Did he say that he deliberately provoked him? I thought when he retold the story he made himself sound innocent. As if Tony just about assaulted him. I didn’t really get that part. Guy better watch who he’s messing with before he catches a crowbar in the back of the head.
I think Elliott was provoking Tony too. . .but when he told the story to Dr. Melfi, he did make himself out to be innocent. But did he know it was Tony Soprano he was crowding? I wonder.
I don’t know about Ralphie. When Johnny Sack gets whacked (and he will, I know he will), that ought to end the current problem between Johnny and Ralphie. Remember, both Ralphie and Johnny are made guys and to zip a made guy on the orders of a (now-dead) underboss with no official sanction is suicide.
Carmine sanctioned the hit on Johnny Sack since he doesn’t want a loose cannon running around. But he wants Ralphie in place because he’s a good earner. So Ralphie’s safe for now. But we all know he’ll do something else that will get him in trouble. I think Paulie will have something to do with Ralphie’s eventual downfall, especially once Johnny Sack (his connection to the folks back home) gets whacked.
Although we haven’t yet seen the Russian who Paulie and Christopher failed to kill in the woods last season. . .
And I’m with the faction that sees The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight ending up zipping Tony. He won’t be killed (he’s the franchise player, ferChrissakes!) but it’ll be an interesting plot development. Maybe Uncle June and Silvio are up to something? Silvio has been a bit feisty lately. . .
Is that Russian? 
Elliot has to know who Tony Soprano is, he is counseling Sopranos psychiatrist and they talk about him all the time ! He’s never seen Tony’s picture on the news ?
As for the old geezer hitmen, remember that the hit will take place in Rhode Island at a certain location. They aren’t going to mistake Tony Soprano for Johnny Sack because Soprano won’t be anywhere near where the hit is taking place. Furthermore I think the photo is being overanalyised but I can also see it being left behind an incriminating spot…
This show is boring me to tears, reading this thread was more interesting than the last 3 episodes combined !
I don’t think they’ll hit Johnny Sack. The minute he agreed to fly right, the need to kill him was gone. Unless they lose contact with the hillbilly hitmen and they do it any way.
I think Ralphie is going to go. He’s just way too annoying to live.
Regarding the Italian? music from Furio’s party/the Sopranos bedroom, I thought the director played that for comedy pretty well.
Tony and Carmela are getting into in bed, the music starts in, you’re thinking it’s in Carmela’s head. Then she gets up and yells at Meadow for playing it too loud. Meadow leaves. Back in bed, resume foreplay, the music starts again, this time in Carmela’s head.
I think he was having some fun with the “audience hearing what the character is thinking” convention.
But I think Dr. Melfi doesn’t reveal who her client is. I could be wrong about this but I thought she only spoke in general terms about him. Remember, Elliott thought Tony was a parent or “more likely” a maintenance worker at the school.
And I don’t think he was deliberately provoking Tony. Tony’s a big boy and could easily kick the crap out of Elliott. There’s no point in provoking a big guy in a garage. And if he did know who Tony is, provoking him is even dumber.
I thought this last episode was pretty good. The one before was awful. I understand Michael Imperioli had a message, but he didn’t have to present it in such a heavy-handed way. It was like watching really bad community theater.
No, she let it slip in season 2 or 3. Elliott’s reaction was, IIRC, “I always thought it was that other one, Little Augie Aprille.”
As a matter of fact, she even identified Tony by name (calling him “Soprano”) in the episode aired on 10/6.