The Funeral

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With the death of Don Carmine came a scene that hints of much to come...

First off: What's up with that woman Lorraine? Who is she? Have we seen her/heard of her before?

Second: Well, now that Carmine is dead, there is a bit of a power vaccuum, yeah? A War of the Italian Succession is about to commence. Johnny seems to be the next boss, based on all the "respect" given him at the funeral (Funny, it's Carmine's funeral and, instead of people mourning, all these guys are congratulating the heir to the throne, Jonny Sac), but I'm sure Carmine Jr. (and maybe a third party?) will challenge him.

Third: What was the deal with the crucifix? I mean was the beef only written in to show the conflict between John and Carmine Jr., or does the type of metal used actually signify something?

Another thing about this funeral that I noticed. On a similar note to people's lack of respect for Carmine, don't you find the callousness and lack of compassion exhibited by Soprano mafiosos at funerals rather disgusting? At many wakes on the show, we see mobsters cracking jokes, talking on cell phones, and doing other things most people would not do at a funeral. I suppose we are supposed to see their actions as indicative of their lack of values and morals, which I guess I understand...I just don't see at as very realistic. Mobsters seem to be rather traditional, no?



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Re: The Funeral

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<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Another thing about this funeral that I noticed. On a similar note to people's lack of respect for Carmine, don't you find the callousness and lack of compassion exhibited by Soprano mafiosos at funerals rather disgusting? At many wakes on the show, we see mobsters cracking jokes, talking on cell phones, and doing other things most people would not do at a funeral.<hr></blockquote>

The reason that you always see this behavior at a Mob funeral is due to the fact that a funeral is seen as a place to network and what place is better than a funeral which will not only bring out those who were in the dead Made man's family but also a majority of Made men who are members of other families. Its business as usual, the guy is dead, you've paid your respects now lets find a new way to get some money.This behavior is neither callous or compassionless but just the norm for all the parties involved.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif ALT=":evil">

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandf ... ncarlo>TWO GUNS GIANCARLO</A>
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at: 3/15/04 6:46 pm

Re: The Funeral

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Lorraine Calluzzo, it was the first time we have heard/seen her... She is a bookie...

As far as the wake scene, mabye it's an Italian thing, I don't know, but every wake I have been to, was like that, obviously it is exaggerated on the show. But it is a time that people who haven't seen each other in a long time get together, so it is a social event...

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^...Correct.

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It must be an Italian thing..I come from a large Italian family and had to go through the wake/funeral process twice since early February. It was the same as on TV only people would actually go outside to use the cellphones. But the funeral home was packed, everybody laughing and joking.

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Re: ^...Correct.

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Carmine didn't like the fact that the medal on the rosary was from Opus Dei (something like a cult inside the catholic church). He then said that that John's wife was into opus dei and that John told someone to put it there.

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Re: Comment Responses

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About "Lady Shylock", Lorraine Calluzzo: an interesting title awarded to her (and the whole organized crime money-lending business). If we all went back to our school days, we might recall that in Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, one of the characters is a grasping moneylender named Shylock.

About funeral customs: I think it depends on the family or the accepted local customs, but most Italian wakes and funerals I've been to have been fairly social occasions. We are far-flung these days, so greeting people you haven't seen in a long time with smiles, hugs and laughter isn't unusual or out of place. Also, recalling appropriate and amusing stories about the deceased isn't thought to be disrespectful, especially at wakes. They often comfort the bereaved family, helping them to realize that others besides them remember their loved one and will miss him/her. Even the Roman Catholic funeral Mass has changed over time to place more emphasis on the redemption of the soul and everlasting life in God's grace.

I think everyone would agree that only insensitive slobs would use their cell phones or talk business while at a funeral. It happens that on The Sopranos, those slobs are also our favorite mafiosos. Their behavior really fits their cement shoes.

About Opus Dei: There has been some controversy about this "personal prelature of the Catholic Church", especially among older Catholics and those opposed to the changes made by Vatican II. The bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code has also stirred up discussion about what lay movements like Opus Dei may represent. For Sopranos fans interested in more information about this topic as it relates to its mention in S5E2, click here.

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub132.ezboard.com/bsopranolandf ... kedZiti</A> at: 3/21/04 1:55 pm
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