Right now, that’s nobody. Considering that Tony dicked Johnny over at the end of last season, if he comes out on top over Little Carmine (and I say he does–I still say we see little Carmine face down in a pool by mid-season) Feech might find a sympathetic ear for revenge.
Maybe, but part of the justification for doing it was that Carmine was old and would probably keel over soon anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.
Oh, and I think the guidance counselor should probably have a talk with that Commissioner (or whatever he was) who started going out with Irina not too long after Tony dumped her. (You’ll recall, Tony acted all nonchalant about it, wished him well, then went to her house later and beat the shit out of him.)
I’ve been thinking about what they’re setting up with Buscemi, but I think there’s a lot of very subtle foreshadowing going on. With Uncle Junior soon to be gone and Tony’s powerbase eroding, starting with the family, I wonder if the stage is set for a big power struggle. Maybe UJ will name Tony B as his successor?
That brings up an interesting point. The last couple of seasons there’s been hints of Paulie going to work for Johnny Sack if circumstances were right. I’m thinking the next time Tony goes off on Paulie for doing one of his patented “stupid things,” we may see another private lunch between Paulie and Johnny. Wonder how that’d play out.
Junior’s in no position to name anyone. He can’t even tell the difference between himself and Larry David. He’s boss in name only, and everyone knows it.
I don’t think Tony’s power base is eroding at all. There’s a lot of conflict, but that’s mostly happening in the NY mob. Johnny Sack may have been a threat before, but now he’s got enough trouble with a headless, fragmented family. But everyone in NJ respects Tony (even if you take into account the number of rats that have popped up lately. There are always gonna be rats).
I dunno. It might be that Tony is acting boss, but UJ is still the head of the family. In his confused state, who knows what he’ll do. And I think Tony’s inability to keep his own family together is not gaining him any respect. Screw around all you like, but always keep the family together. His captains are gunning for a position, the thing about people laughing at his jokes, just because they’re afraid of him - to me it spells a set up where Tony B challanges him for power, and he might get a lot of guys on board. I have a hard time believeing that they brought Buscemi on to be a massage therapist, especially since he’s directed episodes before, and I doubt Buscemi needs the work. Who knows what goes on during those massage sessions… I bet we’re going to find out pretty soon. And I think Tony is heading for a big fall.
Well, who’s to say that he has any idea how hardcore Tony really is? Furio knew, all right, but the counselor might dismiss anything he’s heard as “just gossip…I’m too openminded to judge anyone.”
I doubt it. They pretty much resolved this thread of the story. If I remember right, JS was supposed to be putting in the good word for Paulie with Carmine. Paulie went to see Carmine in one episode when he was upset with Tony. Carmine didn’t even know who Paulie was. It looked like it was a wakeup call. Paulie finished the episode by going and making nice with Tony. He’s been pretty straight with Tony since.
As far as Tony B, he seemed to have some affection for Feech. I think it was Feech that was fronting him for the poker game. I could see Feech trying to get Tony B back in the game to turn him on Tony S.
Johnny Sack was Carmine’s number 1. Carmine was head of the NY family. In northern NJ, Silvio is number 1 and Tony’s the head. Uncle Junior knew this, but was allowed to be seen as the head of the family for the Feds. What UJ knows now depends on whether he’s on his meds or not.
Johnny Sack needed to be very, very careful about replacing a family head. He went to Tony for backing - to avoid a war and to allow Sack to ascend to the head of the family after the whacking. If Tony accepted Carmine as the boss, they figured the others would also (the idea being that these are the two prominent families).
Feech, from what I could tell, is a made man and possibly a former capo, but I doubt the later. More likely, he’s a ranking lieutenant at best. Whacking a made man, even for a boss, has its drawbacks. Remember, Tony got grief from Silvio when he slugged Joey Pants for killing the pregnant dancer. It’s not something the head would likely do without support from his captains.