How Machiavellian was Tony Soprano? Machiavellian Monday

In evaluating how Machiavellian Tony Soprano is, we will focus primarily on a couple surprising personality traits of Tony's and how they affected his actions from a Machiavellian standpoint, which are most noticeable in his dealings with Junior, Johnny Sack, Christopher, Tony B, Vito, Ralphie and the war with New York.

[@noahmiles8401]

When the world needed him most he came back.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Just when I though I was out, they pull me back in! Thanks for watching!

[@kac022796]

Sounds like a avatar the last Airbender reference which I love

[@SuperHorseSense]

Tony liked to show his crew what happened if you got on his bad side or if he had no use for you anymore, which normally would be a good way of keeping them in line. The problem is it was so easy to piss him off that it made them fear it could happen to them just by accidentally doing or saying one little thing he didn't like.

[@serotoninsyndrome]

Sunday. My house. Box of Mallomars on the counter. Fucking EMPTY. You think I wouldn't know it was you...?

[@thesnailiscoming..5736]

@@serotoninsyndrome lol

[@cynicaltheastrocreep4504]

​@@serotoninsyndromeI love how Paulie totally believes Tony would be pissed over something like that.

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Good Ray Liotta tribute

[@bullywhispers9544]

Thank you. I had to rearrange some things to fit it in, but I felt it had to be done

[@foucault9978]

Tony himself said that he was more of a Sun Tzu guy. Much better on strategy

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

I've read it, it's a good book. You should too. It's pretty short and it's free online. The Prince is also excellent. But get the real book from a store, one of those copies that's half explanation, half original text. Because for The Prince, you really need that historical context to understand it. Or maybe that's just me.

[@jumpkickman8524]

Son tazoo

[@asotomayor]

You know Quasimodo predicted all this

[@stevie8271]

who did wha?

[@loganerb3952]

You should do an episode on Tony’s breathing. That was my favorite character in the show… especially towards the end!

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

I wished they used more of them

[@mortimersnerd1]

especially while he was eating his breathing would reach it's peak aesthetic form

[@vikingodin1986]

The breathing through the nose when eating

[@michaelross1452]

Fun fact That's James way of acting. Deep breathing exercises to center into a character.

[@Chino-bk9fd]

what?

[@humansmoke2891]

Finally the episode we been waiting

[@petewylde1227]

Obvious comparison, but I think Walter White would be great for one of these reviews. He was brutal when getting things done but did struggle with the ego element of not being able to show off how clever he was.

[@pedrofigueiredo8080]

Gus Fring would be an excellent pick too

[@LucLB01]

Or Lalo Salamanca once BCS is over.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

@@pedrofigueiredo8080 the perfect embodiment of Machiavelliism. The kind of guy who would shoot you, then be the first to send flowers to your widow

[@stairwaytoheaven8]

The guy literally poisoned a child for personal gain...as a move. He's full on Machiavellian ROFL

[@g_eddie]

This is probably the best video under your subspecies.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

1st, both comment and like! Woot! I love your channel so much that I immediately left my previous vid to peruse yours.

[@marquesjohnson6359]

The sopranos is still one of my favorite shows Tony was one of the most complex multilayered characters on TV but as a boss he honestly wasn't that good I always thought the best boss was Carmine SR. he was pragmatic and never let emotions get in the way of business tony did make some wise decisions but too often he let his emotions whether it was anger , sentiment, or guilt guide his decisions and usually by the time he had made the right decision at least by mob standards the damage was already done

[@LFCzak6]

100% that’s why he was taken out at the end he had ran his course and was becoming crazy

[@marquesjohnson6359]

@@LFCzak6 i think tony got killed at the end too i think he had alienated so many people and made so many bad decisions that by then that nobody in his mob family cared the only ones left who may have would've been Meadow and AJ

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

He was two-faced though. Didn't he both give the okay to both Tony and Johnny Sack? I think Vito could've been a good boss, but they killed him because he liked men in secret. All those guys had goomahs anyway (except Johnny Sack I guess) I could see Meadow turn into a female boss later in life though; Not AJ, he's too soft. And it wouldn't be without precedent.... Maria Licciardi became a boss in the mafia after her brothers and husband got hard time. She was a vile person though. Before her underage forced prostitutes were not allowed, but she changed that.

[@marquesjohnson6359]

@@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan Carmine SR never gave the okay to have Tony killed as I recall he gave him the okay to kill Johnny because he wanted to take out Ralph who they made alot of money with through construction Johnny asked for permission he said no but Carmine thought he might do it anyway he told Tony I don't think John is hearing me so he gave him the okay since his main motivation was always money AJ would be too soft like tony said in season 3 he'd never make it in his business and it looked like in the end that meadow was gonna be another mob wife

[@lacym9278]

This was long in the making! So pleased to finally see this video, and to be one of the first seeing it *chefs kiss*

[@xelldincht4251]

Machiavellian episodes on other fictional rulers would be interesting

[@Twiggsthetitan]

They have those

[@ManahManah77]

How Machiavellian was The Macho Man? Oooooh yeahhhhh!

[@anjalidevi7168]

Thank you for this video. It's just what I needed. Mille Grazie. ☺️

[@reallyamir23]

Tony read too much sun tazoo when prince matchabelli would have been more applicable

[@BFMV271]

"I ain't running a popularity contest here!"

[@retroroy8720]

Wondering if you'd do a Machiavellian Monday for certain video game characters such as Tommy Vercetti, Dutch Van Der Linde, Leo Galante, or Lincoln Clay?

[@f-man3274]

If we are talking about Mafia series it would be better to choose at least don Saliery. He is in a position where he is from real italian Mafia and we can see how he reacts in different situations

[@bullywhispers9544]

Bowser?

[@retroroy8720]

@@bullywhispers9544 Actually that one might be a good April Fool's episode, ngl.

[@plunkdaddy4505]

@@bullywhispers9544 specifically version from the super mario bros. Movie.

[@goodnessduru5302]

Good analysis as always in your videos. Can you next do a, Macchiavellian monday on Carmine Sr, Michael Corleone or Sonny Corleone? I would like to hear your take on any one of them.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Both are on the list! Thanks for watching!

[@kradonkragon2151]

@@bullywhispers9544 but it's three guys? :D

[@filipboshkovski7963]

@@kradonkragon2151 prob not sonny

[@italiancapo7]

Best episode so far!

[@patricerassa2844]

Bully whispers is an old-fashioned guy pop. Very allegorical.

[@odiousgreen7495]

He looks like Albert Einstein in the thumbnail.

[@andrep.g.490]

Loving the channel

[@nickjohnson6368]

Thank you!!

[@oiya100]

Great video... Looking forward to watching all the 48 powers..

[@petewylde1227]

'Tony loves Christopher and wants him to love him back.' I'm not so sure about this. I think he is hugely manipulative of Christopher and uses his father figure role to attempt to control him, which to be fair, he doesn't do particularly well.

[@chipwanderlust113]

I do think its mostly that. Bur at the same time, the other. He forgave him when he pulled a gun on him and as self centred as he was, he risks his rep and cred pushing that idiot up the ladder.

[@cosmicskates7721]

Tony doesn't love himself and he doesn't love Chrissy either and the proof is in the pudding 🍨 lol @ 7:27 k, the failure to engage the primary restraint system a.k.a. safety seat-belts when being chauffeured by one of his acclaimed soldiers, Mr Machiavelli Tony does not possess the aptitude for successful long-term goal planning.... 🙃

[@cosmicskates7721]

@@mortimersnerd1 true but ima be psycho again about the fake love lol okay Just because Tony refers to Chrissy as his nephew doesn't mean a thing to me anymore. Lol cuz for one thing, like when Kelly and Christopher had Caitlyn, I thought Tony would be excited to scaffold Christopher even more in that life since Tony's firstborn was a daughter. The christening had no dialogue but Christopher's hug w Tony at the end seemed like Chris sensed something was awry with Tony that day idk...plus Tony's fat @ss just sat there and laughed along w Paulie and the rest of the crew when disrespecting Chrissy's daughter's future ambitions, drunk or not it was still fkd up bc entitled jerkoffs lose their inhibitions even more when they get plastered lol

[@Grandmaster-Kush]

I think Tony wanted to groom Christopher in the role of his successor, but Christopher couldn't live up to it lacking in smarts, doing drugs and generally being impulsive, once Tony was certain Christopher couldn't fulfill his role he didn't hesitate to take the moment and give him a nose job, a natural fucking canopy if you will.

[@KongLavar]

He loved Chris.. Chris was his mentor’s son and he was trying to mold him to be his successor knowing his own son was incapable. Chris was Tony’s way of keeping power with the family thus he treated him like a son..

[@SunnyHomeVideos]

You made a very deep show even deeper! Great work 😮

[@jessicaelizabeth8603]

Reminds me of my dad, minus the money bc he spent it all gambling...RIP...one of the best actors ever.

[@traviskeck3138]

I'd love to see a Machiavellian Monday analysis on Gustavo Fring!

[@joshuaortiz2031]

I second this. Lalo Salamanca would be a good character for Machiavellian Monday too!

[@Jackal_El_Lobo34]

I feel we need a video on Gus from “Breaking Bad” and Darth Sidious from “Revenge of the Sith” as they both exhibited some Machiavellian principles. How well they followed them is a different story.

[@zxylo786]

Gus isn't Machiavelian at all. The complete opposite. He is the most vengefull and passion filled character in the show. He just covers it up with a pragmatic businessman persona. Which I suppose may be somewhat Machiavellian. But he is a bad example. The best example imo would be Frank Underwood.

[@rear9259]

@@zxylo786Brendon Rivers maybe. He was a ruthless ruler but his end goal was making a prophecy bloodline.

[@MrUNIVERSALSPORTS]

Can you do a Machiavellian Monday on Vito Spatafore ?

[@C.H.113]

Great video. If you ever get a chance could you do a video on The wire Avon Barksdale

[@kevinVtolkien7]

Buen video.

[@Don_Salieri1899]

Hello bully Whispers I saw you on Jimmy Calandra's livestream the other day I had no idea you watch him too

[@giantblossom2349]

That pic of Tony is awesome

[@cocobot90]

When I looked at the thumbnail for this vid out of the corner of my eye, it looked like Tony Soprano with Beethoven's hair (or the famous portrait of Beethoven with Tony Soprano's face). The smoke from the cigar was the hair. Sacred and propane.

[@tommy1344]

One of these but for Ralph cifaretto would be awesome

[@adamcrabtree6729]

How about a video that ranks the Sopranos characters from lest to most Machiavellian ! Please make this happen

[@MrMetsMeeseek]

I would love to have a video about the lack of awareness compared to Carmine

[@moonlance3496]

it’s finally here! fuck yeah

[@RM-306]

That pic of Tony makes him look like George Washington

[@newcreature6171]

In order to be makavellian, you have to fake your death in every situation, even when asked to take the trash out or when being confronted with forgetting your wife's birthday.

[@iceboymark8181]

We need Marlo

[@rezanematifarouji6872]

Finally ...

[@Nobody-so9sh]

Carmine Sr. and Richie Aprile next ?

[@chrispip01]

We need a Machiavellian Monday about princess azula. She is textbook

[@Cloud1995324]

Machiavellian Monday on Tywin Lannister

[@jackbloomer1334]

do carmine lupertazi sr

[@take5th]

You should mention that “the prince” was written to ingratiate the author with the crown. Important context.

[@CalebOrvik]

gotta do one on Marlo Stanfield

[@ZTM432]

On the thumbnail the cigar smoke made it appear as if Tony had hair.

[@matthewmayton1845]

It would be interesting of you dod one of these episodes for Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders or one of the cartel bosses from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul.

[@philsoro491]

Do a video on how allegorical bully whispers is

[@rasheedrashad6831]

Machaveli didn't say " better " he said safer. Some may say that's a distinction without a different but I disagree. It amazes me how many people get that quote wrong.

[@peterblood50]

How about a Machiavellian look at Thomas Shelby and his #2, his brother Arthur. Might be some good videos on Polly and Alfie Solomons as well

[@darrylwayne1292]

He looks like he’s wearing a powdered wig or like Albert Einstein in the thumbnail

[@robertlee4172]

Tony was the Italian Prince Matchabelli.

[@kirandarai8534]

Lol as I scrolled by I thought the smoke was Einstein hair

[@leeadams4934]

Wayne Jenkins from BPD/we own this city.

[@rudeboysw9]

Furio had his revenge so him and Carmela could eventually get together!! Carmela changed the restaurant last minute, Members only jacket that no one stateside wore anymore Old School), and the war was over with NY......... As Bobby said you probably don't even see it coming and Tony defo never say that!!

[@arnabmukhopadhyay7078]

The thumbnail made it seem like he was wearing a Beethoven style wig.

[@Danny2113182]

I blame Minn too

[@Ronda_6]

How machiavellian was Tony Blundetto

[@opp7960]

How Machiavellian is young tony soprano in many saints of newark

[@melvert33]

Is Tony supposed to be done up like Albert Einstein in the thumbnail pic?

[@leeadams4934]

you a rapper now? I peeped them bars

[@mortimersnerd1]

you know what's machiavellian? the sacred and the propane

[@slytub]

The thumbnail looks like he’s wearing a grey wig 😂

[@BigA678]

First time I watched the show I loved Tony. Second time I figured he was just another pos. But this pov showed me that he was the bad guy all along

[@carpma11]

More like Sun Tazoo, the Italian Prince Match-a-velli.

[@jubsjobs90]

Ralphies death was attributed to more than the horse burning. Even that could be disputed but eh. Ralphies death was easy to come because of tracee

[@consumer1073]

u aunt done carmine sr yet?

[@Xrpto]

Meadow.... university Meadow.... 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@RogueTheology]

Left to his own device…

[@JoJoJoker]

Changed your name?

[@nordette]

What was it before again I forget?

[@dinglbarry1275]

"when it came to the war with NY Tony followed Machiavellian strategy fairly well". No he didn't and he never intended to use mercenaries... it was only due to convenient writing that he didn't get taken out at the same time as Bobby and Silvio (horrendous planning on NY's part and/or a redic degree of luck, because Tony didn't see it coming and did nothing to protect himself while allowing so called mercenaries). One could say that Tony followed so called Machiavellian strategies fairly well in the negotiations phase, because had he caved into NY's demands that would have set precedent and NJ would have been taken advantage of by NY in all future endeavors. Where negotiations turned into a war is after Tony lost his temper and curb stomped Coco. What transpired is similar to earlier in the show when John Sack told Ralphie to apologize to Tony.... this time around it's Little Carmine telling Tony to apologize to Phil as though he had already talked to Phil and Phil would be awaiting his apology, but Phil told him to get lost. What ultimately transpired in reference to the war coming to an end had nothing to do with Tony.... Leotardo oversteps with his crew and towards Butchie, which is when Butchie makes a truce with NJ and conspires behind Leotardo's back. There are several things that are open for interpretation, such as if Butchie was behind Phil's downfalls all along. Perhaps Phil as boss was similar to what the NJ crew did with jr. letting him believe he was the acting boss whereas Butchie may have been behind the scenes calling the shots or perhaps it was as simple as Butchie feeling threatened at which point he conspired against Phil Leotardo and would ultimately be the boss. The Coco scene where he goes up to Meadow, is another thing open for interpretation. Was this merely a coincidence or did Butchie or someone else, put Coco up to this knowing that it would get a reaction out of Tony, thus leading to a war and everything that transpired. The only thing certain is strategically Tony failed did not win this war with NY. The fact he lived is just dumb luck... convenient writing. Tony ultimately gets whacked in the end as to who was behind it is open for interpretation, because there are several candidates including Patsi Parisi. I'd imagine that Tony failed some type of Machievelian rule when he allowed a begrudged Patsi to live and serve in his crew, knowing that he's almost certainly holding a grudge over the death of his twin brother, which is possibly what came back to bite him on the ass in the end.

[@luismcfarland711]

Pull the underwear out of my crack a man needs to go comfortable 😵‍💫😭 bruh that transition .. I'm way too immature for life 🤯😵

[@shabazzed]

a machiavelli doesnt wear shorts

[@CHICANO1975]

Valentia was sooo hot...

[@mastervader4444]

Tony being toxic before it was cool

[@youkilledkenny85]

Not enough to be a varsity player

[@luciantudor1527]

He was a foolish leader. Killed most of his own crew. Easy pickings for a proper organization. Mooks, all of them.

[@toddpick8007]

How Machiavellian is he? not at all. Hes not calculating, hes not cold, hes not overly strategic or cunning. Hes a Mortadelle from Jersey who acts impulsively, is short to anger, is not calculated and fucks everything that moves even when it effects business. Tony is just a thug that was smart enough/lucky enough to make it to be a boss. That is to say hes not stupid, he has intelligence enough to become the boss and use others but hes no Machiavelli. Tony has incredible luck thats about all that saves him. Hes lucky that chris shows up when those black guys get a beat on him. Hes lucky the gun jams and the other guy shoots his buddy in the head. Hes lucky Meadow takes the lamp. Hes lucky Janice kills Ritchie. Hes lucky the witness bails. Hes lucky Pussy didnt rat him out and get more on him. Hes lucky the FBI dont arrest him at Johns house etc. Hes lucky he hit his head before he hijacks that truck etc etc etc The majority of Tonys life and career in crime is him getting lucky more than anything which is funny because he has incredibly bad luck at gambling.

[@mat1343]

Lol i swear this commenti is loterally made by Phil leotardo

[@toddpick8007]

@@mat1343 Your comment is a glorified sentence.

[@robertlee4172]

Interesting point. He does end up getting lucky on so many occasions.