Power Law 23 in the Sopranos: Robert Greene's 48 laws of power

In this episode, we will evaluate law 23 of Robert Greene's 48 laws of power in the Sopranos by first taking a second to look at the strength inherent in a tight knit group as demonstrated by the mob...before digging into the dangers of expanding and the power of focused attention as shown through the conflict between Tony Soprano and Richie Aprile over garbage. We will end with a surprising comparison between Jackie jr and an infamous historical figure.

[@andresgarza1725]

Jackie Sr didn’t want his son involved in the life. However if he had a change of heart, I imagine he would tolerate a lot of Jackie Jr’s misdeeds and give him a pass. This will only enable him, and make him think he can do what he wants because of his “fawtha” but eventually when Jackie Sr is out of power, then Jackie Jr would be taken out by those with longstanding grudges having to tolerate his string of getting away with things. Unlike Chris, Jackie Jr didn’t learn from his action, and felt he was owed everything. Chris in the early seasons felt a sense of entitlement as an upstart but over time fell into place.

[@davidsmyth4184]

But fundamentally, he was stupid.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Thoughts anyone?

[@davidsmyth4184]

@andresgarza1725 . Good point, well made. However, I refer you to,,,,, oh blee kay....!!!!!

[@A_real_Ha_So]

I'm not sure Chris ever really fell in line. He went from riding Tony's coattails to the Adriana situation. From there I think he would've latched onto anything and sooner or later he would've been dealt with by Tony if only because he might've thought Chris might turn informant if something big didn't go his way.

[@bobby.m136]

Yup... and frankly, when Tony told Chris Jackie wasn't suited to it, it was absolutely true.

[@enak413]

(2:38) Inbreeding explains so well Little Carmine's Subspecies in this Genre Specifically

[@bullywhispers9544]

Very observant. The sacred and the Propane.

[@ambquilla5755]

“Glitz and glamour of the garbage business” made me laugh

[@rocknrolladventures]

Lol at tony using juniors Virginia ham analogy 🤣

[@robertzeitz3924]

Jackie definitely relied on the past (his father, trying to replicate the card game robbery) too much. But one Sopranos theme to me was that what Tony and company laugh about doing as younger men is stuff they don't tolerate in the present. Then they whine about things changing, when they're the ones changing the rules.

[@Momofan69]

Hypocrisy is a pretty consistent theme, just another way to show how bad these guys are without going look they're killing someone omg

[@Evan-qt3ep]

Truth

[@ACKoop]

Everytime I see Ritchie.... "...don't look at me with them Manson lamps" - Tony 😅

[@wades9327]

I imagine Jackie Jr as a hot headed Little Carmine. I imagine him being called Little Jackie and flipping out over it. Either way, a guy that can't negotiate a penguin exhibit ain't gonna last long.

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Not Drinkwater and the Gizz!

[@yannick245]

I always thought Drinkwater and his fanook friend beating up the guy not pushing Webbistics was hilarious. Not because of the violence but the setting. A normal broker office and the two wannabes, wearing suits like yuppies in the 80's did. They probably watched _"Wall Street"_ the day before. Followed by a mob flick. In 1999 they didn't act this violent just in the open. Way to much heat _(not only for the guy getting spilled over with coffee)._ But I think they got their bulls crushed for it. Richie actually would've liked their way of handling things. I know that the two guys were idiots. So were many other mobsters. Gotti even became a boss as buffoon.But why did they have so less patience? Everyone ones it's a very long way to establish themselves in the structure. The already had a leader with connections right to the top. They were definitely not in a dead end position, as they felt. And clipping the favorite nephew, of the boss of the family would've brought them nowhere. They did their diplomas themselves and not like Chrissy got his license, right? So they went to a college. Not for nothing! But it's incredible how such stupid people can achieve a college business diploma in the US! Any $4 a pound...

[@rossdawson5575]

Now Jackie Jr could have been a varsity athlete but never a gangster

[@kenrivers9757]

Good one🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@theblackknight5716]

In retrospect, a lot of these power rules can bite you in the ass if you're not careful with your use of them.

[@davidsmyth4184]

Like Feech and his nephew . Notorious for jumping out of tree's with a chainsaw. People have a right to defend themselves.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Definitely. Thats why most of them have a reversal to them, like Borgia and Jackie jr relying too much on one person and then they die.

[@theblackknight5716]

@bullywhispers9544 Law 2 is definitely Tony's downfall. He put Christopher into a high position just because he was family, although Chris was very loyal and probably wouldn't have betrayed Tony it was a good decision without hindsight. He was a fuckup and Tony wasn't very willing to help him get his act together, making Chris's benefits pointless. Christopher's death basically made it so Tony had no really loyal guys left.

[@vashon100]

@@davidsmyth4184 trees vs tree's

[@davidsmyth4184]

@@vashon100 🤣🤣🤣👍

[@letsplaylore]

3:13 was too well timed 😂

[@mkno_cap7791]

Glad this series came back I love theses videos they need to come out more often

[@Zoka211]

Im with you! So interesting and we need to see all 48 laws

[@davidsmyth4184]

@Bully Whispers. Great show. I think I speak for a lot of fans when I say that you're effort and skill, in offering a unique insight and keeping the show alive, is greatly appreciated. ❤ F&*#in nosey, eat ya Maricote

[@ryandonovan5205]

The only bad thing about the Sopranos is when u watch the last episode and realize it's over and there will never be another show as good ever again

[@host_arnold6187]

Walter White would like to know your location.

[@ryandonovan5205]

@host_arnold6187 he's one behind Justified at #3 but one ahead of Mr In-between at#4

[@JohnDoe-od7ye]

Sopranos was awesome but yeah, Breaking Bad was on another level.

[@Luxarium]

@@JohnDoe-od7yeboth class, BCS is great in its own right. But imo, the sopranos takes the cake

[@gregoryporch8395]

​@@host_arnold6187Breaking Bad was great, but Walter White is still the incel version of Tony.

[@JohnDoe-od7ye]

You know who had an arc? Bully Whispers.

[@nathanfallin2750]

Man it’s crazy there’s others who are still interested in niche political/strategic analysis of a show twenty years old. This series is so random but amazing. Also Bully Whispers? No clue but fucking great name.

[@Demetribasketball]

I love this Channel

[@davidsmyth4184]

Ah, the Rothschilds. Little known fact, the Rothschilds are 2nd cousins of the Jambas. And the grandad was a Cardinal

[@HxH2011DRA]

Lol the edit on "something that expands to ridiculous proportions will inevitably collapse" XD 3:13 Also *looks at u.s military bases and the falling of the petrodollar* Yeah that rule of nature checks out

[@kathryncassandraward4764]

So glad you finally did another power law. Jackie Jr. lacked intelligence and good judgment, so he was doomed, regardless of who was in control, IMHO. Thanks! Keep up the good work!

[@Mukation]

He might've faired better had his father actually instructed him on the life. It was clear Jr wanted in, but his father didn't.

[@yaqubebased1961]

He was undisciplined and ignorant. How can one be smart in this game when you have literally no one to learn from?

[@pyotrbagration2438]

Yeah but do you know who his Fatwa was?

[@gregoryporch8395]

In a world where Richie remained alive, he absolutely would've fought to the death for Jackie Jr. But alas, the one other constant theme of the show was the Aprile crew's constant decimation, likely to reflect how the "old school" falls apart following its own rules in the defiant face of change.

[@DustmanNorochj]

I was glad to see mention of Cesare Borgia. Any plans for doing the Laws of Power in relation to the series The Borgias?

[@matthewwoelfle5533]

Aut leather jacket aut nihil.

[@aryanahyperborea8731]

Please do the 48 laws of power and machiavellian monday for Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul too.

[@dbix11]

Great video essay as always. I'll play devil's advocate and put forward the counter point in diversified income sources has its advantages as well.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Absolutely and not just income. Thats the reversal of the law and Jackie Jr, if you are too reliant on one source and it goes away, rough times ahead. Thanks for watching!

[@NaZtRdAmUs]

Jackie Jr wouldn't last in the mob. I mean he nearly drowned in 3 inches of water at the penguin exhibit.

[@davidsmyth4184]

I think Jackie Snr would have drowned Jackie jnr in 2 inches of water, probably in his mid teens

[@aaron6170]

Had Jackie still been alive, Jackie Jr. would have a been a (much more incompetent) Christopher. He would have been made faster once Jackie realized he wasn't cut out for the professional life. Rosalie would have raised more of a protest and their marriage would have deteriorated. Tony's crew would have bitched about Jackie constantly at Satriale's or Bada Big ("Brainless the Second" could be used here) and would have found ways to undermine him, which would've been successful b/c Jackie Jr. wasn't smart, tough, or evil enough to survive in this world. He'd be a Kendall in a world of Logans.

[@yannick245]

Even Drinkwater and his fanook friend had a better criminal energy, compared to Jack Jr. Their impatience f**Ked them. They had the favorite nephew of the boss as their leader and were given a prominent role in the Webbistics scheme. Also kickin' up to Tony directly. I don't know why they were so dissatisfied with their situation. And even if they would've stopped working for Chrissy, Richie was another option form them. Definitely a worse one, but they were already in the game. The road to becoming a full member is paved with thousands of bodies of wannabes like Mathew, Shawn and Jacky Jr. Waste material for the _"the real guys"._ You have to play it slow, like Benny Fazio did. Who I think by the end of the was already got his button, or was on the top of the list _(after all the losses)._

[@Zoka211]

Jackie Jr HAD ambitions for younger upcoming mobsters, but their first heist led them all to be killed. So i think sooner or later Jackie would be killed

[@Luxarium]

@@yannick245yeah they were wayyy too impatient, had they played the long game and eventually matured they couldve became valuable assets to the gang

[@VampireNewl]

It's a little strange hearing Cesare Borgia get talked down since Machavelli thought so highly of him

[@Rick_Riff]

I'll tell you what a gold mine is!! Those Peter Greene books!

[@grendel0013]

If Jackie Sr were alive, Jackie Jr would still end up like Christopher. Imagine seeing Aprille Sr drowning Junior in 2 inches of water. Now that's drama baby.

[@DinoVillanovaMusic]

I always say if you read robert greenes books then watch any film or show you will see a lot more and it is always like that with any book thats the whole point of books then you apply it to your life, in a positive way of course.

[@mercedestorque1735]

" I'll f#@# help you!!" 😂

[@JohnMoog-ug6bk]

Just rewatched Mean Streets, forgot David Proval was in it

[@getrad64]

Wonder how you’d feel about doing succession analysis since you do a lot of hbo shows.

[@Mukation]

If Jackie jr and his crew had "fake" robbed the card game (as in no loaded guns and pulling of their masks and laughing, giving everything back) or not shot Furio, they might have gotten away with it. But Furio was a made guy. And they shot him, they fumbled the whole thing. And well, Jackie also left his friend standing, allowing Chris to recognise him (and thus realise who they were).

[@yaqubebased1961]

Had they actually finished the robbery without anybody getting hurt, things would be different and Jackie would have some street cred (as Chris recognized them).

[@Mukation]

@@yaqubebased1961 Which is exactly what Tony had Jackies dad did, they did the job without killing or wounding anyone and got away. Anyways, Jackie Jr was an idiot

[@tbarnett984]

Were doing robbery before the meth wore off (per JJ). Big mistake to rob Sunshine and company while high. Jackie didn't have "the right stuff" to strong arm rob a low level mob game. Thus, driver taking off, JJ and other kid left stranded, JJ hijacking a car and leaving his last homeboy to the wolves, (Chris and another dude from the card game). These actions a future leader do not make. I know what I'm saying is not coming out correctly, lol, but JJ does not have leadership qualities. He has poser style, not leadership assets. Though later helping to bring down multiple prominent families, John Gotti at JJ' and AJ's age was jacking cars, jacking trucks, jacking whole loads of contraband, had small bookie and gambling operations long before getting his own crew. The man was a street thug, vicious scrapper, and had STONE COLD leadership qualities at 15, 16, 17 years old (60s at passing). So JJ and AJ are straight jokes, now, with more analysis. Just my 2 pennies.

[@lowkeybeams5663]

Heck yea!

[@_zigger_]

Like a pimp says to his hoes - keep em coming (the videos)

[@davidsmyth4184]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🇨🇮

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Let's go!

[@bobby.m136]

Jackie was alive of course he'd get a pass... And the crew would have to suck it up or make a move, wich is unlikely, considering Jackie seemed to have been more respected and liked more so than Tony. Jr pointed out that under Jackie's rule, the service would have been much bigger of a deal, despite what the kid had done. That in itself is telling. And if this had unfolded while Ritchie was alive, it's likely Ritchie would have been down to kill whoever to protect his brothers kid. (Hell, that kid who spilled fried rice all over em up the mall was lucky to survive that encounter) Certainly would have been interesting...

[@butterkaffee910]

Can you make a Machiavellian Monday on the Corleonesi and the 2nd Mafia war?

[@TooLooze]

Jackie Jr.was no genius like Little Carmine....

[@mikepignatelli273]

Little Carmine was like a fox

[@nickchavez720]

I dont think Jackie Jr would have gotten far in the mob life if Jackie Sr. was still around. Jackie Sr. was a respected and well liked boss by all and he made it very clear he didn't want his son involved in the family business. No one would dare to cross the boss and take Jr. under their wings out of fear of punishment, respect for Jackie's wishes as a parent, and also a sense of sympathy as many of them don't want the criminal life for their kids either. What would have happened is that Jackie Jr. would have either stayed in school since he would have his dad around to keep him on the straight and narrow. Or if he insisted on dropping out to pursue a life of crime, Jackie Sr. would have cut him off until he got his head on straight. No one with any connections would talk with Jackie Jr. about business, which means he wouldn't get the idea from Ralphie about robbing the poker game which lead to his death or any other ideas from other made men. He may get into some minor trouble which leads to him spending some time in jail, and he comes crawling back to dad to fix it all: promising to go back to school now that he has the fear of God in him. But his chances of making it in the mob life are even less likely with Jackie Sr. around then with him dead. Its probably why he made the moves to become a mobster after his dad died, since he knew with him around he had no chance.

[@simonatford1]

If Jackie Sr had lived Jackie Jr would have been a Jersey version of Little Carmine.

[@yaqubebased1961]

Ritchie missed the forest for the trees

[@KMcNally117]

I enjoyed your video. I would recommend exploring the Laws of Power in a biography I'm currently reading. The Power Broker by Robert Cairo. How did an unelected official for 40 years become the most powerful figure in NYC responsible for the building of all its parks, parkway, highways, bridges, building of Shea Stadium, and UN Headquarters without being stopped by the public or even a US President? I'll leave you with that question and hope you give the book a read.

[@aztiff]

Robert Caro, excellent book. Robert Moses was an enigma.

[@mikepignatelli273]

Too bad the mob didn't stop him

[@cyrusamaria]

Elon Musk has the same being scattered problem.. now he’s going up against Zuckerberg who’s bread and butter is social media.

[@gregoryporch8395]

Jackie's life would've been very different with his father and uncle alive, but since they are dead he's "stepping into a great man's shoes", I think there's another law about avoiding that or something.

[@apok1980]

Jackie Sr would go through EXTREME lengths to keep his son out of the life. You might remember a time when Tony Soprano said that AJ is too soft for the life. Pretty sure Jackie Sr thought the same thing, just didn’t say it.

[@kludgedude]

It’s a garbage mine!

[@StarlightEater]

Cardinal, sparrow, whateva

[@o_glethorpe]

very allegorical

[@wellgeo223]

That intelligent young go-getter went from pushing stocks to pushing comic books. He really should have just stuck to Webistics...

[@verbplural5631]

Had Jackie Senior been alive and was okay with his son being in that life, he would have been a better mentor and his son wouldn't have picked up bad the habits his substitute mentors such as his uncle and Ralphie showed him. Tony was following Jackie Senior's wishes by not allowing him in the 'business" so didn't want to have nothing to do with him as far as that is concerned (possibly that turned out to be a bad decision by being so direct in shutting him out). As a result the lost young fellow gravitated towards other father figures.One who held a grudge and thought he was entitled as Jackie Jr thought he was as well. Having a front row seat to some of the most emotional irrational moves Richie made, showing he was never fit to run a crew. Purposely not going where his brother was successful in the construction business, but focusing on stepping on Tony's toes instead. Then the superstar his mother brought home in Ralphie who also had an axe to grind and while a good earner had questionable cowboy behaviours with very terrible advice that cost him in the end. These are who Jackie Jr had as role models, following them was always a road to disaster.

[@carmelosgro6413]

Jackie would have kept his son out of it, Tony said it in Season one

[@alecdorfman4871]

Jackie is like if Sammy the Bull made all the wrong moves

[@frankmurphy7234]

What do you think what would have happened if Jackie senior live long enough for his brother to be free?

[@bullywhispers9544]

That could be its own episode. Thanks for watching!

[@frankmurphy7234]

@@bullywhispers9544 Big Fan

[@Ah-Sol]

Jackie jr wouldve been killed in the end or locked up and flipped

[@robertprice5243]

Dr.Melfie calls tony out about living next to the rich ass doctor she knows....the doc needed smacked,i think

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Pronounced: Says-Er-Ray damn it 🙂

[@Dan_Ben_Michael]

Drinkjizz and The Water.

[@erickennedy8534]

If Jackie SR was alive , it would been like Chris , and Brenda situation , Jackie lives , Jackie SR pays a tax , and the rest of Jackie little crew will of got killed.

[@Drew_Thompson]

cHE zar ray borgia

[@petro6883]

lmao ol drink water

[@sureokk]

All my homies hate the Rothschilds

[@Knihcaggin]

3:11 tht timing was disrespectful 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@getawaydreamer2724]

Honestly, If Richie was truly bad ass old school He would have killed Tony and took power by force.

[@moblack5883]

No one would follow him

[@rocknrolladventures]

The biggest power law is jackie doing it for his fawtha

[@rocknrolladventures]

Got any coke manson lamps?

[@pagansmc13]

can you please not say "they" every time you refer to a single man... Particularly someone who was the pope 500 years ago who would never have even contemplated referring to himself as "they"… Thank you

[@dtczyk8976]

What a weird thing to be bent out of shape about.

[@killakel410]

When you start writing his script you can pick the pronouns he chooses to use.

[@bullywhispers9544]

I think I only did that once, when referring to the new pope. That was intentional because when I said he died within 26 day it sounded like Cesare Borgia died, not the new pope. Thanks for watching!

[@pagansmc13]

yeah because it's common knowledge that folks who are "bent out of shape" normally say things like "please" and "thank you"…

[@pagansmc13]

yeah because it's common knowledge that folks who are "bent out of shape" normally say things like "please" and "thank you"…