Paulie were in the coffee shop talking about the currrent state of corporate America and its relation to their business. The mention in "JohnnyCakes" about the corporate headquarters being in Seattle was I'm sure in reference to mega-giant Franchiser Starbucks. Any thoughts one way or another?

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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not for patsy, rather for tony, imho he has sold out his past and his life because he was horny. the poultry was from his family and regardind the importance of eggs in the sopranos he has sold something really important and is getting really angry when he sees what he has done, he immediately wants smoked turkey from the poultry, but fitting to the situation there is none.guy sold his soul and patsy which was brought to the neighbourhood through tony complains.
at the same time aj had a panic attack, tonys panic attack didnt come with an unconsciousness but with an absolutely failure.after having spewed that indian note around and slapping people for losing their focus he has lost it totally.

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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<hr />I got the feeling this was more about David Chase's life saga and how all people come towards the end of their lives carrying the realization that things around them are changing and they recognize in themselves the same things they used to criticise old people for.

It was a feeling of inevitable change and acceptance. But how that fits into the storyline of this season? I have no idea.




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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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It seems to me that the changing nature of the neighborhood is part of or even somewhat informing Tony in his own altered state. That the old methods and time tested activities are changing the mobster life certainly echo back to Tony's comments from the very first episode - he came in at the wrong time.

Also, I thought it interesting that they throw this idea out there during the same episode that we see AJ relate to the movie world mafia rather than the real one. Again, this echos past sentiments that mobsters today want to act like those they have seen in Goodfellas or The Godfather films rather than actual past figures.

Both speak to the idea that came from Tony in his first session with Melfi, and both are certainly playing on his mind now - with AJ it was hard to miss, but with the neighborhood, I found the old woman to be the best sign of it - Tony realizes his initial thoughts are truer than he ever thought they were and this realization perhaps makes him even more disgusted at himself.

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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i think a big part of it was the filthy mouth of the neighborhood lady he was talking to. She reminded me at the start of the scene of the Godfather movie scene when Vito's wife brings the neighbor lady who is being evicted. But she's actually nothing like that woman - this one has got a big, nasty mouth.

Tony was shocked by her on some level I think. When he saw her the second time I think he was thinking, "If she represents the neighborhood, then let it go."

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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<hr /><blockquote>Quote:<hr>"If she represents the neighborhood, then let it go." <hr></blockquote>

Did you get the feeling that part of that was caused by her asking Tony to say hello to his Uncle Junior?

When she first started talking to him, I got the feeling he might actually try to help her. Then she had some kind words to say about Junior. Tony may have grown a little in some ways since the shooting. But he's got a long way to go before there is any mercy for Junior.

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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<blockquote>Quote:<hr>When she first started talking to him, I got the feeling he might actually try to help her. Then she had some kind words to say about Junior. Tony may have grown a little in some ways since the shooting. But he's got a long way to go before there is any mercy for Junior<hr></blockquote>

I agree. I think that in itself was his revulsion at the sound of Junior's name. He is miles of feeling merciful in that sense, will barely even acknowledge what happened. Hence Melfi's comment to her shrink that she felt it's only a matter of time before he decompensates (refer to separate thread, "it's not omerta, it's something else). This is the something else.

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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What does Tony think about Junior though?

Do you think Tony still loves his uncle and just thinks he is nuts and forgives him because he is nuts?

Or.........

Does Tony think Junior is just playing the "Im crazy" card and its all a big act?

Just curious on what everyones thoughts are.

Junior has always come across a bit paranoid and a crotchety old man but sometimes I wonder if this is all an act too?

He didnt know who Tony was in his house the night he was shot and thought he was that Pussy Malenga guy but he had no trouble recognizing AJ at all...............

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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well, that night he had something like a seizure, like when he was walking around in town in his piyama.wasnt there something with his pills that day too?
i think though it is by purpose that it is not made really clear for the the viewer if he was pure evil or pure idiot that moment...soo basically each can have an opinion, its pointless though, we are all mixed up just like tony.

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Re: What the ___ is happening to this neighborhood?

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The changing neighborhood, the national corportations with their financial controls, the real estate deal, the changes of old factories into condos all are examples of the way things are changing over the last 20 years for everybody's life as well as the Mafia's. The growth of leaglized gaming with strict regulation to keep out the mob (Atlantic City, Indian run casinos) has taken away a major source of income for the mob. Same with the garbage business going to huge corporations rather than family owned ones.
To me a theme of this episode is about the how the mob is having difficulties in adopting those to those changes or that it cannot and will die.

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