Tony and AJ Soprano: A Character Comparison

In this episode we will compare Tony Soprano and his son AJ by evaluating their traits, including whether or not they share a taste for violence, their similarities, an often overlooked event in AJs life, a quote from Dr. Melfi which may explain why AJ seems so much more depressed than Tony and, ultimately, the specific combination of nature, nurture and circumstance that may explain the apparently vast difference between the two.

[@laurenpeterson9510]

You are right about if tony knew about Devin lol

[@natestegner9917]

BING!

[@masterzombie161]

I’m glad Meadow never belittles her brother, and sometimes tries to help him during the show. I’m sure later in life she still continues to help A.J.

[@mtb5431]

To bad Aj shows zero gratitude. I don’t think she expects any though. I think Meadow realizes deep down she’s gonna “inherit” Aj from her parents when they’re gone and she’ll have to be the one who takes care of him cause Aj just doesn’t know how to survive in the world.

[@Blackdiamondprod.]

Unless the bullet went through his father and hit him as well.

[@mrmangotahiti]

she’s a good sister

[@thelaw6267]

Tony is a watered down version of Johnny Boy, A.J. is a watered down version of Tony.

[@mkultra2456]

"Far out, maaan! Yeah do me a favor lay off that shit." - Many Saints deleted scene.

[@ryanmcloughlin8674]

Tony was smarter and stronger then Johnny boy

[@robwood1987]

AJ absolutely enjoyed the violence at first. There’s a scene in the next episode where AJ and one of the Jason’s see the kid they burned limping through campus and when a girl mentions that he lost a toe, they both start laughing. The thing that triggers the depressive episode is when they assault the African kid on his bike, which AJ doesn’t take part in. I think he was fine with the “mob violence” of hurting someone who owed money but he couldn’t justify beating the African kid and thus couldn’t cope.

[@daveylewis816]

Yea I stole the 10 speed bike 🚴🏿 but meadow 🥰 said it was ok just bring it back but I forgot I owed furio $1,000 dollars so I had 2 make sum runs 🚴🏿for him👨🏿‍🎨

[@mkultra2456]

@robwood1987 Also the medication AJ was taking can affect your mood wildly. Right before he tries to commit suicide he talks to his therapist about this.

[@sundjatamb3061]

I said it before and I'll say it again. The point where AJ's car explodes and he's exhilarated by it is when you know he has a predilection for violence. Just like his old man got a thrill from nearly being killed by those two hitmen in season one. He's a lot more like Tony than Tony thinks, just less aware of the consequences of his actions

[@plunkdaddy4505]

AJ was definitely better keeping it in. AJ was nowhere near tough enough to become a gangster. Tony even said it himself during one of the earlier seasons.

[@xKiLLa_Carter]

Yeah I’m sure he found his way into the Army after being covered in his fathers blood at Holstens. That would give him a severe Michael Corleone archetype

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

Man I love throwing a drive by on Sopranos Street.

[@emperorpalpatine9897]

It's quite simple: Johnny Boy and Livia kicked Tony's ass growing up. Tony and Carmela didn't kick A.J.'s ass. The end.

[@palpitations00]

I genuinely believe this is it lol, AJ didn’t grow up actually seeing anger being externalized physically and none of his rich friends were actually violent, just fascinated by it, i think this is why he turns so much of his rage inward instead of kicking people’s asses like Tony

[@jackleeray]

Lmaooo marone, those are two different kinds of fucked up results. Pretty strange how they’re at the opposite ends though innit?

[@jackleeray]

@@palpitations00 spot on, especially with the mother he had and how she wanted to shield and steer him away from any where near the world that Tony grew up in. After that, she more or less ends up just leave AJ to his own devices, finding his own way with the general notion in his mind that violence (here meaning angry actions, words, exercised and expressed frustrations in a healthy manner) was wrong (which it is in the case in the vast majority of cases, should be a general given but I think it fucks with his mind extra considering his paternity), and was the world of his father; one he could he seems to be destined for in that his father joined after his own had done so before they both were ever born. He’s left to express his, more of less, pent up frustrations in a kind of whiney, passive aggressive manner. Which makes sense, you can’t completely get ride of your own complex’s and issues; they can only manifest in other ways in your own life.

[@masterzombie161]

Although to be fair Tony had more potential than A.J. If Tony was treated a little better he would’ve been more than his father rather than his avatar.

[@mkultra2456]

@@palpitations00 Are you sure you're being genuine? Also you gotta stop saying actually.

[@bigt4135]

Great content. Keep up the good work.

[@wellsborie6897]

I think the clear implication is that AJ does or will join the mafia by working at Little Carmine's movie studio. I also think that means he enevitably is killed, just as Jackie Jr and Christopher were (both of whome represent Tony's fears of AJ joining the mob)

[@dinisnascimento4929]

Patsy vandalizing the pool was priceless

[@hubblito]

Great video, first off... I still disagree that AJ enjoyed bullying the kid. I always took his facial expression as one of guilt, shame and disgust. If I dug into the psyche of AJ (I'm by no means a psychologist), my guess on what he was thinking in that moment would be this: "I'm sad and depressed all the time. I finally go out and make some friends and they turn out to be ass holes. What does that say about myself that this is the crowd I attract?"

[@dhdixjrnedndjd9672]

He’s super emotional and feels a lot but he is not that introspective at all. I do agree with the rest though. He went with it but did feel guilt and shame. They also used AJ as a scare tactic because his dad was a “mob boss” and AJ was aware of that eventually. Liked it a bit but that changed quick.

[@hubblito]

@@dhdixjrnedndjd9672 maybe once he realized how serious things got so quickly he felt bad...

[@dhdixjrnedndjd9672]

@@hubblito I agree with that. Remember that scene where he says “I just don’t understand why we all can’t get along” when his friends jumped that kid on the bike and called him racist things?

[@hubblito]

@@dhdixjrnedndjd9672 yes! AJ was a super emotional kid. There's no way he took joy in roughing that kid up

[@deathbymonkeys]

I was going to make this comment but you already made it for me. I've watched the series 4 or 5 times and each time I watch this scene I got the feeling that AJ was disgusted, shocked, and in fear over inflicting pain on another person. I never once watched this scene and thought he enjoyed it. And him laughing about it afterwards was just him trying to fit in with the crowd. Fascinating how 2 people can watch a scene and come away with completely different opinions.

[@LilGuyOfficial]

Man is smart with analysis, love the video man!

[@macabreenterprise1823]

There's a scene when Tony takes meadow to college, a sign Tony reads says "a man can't wear two faces and not wonder yada yada which one is the real face." It's the episode he kills that rat. Same scene he looks at some ducks flying by. Two very different aspects of his personality. I think its saying that Tony's true nature is ambiguous at best. How long has he been doing this? Does he even know that it's wrong anymore? So we can't assume the sopranos like violence because it's in their genes. We have to question if it's a lot to do with their environment in the mob life. Violence isn't really in AJ's life, I think you're right about that first "fight" affecting him, turning his rage inwards.

[@carolineyuen3247]

I’m going to season 6 and I’m hoping the ducks may make one more appearance 🦆

[@bigt4135]

If I was Tony sopranos kid, I would be using that to my advantage everyday.

[@butchmagnus1699]

The disadvantage of thatbis once your father gets killed. Those who resented you for using his status to your advantage will have field days with you.

[@rogueprince1341]

Both AJ and Tony could have used a coping skills class. I went to one for six months and it was pretty good.

[@faisalkamal4319]

tony used coping skills his name was Georgie

[@mkultra2456]

@@faisalkamal4319 "CONSERVE!" **smashes Georgie over the head with an ice bucket**

[@jackleeray]

Idk, I don’t exactly get the idea that he was getting off from that experience with the acid. Everything you said was right, more or less, but at the same time it seems to me that his expression displays an almost equal amount of grief and dissociation. He got to experience it, got the small adrenaline rush from it, then felt terrible and became a mess for the small conflicted enjoyment he had at the poor kids misery. He found out what his fathers life was. His father could kill a man, and maybe feel somewhere close to the pain AJ was going through in this scenes scenario. AJ just wasn’t built/“destined” for that life in general, based on the nature and nurture. He’s all the better for it, but is still ultimately left with those unresolved issues he has to deal with, not to dissimilar to how his father goes through his own.

[@erin_3569]

Being prone to dissociation and adrenaline burst, I can confirmed that it's an expression I have when dealing with stressful and tense situations. Doesn't mean I enjoyed them, rather to the countrary

[@t3h51d3w1nd3r]

I think AJ liked the violence but he recognised he did and resented himself for it, so like his father he could flop from one extreme to the other, they both worrying about lives, safety, terrorism and animals but are ok with the trouble they thrust on society. Tony justifies his violence through the discrimination his grandparents endured, it would probably only be a matter of time before AJ concocted a justification, seeing his fathers troubles with the law, the mob and eventual murder would certainly be enough. Although I dont think AJ was smart or tough enough for that life. Everyone is capable of violence, we can deny it but its in us all and theres nothing wrong with getting excited when the adrenaline is going, its a natural response(your ancestors would be dead without it) but how the adrenaline gets pumping in the first place is whats the problem.

[@mkultra2456]

"I dont think AJ was smart or tough enough for that life" Like Tony said to Melfi "He wouldn't make it in my business."

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

Many Saints of Newark gave me Covid.

[@roydemeoscat7205]

Your comment gave me hiv

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

@@roydemeoscat7205 nobody’s got AIDS! I don’t wanna hear that word in here!

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

I stayed away. I suppose if you know someone has a cold, you don’t ask them to spit in your mouth.

[@masterzombie161]

“OOOHH I’M EATING HERE!!”

[@faisalkamal4319]

wash your hands after touching your shoe laces

[@GallyG]

Ohh new sopranos street episode? Bring it over heeeea.

[@faisalkamal4319]

mix it with relish

[@kevinw8276]

AJ just never had the confidence his father did. Tony, while the may second guess himself from time to time, seems sure of himself. Anytime AJ gets in trouble in season two or three has the same awkward answers ("I don't know" and "I guess...")

[@faisalkamal4319]

tony had b*** to deal with everybody

[@ManahManah77]

Thumbs up, but I wouldn't call it "confidence". AJ just didn't have the ability to justify his actions to himself and to ignore his conscience like Tony did.

[@travismiles5885]

I was rooting for the cinderblock.

[@mkultra2456]

Don't forget the Lincoln logs!

[@GothamKnight84661]

AJ like his father never had the makings of a varsity athlete!

[@faisalkamal4319]

small hands that was his problem

[@kevinw8276]

I'm pretty sure they both lettered in football

[@dtraversodt]

AJ dated women that resembled Carmela much like Tony dated woman that were like Livia

[@jh6025]

Nice to visit the street!

[@flawaii-pines6858]

UP IN DA CLUB!

[@johnnyoldenjr.]

The many saints was so bad and david chase didnt even rewatch the sopranos its hard to take anything from it.

[@kingoneil4644]

Compare the jacket to shineboxes

[@justpeachy4851]

A loving/smothering mother supposedly takes away a child's curiosity for adventure in the world. The child stays instead in the comfort of home.

[@throwawaymcjoe1387]

Oh whaddya hear whaddya say sopranos streets

[@faisalkamal4319]

why is that your song

[@philleotardo6453]

Very observant, the sacred and the propane

[@faisalkamal4319]

Lil carmine Ova here

[@nathanielhellerstein5871]

From society's point of view, it's better for someone like AJ or Tony to attack themselves, like AJ did, than to attack others, like Tony did. This is Melfi's problem; do you really want to make a better criminal?

[@brians7901]

Having watched this show so many times I have grown convinced that AJ is Tony, If Tony grew up wealthy with a mother who loved him

[@daveyboy_]

You missed the whole part about when instead of confronting the Latinos in front of Blanca's house he gives them his brand new bike . I never understood the whole Blanca thing, she just dumps him out of the biue . Weird

[@mkultra2456]

Blanca realized AJ was just a boy, she needed a man.

[@erics362]

Didn’t AJ almost drown in a few inches of water? 😂

[@dhdixjrnedndjd9672]

That’s a good question. The obvious answer is keeping it inside. Bc if he became a gangster, he has a 90% chance of death. And many many many people would die from him because of that decision to become a gangster. Keeping it inside is worse for him but in the long run, many would be affected by him taking it out on others. But I don’t think AJ had what it takes to become apart of it anyways. And tony knew that. If AJ was relentless just as tony was as a teenager, I’m sure tony would succumb to it. But he wasn’t. He didn’t get to see people’s fingers chopped off, or violence the same way tony did. So it wasn’t jammed into his brain early. He was too far in development to go back. He’s extremely empathetic and troubled but not capable of actual murder.

[@faisalkamal4319]

With all due respect you skipped Alot things like Blanca ,tony saying he's not his male heir And etc

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

Tony apologize about what he said

[@kalondamack339]

I got to be honest I analyze everything thing I watch literally everything. I mean I hate the thriller video because he’s the guy on the date and in the movie but anyways. AJ Soprano I have never understood that kid not even a little bit.

[@EdgarHernandez-bg1pu]

If you fight less, sadly you're weaker

[@Zeruel3]

Got a sense that AJ enjoyed it on a visceral level, but was disgusted that he enjoyed it, maybe a side effect of Carmelas lingering guilt over how their lifestyle was fuelled by criminality, extortion and the suffering of others

[@steveomac385]

Can't it be both? He enjoyed and was disgusted.

[@greg6898]

You got a nose for the ball AJ. That can’t be taught

[@johnnyoldenjr.]

Aj didnt get depressed until they beat up the african guy on the bike. The acid didnt make him depressed they laughed about it at school a few days later when they saw the kid.

[@faisalkamal4319]

you forgot when he gave his bike to those black guys instead of fighting them

[@sundjatamb3061]

they were Dominican...I think...

[@faisalkamal4319]

@@sundjatamb3061 yeah you are right

[@masterzombie161]

“Kay I know you blame me for losing the baby, but given time you’ll see, things will be better.” It was an Abortion…….Michael….

[@Void7.4.14]

I think they're very similar. Nature was similar. It was the nurture part that varied a LOT. Tony had some support, discipline (the good and bad kind), and even if it wasn't a great thing Tony had something to hold onto, to focus on and drive him. He also in many ways had to fend for himself and wanted to emulate the people around him. AJ on the other hand was spoiled and had the problem a lotta privileged kids have of feeling like they are just aimlessly roaming through life with no real direction. Sometimes when everything is just handed to ya and ya don't have any real guidance ya just end up lost, I've known a couple people who started out way above anything I could imagine but ended up strung out or locked up. They know what they're supposed to do but it's not fulfilling and they don't enjoy it so they chase anything that does. He had nothing to hang onto, to focus him, to drive him in any direction. And he doesn't wanna be like his dad or his dad's friends even if he appreciates the weight his last name carries. So yeah, I think they're very similar in nature, it was the very different environments that molded em.

[@gsmoneybabyxxl7575]

I Believe A.J. Would be doing fine after his father’s death He was already under Carmine jr wings and His family name would be have given him infamy

[@OurLordAndSavior953]

AJ is not as smart as Toney and I think because he grew up wealthy and entitled as the son of a underboss and then eventually a boss whereas Toney grew up almost middle class as the son of a mid tier capo.

[@roydemeoscat7205]

AJ was a spoilt brat

[@MarceloRomero360]

A lot of kids smell that way.

[@faisalkamal4319]

I beleive tony would send someone to collect protection money while carm would divorce tony for Mr pillsbury

[@stevencandelario6514]

Sopranos Street never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@jarrettparker1298]

You're talkin to the Boss here!

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Small hands

[@faisalkamal4319]

@@jarrettparker1298 there is only one boss he's name is borko

[@juniorfortune5873]

PureKino did it better, no offense.

[@phillipmorgan4627]

Lol but I said with all due respect!