"The Sopranos" 12/1/02 (SPOILERS OF COURSE)

Hi to you too.

The Russian guy was referenced. That’s what set Paulie off and put him in bad graces with Tony. It was also to show us that Paulie is not cool as a cucumber. That was his purpose.

[Tony]
Cunnilingus and psychiatry have brought us to this!
[/Tony]

Then what was the point of leaving him possibly alive? You could make the same point with an ordinary hit – you could still have him run into the woods to make Chris and Paulie get lost, but there’s no point in dangling the “is he alive” bit if you’re not going to have him play some role later on. I’m sorry, but Russian commando guy is one big freakin’ loose end that has never been tied up. One throwaway line during Chris’ intervention does not accomplish that goal.

FWIW, Chase (I believe, maybe Steve Buscemi, who directed that episode) has gone on record as saying that they never intended for that storyline to go anywhere.

You’re kidding me. I mean, you’ve got to be. The follow-up to the Pine Barrens was the main reason I was looking forward to season four.

I don’t think he will, but if he does we’ll probably get a view of the blood splattering on Tony’s painting behind the chair.

Hmmmm - maybe he will after all.

I would think it would be unlikely for Meadow’s boyfriend to try anything too untoward her. I’m sure the guy must know what Meadow’s father does for a living.

So who’s the “Little Bird” as alluded to in the closing credits? Paulie, with his hair wings? Meadow, who’s growing up and leaving the nest (albeit in her parent-facilitated Manhattan apartment)? Furio, who flew the coop?