# Sopranos: 5/14 (Open Spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 15, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787 "2006-05-15T02:11:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/21 "2006-05-15T05:08:07Z")
Tony, to Meadow: “You know who’s good to talk to about dese things?” Me: “Your mother.” Tony: “Your mother.” Well, I liked the episode. It was one sigh-and-drop-head-into-hands moment after another. I like that just as much as a high-speed episode. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/22 "2006-05-15T05:39:58Z")
Next week’s episode is the next to last for this season. Traditionally, that’s when someone gets whacked. Bye bye, Vito. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/23 "2006-05-15T06:50:43Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > I thought they were a little too subtle. Maybe they should have backed the train up and ran it into the tunnel a few more times > 😃 Or considering the eventual status of the relationship a derailing might have been in order. ---
**Author:** ![marymargaret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@marymargaret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marymargaret)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/24 "2006-05-15T11:10:59Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > Oh man, I forgot to mention, this episode had the GREATEST transition!!! > > Vito and Johnnycakes in bed together, Johnnycakes gets behind Vito, then cut to Bobby’s model train going right through a tunnel. > > Priceless. And next time we saw them together, it cut away to Vito sawing wood. I loved those segues. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/25 "2006-05-15T11:41:48Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > It’s possible to fall out of love with someone who once turned you on physically and not want to sleep beside them (or with them) anymore. If your relationship is falling apart, even the sexiest woman is no longer appealing. It doesn’t mean he’s gay. Maybe in real life, but it doesn’t make for as interesting a story-line on the show. It just seems odd that they’d hint at it like that if they didn’t mean to take it there, especially in light of some of the suggestions in the past. I liked this episode. The power-play with Sack-Tony-Phil is getting interesting. I like the Vito storyline. Also, when they cut to Tony at Melfi’s I was thinking, “jesus, this stuff is getting repetitive and old” but when they brought up his relationship with Janice, I thought that was interesting. They definitely softened her up this episode. I thought it was funny when Tony said to Sil, “don’t look at me like that.” Sil had the same look on his face that he’s had every second of the show. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/26 "2006-05-15T12:14:15Z")
And what the hell was going on with the landscaper. I understand why he asked the questions (BTW I didn’t know there was a face for “If I don’t make some money real soon, I’m gonna go bankrupt” I’ll bet Paulie IRL taught him that face) but why was he even in the show? Unless something about the lawn not looking nice at the Sacramoni’s causes a problem, Guess we’ll find out soon. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/27 "2006-05-15T12:20:01Z")
I think it was to show that Tony still has some respect for Johnny, and sympathy for Ginny. The landscaper asked, twice, if he could skip the Sack house on his rounds, and both times Tony told him nothing doing. Why Tony can’t pay him is another matter, of course. And is it me, or does Janice’s baby have an unusually mature face for her age? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/28 "2006-05-15T12:41:26Z")
Can anyone explain to me the deal with the two guys from New Orleans, that Ginny’s brother told Tony about and that Tony passed on? I didn’t catch that at all. The funniest moment was Vito’s internal monologue about the time, and how it must be noon by now- OK, look at your watch- five minutes to 10. Damn it! ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/29 "2006-05-15T12:52:57Z")
> [@McNew](#): > > Can anyone explain to me the deal with the two guys from New Orleans, that Ginny’s brother told Tony about and that Tony passed on? I didn’t catch that at all. I think that Johny had started a trash removal business with New Orleans ties. He wanted to sell his share to get cash, but needed approval from the other guy. They were partners of some sort. It appeared that it was a bad business decision so the guy said, “no”. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/30 "2006-05-15T12:53:26Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I hope all this stuff is going somewhere. More violence, please. That’s precisely why my husband hates the Sopranos. He thinks they should be out there whacking guys all the time. I think he’s seen too many movies. I heard the gay scene was really something. Imus (that jerk) was talking about it this morning. I don’t get HBO anymore, and it’s killing me. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/31 "2006-05-15T13:15:33Z")
I don’t remember the details, but Tony helped out the landscape guy and the payback was that he had to take care of Johnny Sack’s lawn for free in perpetuity. I thought Sack had loaned $50,000 to the New Orleans guys to start a heavy equipment leasing business in exchange for 1/2 of the business. Because of Katrina, they’ve been making money hand over fist. So Sack wanted half out and the guys basically said fuck that, he loaned us $50,000 and that was it. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/32 "2006-05-15T15:01:34Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > Why would even volunteer Fireman let anyone cut power lines without 10,000 volt gloves and boots? They were the secondary feeds for the house, which, by the way, would normally have been three wires instead of two (220v single phase is usually required for clothes dryers and electric stoves), so the voltage per hot wire is only going to be 110. Not that it won’t kill you, but high-voltage gear isn’t necessary. I’m amazed that Vito could get up the ladder; the guy is barely able to walk. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/33 "2006-05-15T15:07:09Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > They were the secondary feeds for the house, which, by the way, would normally have been three wires instead of two (220v single phase is usually required for clothes dryers and electric stoves), so the voltage per hot wire is only going to be 110. Not that it won’t kill you, but high-voltage gear isn’t necessary. I’m amazed that Vito could get up the ladder; the guy is barely able to walk. Sorry, my old navy electrician training kicking in. We had to wear inspected and talcum powdered 10,000 Volt gloves and Rubber Boots before doing emergency work on live voltage. I am surprised the civilian world appears to have more lax safety rules. My BIL worked for Con-Ed for years and he said they had the same requirements. Jim {ex-EM3} ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/34 "2006-05-15T15:49:32Z")
> [@Joey P](#): > > And what the hell was going on with the landscaper. I understand why he asked the questions (BTW I didn’t know there was a face for “If I don’t make some money real soon, I’m gonna go bankrupt” I’ll bet Paulie IRL taught him that face) but why was he even in the show? Unless something about the lawn not looking nice at the Sacramoni’s causes a problem, Guess we’ll find out soon. After the landscaper guy asked the second time, Tony finally said, “You’re done with that”, which I took to mean that the landscaper guy didn’t have to do it anymore. It was a simple way of screwing Janice and Bobby over again. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/35 "2006-05-15T16:53:43Z")
Ahhh… see I read Tony’s final response to the landscaper as “bring this up again and you’re done.” But now that I think about it, you’re probably right. But I don’t think he was screwing Janice and Bobby over I think tony just didn’t want to have to hear about this again and since this was for Johnny and Ginnie and not his sister he could let it go. I’ll have to watch the scene again but the way I understood the New Orleans guys scene was: Alma Garret’s dad from Deadwood owed a lot of money to Johnny Sack (the 50,000) which Johnny covered to buy into the business. And since then has been a silent partner… now Johnny wanted to sell his stake to the other two at what the business is worth now (post Katrina construction money). Tony was there to FORCE them to buy Johnny out. Alma’s dad was pissy about it while the other guy seemed amicable to it and was willing to negotiate. Tony thought it was going to be too much of a hassle. So was the deal at the end- Tony would do the deal for Johnny but instead of taking his cut he’d get the house at half price… Are supposed to take it that Tony will do the deal but obviously not put that much energy into it and not get Johnny as much out of it? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/36 "2006-05-15T17:11:55Z")
That sounds about right. One thing, though. Do characters like Tony ever do anything altruistic or as a favor for a friend? Even the carnival was about enriching Paulie instead of the church. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/37 "2006-05-15T17:46:54Z")
It seems like they’re letting all of the secondary characters have an episode (or, at least, a mini-plot) before they wind the series down. We had Paulie’s episode, and AJ’s, and Artie’s, and Christopher’s, and this was Janice’s. Maybe they’re trying to give everybody one last hurrah before the shit really goes down in the end. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/38 "2006-05-15T18:11:44Z")
I recall David Chase saying something to that effect in an interview while he was mapping out the final season. Sil has also had an episode featuring him too. The one where he was the acting boss and suffered from severe asthma. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/39 "2006-05-15T21:00:48Z")
> [@Push You Down](#): > > Alma Garret’s dad from Deadwood Heh. Every time I see him I always say “It’s Roger Lococo!!” ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787/40 "2006-05-15T21:11:20Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > Do characters like Tony ever do anything altruistic or as a favor for a friend? Tony would have put a hit on the guy who raped Melfi. Unfortunately, she chose not to accept the offer, and left the guy free to find other victims. But Tony would have done it, for her. BTW, love your username! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-5-14-open-spoilers/356787.md?page=3)