Junior Soprano: The cost of insecurity

In this episode we will examine how Junior's insecurities affected his supposed stint as boss, how it may have ended his chances of actually taking the title prematurely, how it destroyed his love life and how it contributed to his depressing end, as well as a couple of ironies regarding that end.

[@christophermoltisanti9301]

His whole life he was insecure, all the way up to the old age.. Very interesting. If he got children (regardless of being married or not) he would've been more confident, self-assured and fulfilled most definitely!! This way as a single wiseguy getting old he had a huge chip on his shoulder, just massive and from there all his insecurities and inferiority comes from.

[@travismiles5885]

You think the same could be said about Paulie? He was a life long bachelor and didn't have any kids.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

What about Paulie?

[@EliCosper85]

@@littlekingtrashmouth9219 Paulie had an insecure position as well. But difference is, he would always try for the bright side or flat out lie to himself. Uncle June was to much a "realist" which resulted in him poisoning so many things in his life. I think. June always expected the worst where as Paulie was of great superstition

[@alexeyayzin8512]

I dont think this is the case. Look at how insecure Tony is -- some of the things he talks about with Melfi are about how he appears in the eyes of his children and how ashamed he is as a role model for them and how he "failed" at raising them.

[@diddles3383]

No fucking way, he'd be a terrible father, and having kids wouldn't somehow fix his insecurity, what kind of BS is that 😭

[@ian7064]

The story of junior soprano is like the physical embodiment of the old saying "comparison is the thief of joy"

[@sole__doubt]

Compare and despair. Its common among young women.

[@jaw9095]

Junior had the most sad ending in the whole show. He didnt die but he lost everyone and everything and doesnt know anything that hes ever done which made all the crimes he did pointless. Thats the curse of junior. Tony told junior to remember the good memories, when he asked junior if he remembers him he says he remembers playing catch with him. In that final scene tony just couldnt help but feel bad for junior. What a show.

[@babylonian.captivity]

Perhaps the memory loss then was a blessing in disguise? A small mercy?

[@DTheCritical]

@@babylonian.captivity Losing your mind is a mercy? Do you really hear yourself

[@babylonian.captivity]

@@DTheCritical I do really hear myself. And I didn't say that losing one's mind is a small mercy. I said that perhaps *Junior Soprano's" memory loss was a small mercy given that the memory he apparently preserved was indeed a memory of the good times: playing catch with his nephew. *Perhaps* "*Junior's* memory loss was a mercy. Not memory loss in general. And I said perhaps. So to answer your question, yes, I do really hear myself.

[@sillygoose9791]

"You two ran North Jersey" "Yeah? That's nice"

[@lilmane1070]

@@DTheCriticalthis is hilarious, you apparently couldnt compute a single word of his two-line reply Ironically, it looks like you should check *yourself* out for memory loss lml

[@B_B463]

Sopranos Street gave me my first hand job. Me and Vincent Maniscaloco in the alley behind the chicken market. God, what am I saying in this poor man's comment section!

[@frankmurphy7234]

Lol

[@frankmurphy7234]

Now go get your f***** shine box

[@sole__doubt]

Compared to Christofuh's insecurities, Junior was a rock of stability.

[@calimanduff]

One of the most frustrating conversations I’ve ever had was trying to convince there is so much more to “juniors” name than the fact that he is old and the name insinuates that he’d be young. I tried pointing out it’s meant to indicate how late in the mafia game it takes place that a “Junior” could now be so old. Also he’s characterized by insecurity which could not have been helped by being called “Junior” all his life. And his arc does end up being about how in old age we basically become children again. There’s so much depth in just his name it’s kinda amazing lol.

[@carlitocollasol5839]

At our old ages we become juniors again. For sure

[@VideoGameAutopsy]

Junior is pretty much the definition of “I’ve killed for less”.

[@sean5558]

“Cunnilingus and psychiatry have led us to this !!”

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

I’ve been waiting like patience on a monument for another Sopranos Street upload.

[@Allavil_]

Come on you know his videos always take a while since time immemorial.

[@Freefalling23]

Glad to know I’m not the only one!

[@Dylandontplay]

What is this the navy??

[@diabang4440]

Is it not " patience like a face on a monument "?

[@rubenrubio25]

Sopranos Street has been taking a long time to upload since Moses wore short pants

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

The protégée knocking Junior off his pedestal without warning or offer, even one he couldn’t understand. I see what you did there. Brilliant. Guy drives a Rincoln.

[@warandconquest6522]

What? He drives a Lincoln

[@XanderShiller]

Lol I keep seeing your pic, and Idk why you're very unforgettable lol like i I saw you at my supermarket I'd recognize The Buford T. Justice!

[@shutup2751]

junior is the definition of a charming sociopath, can appear well mannered, educated and funny but reality is he's just a monster

[@chipwanderlust113]

I think narcistic because of his fragile ego, so fragile he kills to protect it

[@BigA678]

@@chipwanderlust113 he's both and Machiavellian. The Dark triad

[@dtraversodt]

And ironically this is why you enjoy his character

[@reverselee3218]

That explains why be basically flew off the handle when his memory started to slip and eventually collapsed.

[@juliusevola2801]

Still the most interesting character in the show.

[@normie2716]

Jamal Ginsberg would punch your lights out if he heard you say that.

[@TheValhalla1989]

It’s hilarious junior can’t stand Christopher either. Life long grudge.

[@faisalkamal4319]

Everybody hates chris

[@thesnailiscoming..5736]

Or guilt .

[@hisholiness4537]

Most likely bc he feels guilt/shame for what he did to Chrissy's dad.

[@aquariussis4984]

@@thesnailiscoming..5736 hate

[@MedievalFolkDance]

It took me a while to take Junior seriously. For a long time I kept expecting him to tell me to go to Six Flags before breaking into a manic dance.

[@richardjared960]

I’m never gonna be able to get that out of my mind 😂😂😂😂

[@dtraversodt]

I use to think it was amazing that the writer of Seinfeld was one hell of an actor and singer

[@dtraversodt]

I notice that Tony,Junior and Richie Aprile had one thing in common : they likely felt their siblings were the favorites which turned them into even bigger sociopaths in comparison

[@vincentcrowley5196]

You could argue that AJ felt the same with Meadow, but neither were going to be mobsters

[@SantomPh]

Richie was made before Jackie and even saved him from being bonked after the card game. He probably didnt mind Jackie taking charge because Jackie was talented and popular, and he had his share of the taking anyway. Junior and Johnny Boy however were not like that- johnny was made first and wasn't that talented as a mobster- the Paulie of his generation

[@MK-kw5eo]

Junior sure did get back at Tony's teasing comments with his "not having the making of a varsity athlete" comments directed at Tony.

[@PathwayPrivate]

The constant varsity athlete comments weren’t Junior intentionally trying to belittle Tony, it was a side effect of his worsening Alzheimer’s. It definitely did get under his skin though

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

JESUS CHRIST WOULD YOU STOP IT WITH THAT?!?!

[@GuerreroDelInfo]

See I believe the theory that junior faked his dementia. Junior was playing dumb in the last scene with Tony.

[@user-nz6pl8gz1c]

@@GuerreroDelInfo I LOVE DON CORRADO. HE WAS THE ONLY MAN OF HONOR IN THIS GLORIFIED CREW. ONLY HE DESERVED THE REIN, BUT THIS LITTLE TRAITOR NEPHEW OG HIS, HAD OTHER PLANS. IF DON CORRADO HAD MANAGED TO BE THE BOSS THE FAMILY WOULD HAD BE MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@normie2716]

@@GuerreroDelInfo I believe the theory that that wasn't even Junior in the last scene with Tony. It was actually Arya Stark. She killed Junior offscreen and took his face. She was going to kill Tony too when he showed up, but a man from another galaxy came down and convinced her not to do it.

[@PR0MAN01]

You didn't mention Bobby in this video but Bobbie was the one true friend Junior had. And he even lost him when Janice swooped in on him and soured the relationship by bringing him into Tony's family.

[@DTheCritical]

Which is sad Bobby was among the more moral people in the family (his first kill was late in life as an adult) and he was generally a good father.

[@darth856]

Bobbie (Roberta) was Junior's girlfriend.

[@usasupersoccer]

Junior Crew had good characters, Mikey Palmice and Chucky Signore were cool. Mikey Palmice had a lot of potential, he could be a rival to Christopher Moltisanti. But I understand that Mikey Palmice and Chucky Signore die in the first season made perfect sense even so, they had some potential.

[@cygnustsp]

Mikey was awesome. I can only assume the actor didn't want to stick around, he would've been a real force to be reckoned with.

[@dewilew2137]

Very good analysis. They show really did a good job at displaying his insecurities, and how that underlined every aspect of his life, and ultimately led to the demise of everything that was important to him. It’s never said explicitly, but he must have been insanely jealous of his brother, Johnny. Johnny even took the woman he “loved” (or stalked, depending on who’s version of events you believe), and he ever went so far as to tell Livia about her husband’s affair. Not out of any moral standards or out of respect for Livia or the institution of marriage, but out of pure jealous insecurity. Great job! 👌🏽

[@bullywhispers9544]

Thank you!

[@blackirish6868]

@@bullywhispers9544 You might also be missing one piece of information. For made guys especially when their Roman Catholic, it's considered a sin to give or receive oral/anal from your wife. That's also a reason they have girlfriends. They're able to commit those sex acts with a girlfriend.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

The cost of going 🎵south of the border🎵

[@Carlos_Balli]

The thumbnail what kinda of likeness is that???

[@kentfoster7297]

“Down there throwing headbutts” 😂😂😂

[@sithsoldier98]

Love OG Junior's one liners

[@greyjedi6430]

How long before someone says he never had the makings 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Ellisite]

It's not just that Dickie laughed at him for falling. It's about Junior's impotence, real and figurative.

[@prophetbillmartin6262]

Your Correct !!!!!

[@travismiles5885]

To be fair( to be faaair!) some of those courtroom artists are terrible.

[@cosmicskates7721]

I think the courtroom artists intentionally exaggerate particular features so that it makes a big impression, idk lol what I do know is that I'm bummed on myself for being so damn insecure too! ...and so it goes 🙃

[@ddave7026]

Some of those courtroom sketchers, never had the makings of varsity artists.

[@DangerasTM]

If they were that great, they would be in a museum.

[@rustykuntz94]

Some people are so behind in the race they think they’re leading.

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Loved it!

[@Pieslops_The_Cyclops]

Yes finally the content I crave

[@bennygerow]

Love how in depth you go on these vids, and my fav Uncle June

[@lauralannister3399]

Love your content and videos! 🖤🖤🖤

[@robsop9512]

thoughtful analysis. well done.

[@dannymussman2013]

Junior asked every visitor that saw him at the hospital to “take me home”…So being the perfectly crafted details Junior will eventually be shut up once and for all while singing of course “Take Me Home” out loud he is beaten mercilessly. Never an accident with the Sopranos.

[@Carmine_Lupertazzi]

Excellent analysis

[@edmundkempersdartboard173]

"So, she's dead..." Love that Jeselnik joke.

[@richardl.currier4052]

Excellent work! It would be nice to see a video exploring Christopher as boss (as in the beginning Tony was grooming him for that position).

[@GHOST91141]

Take it easy we're not making a western here 😂

[@samkaplan9562]

Excellent video, I loved when u said “exasterbated”

[@jimantle268]

Backing out on Richie wasn't insecurity. Junior didn't become interested in Richie's plot until Tony interfered with his coke income, and even then warned Richie they would need more allies in the family to be successful. So Richie goes off to recruit the biggest crew in the family to join them in making a move. He comes back with Jackie Jr., telling Junior that Albert Barese is out. Richie does not mention the role Larry Barese's legal situation played in this, one of the reasons Junior himself was initially reluctant. Richie and Jackie Jr. then make comments about taking out Larry in addition to Tony. I think Junior made the right call.

[@faisalkamal4319]

Uncle june is in the muff

[@bustercolin7507]

I reckon if Richie got the ok to make the move on Tony, I could see Ritchie taking out junior also.

[@peterwall583]

I will never look at Uncle June the same after what he did to Dicky! And then later on he wanted Tony to whack Chris

[@richardnixon201]

I think he abandoned the Tony hit because he didn't word to get out, thus endangering Jr's own life.

[@abhimanyupatil1148]

This is a decent analysis, but I am very surprised at their being no mention of the prarie dogs scene with Tony. That was the true cost of his insecurity. Unable to even tell the ones you love most that you care just a little bit.

[@marquesjohnson6359]

before I listen to the video hesh said back in epispode I" the man is driven in total by his insecurities "

[@peaceindarkness.darknessis3494]

This guy..he woulda never known even a broken clock is right twice a day if it werent for the sopranos.

[@CountlessPWNZ]

The guy above me is a moolie

[@mastereppsreturns6586]

The many saints of newark was simply horrendous. It felt like an SNL skit of the Sopranos. The characters words and mannerisms were exaggerated... like a celeb impression in a stand up comedy. The argument scenes were escalated in just a bizarre unexpected way, either to force a violent scene into the movie (like Dicky's car argument with his dad) leading to his murder for cheap shock value, or to force a known character one-liner like Tony's conversation with his mom leading to her walking off while saying "Ooooh poor you" or Junior tripping down the stairs to say "sister's c" God it was just dumb and lazy. I wouldn't be surprised if it was written from start to finish based on separate Soprano's fans random comments and ideas.

[@fletcherpeterson1650]

Yeah and I hate how the fucked up the storyline, Johnny cut satrialles finger off in 1970 in the sopranos but mson just completely forgot that

[@benjaminb6678]

I don’t think his reaction to richie having failed to swing albert had anything to do with insecurity, as he made a logical decision for who he thought was the better leader. I think the insecure decision would’ve been to want to take Tony out after all the hurt feelings and his prior defeat to him.

[@ddave7026]

When they're at that wedding, and they say the feds are coming through. And everyone should "clean house". Nobody listens to him you see it driving him crazy.

[@jamesw7072]

I got a great idea for a Soprano video that I haven't seen yet by anyone and would love to see on your channel. I'm thinking the title would be something like "Was Tony Ever the Real/Official Boss? This would of course be more related to Junior officially being crowned the boss and even after season 1 certain people still revered Junior the real boss and viewed his ok as more important than Tony's such as Richie and Feech and then he was still requested for sit downs with New York like in that Johnny Sack and Ralph situation and during the NY war for boss. Even after Tony took over after season 1 he would cry to his capos about how they need to kick up more money so he can kick up more money to Junior for his legal fees. Did the other families in NY and certain crews in the family always see Junior as the official boss and Tony simply as underboss? Like Uncle Jun literally shot Tony in the stomach and didn't get touched for it. Somebody shooting a boss is an automatic death sentence despite Tony's wishes but a boss shooting his underboss that happens to be his nephew is whatever. Another thing to consider, for the overall title of the video, wasn't the Dimeo boss before Jackie Aprille still alive in prison?

[@jesse3050]

At least he wasn’t as insecure as little Nicky scarfo

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

I wonder if Sonny Steelgrave from Wiseguy was based on Nicky Scarfo.

[@IrishYobbo07]

@@littlekingtrashmouth9219 I would say so

[@MarloMaverickk]

Looking back on this one, I think you were being unfair with the Richie situation. From his position, he was in house arrest and honestly I think he was just wise enough to understand the writing on the wall. Albert basically shut down Richie. I think if Junior was truly insecure in this instance, I think hed be unwilling to let go of his pride, though he still tried to twist the narrative when he ratted out Richie. I think he was just being smart, not insecure there, though he is still a very insecure character.

[@mysteryjunkie9808]

That eating a woman out thing really wouldn’t fly today as a insult lmao. Never understood it lol

[@jjccg9415]

It didnt make any sense even back then. It’s an Italian thing.

[@buster560]

You if you eat that, you will eat anything!!! Your whole generation are wankers to virtual women. Of course you don't understand old school honour.

[@ohio72213]

Some groups it still doesnt fly. Its one thing to do it but its not to be talked about anyway

[@aramiskelly1464]

varsity bush-man

[@faisalkamal4319]

Big head

[@jeffreyyoung8727]

Yes junior knows just enough to be dangerous

[@hcaballero1992]

“Even one he couldn’t understand” 😂😂😂

[@LEARSIKCIGAM]

Confidence helps everything

[@seanmwhite121708]

Can you talk about Bobby Bacala as the IDEAL family loyal soldier

[@faisalkamal4319]

Loyle to his capo

[@peaceindarkness.darknessis3494]

He was only loyal to white castles and manicotti

[@normie2716]

@@faisalkamal4319 He "manuged" to get the drop on him??

[@barringtonbing393]

He did find comfort in his spondulucs

[@Buugzy]

Mr Magoo

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Not Svetlana! Lol

[@kanyewest132]

hesh looks like an enforcer in that tracksuit lmao

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Isn’t it odd how in that clip you showed of Livia, Vera Farmiga looks like Edie Falco? Did Carmela look like Tony’s mother when younger, or is this just coincidence?

[@bullywhispers9544]

Dunno, but in "Everybody Hurts" at the end of the episode Tony talks about how he proposed to Carm after she reminded him of his grandmother.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

@@bullywhispers9544 interesting. I hate playing Freud for Dummies, but it’s worth pointing out. Forgot about that

[@antoinestriggles5896]

Good Nelly reference going dwn dwn baby ohh rimshot!

[@bullywhispers9544]

I was actually going to mention the Dilemma he faced with Bobbi because she stole the money for him and thats gangstaaa and on the trip to Boca he'd have special ways to thank herrrr, but I felt that was taking it too far hahaha Thanks for watching!

[@davidshamiri1448]

So hes the actual hothouse flower?

[@romeoechofoxtrot18]

He never had the makings of a secure individual

[@jeambeam3173]

It's stupid that they took Many Saints off HBO right when I finished Sopranos

[@oussamat612]

they took it off ? why

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

@@oussamat612 cuz it SUCKSSSSSSSSS

[@diddles3383]

You can always pirate it

[@johnmoog]

Insecurity made him into a tuna lover

[@00_00.1]

Allison!

[@jjccg9415]

5:56 Can you explain the Nelly joke? I didn’t get it at all.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

It's not a joke. He was the actor.

[@Joe1887]

7:03 "It died on the vine."

[@faisalkamal4319]

Fucking parakeet

[@wyldhowl2821]

Junior is driven by his insecurity, for certain. Many Saints makes it more clear just how deeply driven he is by old & petty grudges. Lots of these guys on the show do bad things that are basically them acting out due to wounded pride (Tony, Paulie, Johhny Sack, Paulie, Phil, Leotardo, Christopher, even civvie Artie Bucco). But If these was a top 3 on this score, it would be Uncle Junior, Phil, and then maybe Tony. One of the great things about the Sopranos show, which I think makes it superior to many crime dramas, is that is really show how much these guys - no matter how they may squabble and scheme over money - usually get snuffed out over the most petty personal shit. They never really grow up, for all their power.

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

a handturkey for Christmas?

[@aguy559]

Analyze Paulie Walnuts. Doesn’t necessarily have to be from the perspective of Machiavellianism.

[@famfamfam5782]

Lmfao junio varsity bushman

[@CHICANO1975]

@9:31..LMAO!

[@kenrivers9757]

HOW DID HE RUN OUT OF MONEY???. The entire time the show was on ,and before, theybare making money. WHERE does it go???

[@lydiapinnell1124]

Varsity butch man of the Kalahari 💀😭

[@JoJoJoker]

Junior was not, in deed, a varsity athlete.

[@rollicker3139]

Nice analysis. It almost seems like this video might be useful as a therapy tool for people who really do suffer from issues of insecurity and low self esteem.

[@johnjohnjohnjohn921]

you think someone put the snatch on him?

[@smellsuperb1]

Very interesting that he broke up with "Bobbi" and his right hand (!) man is named "Bobby" 🤔

[@observeandreport2011]

Junior never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@renj6531]

He may have killed dikie for lauging i remember junior having Donnie killed after Donnie makes a joke about livia wanting Tony dead

[@dr3dg352]

An offer he couldn't understand. 😂

[@tylerdawson3601]

Dude what the hell how about a spoiler warning or a second for people to click off the video before mentioning many saints plot points. I’d avoided everything but what the trailer have told me until now.

[@showtimehussle4579]

I consider many aint’s noncan-non

[@hillstruth]

Roughshod*

[@koDaffi]

I never understood that saying broken clock is right twice a day. Is it full blown not ticking? Most broken clocks I always seen were just slow so they were never right.

[@alecmcchesney6841]

Yeah broken as in not ticking. So its right twice a day

[@MrGuggisberg]

Joe Brandon took after Junior.

[@20thCenturyManTrad]

Junior had no confidences, Paulie Walnuts was a little crazy, but he was happy in his single life, and just putting his life to Cosa Nostra, scaring up tail. Junior, had none of that, and was weak when his shot came.

[@pazuzu7779]

I liked Sopranos street better

[@joseyeastwood]

What are we making a western.

[@juniorfortune5873]

It would be funny if Junior wore those sneakers with lights

[@aaronyochim9779]

Hahahaha. I was thinking the same thing.

[@johnnyboyspero5470]

You may run North Jersey but you don't run your Uncle Junior

[@faisalkamal4319]

How many hours did I play catch with you

[@jolantad7971]

And its amazingly cool to develope yourself away. Earn enough to support all your heritage and if administered fine its not more than a tobacco expense. Change it develop it. Ppl livin in alongways.(if they dont do it by themselves you build them gym n pool extend by 10 or 15). Property maintenance initially being major burden bcms a pack of crisps. (4 on liking dm to 0 build ttly diff, but its not. U not often replant old trees[not nv eithr]). And its all possible and not that hard at all. Except for disturbers. They make prosperity into covid and war. And then,they spread hands spart. We help how we can. Bll shit!!!!! If u did wd make 3 hss a yr! Easy. Bn everywhere. Online. Abroad. Know what wages prices n possibilities are.

[@barbiquearea]

I wonder if one of the reasons why Junior never got married was because he was actually closeted. In the scene when he trying to make love in The Many Saints of Newark, his goomah makes a comment about “any excuse to not have sex”, after not being unable to properly get it on. Now its also possible that him losing his bedroom game was attributed to throwing out his back at Buddha's funeral. But I think a deeper reason was that like Vito, Junior was homosexual. We know through Vito that the mob not only looks down on gay relationships, but to embrace this lifestyle was literally a death sentence. Knowing Junior, he may have also been in deep denial about his sexual orientation, which only added to his many insecurities, not only as a man but also as a made man.

[@bigboyblue7181]

It's a scripted show so they wrote the character the way it is right?

[@repunched106]

Correct

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

Based on real events. It's not just storytelling

[@tsp988]

That prince line was 🔥🔥🔥

[@tsp988]

I think uncle Jr never married because he couldn’t perform in the bedroom, in the Many Saints movie he falls down the stairs and later on he can’t have sex because of the back brace. I think that’s why he’s so good at going down on women because he can’t please a woman any other way. Which would also be a huge insecurity for any man