# Sopranos: 4/23 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 24, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921 "2006-04-24T02:04:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/21 "2006-04-24T04:04:34Z")
Chris should have known that as well… but he ain’t the brightest tool in the shed. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/22 "2006-04-24T04:07:12Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] (Tidbit for the day…S.W.A.G. stands for So What Another Giveaway. Forgot where I picked that up) [/QUOTE] Does it? I thought this was one of those cases where someone took a word and turned it in an acronym by assigning a word to each letter. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/23 "2006-04-24T04:15:03Z")
[QUOTE=MLS] I know this is fiction and all, but is rabbit that is not raised domestically safe to eat? I thought there was some sort of disease that they carried. [/QUOTE] There is a hunting season for rabbits in most states. Wild rabbits are as safe to eat as any other wild game… it depends on where they live and what they eat and how they are harvested AND cleaned that determines their safety. By the way, those legs in the pan looked more like chicken than rabbit. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/24 "2006-04-24T04:18:55Z")
It seems that Phil Leotardo is getting more involved with the NJ gang. That has to come to a head. He doesn’t like Tony and may start to feel that he doesn’t need Johnny. ---
**Author:** ![Stinkum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Stinkum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stinkum)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/25 "2006-04-24T04:27:09Z")
Lauren Bacall getting mugged was great, but Ms. Bacall saying the F-word TWICE is what left me on the floor. I was hoping she’d punch him back . . . I could tell this was something of a “resting” episode. Lots of character, but no movement forward, really. Except that Benny-Artie dust-up that is going to come back and bite both of them in the butts. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/26 "2006-04-24T06:08:00Z")
That rabbit got what was coming to it. I actually liked this episode. Chris falling off the wagon and totally losing it in LA? Awesome. And I absolutely believe that Sir Ben knows exactly who Chris and Murmur are. Some nobody with no connections scores a meeting with one of the most revered actors in the business? I think he’s a bright boy and put two and two together. And that “fuhhhhhh-k” was classic. Anyone notice David Chase on the plane across from the Italians? I’m actually glad that the Vito storyline got a rest this week. A lot of seeds planted in this ep. Benny vs. Artie is previewing Chrissy vs. Tony. Phil and the crew still have a hard-on for Vito (no pun intended) - Tony’s letting it ride, that’s going to be a problem. Those “goodies” Chrissy smacked Lauren Bacall for? Only a matter of time 'til someone in the family gets those tickets and links Chris (and the family) to the crime. The Muslim guys? Clearly up to some very bad doings indeed with those credit cards. Not sure why there’s so much disdain for Artie. I feel very badly for him. Totally fucked over and bullied all his life by his “friends” like Tony. He finally grew a pair in this episode and beat the living fuck out of Benny - complete punk-assed bastard, can’t believe he had the nerve to fleece one of the boss’ friends’ businesses! He did a great job of portraying a guy who’s had it, and finally stops giving a fuck about caution and the bullying. Artie’s living balls out, which might be how he ends up… somehow I think Benny isn’t going to be satisfied with just maiming Mr. Bucco. Pretty cool preview. AJ takes his first steps into the mobworld maybe? And fucks it up completely? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/27 "2006-04-24T06:23:34Z")
[QUOTE=Hippy Hollow] Those “goodies” Chrissy smacked Lauren Bacall for? Only a matter of time 'til someone in the family gets those tickets and links Chris (and the family) to the crime. [/quote] Tony nearly had a big problem with stolen plane tickets back in the first season. Would they really revisit that? I don’t hate Artie either. ‘Dr. Tony’ was right about his self-pity problems, but even if he’s whiny, he’s not a bad guy. I almost always feel sorry for him when he turns up. And hey, Benny’s a dick. When that fight happened, though, I said he was going to get himself killed, and rubbing salt in the wound when he was supposed to be apologizing? Very funny, but bad news for him. Especially since Benny reminds me of Joe Pesci in _Goodfellas_. By the way: I’m not in love with my boss or anything, but if somebody ran after him and stuck his hand in a pot of boiling sauce, I’d at least make a move to help. Pull the guy off him or grab him as he tries to leave- something! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/28 "2006-04-24T06:31:41Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Tony nearly had a big problem with stolen plane tickets back in the first season. Would they really revisit that? [/QUOTE] I meant to add that this episode really had that “one-off” feel to it, like Pine Barrens. I don’t think the particulars are going to come up again. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/29 "2006-04-24T07:01:07Z")
I liked the episode and assumed it was a way for the Artie Bucco character to have one more moment in the sun. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/30 "2006-04-24T07:45:59Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] By the way: I’m not in love with my boss or anything, but if somebody ran after him and stuck his hand in a pot of boiling sauce, I’d at least make a move to help. Pull the guy off him or grab him as he tries to leave- something! [/QUOTE] Indeed. Artie’s staff must really despise him. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/31 "2006-04-24T11:55:23Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] I meant to add that this episode really had that “one-off” feel to it, like Pine Barrens. I don’t think the particulars are going to come up again. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I agree. Just a chance to do something different, have a little humor. When Artie started cooking at the end, I took that as a sign from the writers, “ok, all things brought up in regard to this are now resolved”. I think the LA stuff was just for some humor and maybe to put an end to the “Chris and his screenplay” story. They tossed in a couple nuggets for the ongoing storylines, but this was a throwaway episode, and the worst of the season. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/32 "2006-04-24T12:27:24Z")
[QUOTE=marymargaret] Interesting theory. [/QUOTE] Well, I was mostly joking but it could be a subconscious urge he is acting out without even being fully cognizant of the fact himself. He is not happy with his life, that much is apparent. All of my prior conjecture in this post is pure BS and I realize this was just a small little subplot this week, mostly for humor. Just running out some cheap novel analysis [QUOTE=Marley23] Especially since Benny reminds me of Joe Pesci in Goodfellas. [/QUOTE] I started calling Benny, Pesci Jr., my wife and I think he looks related. Jim ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/33 "2006-04-24T12:32:09Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Any guess about what the Big Store on 57th street would be? I know its not Macy’s. Could be Hammacher Sclemmer. [/QUOTE] I’m gonna say the Tourneau Store, since the guy was showing off a watch. Besides, I’ve driven 57th from 3rd to 9th many times and don’t recall a HS being there ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/34 "2006-04-24T12:35:19Z")
Question: are there only two Italian restaurants in all of northern New Jersey? That’s the impresion I got from last night’s episode. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/35 "2006-04-24T12:40:30Z")
I got interrupted a couple times toward the end … did Tony clearly tell Bennie not to kill Artie? Assuming so, that’s strike 2 toward the “Tony is too weak we need to depose him” push. Strike 1 being not going after Vito. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/36 "2006-04-24T12:42:15Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] Did David Chase says, “Ms. Bacall, we want Christopher to pop you one right in the kisser,” or did she say, “Hey, if I’m gonna be on the Sopranos, I want to get roughed up!” The whole idea is pretty hilarious. Makes me like Kingsley and Bacall even more than I already do. [/QUOTE] I said this same thing, sort of. I pictured Chase and Kingsley at lunch when Lauren Bacall walks by, sees them and sits herself right down, INSISTING she wants to be in the Sopranos too. > [@Rilchiam](#): > > Indeed. Artie’s staff must really despise him. This was just after the meeting where he went apeshit because he’s getting ripped off, right? I think I’d have to resist the urge to applaud, wait for Bennie to leave, grab Artie and marinate the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_Handle_the_Truth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/37 "2006-04-24T12:49:32Z")
Artie made a mistake in not killing Benny. “Never leave an enemy alive” – Chaka Zulu ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/38 "2006-04-24T12:53:10Z")
[QUOTE=anyrose] I’m gonna say the Tourneau Store, since the guy was showing off a watch. Besides, I’ve driven 57th from 3rd to 9th many times and don’t recall a HS being there [/QUOTE] HS use to be on 57th but they could be long gone. It was a very big store. Is Tourneau a large store? [QUOTE=elmwood] Question: are there only two Italian restaurants in all of northern New Jersey? That’s the impresion I got from last night’s episode. [/QUOTE] 😃 , You can trip over the Italian Restaurants in North Jersey. I’m just shocked any of them would be considered better than Brooklyn. [QUOTE=What the … !!!] I got interrupted a couple times toward the end … did Tony clearly tell Bennie not to kill Artie? Assuming so, that’s strike 2 toward the “Tony is too weak we need to depose him” push. Strike 1 being not going after Vito. [/QUOTE] Tony made it clear, but Benny was very much in the wrong leading to his beating. He knows Artie is Tony’s best friend outside the “Family”. Stealing the Credit Card numbers from his restaurant could rightfully get Benny “Retired”. Jim ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/39 "2006-04-24T13:00:10Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Question: are there only two Italian restaurants in all of northern New Jersey? That’s the impresion I got from last night’s episode. [/QUOTE] LOL! It did seem kind of strange didn’t it? I wonder if Da Giovanni was run by a friend of some mob guy, because it would seem to me that the NY mob would have a similar friendship built up over the years with an Italian Restaurant as Tony has with Artie. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921/40 "2006-04-24T13:31:17Z")
I could be wrong, but I don’t think Bennie has been “made”, so popping him one in the mouth isn’t the same as popping Paulie. Tony also reminded Bennie about passing up Tony’s cut, which put Bennie on the defensive. That said, I was wondering if Artie was going to make it to the end of the episode. Martina was 100% right about Artie’s motives, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-4-23/353921.md?page=3)