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Sinix387

Relationships between male sopranos

As Tony says to Melfi at one point in the series, what's happened between him and his mother is a matter of public record. What about the male Sopranos? I often like to analyze the relationship between Tony and his Dad. I think a lot of season 4 and on centers around father figures. I could talk a lot about Tony and his Dad but I think more specifically I want to talk about the other male Soprano relationships.

Junior to Johnny. Johnny and Junior to their Dad.

What kind of hints do we get about Junior and Johnnys relationship? Was there jealously?

We get small hints. Like when Tony says he thought Livia referred to Johnnys feeble minded brother was Junior when it was Eccoli.

Junior had some sort of a complex about being taken seriously and not being a fool. You see it in season 1 as a boss, his greatest fear is being undermined. Then later in the series he has this same pride as his health fails. He never married. Johnny had the goomar Junior wanted to marry.

Is it possible Junior had a lot of resentment towards Johnny Boy? I think a lot of Juniors feelings towards Johnny got moved into Tony while for Tony a lot of his feelings towards Johnny got moved over to Junior. For this reason, just like with Johnny, Junior loves him in one sense but is very bitter and resentful towards Tony's success in another. We never truly understand why, at least directly, Junior likes to subtly torment Tony while Tony really wants his approval, but I think this explains why.

Now how about Tony's Grandpa? One story we get from Junior, which is probably the most revealing about his character, is that some blind woman wanted to pay Junior some money for a favor and Junior said no it's okay. Juniors Dad saw and said 'What's wrong with you, you don't need the money?' and made him walk home over 10 miles. Old man Junior tells the story and says he was right, he should of taken it. Kind of gives background on Junior developing a 'take money at all costs' type of mentality that led to crime.

What ideas do you have about these relationships?

Posted Jul 21, 2017, 10:15 PM UTC

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