The Sopranos: Why are Tony and Artie Friends?

[@MrMonkchuck]

“You don’t shit where you eat. And you really don’t shit where I eat.” Always loved that line.

[@MichaelGiordano777]

Benny would have been MIA after that caper if I was Artie. Artie should have buried him. I would have. That was Arties's problem. He could never take people out that were detrimental to his business he was running. I would have finished them all. After sit down and have a nice glass of red wine in the restaurant. Maybe a Calamari appetizer on the table with some nice Italian bread. 😆

[@dreamsprayanimation]

Are you a Navy Seal?

[@erodiumminer]

Another important aspect of Artie not being a mobster is that Tony doesn’t really have to worry about him. Like he tells Melfi his friends are his friends, but they’re also «jackals» looking for any weakness to exploit. Artie isn’t a threat or dependent on earning Tony’s favor, which makes him his only true friend

[@ibramblebush]

Dude, there major falling out they had was because Tony was mad at Artie for trying to kill himself. They really loved each other like brothers. I loved that about those two

[@Wayf4rer]

@@ibramblebush A lot of that was Tony's fault though. Artie definitely made bad decisions but Artie's life was definitely worse off for having Tony in it.

[@ryanh4775]

This is a very valid point and the thing is about the statement is I've met people in the life who actually look at it exactly like that.

[@ibramblebush]

Tony screwed over every last character in that show in one way or another EXCEPT Artie, Meadow and Anthony Jr., those are only show characters that he interacted with in his personal life that he didn't screw over. Tony even screwed over Beansie when he made him take that money he didn't want.

[@DoctorFurioso]

Also, I get the feeling OP never heard the expression "opposites attract." Or just the fact that many of us keep up with childhood friends who take very different paths in life because we still care about them. Odd that these things are beyond him.

[@jameskonzek8892]

If Artie woulda chilled he coulda been a Frank Sinatra guy in the circle. Imagine being 99% totally protected by the mob and not have to be a part of its dirty work.

[@deagle2yadome696]

too bad he was always a bug out. plus his wife really hampered his ability to move within Tony’s circles. don’t forget that

[@jameskonzek8892]

@@deagle2yadome696 Excellent point. 👍 Were there ever any vibes between Tony and Artie's wife?

[@deagle2yadome696]

@@jameskonzek8892 tony was sexually attracted to Arties wife but she basically couldn’t stand Tony. they had dated/had sex in the past.

[@jimbob465]

Frank was their bitch. If he could have walked, he would have.

[@bugglemagnum6213]

@@jameskonzek8892 watch the show bro, he went into their relationship in detail in thus video, did you watch it?

[@oldandbitter]

Artie beating the shit out of Bennie, the most laughable excuse for a gangster ever, is one of the low key best scenes in the show's history. Artie finally won one...and then his hubris got his hand burned when he couldn't resist throwing barbs at Bennie during Bennie's dinner.

[@misakiyoshida]

Him getting the hand in the sauce is one of my favourite scenes. Artie couldn't leave it alone. "In front of my wife?" aaaaaggghh

[@oldandbitter]

@@misakiyoshida When you're a born loser and can't seem to get a break but get that rare win, you tend to let the world know it until it bites you on the ass.

[@danski6694]

I comment in every thread that has a scene with “big bad Benny” in it. Guy was 5-2 and a buck forty soaking wet- yet is somehow considered “muscle”.

[@tedwojtasik8781]

@@danski6694 No doubt, Bennie was about as intimidating as Davey Jones. There were smallish, short mobsters such as Sammy Gravano, Dutch Schultz, Nicky Scarfo etc. but they were also batshit insane and kill you if you looked at them in a manner they did not like. Bennie was just a dope.

[@farmalmta]

Can't lie, If I'd thought of it, I'd have made that great joke about "A Martina... it's like a Martini, only from Albania. They go down real good, don't they Benny?". Even if it cost me getting my hand boiled in soup, or whatevah the fnck happened there.

[@erics362]

I got such satisfaction when Charmaine told Carmella she slept with Tony and decided he wasn't right for her.

[@travismiles5885]

I think that hurt her as much or maybe even more than Tony cheating on her

[@Sernival]

Carmella was undeniably snooty but Charmaine had a chip on her shoulder, that scene was a real passive aggressive chick moment to get offended at the way Carm gestured and bring up not wanting to marry Tony to score one over on her.

[@lawlessx9]

She needed to hear that. Thru out the entire series it became very obvious that she would've been nothing without tony.

[@NecroSexy]

That scene reminds me of the I-fucked-Ted scene in Breaking Bad.

[@thedudecalledalan9095]

@@lawlessx9 especially when she tried divorcing Tony and acted like she deserved some of his money And gets offended at the thought of having to earn her own money

[@IndianBrah]

It's not just Artie and Charmaine's mostly positive and co-equal relationship, it's also the fact that Artie is carrying on his italian-American family's name, business, and tradition. By the time Tony got made the mob culture was on its way out. Artie is the only male relationship Tony does not destroy by the series' end.

[@Epf831]

That is a very good point the first part, but tony had destroyed his n arties friendship since the very first episode. Artie pretty much hated him by the end. At the least highly resented him.

[@SomeGuyWhoPlaysGames333]

Uh, Silvio? They were still on good terms at the series’ end. (Or would’ve been if Silvio didn’t likely die)

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

In many ways, his friendship with Artie supports Tony's sense (increasingly delusional) that he has any shred of decency left.

[@diddles3383]

Not only that, but I feel like Artie is one of the very few anchors he has in life that connects him to the actual reality of normal people.

[@ibramblebush]

Yeah, but Artie is the one character out of the whole entire show Tony didn't screw over.

[@j-rey-]

@@ibramblebush He screwed him over by loaning him the $50k for the ill advised armagnac business deal. Tony knew it wouldn't work out, and worst case scenario, Artie would need Tony's help collecting the lost money from Elodie's brother, so Tony could then ask to have his tab at the restaurant wiped as payment. Tony just didn't fully think through the possibility that Artie might try to kill himself after the colossal failure. If Artie didn't call Tony while he was ODing, Artie could have easily died.

[@jcarty123]

"Artie supports Tony's sense (increasingly delusional) that he has any shred of decency" - Yes; same with Walt & Jesse.

[@ibramblebush]

@@j-rey- I never bought that was Tony's angle at all with Artie. Tony knew if the guy didn't pay Artie he was going to get it the guy, so he wasn't really worried about Artie paying him back. He knew that with Artie if the deal work out Artie would just pay him back, if not, he would just get it from the other guy. Tony knew way ahead how it would work out, he does it for a living. That's why Tony was so upset with Artie to think he would think so small-time petty thief, when he was really upset that Artie almost died.

[@obliviondoctor3857]

Artie had the hottest wife. All there is to it.

[@isopropyltoxicity]

Fuck no, Carmela is better looking, and Dr melfi is the hottest btw

[@MyKeeP81]

yup

[@peterlpool1387]

Catherine Narducci is better looking now than when she was in the Sopranos.

[@terry4137]

No way! 😂

[@misterwhipple2870]

yessss, ooooooohhh, Charmaine!!!

[@VideoGameAutopsy]

Tony afforded Artie lifetime pass, mostly out of their life long friendship. I mean aside from Mink, Artie was the only one who could tell Tony how it is without fear of getting beaten to death. Not to mention that he’s the only man to pull a rifle on Tony Soprano and live to tell the tale.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Tony’s had guns pointed in his face before. He knows when it’s serious and when it’s not

[@georgetazberik6834]

"only man to pull a rifle on Tony Soprano and live to tell the tale." In large part because Artie isn't the type to talk about it to anyone.

[@sarmatiancougar7556]

Tony fully recognized that Artie was right because Tony DID blow up the restaurant and he lied to Arties face. With mafia members it was an entirely different story, he viewed all of them as ungrateful shits. Say whenever Chris confronted him Tony got furious because in his book Chris was supposed to worship him and praise any decision he made.

[@Dhips.]

@@sarmatiancougar7556 Tony knew he was in the wrong, but Artie got away with it since he broke the rifle. Yes he was pissed, but I also took that as a sign of "I won't try this again, sorry I doubted you, Tony," and nobody saw it. That's my take at least. If he tried that crap the way Chris did in the Bing later on he would have probably been killed.

[@MichaelGiordano777]

Artie should have shot Tony in the parking lot right there for what he did to Artie and his Restuarant. I would have. 😆

[@KlassicKolt5612]

The actor who played Artie, John Ventimiglia, narrated the audiobook of James Gandolfini's biography. And he does a hell of a job. It's very soothing to hear Artie tell Tony's story.

[@alexanderrobinson291]

Great analysis. Love the yin-and-yang dynamic between him and Tony. Tony has status and wealth but his family and responsibilities make him completely miserable. Artie is insignificant and yearns for that status and wealth while taking for granted his great life: a patient and supportive wife, 3 kids, and a living doing what he loves. Both are trapped and admire each other for what the other has. By the end of the show, Artie has a much better chance at self-acceptance and happiness - made apparent by the rabbit recipe scene. Even if Tony survives the diner, the walls are closing in between New York and the feds, and he has a depleted crew. Melfi drops him, Meadow is likely to be a mob lawyer, AJ's still directionless, and who knows with Carmela and her real estate ambitions.

[@hisholiness4537]

I never understood why Artie kept falling for the hostesses he recruited when he's got the most banging girl on the show (who literally everyone else lusts after) as a wife that 100% loves him.

[@j-rey-]

@@hisholiness4537 I totally get it. They are hot, young, and the perfect example of something he wants but can't have. It's a midlife crisis: Charmaine is getting older, he already has three kids by her, and he never really felt like he accomplished anything significant in life, career wise. Even with the hottest wife in the world, after 3 decades with her, it gets old (and so does she). As Kino says, he wants some status and flashier examples of success.

[@MrTCHOSS]

@@j-rey- Good point. Tony and the other mobsters all have young goomahs, even though they have wives.

[@Fallout3ProHunter]

“The Yin and the Yang” Very Allegorical

[@bjkarana]

@@hisholiness4537 Artie is a guy like any other; he _knows_ he has a winner in Charmaine, but there's always a temptation to feel young and virile, especially when you've got all of the burdens of raising a family and running a business.

[@ringkunmori]

Him actually pep talking Artie is the only good thing I can remember Tony did in the final season. It seems like the only thing Tony was compassionate to are animals and Artie. What does that say about Artie? What does that say about Tony?

[@MISmotionimagesound]

Ooof good point

[@fangal12]

Artie was a helpless innocent duck, it would've broke Tony's heart of he ever flew away

[@lapacesiaconvoi]

i liked furio showing up at the at french hostess' brother's. i hated him and his sister over that 50k

[@00_00.1]

I believe that was their last interaction on the show, it was a nice tough love moment and they both knew how it was between them

[@MALIRIPPA]

Artie is that childhood friend you still talk to, knowing someone 20 plus years is always a bonus

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

You never get a chance to make new old friends.

[@versebuchanan512]

As a sous chef who worked my way up the line, I always had a soft spot for Artie. But he's an idiot for going after his hostesses when he's got a legitimately great wife at home, lol. Well for that and a couple of three other reasons.

[@cosmicskates7721]

Artie had mild psychotic moments I think lol bc after he and Benny Fazio wailed on each other, Artie would spring up like a Jack-in-the-Box to the tables omg if I busted my hump all week to enjoy a Friday nite steak dinner, medium rare 😉 and mauled, defeated-looking Artie was hovering around us I would probably be thinking 'what in the world?' and ask for our entrées to be wrapped up to-go or something 😆

[@Sernival]

Charmaine was hot but any person you've been with for a while, especially someone you're running business with, can go south because it's integrated in his home life as well. And as it is, money is well-known to ruin relationships.

[@cloudbloom]

I'm a chef as well and Artie is my favorite character in the show besides Tony. His humor is so fucking funny

[@versebuchanan512]

@@cloudbloom Heard, lmao. And let's face it, NOBODY talks with their hands on that level like him

[@funkyalfonso]

Another chef here and you are spot on but to tell the truth I cringed every time I saw him with that f*****g cloth over his shoulder. Maybe it's because I am a Brit we but we would get shit for doing that.

[@BigKahuna.]

Bc Artie had the makings of a varsity athlete, and Tony did not. He had to sit there and take it.

[@carlospinzon9388]

I think that artie's friendship it was the closest thing to a normal life. A true friend and not a "soldier" that will laugh at any joke he says, as Carmela said to him and then he realizes it

[@krinkle7695]

Also when Carm tells Tony "you don't got friends, they're a bunch of flunkies your the boss they have to laugh at your stupid jokes" and Tony says "what about Artie then?" So he might feel that she's right, like at scene where they're all laughing at his joke (except for Feech) but Artie was his friend since childhood

[@MISmotionimagesound]

The scene where they throw food at eachother is brilliant

[@jro3213]

like little bambinos

[@YungM.D.]

Another thing is thought Tony and Artie don’t speak after the money incident until season 5, Tony still sends Furio to the French con man’s house

[@dreamsprayanimation]

Someone has to pay.

[@mikem591]

That's an excellent analysis. This was part of their connection: they both wanted each other's lives. They both idealized each other's lives and largely ignored the sorrow that was involved with it. The connection with Charmaine was pivotal. She was the link between them and two alternative lives. I think when Tony looked at Arty he saw the life he could have had if he hadn't gotten mixed up in the mob. Charmaine was also the type of woman he liked - fiery, ethnic Italian looking women with dark hair. Even though his Mom had lighter brown hair, he associated those type of woman from 'the old country' and with his Mom. It seemed the women he had affairs with her also somewhat a variation of Charmaine - and maybe reflected his desire to have lived a life outside the Mob. Great analysis of a subplot throughout the Soprano's - Tony and Arty's friendship and the meaning behind it.

[@heatalldayy]

I think Ralphie genuinely liked Artie and said he wouldn’t be able to hurt him out of their our own friendship, not just because of his connection to Tony.

[@keithharper1470]

I felt the same with Silvio in the pilot. A hits going to gown its going down why should Sil care that the owner is friends with a captain. Sil knows Artie is not only Tony's friend but a good guy any other person Sil could care less that hits going down in that restaurant

[@guyincognito3456]

When you said "Artie had a happy ending" it got me thinking: if Tony dies in the finale, what will happen to Artie without Tony's protection?

[@conorrafferty9994]

nothing who is left to do anything to him

[@shoazdon7000]

@@conorrafferty9994they were all gone

[@zplapplap]

Artie has to skim until he steals enough from Uncle Sam to recover the losses from Tony’s uncollectible five figure fine-dining tab.

[@emilfrederiksen.1622]

Who is gonna do anything to him he is not in bad standing to anyone alive.

[@joeblough261]

Fazio was still alive

[@jamestrickingtonIII]

I feel like everyone can relate to having a cranky uncle who wants to have a man murdered in your best friend's restaurant, so as a compromise you just have the place blown the fuck up. We've all been there at least once.

[@barbraseville8984]

🤚

[@AgentOrange502]

Don't even get me started. Happened to me last week for the third time in my life.

[@billp4]

@@AgentOrange502 , let's go

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

My friends have all been smart enough to go on the cruise.

[@antonchigurh7227]

I loved when Artie beat the piss out of that chess ball Benny then did the shadow boxing before he walked away ~ comedy at it's finest

[@Prism3456]

I like when tony tells Artie not to worry about the loan he gave him and sends furio to get the money back from the guy instead lol great friendship

[@DeadFishFactory]

Well, the trade-off was Artie has to forgive the 6000-dollar tab that Tony has at Vesuvio. Not the best outcome for Artie, as it's basically a one-time 12 points payment, but it's not the worst outcome of owing money to the mob.

[@Dexter-gv4dw]

Tony is Tony. Greedy, smart criminal. There is situation win-win to him: cancel the bill and get 50.000 with percents.

[@chrismemphis8062]

Not killing Artie is the least sociopath thing T ever did.

[@obiwannabe360]

Tony isn't a sociopath. He doesnt fit the profile. Sure he had tendencies but tony showed genuine remorse and grief for actions, hence the burden of pain the fuels his depression. The fact he killed Ralphie over a horse is perfect evidence for his love and compassion for "beautiful creatures" and his normalized view of violence. Like they say, they are soldiers. They compartmentalize killing, but they justify it as necessary. No sociopath would beat the shit out of a made guy because he beat a stripper(Tracee) to death. Tony is a terrible person who has a beautiful soul. That's the whole point of the show. It's the curse of being human we all have to deal with.

[@holyX]

@@obiwannabe360 Nah brah, you just ate the faint the writers threw at you. He killed him because Ralph was talking shit about his hypocrisy right to his face and it triggered him real bad

[@obiwannabe360]

@@holyX Yes that set him off ultimately, but that doesnt discount my original comment on tony being a sociopath.

[@FrankAllBlues]

This is why I tell people The Sopranos is the best show ever created the writing in this show is simply Magnificent Artie wanted to be Tony and Tony wanted to be Artie sometimes the people we envy so much actually wish they were living like you instead. Great video and breakdown of this 💯

[@robertzeitz3924]

Artie and the restaurant provide a classy setting for Tony and company to meet, especially hosting people they don't want in their more personal hangouts like the Bing or Satriale's. It's like a throne room to talk high level business (with New York) or demonstrate power (like Tony's talk with Jackie Jr.) or just eat with their families. They do weekly sweeps for bugs so they know it's usually safe to talk. And the more public and formal setting lends itself to less arguments or violence compared to other meeting spots they use.

[@Werdxp]

Man this was so well done Kino. A true video essay

[@realkingofantarctica]

Even though Charmaine was the quintessential "my bitch wife" she was actually the perfect anchor for Artie. Even though he didn't like it, her keeping him away from the mob game was the best thing for him. Tony lived by bringing hard-working people down to his level because he felt they owed it to him; one look at Animal Blundetto and we know exactly how Artie could have ended up.

[@veldrensavoth7119]

If you don’t pay me back. I ain’t gonna be able to hurt you😂😂🤣🤣

[@dreamsprayanimation]

Something Mobsters seldom tell people, not even their literal family. Only reason Ralph would t be able to hurt Artie is because Tony wouldn’t allow it.

[@LipstickNWhiskey]

🤣 yesssss! Great breakdown Kino. I never saw it from the perspective Tony was envious, but when he snapped on Artie, I felt some cognitive dissonance, because I referred back to the ‘Bust Out’ where he admitted it’s in his nature to be a financial predator, as well.

[@devrenhunt969]

Your part at the end with Sil saying I said my piece was brilliant, loved it !

[@mr.patriotjol]

I do think Tony and Artie are good friends and Tony understands that he doesn’t want to hurt Artie. Maybe something happened when they were a kids since we know that Artie was a trouble maker as a kid. However, regardless the past. Artie is a good person and realizes that if he continued to act like a trouble maker, his life was ruined

[@dansosolutions1048]

If only we had a movie that could've went into this relationship 😪..hint hint Many Saints 🙄

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

@@dansosolutions1048 exactly. Probably got together with Charmaine after she and Tony split (they didn’t sound serious to begin with). Artie needed someone to keep him in line.

[@MuhammedMuhammed-xd7qo]

Artie and Tony bonded as kids. Artie was there for the absolute best of Tony's good times and was the cause of some of them. He never got on Tony's nerves, he wasn't looking to score, he was busy doing his own thing. That was enough to make Tony not just tolerate but love him, he was never a headache for Tony, and interacting him was always a pleasure. It's obvious in their youth Artie was not a loser, but a cool dude and fun loving guy that probably fit right in with Tony and the mobster bound guys. I know people like him, the proverbial high school heroes who were (and still are) really good dudes that were absolute Chads in high school/their 20s, and just can't get a grip on how to evolve into middle age. As much of a manipulative jackal Tony was, at his core he just wanted to be among a group of fun loving people he knew he could trust (just look at how happy he is when the guys come into the Bing for a bachelor party - he sees a group of fun loving best friends celebrating their friend's marriage and genuinely wishes he was part of that group), and Artie was one of the few that met that criteria.

[@chadmedeiros264]

I believe Tony was attracted to women who came up in difficult situations. He liked Charmaine because she seemed appreciative of what she had and worked hard. He also had a ton of respect for Svetlana. She came up in very difficult situations including "only having one pin". He seems to be attracted to women who are somewhat self-sufficient. Even though he obviously loves Carmella I think he resents that she wants the "glamorous life" handed to her. Even though she started to look into the future to set up her "own little thing" I believe Tony didn't like it. Amazing show with very complex characters!

[@j-rey-]

Good point. He also liked Gloria at first bc she was a successful and rich saleswoman. And he especially resented Carmela during "Chasing It" when he wanted to bet the money she got from selling her house (which, let's face it, was basically his money/his gift to her). She was acting like she was self sufficient when really she was the same old spoiled wife, who was criticizing him for trying to gamble what was de facto ~his~ money. That was probably the nastiest he ever got in the series.

[@Sernival]

@@j-rey- Yeah I think Tony's anger was understandable, the night before, Carmella scoffed at Tony and walked away because he referred to the spec house money as "our money". Carmella's problem is that she still relied on, and nagged other people to do things for her. She used her husband's money, her dad's labor, and sold it to her cousin, so that's just money being passed around in the family. And as husband and wife, it is technically her and Tony's money, and she still fucked up by not having it built to code, and trusting Tony's inside information because she just wanted to hold onto the money, it was a more elaborate version of taking money from the birdfeeder.

[@tommythompson7941]

I don't think Tony "loves" anyone to tell you the truth. I think his addiction to women while he is under duress is some sort of "complex," to quote Hesh. Amazingly to me, he does not break his personal code with the woman from Italy. So awesome that people are still talking about this ground-breaking show. I think it predicted well many of our social and cultural problems today. Salud dude.

[@nordette]

True but carmela said he always wanted her to stay home and didn't really want her working. She said He bitched and moaned at even the idea of her getting her real estate license or something like that. Its interesting he tried to keep her in a role of someone he didn't really respect. He thinks he wants a working woman but those relationships never work out for him. He keeps his wife from being what he thinks he wants

[@Jennifer-ns9ym]

In season 2 Carmela’s mother reminds her of what Livia said before she married Tony. ‘She said it was a mistake. Tony would get bored with you’. Livia knew it. Carmela knew it. Tony knew it.

[@nickfowler547]

Tony and Artie both provide each other with something that both long fit but can’t really have. Artie has simplicity, family, a loving Italian wife who helps run his business, and he never has to worry about his safety or the law. But Tony has all the power, wealth, and respect that Artie wants. Both give each other a glimpse into each other’s own true desires without having to risk much by being friends.

[@jdhathrisen]

Another great video. But it does make me want to watch the whole thing all over again.

[@FlymanMS]

Artie is such a lovable honest brave fool with a hear of gold.

[@usasupersoccer]

Artie almost managed to pull the towel off without breaking the plates and cups…good for him.

[@TheKingTywinLannister]

Almost 😅😂

[@jamesharris40001]

Kinos a nice guy but he’s like the grim reaper. Its like he knows every flaw with the Sopranos plot and cant wait to tell you about it.

[@richardjared960]

Honestly Artie doesn’t know how good he has it with Charmaine. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous. But she’s also extremely intelligent and level headed unlike a lot of the other women in the series.

[@dreamsprayanimation]

Yeah she is one of the few chicks that doesn’t get wet over violent psychopaths.

[@barbiquearea]

Especially when you consider how she could have also married Tony or any of the mob guys and spent her days living in luxury and comfort. But instead chose a middle class guy like Artie and help him run his family's restaurant.

[@53capridrive]

Kino, you should be given the opportunity to teach community college courses on the topic of your choice. I have never been disappointed in any of your video’s. They are always spot on!

[@BookshelfQBattler]

Maybe there’s a lesson about choosing happiness. Tony has lots of money and women but is miserable because getting them causes him a lot of problems. Artie looks looks at Tony and sees the money and women but doesn’t think about the problems that come with them. Artie really is very lucky to have a wife, family and business.

[@peppitachips1764]

Tony loves Artie is pure Tony is proud and when Artie is around he doesn’t feel like a mobster he feels like he won’t get stabbed in the back

[@TheSacredPain]

Some of my favorite quotes from the show with regard to Artie have to be: "Oh, Wolfgang Fuckface!" Or, "WE LEAD THE WORLD IN COMPUTERIZED DATA COLLECTION!!!"

[@raygun26]

I’d take 1 Charmaine, over 50,000 Carmella’s

[@pennystocklocks]

Here's a better question...Why are Kino and Borko Friends?

[@basedelon]

Are you fuckin' kiddin me? You don't ever admit the existence of this thing. Ever.

[@misakiyoshida]

He should have stood trial like a man.

[@BenLaSoul908]

Charmaine was always one of the most beautiful women in that show

[@tommythompson7941]

Bro! Thank you!! I grew up in north Jersey and I love talking about the show "with anyone who'll listen!" Grazie signiore!

[@datruth9585]

This was absolutely amazing. The patio references I noticed but not in the coma dream. This is one of the best analysis Ive seen. Great job 👍

[@KittySnicker]

I’d be jealous of Artie if I was Tony because Artie doesn’t have to worry about being killed or put behind bars. He doesn’t have to suffer that anxiety. I’m already an anxious person and I’m not a mobster. I freak out about much smaller things such that I’m surprised Tony’s whole life isn’t one big panic attack.

[@wesleydunphy9182]

before even watching the video I'm going to say it because Artie is a link to a life that Tony wishes he could have. one of a good honest man.

[@thelostboygiovanni]

Artie is the only tie back to when Tony was normal before he was made.

[@BKevin0]

This is why I sometimes don’t feel too sorry for Carmela. She knew what she was walking into with that marriage, she opted to go for the fancy lifestyle paired with a cheating husband. Charmaine was sensible enough to realise, that a life of dishonesty wasn’t for her. Great video btw!

[@barbiquearea]

Her marriage with Artie wasn't perfect. She was naggy and he had an inferiority complex that was difficult to deal with. But at least she didn't have to worry everyday about Artie disappearing (like going into hiding or getting chopped up into little pieces), or end up in jail. Artie for all his faults still managed to provide a stable and happy life for her.

[@AgentRafa]

Great analysis Mr. Kino. Very fascinating dynamics between Tony and Artie, I think you nailed it. Now I've said my piece:-)

[@johnkeros9109]

I'm trying to eat, and you come along, with your corny jokes, and your stupid stories.

[@VenomousStare]

Great video Keens. Sort of reminded me a bit of a Preston Jacobs ASOIAF video. Loved the digs at Artie being a SIMP!

[@PureKino]

I love Preston Jacobs! One of the best ASOIAF creators out there

[@richardg8651]

I'm no Tony but for many years had a friend like Artie . His life lessons were always instructive and somehow amusing . Not sure why he liked me . Ask Artie .

[@AgentOrange502]

@@daryl9799 wtf are you talking about lmao. This dynamic you described is not common at all. Do you speak from experience?

[@Efinem3787]

I wish the Artie divorce storyline would of been better

[@halasmideast3778]

Ralphie was a really smart gangster..his impulse and greed killed him

[@TheKingTywinLannister]

I think the other guys jealousy of his humor is what killed him

[@halasmideast3778]

@@TheKingTywinLannister for Chrisakes..he was fucking around!

[@TheKingTywinLannister]

@@halasmideast3778 he was the only one who brought a little fun and amusement to otherwise depressing criminal family. A little sunlight to darkness if you will.

[@GooseGumlizzard]

his coke addiction *

[@caseyfalconer7347]

Artie got away with so much that Tony would’ve had other people hurt or wacked for, especially in the later seasons

[@Audioobscure]

Yeah otherwise he wouldn't be his friend

[@diddles3383]

Ay, an episode of the most interesting dynamic of the whole show, for me at least. I genuinely do think that Artie is Tony's only true friend, him being a normal person with no proper connections to the mafia and all.

[@RockAndGrohlMe]

Exactly on-point! I've said my peace, Chrissy....errrr, Kino.

[@calmdowndearest8033]

Brilliant video! The “said my piece” at the end is class. Well done 👏

[@josephst.george7841]

My friend from middle school / high school was the actor who played Artie as a teenager in the many saints film. I remember him not being in school for about a month or two while he was filming back in 2019. When the film finally came out me and the rest of my friends were finally old enough to start watching this show. It was so wild seeing someone I’ve known for years pop up on the tv screen in a sopranos movie.

[@ricocox2591]

Crazy how they was jealous of each other.

[@thewkovacs316]

the grass is always greener

[@BWalsh737]

Another great video man. You are such an incredible content creator.

[@ryanh4775]

Artie is the working man's hero... When he stood up to Benny the way that he did he puts it all in perspective about how reality really is.

[@johnconway9882]

That was definitely a David Chase curveball that viewers (and Benny) never saw coming. Who knew Artie had that in him.

[@ryanh4775]

@@johnconway9882 exactly but I would expect the same as much from anyone if they had something like that happening to them.... And when Benny starts fishing for sympathy all I would say is you ripped off a guy who's not in that life and surprise all of your archaic made up rules went right out the window and you found out that might was ultimately right.

[@karlosdeevs]

Lol imagine in an alternate universe where Artie is boss and Tony is chef (a la John Favreau). I’d literally pay to watch that. But yh after a while i’m sure it would toll, esp. on Tony’s inflated ego he’d be way better at being a regular salesman.

[@entheo302]

Tony’s fantasy that he could sell patio furniture were he not in the mob should be on the bottom of the iceberg. Seen the series half a dozen times and missed that!

[@jonvia]

He didnt have to ruin a perfectly good hunting rifle.

[@billycarr]

Artie’s smart enough to keep his kids away from Tony

[@LuckyDT]

The wife's voice in the coma dream; I always heard Gloria Trillo but Charmaine always made more sense.

[@raceit502]

artie: beta simp tony: alpha male kino: ultimate apex chad

[@Mr.BeastFacts]

“I knew you had this business, Artie. It’s in my nature; the frog and the scorpion. In fact, bring me a plate of frog legs, would ya? Put it in my tab.”

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Rewatching the show for like the first time 15 years, this bother me a bit. It is mentioned several time the sporting goods store is in his wife’s name. Couldn’t she have repudiated some of his orders? Like every time it was mentioned it seemed like this was some looming trap for Tony, and then just nothing?

[@devanman7920]

Man thank you for these! Still such an amazing show years later. Also I always got the feeling Tony was a bit jealous of Artie in some ways but also Tony see Artie as his only friend. His "friends" in the mob while being his friends would still step over him to get a head without a second thought!

[@PREEM513]

There are some people who are brothers even though it’s not by blood. Artie and maybe sil are genuinely real friends to tony.

[@elmalteado4163]

Atleast Artie did not end with a bullet in his head.

[@njones52]

It's a grass is greener metaphor. Didn't think of that before I saw this.

[@australian2]

Artie was the strong, silent type. The working man is the real man.

[@zplapplap]

Artie was neither strong nor silent.

[@australian2]

@@zplapplap he worked everyday and didn’t see a shrink …

[@zplapplap]

@@australian2 Neither of which establish the character of Artie Bucco as being either strong or the silent type. Seeing a shrink is not, in and of itself, indicia of weakness. Tony, of course, saw his own seeing of a shrink as falling short of being the strong silent type. So, there’s that.

[@australian2]

@@zplapplap it is a weakness to see a shrink. There’s no cure to life.

[@zplapplap]

@@australian2 We can agree to disagree. In the show, Tony went to Dr. Melfi because he was experiencing debilitating panic attacks in which, among other things, he would lose consciousness. He was successfully treated for those panic attacks through a combination of psychotropic medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Tony was ill. I don’t conflate that with being weak.

[@roadking3844]

Artie talked tony out of murder he definitely respected Artie as a real friend

[@peteyprimo7173]

Artie is the only connection Tony had to the regular world . He loves Artie because he’s real and keeps him grounded in reality

[@travismiles5885]

Finally! About time you did another Sopranos video I was starting to grow mushrooms out of my ass

[@johnallenbailey1103]

Wash it every now and again. Problem solved.

[@playbackproductions1]

@@johnallenbailey1103 you had one line... one line! 😞😞😞

[@johnallenbailey1103]

@@playbackproductions1 sorry

[@travismiles5885]

@@johnallenbailey1103 SMDH You could have been somebody.

[@jimmylandi3901]

Now there’s an image!

[@qualityesports7802]

Haven't watched the video yet, but my best guess is: Artie sees in Tony the ideal form of pure masculinity, success, and wealth, and both envies and looks up to him. Tony sees in Artie a reminder of innocent days gone by, and an honest, hard-working Italian American like his grandfather the stonemason. Likewise, he envies Artie's innocence and looks up to him in his own way. They also enjoy each other's company and their shared experience growing up, even though their lifepaths diverged decades ago.

[@StoneSlumber]

I believe Charmaine, as a character, was the closest to the "voice" of David Chase.

[@gabos7892]

Arties wife is 🔥🔥

[@harryanders2877]

In a nutshell....I love Artie. One of the absolute best characters on the show. Very fleshed out. Played by a great actor. And yes, his wife is spectacular indeed.

[@MrPink2024]

*You had me at "Simp"* 👍🏿

[@ericostling4727]

The voice in Tony’s dream on the phone when he’s is the hospital is that girl he had the committed suicide . Can’t remember her name .

[@wangflop]

Great video. Love the Scatino comparison, I never thought of that.

[@frankdudek6242]

Great take on this relationship.

[@robertparker6280]

Ok that ending with Sil's line, that was great!

[@rasheemthebestfirstone3274]

Thanks for the lesson I definitely won’t be a simp like Artie 😂😂💪🏽💪🏽 great analysis I love these videos

[@tarantulagirl]

Arties a warm and convivial host!

[@crismartinez1642]

Tony kept Arti around because he was the only one who wasn't afraid to tell Tony off when Tony was acting like a an asshole.

[@jamiepasquariello2652]

The great thing about this show is, ive watched it all the way through about 5 or 6 times. I do not remember Artie moving in with Tony. You ALWAYS find something new

[@Gitfiddle]

5:45 this is an example of a perfect take. How many throws would it take to get the lunch meat (probably capicola) to land perfectly on JG’s face a second time? 🤣

[@warlockborn1031]

How did they film that without laughing their asses off? Or did Gandolfini actually crack and recover???

[@josephgana5746]

3 wifes were, Carmela, Charmaine n Gloria.....SOPRANOS PURIST

[@justinhopper5941]

Another thing is Artie was way more sincere with Tony. He’d say what is on his mind. He wasn’t afraid to even call Tony out if he needed to. Tony’s friends in his crew on the other hand were so fake and laughed at his jokes because he was the boss and he could hold things over their heads. Great summary though. Artie was a great character and hilarious..even though he could be a simp lol

[@RonsaRRR]

" He wasn’t afraid to even call Tony out if he needed to." - Just like Silvio.

[@justinhopper5941]

@@RonsaRRR Yes Sil could on things work related. It’s a bit different dynamic. Artie would Tony things out that he felt were morally wrong.

[@Recovery305]

Because Artie gave him all that free food lol.

[@f-man3274]

and hard drinks of choice