#176
Posted: 5/22/06 at 1:49pm
My thoughts on the way the Vito situation was resolved:
While I see Luscious' point about the possibility of the show "glorifying" such an atrocious act of violence, I don't believe that was the intended effect, nor do I think the general response from viewers would be of "rejoicing". This series has OFTEN done many scenes that are meant to show that these characters AREN'T likeable. That they're vicious, corrupt, brutal and quite often downright evil people. Think, for example, of the scene in which Ralphie beat his pregnant stripper girlfriend to death. Here we had a character who had provided a lot of comedy relief, and who was somewhat "likeable", suddenly do a completely vicious and violent act. It's like a wake up call from the producers: These people AREN'T the heroes.
However, I still don't think that was the case in this episode. Vito's death was carried out by Phil, who, all season, has been slowly presented as an unlikeable loose cannon. A thorn on Tony's side. I don't think viewers particularly LIKE Phil, and to witness him take "justice" into his own hands, regardless of your views on homosexuality, is there as an obstacle to Tony. He killed a capo from another family, without the blessing of that family's boss.
Which is why Sil, and all of Tony's "thugs", despite their flagrant and disgusting homophobia, ganged up on that guy (****, I suck at remembering names), when he described what he'd done to Vito. Even THEY in their homophobic, violent ways were OUTRAGED at these turn of events.
And thus, a war has started.
BTW, was Vito's death an homage to Marlowe's Edward II, or am I just reading too much into it?
Oh, and Chita, I DO get the impression that Carmela brought up Jackie's death because she suspects Tony was behind it.
While I see Luscious' point about the possibility of the show "glorifying" such an atrocious act of violence, I don't believe that was the intended effect, nor do I think the general response from viewers would be of "rejoicing". This series has OFTEN done many scenes that are meant to show that these characters AREN'T likeable. That they're vicious, corrupt, brutal and quite often downright evil people. Think, for example, of the scene in which Ralphie beat his pregnant stripper girlfriend to death. Here we had a character who had provided a lot of comedy relief, and who was somewhat "likeable", suddenly do a completely vicious and violent act. It's like a wake up call from the producers: These people AREN'T the heroes.
However, I still don't think that was the case in this episode. Vito's death was carried out by Phil, who, all season, has been slowly presented as an unlikeable loose cannon. A thorn on Tony's side. I don't think viewers particularly LIKE Phil, and to witness him take "justice" into his own hands, regardless of your views on homosexuality, is there as an obstacle to Tony. He killed a capo from another family, without the blessing of that family's boss.
Which is why Sil, and all of Tony's "thugs", despite their flagrant and disgusting homophobia, ganged up on that guy (****, I suck at remembering names), when he described what he'd done to Vito. Even THEY in their homophobic, violent ways were OUTRAGED at these turn of events.
And thus, a war has started.
BTW, was Vito's death an homage to Marlowe's Edward II, or am I just reading too much into it?
Oh, and Chita, I DO get the impression that Carmela brought up Jackie's death because she suspects Tony was behind it.
Updated On: 5/22/06 at 01:49 PM
