The Sopranos: All The Captains Were Rats 🐀

[@PureKino]

Hey everyone I know Sopranos Theories released a video about rats in the show last week. This video was in production for a while and the release just happens to coincide with his. Go check out his if you haven't seen it!

[@rogueprince1341]

This happens all the time. I watch two wrestling youtube channels that put out separate videos on the same topics like a week apart. There's only so much blood you can squeeze from a turnip.

[@john9377]

Kino never had the makings of a varsity poster

[@couchbumkino5423]

Well shit, imma make one now lol

[@thatpart]

Ohh yeah. With the wrestling shows, that'll happen a lot! ​@@rogueprince1341

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

You think the people who made Deep Impact felt this way about Armageddon?

[@magnanimousj]

The whole Adriana issue could have been prevented by anyone, at any time previous, sitting her down and saying "At some point, the cops might come after you. They are going to try and scare you into cooperating. Here's how to handle that."

[@alyssarichardson2544]

Could be bad writing (or convenient so the story can happen), but I like the idea that the guys assumed Chris would have already taken care of it, but he did-dent because he's a dumbass. Carmela probably would have known the right things to say by the same age - it's not like Tony waited until she was 40 to give her the talk lol...

[@steveomac385]

She is from the mafia. She should have knew. But she was always naive.

[@Despond]

I think they would have killed her anyway. If she went to Chris or Tony right after that undercover agent revealed themselves, and said she said nothing they would just adopt the: "Why take a risk? She's got to go". They would see her as a weak target for the FBI to continue to try harass and just cut their losses rather than risk her ratting.

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

​​@@Despond Her only real chance was to tell all the wives at movie night... every time I watch the scene, to this day, I'm thinking _"...tell them... tell them... tell them!"_ in my head. So tragic that she didn't. After that scene, it's a foregone conclusion.

[@fredcamacho5333]

@@Jimmy1982Playlists Nah, someone would have said something. Either Rosalie Aprile or Sil's wife would have said something to the guys or Janice would have taken care of Ade herself. If Ade blabbed to the feds, their husbands would be arrested and thats the end of their cushy lifestyle.

[@dahill3162]

AJ ratted out Tony seeing a psychiatrist to Livia, almost got his own dad clipped.

[@evolutiontail5697]

I'm surprised more fans don't bring that up.

[@mistrzjuliusz9372]

well he didnt take an oath

[@zoro9834]

he was a child

[@christophersimon8339]

AJ could throw his hat to the floor and miss. Rumour has it that he once got lost walking down a one way street.

[@Zuwze]

@@mistrzjuliusz9372 Counter-point, associates don't talk about their involvement either.

[@jamesw7072]

The Aprile crew may have had a curse but none of their Capos were rats. Shot outs to Jackie, Richie, Gigi, Ralph, and Vito.

[@Infaziation]

We all know Richie was a rat who went into the Witness Protection Program

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

@@Infaziationnah. He was buried on a hill overlooking a river with pinecones all around

[@BookshelfQBattler]

I mean…no one rats until they’re pinched. Richie was pinched and did his time rather than rat. The rest were never pinched so who knows what they would have done but I could definitely see Ralph and Vito ratting. Jackie and Gigi probably wouldn’t have.

[@jamesw7072]

@@BookshelfQBattler Vito wouldn't rat, he would of loved all those Italian sausages in the can.

[@samanthab1923]

What about Larry Boy Barese

[@hakijin]

Rat? He was a glorified hamster!

[@getawaydreamer2724]

😂

[@caesarjergens]

I laughed way harder with that than I expected.

[@agentscarn7270]

Guinea pig

[@Brownismyname]

very allegorical. a 95 pound hamster

[@avangardismm]

God loves you all

[@JohnMoog-ug6bk]

Sopranos capos aren’t the best but rather the least bad available (Tony wanted anyone but Ralph & eventually gets stuck choosing Ralph). A central theme of the series is that any Italian with a brain & some discipline can now succeed in the legit world (like Doc Cusamano, his lawyer sister in law, & Melfi), so the mob is left with the brainless, impulsive dregs of humanity like Matt Bevilaqua & Jackie Jr. Capos are blind leading blind.

[@Zuwze]

Underrated comment.

[@toddpick8007]

Its not a bad theory if it wasnt mentioned about Tony Soprano and Tony Blundetto having high IQ's. Its not really a central theme as it shows alot of hard working, intelligent disciplined Italians being taken advantage of (Paulies gardner) or being complicit (Dick Barone). I would also point out that they arent "brainless" when you have guys like Silvio running businesses, Ralphie running major construction firms, and a whole lot of other "earners" making real legit money.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

@@toddpick8007 Which just leaves you asking why they don't make more of an effort to go legit.

[@toddpick8007]

@@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 They literally grew up in poverty or near poverty conditions with multiple family members and friends in that life style. Its a point of the onyl thing they know how to do and lack of opportunity. its why the mafia today (at least italian mafia) is diminishing, people have ample opportunities to succeed and work now so they do. That and RICO predicates. Mob bosses are rarely stupid people most of them are CEO level intelligent.

[@tbarnett984]

@@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 You have said exactly what Salvatore "The Bull" Gravano told John Gotti, whom said as much to Paul Castellano, "let's go legit", we'll make more money than just construction, concrete, waste management, etc. Frankly, it makes sense.

[@sterlingarcher74]

I don’t like the theory that Chrissy was a rat. I think the whole point of his arc was that he had this undying loyalty to the family and to Tony, despite the constant abuse. Even though he lied, stole, killed and sold out his own fiancée, he still ends up dead and discarded by Tony like all the rest.

[@Sci-Mon1]

Exactly. I hate how they even left any doubt that he was an informant.

[@ElCrab]

He just had those Hollywood delusions, and in talking to JT he’s fantasizing about going the Henry Hill route, leaving the life but cashing in on it.

[@sterlingarcher74]

@@ElCrab Yeah get that point of view. But I've seen clips of actual mobsters bashing Hill for what he did and bashing Scorsese for casting such an attractive actor to play him. I'm sure Chris and the rest of the crew would've felt the same way- and lost their minds when Tommy DeVito killed Chrissy's lookalike in the movie.

[@puremercury]

​@@ElCrabYes, he was erratic and a loudmouth, but not a rat.

[@Anitamustdie]

Yeah I’m like he got his gf killed like ofc he’s not a rat

[@DarthIRGri]

Eugene’s suicide was always more heartbreaking to me, I always saw it as him killing himself to save his family, because he was stuck between the fbi and the soprano crime family, the only way to insure his wife and kids could escape and give his son a chance of a better life was to kill himself so his wife would inherit his aunts money

[@avangardismm]

God loves you all

[@XanderShiller]

Makes sense. Showing the scene of him hanging was a harsh, long few seconds. Def added to the severity of the situation.

[@HailMich]

He already had the money. Why would his wife inherit money that’s already there’s? He paid Tony a couple times with watches cash from the inheritance.

[@mikedawolf95]

@@HailMichif the wife get the money, Tony doesn’t get anymore

[@DarthIRGri]

@@HailMich also it’s because he was an informant, he couldn’t use the money to escape because they needed him in jersey. If he dies his wife gets the money and the fbi can’t force her to stay, the money isn’t ‘dirty’ in anyway so if he dies she is free to leave, he tried to give Tony money because he hoped he’d beset free after that, obviously that didn’t come about and after the fbi completely shoot down the idea of Florida he’s left with only one option

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Vito had room for the penal experience

[@brtshmvne]

😂😂😂

[@iamjackscompletelackofsurp9606]

Anal predicates

[@avangardismm]

God loves you all

[@aaronlohr8477]

Whoaa! eyyy! Maronne!

[@PerfidiousAdrian]

Fat Dom over here

[@tracieivey2397]

It makes sense that those higher up the proverbial food chain in the mafia would be more likely to rat; they've far larger charges if they get busted. Plus, they know a lot more information to trade with.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

Hell, there's such a thing as ratting for personal gain. You can use the role of an informant to get rid of your rivals / undermine them. And many historical mafia figures became FBI informants for this reason, with notable examples being Whitey Bulger and Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal.

[@nathanfallin2750]

But the higher ups are the important guys running the actual crime. I think it’s stupid to only go after the boss and give captains free reign to commit crimes.

[@vaultboy4710]

​@@nathanfallin2750You're right. It is stupid. But that won't stop our federal government from doing it. They'll let off serial killers, to get dirt on someone.

[@Strong9731]

@@nathanfallin2750I was incarcerated with a guy who got 10 years in prison because his plug wore a wire while selling him 4 bricks.

[@ericsilver9401]

@@Strong9731skill issue

[@armchairbrain]

I don't think people talk enough about how Ray Curto had the best possible outcome for an informant. Sure, his death was unexpected and he was snitching moments before, but not only does the DiMeo crew not find out about Curto's cooperation (apart from Eugene), but his son with MS is probably going to be financially taken care of by the crew without possible scorn due to her father being a snitch.

[@militantautist9811]

Lol they don't take care of their deceased guys people remember when tony was in a coma Paulie and Vito didn't even wanna give Carmella a dime because there was a chance he wouldn't wake up!

[@vadamane]

⁠@@militantautist9811yeah but Tony was giving Angie Bonpensiero money even though he was a rat.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

@@vadamane There's some clear inconsistencies with these guys. But maybe that goes to show how they aren't really rigid with their own codes.

[@johnclay2716]

@@militantautist9811 As much as Mafia guys are portrayed as " EVIL IMMORAL SOCIOPATHS " a good chunk still are normal guys with normal feelings If a good friend of yours/reliable coworker passed away and you promised you'd take care of his family, there's a good chance you're going to do it. I'm pretty sure the Dimeo crew is even seen doing this earlier in the show, it's only towards the end where Tony starts getting very greedy and not giving a shit

[@samanthab1923]

@@vadamaneNot enough to live on & he terrorized her & smashed her car up. She had to move in with her daughter & was giving samples out in the grocery store.

[@horsekfobster7823]

The capos in season 1 disliked Junior and betrayed him because he was too solid, all 4 of them were snitches 😂

[@BostonX-ce7yp]

When Junior was healthy he gave them all hell including Tony he points out his weakness so many times when he shot Tone I fell out 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@elwinjohnson4004]

Junior was a mfer in his day i can tell lol

[@HaltDieKlappa]

​@@elwinjohnson4004 yeah and then the movie just made him look like a puzzy and basically outright stated that he was gay

[@jamesw7072]

Feech was a stand up Capo, The family (the boss) ratted on him and had him sent back to jail for life. Also, Ralph got killed over a horse. I see why Capos had no loyalty with those kind of friends.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

Yeah, no loyalty among thieves.

[@BookshelfQBattler]

He got killed over Tracee. The horse was just the last straw.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

@@BookshelfQBattler Plus it's never established in-show whether or not Ralph was responsible for the fire that killed Pie-Oh-My. I'd like to think he wasn't (and for what it's worth, Joe Pantoliano played the scene like Ralph was innocent), but Tony didn't see it that way and killed him because he now had an excuse to dispose of Ralph, something he might've wanted to do at some level ever since Tracee's death.

[@jamesw7072]

@@BookshelfQBattler Almost just as bad. You shouldn't even kill a made guy if they killed an associate ( if Richie killed instead of paralyzing Beansie or Paulie failed attempt to kill the Russian was worse) but to kill a made guy over a whooooah is not the makings of a varsity mafioso.

[@johnclay2716]

Feech was awesome, he was a real true to the cause mafia guy. If Tony kept Feech around, a guy like that could have turned guys like Matt Drinkwater into semi competent assets

[@DXodiacs]

Paulie wasn't a rat, Paulie was a snake.

[@nathanwagner9895]

Did you know snakes can fuck themselved

[@micahrutland9021]

Paulie was such a snake. The one guy in Tony's crew that Tony should've whacked, he never whacked. He fucked over just about everyone else one way or another...

[@mrmalocchio9117]

​@@micahrutland9021 Snakes were fucking themselves long before Adam and Eve showed up.

[@noone12748]

A snake with wings

[@toddt.]

He needs that money for his long term planning.

[@sarmatiancougar7556]

Jimmy was a super important character. His role was to show that people can be right about one thing but wrong about the other. Tony assumed that because he was right about Jimmy being a rat he was also right about Sal NOT being a rat. Tony didn't just want to believe, he did actually have this logic.

[@seewhativescene]

Whooaaaaa takeiteasy with the essays

[@vShadie]

Walt Whitman ova here

[@Adski975]

Ubububu, we're with the writers! ​@@seewhativescene

[@theunknownatheist3815]

It was NEVER established that Jimmy was a 🐀

[@dionruffin3996]

Jimmy was clearly passing information. When confronted he never said he wasn’t a rat 🐀

[@SuperCosty2010]

Kino, being Adriana's simp changes nothing on the fact that she knew damn well who Chrissy was and what kind of organization he represented. The contrary, she enjoyed the benefits of that pretty much. Ray Curto is a completely satirical character, like the opposite of Jimmy Altieri - he snitched like hell, put his heart and soul into it, got away with everything and will be remembered as an old-school stand-up guy. Amazing

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Exactly. If she weren’t with him, she’d be the arm candy of some Iranian businessman who wears too much cologne and drives a white BMW. She’s in it for the money and anyone from Jersey knows girls like her.

[@antoinesilva1527]

Funny how Joey Pants’ (Ralph’s actor) stepfather was like that. He was a Lucchese soldier who turned informant pre-Valachi.

[@BookshelfQBattler]

She knew what she was getting into. The difference is she was stupid, naive and easily scared by the FBI. She didn’t know her rights, how and when to shut up and to insist on a lawyer and keep quiet. The FBI had no case on her. At best maybe she does a little time but I don’t think they had anything on her had she kept quiet but she didn’t understand how to deal with the Feds. Someone like Paulie or Sil would have known how to shut up and not be intimidated by the fbi. That’s why they chose Adriana.

[@SuperCosty2010]

@@antoinesilva1527 Joe Pantoliano's father?? Ain't this a bitch 😂

[@SuperCosty2010]

@@BookshelfQBattler Yeah well despite all I've put out here, she wasn't a member of their team (social club) in any way, so she didn't know how to deal with feds. They have broken stronger girls

[@Nlbg16]

We do see why Ray became an informant. He gets arrested in season one at a brothel, along with Tony's corrupt cop. As for why he was so enthusiastic about it, I like to imagine that Ray just decided to screw with both the feds and the mafia for fun. He's so casual about the whole thing

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

That makes a lot of sense. He probably didn't want his family to face the embarrassment of his using prostitutes.

[@CaptainTrips560]

We don’t KNOW that that’s when he became an informant though. It’s a lot more fun to think that he’s just some crotchety old man who wandered into the FBI office one day because he wanted someone to gossip about his mob friends with

[@Segasage9]

I seen a comment before mention how Ray had been in the mafia since the glory days when there was actual honor and how at this point the mafia didn't mean much to a vet like him. So it wasn't a hard decision to rat out a few guys that veteran such as himself would've viewed as just a few young punks with no real honor. He had already made his bones back in the glory days and had nothing left to prove to himself or anyone else at this point, he only had loyalty to his actual family.

[@avangardismm]

God loves you all

[@robbieh.1384]

@@Segasage9yeah, he showed those honor-less young punks how to do things! ..ya know..by himself performing the most dishonorable, loathsome taboo in the Mob of snitching out your own family’s members for your personal benefit.. I guess? Yeah!

[@konradjurgiewicz3598]

I'm not surprised the guys were willing to flip after seeing how they offered no help for Paulie's "mother" when he was arrested.

[@Eamonshort1]

Poor Paulie, how much more betrayal could he take?

[@pandavelli8176]

As likable as Tony can be at times, the last time I watched Sopranos I had a realization: he’s a terrible leader. He watches war documentaries and reads Sun Tzu and Machiavelli but he treats his men like garbage until they have nothing but hatred towards him. They only kiss up to stay safe.

[@bridgenorton537]

he knows he’s not the best leader- he has massive weaknesses and flaws. But he believes he’s the best man for the job. Not because hes such a great leader, but because everyone else is a fool or a rat. And I think that’s part of his anxiety- it’s the decline of this thing of theirs, and in this era HES somehow the best man for the job, and he’s the most aware of his own flaws.

[@jordil6152]

The main takeaway from Adrianna's situation is to lawyer up ASAP. You don't even need to be connected to know that. I think that they scared her so badly that she couldn't think straight. They probably used the same pressure tactics they use on hardened killers. It was overkill.

[@Tesla_Death_Ray]

She got married because she saw it in movies. That's way too naive to lawyer up.

[@craighembree3101]

Chris is wearing a Cleaver hat in his meeting with Phil, which might foreshadow his being killed by Tony (as happened in Cleaver) and his returning to haunt Tony (as also happened).

[@SisypheanSeas13]

Makes sense. As Tony did also try to get with Ade.

[@Ghaltouni]

Same shit in real life. Criminals can't shut the fuck up about snitches and rats, but they ALL flip if they're not paid or threatened with death

[@Cosinegl]

The stupid ones don't flip. I saw many times how an older criminal will brainwash some teenagers into all that "cops are not humans","only thieves are worth of respect" bs and then force them to plead guilty for the crimes they didn't even commit.

[@bradjohnson482]

Sonny Franzese and Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero would disagree.

[@Galvatronover]

@@bradjohnson482probably one of the exceptions to the rule

[@mikeohagan2206]

RICO changed that. not a lot of guys can do 30 years.

[@Ghaltouni]

@@mikeohagan2206 I'm not just talking about America. If you can't buy a criminal's silence or threaten him into it, he'll flip.

[@Mikisiw]

Legend has it that Paulie was born with that exact face and it's never changed one bit.

[@GeneralProfessor]

I'm convinced Jimmy was a rat. He acted nervously when he tried to make out with Tony's punching bag. He talked nervously when he dragged the "Sooo...". And he insisted on bringing up the CoLuMBiaN moNeY twice, even after Tony tried to change the subject.

[@fakeplaystore7991]

Well, duh.

[@Woibadinger]

Jimmy was a saint

[@RockdownPlus]

Very obvious that he was a rat.

[@ArmyJames]

Lieutenant Columbo ova here.

[@marcelbey-el1947]

jimmy wasn't the rat, it was big puss

[@jamesmorant1406]

Tony was a terrible boss treating his man like S--- no wonder they became rats

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

With Carlo, it’s not surprising. Even if Tony lived after Holsten’s, Carlo was the nail in the coffin

[@jamesmorant1406]

@@littlekingtrashmouth9219 You're right

[@PoopTurtleTV]

It's theorized that the cat is staring at the photo because there's a wire tap behind it and only the cat can hear its frequencies. Carlo is the one who said they got the photo of Chris framed and Carlo was a rat as mentioned in this video

[@Argos-xb8ek]

What kills me is how Ray was probably snitching way longer than shown its why he was so adamant about someone else being boss another lightning rod to keep his rat ass on the snitch

[@nrlsan36_34]

That's a great point. For all we know, Ray was probably spilling since Febby Petrullio in the 80s. Could have even been the one that got the Old Man sent to Leavenworth.

[@Papermetroid]

love how you cut right before adriana hurls during that fbi meeting, you can hear her right before you cut away LOL

[@Philipp1500]

Larry Boy was the only OG Capo beside Tony that was loyal.

[@jonnyb.animationstutorials7119]

And yeah, he told the feds about Willy Overall, but he knew they could never trace it back to Tony or Paulie, so he lied and said Jackie Aprile Sr killed him, because Jackie Aprile was already dead and he could blame the murder on him and nobody would go down for it.

[@thatpart]

One of the things that probably helped Carlo with his decision - there's the scene where Bobby got mugged. Carlo mentions to Tony that, even though Bobby got robbed, he made right on the cash. Tony shoots back: "It's a maneuver...". With this, and Tony blowing up on the ride back from Hesh, Carlo looked visibly hurt each time.

[@vShadie]

“fuck that honor and loyalty shit” was definitely not the smartest thing in the world to say in front of a newly made captain, even without the context of him already thinking about flipping

[@thatpart]

@vShadie Yeah! For the life of me, I couldn't remember what Tony said in that scene. He was a horrible man there.

[@john9377]

I don’t think Chrissy was a rat I think he stayed loyle to his capo

[@LordTalax]

loyle

[@triplek-dysongamingwithdan7771]

Beautiful girl: Thank you!!!!!!

[@alyssarichardson2544]

He was a capo, at least later on...

[@michaelharrison3602]

I think Chrissy would have ratted if push ever came to shove

[@michaelknight9189]

Chris did dint

[@apstrike]

Christopher's defining trait was being a grandiose PoS without ever accomplishing anything real or earned. I think his talk of what he could do if he flipped is no more serious than his other big dreams.

[@RevanBC]

Drunkin rambling is all that was. I'm sure we all seen it before with someone having a bad time drunk

[@melvert33]

He could've finally had the time to work on his memoirs.

[@caesarjergens]

Dude he could have been a successful male model.

[@christopherconard2831]

​@@RevanBC Drunk rambling or drug fueled ego flexing. Either way, if the wrong person heard he said it that would be his suicide note.

[@Sernival]

He knew about the Pokemon cards, he would've brought Jersey down

[@vadamane]

Yeah jimmy was being real sus at Tony’s house after he got released. I still think he was a rat.

[@SuperCosty2010]

What is there to think about, as Paulie once said. Of course Jimmy was a rat, if everybody else among capos was, why wasn't he 🤣 The way he talked to Tony in the basement, how Junior confirmed that to Tony after the capos' meeting, his reaction to the about-to-be-whacked situation - all shouts about it

[@kayleb-oo1ro]

@@SuperCosty2010 feds picked a guy who sucked so much hiding the fact that he is indeed a rat...

[@TheGyroBarqusShow]

You know, on the Sack problem, the reason the mafia lived for too long is that it was a secret, only legends, even the FBI in the 80s were trying to take hold of this "legend".

[@gorann3494]

And now you even have guys like Michael Franzese who talk about it very much... I dont blame the guy, I love his stories...but mafia is down.

[@jockoadams3377]

Christopher being a rat would've been a great twist to the series. Especially as Tony would've gotten lucky killing him after the car wreck. At one time, Chris might've strongly considered it. But ultimately, I don't think it was so.

[@alexmajax]

In the old days, prison sentences were no way near as harsh as today, I don't believe that "back in days", guys had honor and would never rat, the difference now, is that you're a family man who's looking at life or 40 years in prison for a drug dealing, back then, before RICO and before super harsh prison sentences for people dealing narcotics, people got out on parole after serving 18 months of a 10 year sentence, also, since the 70's, the Mafia's influence with politicians, law enforcement and the justice system started to fade away, Mobsters are criminals who think about themselves, they're selfish, self serving people who don't care about anybody but themselves, and not many of them will sit 60 years in prison for a blood oath.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

In *Goodfellas*, Henry's time in jail where he is cooking rather good meals with other mafiosi is almost pleasant and not very prolonged, though his wife on the outside had a harder time.

[@jasonkinzie8835]

The idea that these psychopaths feel a genuine sense of loyalty is laughable.

[@Dusty_Bottoms_]

Another first class presentation... thank you Mr Kino

[@Werdxp]

I was eating while watching this and was about to skip the Adriana vomit scene and you cut it for me. Kino is the GOAT

[@nepesilva2284]

Me too lmao Kino earned his YT name with that edit

[@CaptainTrips560]

I’d argue that Larry is not a rat. He was giving “information” to the FBI, but he was furthering the interests of the family more than his own (at this point, a bogus tip and a murder that couldn’t be prosecuted isn’t going to help Larry)

[@Sci-Mon1]

It doesn’t seem to matter in the show. Simply cooperating with law enforcement, truthful or misleading, is still seen as a rat either way.

[@CaptainTrips560]

@@Sci-Mon1 that’s not really “cooperation” though, that’s actually kind of the opposite

[@Sci-Mon1]

@@CaptainTrips560 yeah I used the wrong word. But you get what I mean

[@TheJolle]

You know, these Sopranos videos of yours were the whole reason why I finally decided to watch the show. So I could watch these videos without spoiling anything

[@opaljk4835]

The reason people stopped being loyal isn’t to do with much else besides the ever lengthening prison sentences being handed down via Rico charges. It’s been said by many ex mafioso that’s exactly the case. If the risk is not equal to the reward, then it becomes obsolete. Also, Christopher didn’t really need to be bumped up for him to have rolled over. Idk if I buy that!

[@Webishtix]

In the photo, Chrissy is wearing a hat and headphones, which to me at least suggests a nod towards wearing a wire.

[@robertabrahamsen9076]

The scene from season one (I think) where Tony says "I took an oath!" and Carmela replies "What are you, a kid in a fucking clubhouse!" should have been in this video. I love the theory that the cat was obsessed with Christopher's picture because he was a rat. I like it more than the theory that the cat was Adriana reincarnated, although that too makes a certain perverse amount of sense. Yeah, we never see Christopher flip, but the Sopranos always reserved the right to withhold information and leave unresolved ambiguity. Which I suppose is why we're still theorizing about it 17 years after it went off the air.

[@mrneutral8423]

Nah nah... the Cat is Paulie's nemesis. I think Paulie and Patsi had Tony killed. Rats don't like cats... Paulie was already a blabbermouth to the NY crew.

[@robertabrahamsen9076]

@@mrneutral8423 I think you're right about Paulie and Patsy conspiring with New York to kill Tony. But your theory doesn't explain the cat's obsession with Christopher.

[@mrneutral8423]

The cat was Christopher reincarnated. He was obsessed with looking at his former self. Paulie being a rat, disliked the cat. Treating the cat similar to how he treated Chrissie. @@robertabrahamsen9076

[@july9566]

Phil did his time like a man , he never brings it up tho ....

[@LssnLrnd]

Right there on the RAHHDEEEATOHR

[@wesley_snipes]

He did an indeterminant amount of time in the can

[@TaylorWilmes]

20 YEEAAARSSSS

[@anthonypapiccio2045]

If jail is a likely part of your way of life, guys need to get paid while they're in jail. If not, there's just no reason not to rat if you get anything over a year. Standing up for the guys on the street who are still earning, while they do nothing for you, just doesn't make sense. Gotta spend the money to make things right, but the higher ups just don't wanna do it, same as any institution.

[@Tyl0rC]

I always thought when the captains sit around telling Tony it "should be him" to take the seat of the boss (at the beginning of the show), it was really the FBI appointing Tony with a full endorsement, knowing that it would lead to the pygmy thing in Jersey's downfall

[@keelanmurphy9941]

I really, really don't think Chris was an informant. He's presented with a DOZEN opportunities to turn his back on the life, and he rejects all of them. It's the whole point of his character, imo. Tony is the man he goes to hell for.

[@minenamedothJeffeth]

That cut before Adrianna vomited was hilarious

[@SpaceEmps]

FBI definitely got Adriana killed

[@killman369547]

Because they're not the good guys either. They're basically the mafia but with badges.

[@CallofFreaky]

Ade was such a tragic character. She was so sweet and everyone treated her like shit. Except Carmella, bless her

[@danlorett2184]

They are comically incompetent with informants in the show

[@patrickwilliamson29]

You can't just blame the fbi. She should've known that after telling Christopher about dealing with them, she had a target on her back. At that point she was called by Tony she needed to get the hell out of there and gone into witness protection. Unfortunately she was naive and not particularly headstrong

[@danlorett2184]

@@patrickwilliamson29 I mean you can literally just blame the FBI. They literally let her die lmao

[@listrahtes]

Na Larry wasnt a rat. Its nonsensical to put him into that category just to make a catchy topic. He just told them something to get a lighter sentence while shielding his people . Also Richie Aprile was a captain, Bobby Baccalieri, Ralph Cifaretto, Gigi. The idea from Chase was that besides the RICO laws alsways being a threat to get people to turn Tonys leadership would also drive some into it or at least make it easier. The fun part of Sopranos was how utterly incompetent the FBI was besides all the informants they had.

[@grinchoi1]

I think we find out about Ray Curto back in season 2. He asks the Feds if he should wear a wire to Tony's moms funeral. He needs new batteries for it... Also Christopher being a rat is such a huge reach.

[@Babar4Ever]

everyone gangsta until you get 100 years in prison.

[@DA-yl8js]

One probably unintentional but funny detail is during the scene where Junior becomes boss. The two who say salut, Tony and Johnny, become bosses. The two who say to junior, Ray Curto and Jimmy Altieri, became rats. Larry Barese, who just says Junior, ends up in prison and depending on who you ask, is half a rat

[@Totxameeee]

I'm always reminded of how Vito Corleone was against introducing drugs into the mafia, and in The Sopranos (almost) everyone who becomes a rat is because of drug dealing/drug use

[@brianw.6718]

Omfg how did I never connect the "rat behind the wall" bit.

[@kylec8259]

Ray wasn't even a guest of the government, he was goddamn EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!!!

[@Mattaruu95]

Those gabagool captains never had the makings of a varsity athlete anyways.

[@MrJAG]

Also, at 12:00, notice the cat's tail waging, that means something is bothering them. If the cat is actually her, then she is annoyed at Christoper because he helped get her killed, instead of cooperating, and moving away with her.

[@daviddanielsson3643]

Vito had plenty of room for the penal experience.

[@littleblackduck3134]

So Silly, they had 10 members at that table, 4 were informants and they still couldn't put Tony away

[@MrDamienCreed]

Perhaps in general these people strictly followed the rules of the mafia, but why remain silent about Tony? He doesn't respect them, he's a bad leader, he creates problems. So they cooperated with FBI about him, but they probably wouldn't have done that if Jackie was still the boss. By the way, I think even Silvio would cooperate

[@samspetifore9875]

I’m a soldier to Kino to the day I die. We all, after all, know that he has the makings of an excellent Sopranos commentator.

[@aaronoverbey2147]

Christopher also talks about cops not being so bad. Even talks about a state trooper doing work on his basement

[@A_r78]

Jesus kino, always with the scenarios.

[@Rellbronjames9]

Just when i thought I was out, they pulled me back IN!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@elmizzox]

The only exception is the Aprile, La Manna and Junior Crew

[@SerPounceToebeans]

@0:08 In case anyone is wondering this is Boardwalk Empire. I recommend giving it a watch. Great show!

[@Anthony-Ciffareto]

Gracias muy amable de tu parte

[@mikeedogg]

Paulie was never a rat. He was a weasel. Still loyal to the end tho.

[@Sci-Mon1]

I do think he would’ve been a ray had he been faced with the situation.

[@kurre7]

It's interesting to think that Christopher may have been a rat. I don't think the show gives us enough to think that though, especially after he had a chance to run away with Adriana into witness protection but he chose Tony.

[@pducks3602]

Christopher never had the makings of a varsity FBI informant.

[@eyestoenvy]

There's NO honor amongst thieves ....

[@betancourtisdie02]

Bless your Patrons for giving you the good ol’ Vito special!!! 🙏🇮🇹🎉

[@sean5558]

It’s very good question : Did the rats cause the Mafia’s decline or did the Mafia’s decline create more rats . Oathkeepers and oath breakers is a good observation of the sacred and the propane. On the topic of Crissy flipping or not they made a point on Sopranos Home Movies when nobody could find where he was when Tony was arrested on gun charges when the whole family was on deck until he was released, he didn’t even call until after his bday to wish a belated bday. And Tony also pointed out when Pussy was MIA for long time he would have been held in custody and eventually flipped. So the same could be true with Chris

[@samanthab1923]

It was drugs. Once they got a taste of how easy the money was they were sunk. The mandatory sentences were way longer than what they were used to.

[@jacobwhitley3767]

Please no, the idea of Chris being a rat is painful 😢

[@christopherconard2831]

Chris jumped back and forth on loyalty. Some seasons he'd take a bullet for Tony, others he'd put a bullet in him. If the feds picked him up at the right time and made the right pitch, I could see him informing. Maybe not about Tony directly, but about the people around him. (Ignoring the fact that this would eventually lead to Tony.) He never got along with Sal, and was regularly in conflict with some of the other bosses. Maybe he would see it as using the feds to clear his competition out of the way. Or use similar pressure that they did with Adriana. Tell him that Adriana flipped, so he's responsible for bringing both a rat and a fed into the family. Maybe he could rely on Tony being understanding and forgiving, but his best chances would be to work with them.

[@sean5558]

@@christopherconard2831 very true , in my mind have a theory he was definitely approached and taken in custody and given offer to turn rat (especially why he was MIA on Sopranos Home Movies ) and really contemplated going through with it after Paulie was ripping into him about his daughter being dumb and a future stripper with everyone including Tony laughing about it. He was now a movie maker with future in Hollywood with a good wife and a child (that Adrianna could never give) worth living for away from the mob. Being torn up about it he went to JT for some emotional support and him not giving him any support and pointing out he can not hear his problems because Chris is in the Mafia made Chris lose it and kill him . His last appearance at the meetup with Phil before his death by Tony he was high (coping with guilt of being rat?)and also looking at his watch (keeping track of times and place for info to the feds?) and wearing Cleaver hat( had mic in the top button like Jack Maserone ‘s M.O.S.T hat did?) historically he was very open and vocal to Adrianna and JT that he hated what was going on and he had reasons to walk away from it . Along with who possibly killed Tony the question of Chris turned rat or not may never be confirmed

[@4SteveKombolis]

The state of the maffia wasn't much of a factor. Once organized crime got heavy into narcotics it was only a matter of time with everyone facing huge sentences A very select few are going to be capable of doing 20, 30 plus years. And obviously every time someone rats it takes out those lucky enough or smart enough not to have been busted themselves, leaving people with less experience to have to fill the vacuum

[@sammihaka2056]

Tony's instincts about Paulie snitching to Big Carmine's crew and acknowledging that Chris was tempted to Rat were correct, but whereas Tony jumped at the opportunity to snuff Chris, Tony's probable nostalgic affection for Paulie prevented him from also being killed. [SPOILER ALERT!] However, I suspect the NY crew's eagerness to betray their final boss, the "Shah of Iran" to end the costly gang war, was all probably a ruse which a still NY-friendly Paulie collaborated in, to usurp Tony's role (since his Lt. Silvio was left brain-dead), by luring him out into the open with a false sense of security.

[@theghostofthomasjenkins9643]

tony and "the shah" were both huge liabilities that were mostly out of touch with how things had to operate in the modern age. honestly, their best bet was lil' carmine, who actually knew how to make legit money and wash the dirty money efficiently.

[@robertbusek30]

8:54 - I’ve always found that the way Tony ran his family (or glorified crew, if you prefer) was self-destructive in nature. His treatment of his underlings reflected his own self-hatred. In the end, he wanted to be betrayed, which is why I believe that he called out a hit on himself in the series finale.

[@bryanadkins2944]

Thaaaaats a massive stretch lol

[@robertbusek30]

@@bryanadkins2944 Perhaps. What's your theory about the end of the series?

[@Olluwaaa]

If he did why in public infront of his family?

[@robertbusek30]

@@Olluwaaa Because he wants to take them down with him, physically and/or psychologically? That would make sense for a narcissist like Tony...

[@Olluwaaa]

@@robertbusek30 damn that's a good one actually

[@billycox6410]

Thanks for cutting out Adriana vomiting everywhere 😂 I’m eating and saw it coming, glad it didn’t happen

[@lorenzomena8613]

Another good episode explaining our favorite show in detail. Thanks for not showing the whole Ade hurling scene. I was eating at the time but I always eat watching the Sopranos which is alot! Keep up the good work!

[@Doncarpenterradio]

Phil did 20 fucking years in the can and didn’t rat.

[@Psychology]

Tony is a rat too. He told Melfi everything. Junior was the only original Capo that wasn't a rat.

[@dirtdealer6813]

Johnny Sacs courtroom drawing Vs. Juniors..😂😂.

[@zachbartlett2829]

1:10 I know Vito had room for the penal experience if thats what you’re referring to!

[@elmizzox]

Almost all these informants in the show have been higher-ups, despite the rule to search for wires applies to newly made guys

[@shark_byte_clips]

Joeyy pfp 💯

[@elmizzox]

@@shark_byte_clips Now yuo see

[@ShiddyKong]

10:26 Always with the scenarios

[@TheRealSuperGeeks]

Excellent analysis, but, I think what’s missing here when comparing the change in attitude re: informing IRL and on The Sopranos is the establishment of RICO laws. The influx of narcotics to the game didn’t help either. It used to be a whole lot easier for wiseguys to stay out of prison by everyone just keeping their mouths shut and doing their time. You had issues with local law enforcement and federal law enforcement not cooperating making genuine, substantial prosecution problematic. Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts), for example, was arrested 28 times and only wound up serving 20 months in prison his entire life. RICO changed everything. All these crimes and criminals were grouped together under the notion of engaging in an ongoing criminal enterprise and it cast a much wider net and EVERYONE started informing because EVERYONE was going to go away for life if not close to it. That’s why you don’t hear about the mob going after informants anymore. Informants have become pop culture icons and if they went after all of them, that’s all they would be doing.

[@-James-A]

Of course Jimmy was a rat. As if his "how do you do, fellow Mafia member?" chat with Tony in the basement wasn't obvious he was.

[@davidantonioramalalcalde7881]

Even the music is on point. One of the greatest series ever. 👏👏👏

[@WestCoastEnclave]

Borko always said that PureKino fanbase was nothing but a glorofied crew...

[@Evan-qt3ep]

It’s so funny how ray curto dies also right before he incriminates tony in Matthew bevelaqeua’s murder.

[@smittyondadeckwhodat]

Ya gotta kick up to Borko...25 boxes of ziti

[@starguy2718]

Don Borko just wants to wet his beak, have a taste, that's all.

[@vicerexciser1842]

Great video. Not sure I agree with the Chris thing but it’s certainly interesting. One thing I would say is that you mentioned that Maserone’s hat is “presumed” to be hiding a wire. But it’s actually shown explicitly to be built in to the hat in a scene where the FBI guys are talking.

[@RobbaKeef]

Sylvio would be the only one who wouldn't flip, in my opinion.

[@alexcontrarian6939]

And paulie

[@RobbaKeef]

@@alexcontrarian6939 what do ya say? What do ya know you're probably right lol

[@rehanm100]

Thank you for keeping these coming!

[@Zebulan-g5j]

The FBI chick that befriended Adriana … is sooooooo fine.

[@nickprime1116]

11:35 there was no presumption that Jack's hat had a wire in it. It was explicitly shown in a previous scene when the feds give him the hat and tell him there's a microphone in the button.

[@dannyc7227]

1:52 , I have never seen that scene before… is it a deleted scene?

[@4862cjc]

Yes, it is. Good scene!

[@nsaxman91082]

I totally agree she cared about Christofuh, she's not smart but she isn't a ruthless character. I feel bad for Adriana

[@HPWWrebooted]

perfectly cut clip at 3:25

[@brandongrotha7508]

Excellent vid. I wouldnt have even thought about half of these theories 😅 time for a rewatch

[@craigncube7057]

Fellas I have just watched Funhouse for the first time, I am become a man nay, I am become Ceaser

[@ThefamousMrcroissant]

I think this specific topic encapsulates the narrative of the Sopranos in general really well: how unsustainable the system of the families is. How eager they are to turn on each other. How Tony's insecurities escalate the consequences of the things he fears most.

[@johnnyappleseed9568]

What ever you say cappy!