The Sopranos' Dumbest Character Is Also Its Wisest

Another addition to my Soprano sub-species. I hope you enjoy it! I've certainly enjoyed making these videos on The Sopranos. If you have any suggestions for future videos on The Sopranos, be sure to let me know in the comments!
More on The Sopranos:
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How Tony Soprano's Psychedelic Experience Unlocks His True Character (I Get It): • How Tony Soprano's Psy...
How Supernatural Events Define Paulie's Character In The Sopranos: • How Supernatural Event...
Lil Carmine Story - The Sopranos: • Lil Carmine Story - Th...
THE SOPRANOS ~Carmine Jr's Dream: • THE SOPRANOS ~Carmine ...
The best of Johnny Sack - The Sopranos: • The best of Johnny Sac...
The Sopranos | Best Moments: • The Sopranos | Best Mo...
Analyzing Evil: Tony Soprano From The Sopranos: • Analyzing Evil: Tony S...
The Sopranos theme song - Woke up this morning: • The Sopranos theme son...
Tony Soprano Almost Gets Whacked - The Sopranos HD: • Tony Soprano Almost Ge...
‘The Sopranos’ Cast Reunites For 20th Anniversary: Full Interview | TODAY: • ‘The Sopranos’ Cast Re...
Music used in this video:
1) Muita Calma - Martin Landstrom
2) Tokyo Slow Train - Sugoi
3) Serpent's Mystery - HATAMITSUNAMI

[@tadeojablonski105]

Let me tell you something, and I’m not afraid to say it: My estimation for Little Carmine as a character just fockin skyrocketed

[@stevengodoy6896]

when it comes to quality film criticism, all bets are off.

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Now that is both sacred, and propane.

[@uglybetty8747]

Whatever dat was

[@saintanger3421]

He never reached out to New Jersey in his war for Boss. Saying yes would have saved Tony in the end.

[@jamesmorant1406]

Little Carmine was pretty smart instead of being boss he wanted to be happy and he didn't get whacked

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

it would a happened too 4 SURE. Johnny n Phil weren't letting nobody stop em from taking over.

[@SchmuelGoldstein-mj8rk]

And he didn’t get pinched either

[@jamesmorant1406]

@@SchmuelGoldstein-mj8rk True

[@Devilishlybenevolent]

@@SchmuelGoldstein-mj8rk He never got his hands dirty, he was like a manager/diplomat for the mob. He was already well off from his family, he pretty much was the rich kid of the mob that just played golf and enjoyed his life. So why sully your life when you're already "made" and never have to work? He didn't have an ego like everyone else.

[@ziroja]

He is the type of person that is not intelligent, but is naturally wise. Rare type indeed.

[@greigtoye]

As I understand it, a zombie of sorts.

[@FelipeJaquez]

A PHD is nothing compared to practical experience and a good moral framework.

[@MUFC1933]

I know it’s in colour but….

[@tadeojablonski105]

Little Carmine possibly being based off the 48 Laws book is actually such a cool theory. There’s a law in there that advices to “Always look dumber than your mark”, which could be hinting that his theme of butchering the english language is really just for show. Another law encourages to surrender when it’s convenient. And there’s yet another law that states “Win through actions, never through argument”, which pretty much sums up his whole character.

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

He drops malapropisms in front of just his daughter and her friends too, which I couldn’t see the point of if this were true.

[@androidbluat]

@@MrRyan-wu4jx he could also be some variation of dyslexic

[@Whatisthisstupidfinghandle]

@@MrRyan-wu4jxyeah. I think he’s just not that bright, but thinks he is. And because he is the son of a powerful and dangerous person, no one has ever had the cohones to correct him. So he just doesn’t know he is dumb

[@dihexa7256]

It’s basically the same strategy that emperor Claudius used to stay alive before he took power

[@coleozaeta6344]

I tell ya, if I let myself look dumber than I am, some people sure would’ve been on my ass a lot less. People would’ve asked someone else for help or whatevah.

[@TheSeraphrim]

He was so smart he forced a house to talk to him

[@nathaninostroza7655]

Ahahahahah

[@chrismartin8829]

Little Carmine phonetically pronouncing "Versailles" implies he actually reads but has no peers with intellectual interest to actually verbalize this stuff to on a regular basis. You sort of see this in Tony too; who watches the History Channel and seems to have an appreciation for (some) things beyond his immediate circumstances living a hedonistic criminal life in New Jersey. Recognizing this in Tony is potentially why Little Carmine chose to lead in with a butchered historical anecdote rather than the crude analogies most other mobsters seem to prefer.

[@hsgame4088]

Theres no stigmata. The Carmines were legends with their wording.

[@JustaGuy5296]

Very allegorical, the sacred and the propane. Great video.

[@user-sf9en6sg7h]

Dumbest characters were the ones who tried killing Chrissy

[@alexjaybrady]

All that counterstrike really paid off for Chrissy lol

[@alswearengine4867]

“Yo, Christofa!”

[@stevengodoy6896]

I also think Johnny Sack calling Rusty a cancer at his daughter's wedding was great foreshadowing. Maybe if Sack didn't kill Rusty, Rusty wouldn't have came back as his cancer to drag him down with him.

[@Ojos_Del_Sol]

That's profound lol

[@stevengodoy6896]

@@Ojos_Del_Sol very allegorical

[@BobG-pi8bb]

I missed that one but they did that a lot. Christopher’s, Ralphie’s and of course Tony’s.

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Always thought Lil Carmine was the guy who had it all, the best of both worlds. He had money, and obviously knew how to earn as I doubt Lil Carmine inherited that much wealth directly. He never complains about money and is living the good life. When he gets the itch he flies to NY for some gabolgool and cannoli while he brokers a deal between families. Then flies back to FL, happy as a clam, banging cocktail waitresses two at a time. Whether he was some sly-ass, Kayser Sose, or just Mr. Magoo'ed it makes absolutely no difference because homeboy is alive, rich, and happy.

[@greigtoye]

Homeboy? I’ll send you to slip n’ falls school.

[@SanjuroDandy]

Carmine never really bought in to that lifestyle. I appreciate his character because in the sea of mobster he looks weak but they all inherently are jealous of him in some way due to the fact he really does not seem to define his personality by the suit he is wearing.

[@coleozaeta6344]

Most of those guys in the Family nevah had the makings of a chill guy.

[@nicholasdominic2825]

Sometimes playing dumb is the smartest thing you can do not to mention that he knew his old man was an informant.

[@septclues]

wat jimmy patrille was the informant

[@br9377]

I've been arguing this point for years but this video put it more articulately than I have. Great video, soft drinks of choice for you Renegade Films.

[@flawedpeacock]

0:56 Underrated Little Carmine quote right there, you implemented it perfectly.

[@gregtaras7789]

Great video. Good work on fully going through the significance of the Nicolas Fouquet story.

[@kirkwulf]

Intelligence and Wisdom are two different stats!

[@chrisprescott2273]

First time viewer here. I gotta say I really like your narration. You are an excellent writer with great delivery. Makes me want to go back and watch the Sopranos. I haven't seen it since it aired. KUDOS

[@victordomingoakabigfuentes9646]

I always thought Paulie was pretty dumb😂😂😂

[@coleozaeta6344]

I’m not even sure if it was that entirely, but like most of those guys, they had the emotional control of a kid during puberty. That’s what got so many of them whacked or at least in trouble.

[@Gigibaby88]

Wow, so glad I found your channel 🙌 this is the 3rd video I've warched in a row and I'm absolutely blown away! Great & extremely insightful interpretations. I'm sure about half of the other comments also say this but you really manage to merge the sacred AND the propane 😂

[@Carmine_Lupertazzi]

Real hothead this Renegade Films, huh? And the ego! But I tell you, decisive as he is, when I first subscribed to him, I would've been proud to call him my own channel.

[@stevengodoy6896]

He's a bit of a posUR if you ask me

[@pizzalunch382]

Bit of a narrateur if you ask me

[@stevengodoy6896]

@@pizzalunch382 See? What am I always saying? I hate this fucking shit.

[@johanoberg1157]

7:32 succeed, not secede. If that's writing made to be similar to Little Carmine, then it's brilliant :)

[@xxtextraextrathirsty8119]

He was force into that position but he was smart enough to understand that it was good..

[@petermj1098]

Carmine is not smart but he is wise. Tony is smart but not wise.

[@TheUnseenPath]

Keep in mind to that in the movie, Scarface is the character of Frank hotels, Tony, Montana, that the people who make it in the cartel business are the people who keep their heads down and do their job so little Carmine was a perfect smart for this

[@quinnrollen]

Always felt he was one of the best characters on the show. Observant and subtle- Unassuming. That's why he always survived. If there was trashed talked about him, keep this in mind: *Everyone had trash talked about them*

[@maxberglind3275]

One of the few soprano theories that actually changed my thinking

[@stevengodoy6896]

The fundamental question is will you be as effective a KZbinr as borko was? And you will be, even more so, but until then, it's gonna hard to verify that I think you would be more effective.

[@Leonardo_No_Cardio]

Finally someone connected the 48 Laws with the Sopranos! And made a video about it! Carmine was also all about Law number doesn't matter , "Play a Fool to Catch a Fool"

[@FirewoodGingerAle]

You sound like Agent Harris unironically

[@yamiyamigorogoro5739]

Carmine was smart enough to realize he's not all that smart. I mean, good for him. His position though can also be greatly attributed to nepotism - him being the boss's son, he got enough money and power, he doesn't feel the need to prove himself. He's the only "free" mobster out of all of them. Ironic

[@user-mn5vp9dy2o]

Very allegoric

[@LinneaSanchez]

Little Carmine has always been one of my favorite characters. I think he was always pulling the strings and played like he didn’t want to be involved.

[@ArthurSchoppenweghauer]

"Boss. Fuck it, who needs it?" - Tony Soprano

[@LibertyRapsher]

For someone praising Little Carmine... it's amazing how much you missed. Little Carmine never stopped playing the game. When his dad got pissed off on the golf course and started smashing his club, Little Carmine trolled him into that and he knew exactly what he was doing. In episode 6,12 he was mediating between Phil and Tony and he's reading off all of the conflicts and he says lets put it all behind us, at which point Tony and Phil nod and they're ready to put it behind them, but Little Carmine doesn't in all actuality want them to put it behind them, so he adds... "your brother Billy, whatever happened there"... this causes Phil to freak out and keep the beef going. When Little Carmine brings Tony to Phil Leotardo's for an alleged truce after Tony's curb stomp, that was all Little Carmine stoking the flames. Little Carmine in all actuality was a master troller, while pretending to be a naive peace maker. He played a central role in the New York Jersey conflict. He also played a central role in Tony's cousin's off the grid hit.

[@ogre7737]

Another KZbinr named @PureKino also talked about this. As I’m rewatching The Sopranos again, I can see it clearly now

[@greatsajby9266]

Is there something that gives you the impression that Carmine had to get that centuries-old anecdote from that specific book? That's my one sticking post in an otherwise mellifluous video.

[@whitejacket9725]

Carmine seems like the kind of person who would read 48 Laws and quote from it

[@FelipeJaquez]

I mean you had Paulie reading Sun Tzu through audio tapes.

[@MontanaMax-uy9zc]

Carmine was way smarter than we give him credit for. He said one stupid line during a meeting and started a war between Phil and Tony while staying out of it. With everyone dead he takes NY and what’s left of Jersey.

[@ledzep1023]

Little Carmine was dubbed as “Brainless II” but he’s one of the few guys in the show that ended up keeping his brains by the end of the show

[@brandonesters]

Man your analysis are good. Could you do one on Fredo. There’s a theory that he’s not as dumb like most people say

[@LateCambrian]

In the end, Carmine Jr. was the true happy wanderer….

[@aahyes9068]

Nice. A narrated essay and a jazz backup band for both my brains

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

uncle Philly my ass Get off my stoop!

[@CampsitePyro]

It is always better to be #2. Spotlight off you, some level of respect, and the poop doesn’t get dumped onto you.

[@mralpaca2150]

Little Carmine is much more than a mobster who managed to quit. Later he played mediator between two family bosses, that's a very powerful postion. Even later after Phil died, he seemed to become a Godfather of sorts, pulling strings from backstage. Busch was even asking him for approval.

[@markwhite2207]

Oh shit!...looks like I'm going to have to watch the Sopranos AGAIN!😊

[@durangodoug338]

This video is at the precipice, of an enormous crossroads.

[@christianmcnally5290]

Great video. I feel like he doesnt get enough attention

[@jeremyhouchens8711]

He was a smooth talker and often the voice of reason. I’m sure as a boss he would be respected by his people

[@matthewmaguire3554]

Word on the street was Yogi Berra was a distant relative.🍿

[@everton1869]

Great character analysis, thanks. The thing that was never made explicit in the Sopranos was how little Carmine "made his bones". He was obviously a made guy or the others wouldn't have considered him as the replacement for his father but I can't recall a single scene of aggression from him. I wonder if his character was modelled on Michael Franzese who has created an image of himself as the "businessman" of the family who clearly lived off his father's reputation

[@CJVS995]

Carmine is the human embodiment of "he's confused but he's got spirit"

[@Johnbroncoboy]

This is the best commentary

[@s.h.7613]

He was such a great character I thought he appeared earlier than season 4

[@davedaddy101]

I’ve always agree with this. Even when the show was running. I thought the same thing. This was a very good interpretation.

[@white_heat.truth76]

He's an old-fashioned guy, Pop, very allegorical.

[@alexjaybrady]

Who do I think had Tony clipped? Don Brainless the 2nd

[@mikeprevost8650]

I always found it interesting that Butch seemed to be taking his cues from him, at the sit down where they gave the OK on clipping Phil.

[@davidconnellan6875]

Little Carmine is the Equivalent of the emperor Claudius. Claudius presented himself as a fool to show that he wasn't a threat to Caligula. In the end Caligula gets killed and because Claudius was beloved by the men of the Roman Army he was made Emperor.

[@buhketz]

He was definitely one of the most likeable characters to me. He’s not a hothead like nearly everyone else in the show.

[@seanfyodorovich5230]

I went into this extremely skeptical of your premise and came out of it agreeing with you 100%. I'm even left wondering if Little Carmine didn't play dumb on purpose.

[@TheSands83]

Maybe him being called dumb is the sticking post

[@erikthorne]

Little Carmine was the smartest one of them all. He stood back and did little egging shit on. He knew Rusty, Sacks, Philly, et. al would kill each other off if they could to be boss. Once he had all his family rivals done with that only left Tony to take out Philly. So all that was left was Carmine and Tony. Now he takes care of Tony he ends up with all of Tonys shit and his father's . He let all of his enemies take care of each other. I said this years ago. Remember Michael was the good college boy.

[@ITILII]

The 3 men Tony needed by his side: Silvio, Underboss; Furio, Enforcer and Little Carmine, Consiglieri....remember, it's not about being Boss: it's about being HAPPY 😁

[@Jay-n262]

A pint of blood costs more than a gallon of gold!

[@Nash9r]

My favorite side character. He steals every scene he's in.

[@randomguy-xp7se]

Oh! Sharp as a cueball this one !

[@novachikun]

Key factor for Little Camrine is that he was in a position to be able to choose if he stayed in the life or if he walked away from it. That don't make him the wisest, just the luckiest. Plenty of others would have liked to walk away, but they just had no hope for a satisfying life outside of crime. Job market is brutal to people with criminal records.

[@e87117]

You are doing great. Just do your best to maintain a weekly or at least biweekly video. Focus on your writing, make sure its tight, but insightful like you have been doing, but worry about the visual aspect of the video last. Your writing shines and the visuals will improve with time or you can just hire someone to handle it. Just keep a consistent schedule and people will get excited when you show up in their feed or when they know "tomorrow the new Renegade Films video drops". I just got that feeling when I saw this video in my feed. You have it in you and can make this channel big. Once you have consistent scheduled videos form relations with other streams, they don't have to be big just like minds you'll benefit from the crossover audience. I'm a nobody, with no experience making content, but I've seen many creators start from nothing with less talent than you and go places doing what I'm talking about. My motives in this comment are purely selfish in that I want more of your content, on a constant schedule and I know I'm not the only one, but don't get cocky you ain't that good. Yet.

[@JayJay-kk9xt]

This is the gayest of comments

[@AndosaGosabu]

Thank u both, hilarious

[@baronvoncrags771]

So when he caressly reminded Phil of "whatever happened there" as reproachment was within reach... he did that on purpose. He didnt want peace between ny and nj.

[@phantomz87]

It's common knowledge the guy's a genius

[@UpwardsIntoTheRabbitHole]

Anyone else take this video as a personal compliment?!? Lol.

[@LuluDZulu]

littl Carmine is indeed wise. The mafia is ridiculous.

[@elgamerico]

This video......TOTAL debacle 😁😁

[@autonomousindividual7780]

Ver-sales. Its ver-sigh. God help us.

[@manuelacosta9463]

Little Carmine played his cards wisely while the others simply threw them all over the place or doubled down, with predictably lethal results for that life. Curbing ambition and humbleness can be a real lifesaver. The paper crown is worth more than a golden one.

[@LssnLrnd]

Is it humility, or humbleness? Inner grammar nerd activated, sorry.

[@nicholasdominic2825]

At his father’s funeral notice how he had to check everyone for the Opus Dei pendant. Then look it up or if Roman Catholic you’ll understand the blasphemy at his wake towards the lord.

[@markxfarmer6830]

Nice work if you can get it, fixing wet T-shirt contests and all.

[@TheUnslainDragon]

You could be a really good voice actor.

[@donaldpetersen2382]

PFFFTT who has multiple parents???

[@DuncanUdaho67]

Great video. But you’re still gonna have to kick up a piece of your views up to Borko.

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

The mayor of munchkin land has to go

[@stevengodoy6896]

you got more buttons then my grandmother's corsets

[@MUFC1933]

A pint of blood is worth more than a gallon of gold ok 👍

[@robweissman5952]

Great video... And Sopranos is still the greatest TV show ever made.

[@otisharris1607]

Little Carmine is definitely not the wisest character. Entertaining content tho

[@alswearengine4867]

Little Carmine is one of God’s favored sons.

[@jaycareaga9929]

Nowhere near the dumbest character on the show.

[@lolmasterjerkit1531]

Tbh that spot has got to be reserved for Jackie Jr, can't even feel bad for the stupid pr*ck

[@jamessmith-mq6tu]

@@lolmasterjerkit1531 didnt he almost drown in 3 inches of water

[@trj.jr0091]

@@jamessmith-mq6tuthat was Tony jr

[@stevengodoy6896]

@@jamessmith-mq6tu the penguin exhibit

[@habadasheryjones]

I hated him because he always seemed like he was one foot in, one foot out of being a gangster. I hated his backroom advisors more. I don't like that all of his advisors, who all hid their maneuvers behind Little Carmine, talk tough but look like they haven't put in any real work into the criminal underworld themselves (corporate hands off gangsters who've never so much as gotten their hands dirty). I get thats what might have saved Little Carmen from an unnatural demise, his lack of real power or agency in the situation, but in my opinion he could have just as easily been whacked along with his cohort who got it in his driveway (I can't remember his name, "the mayor of munchkin land" as Phil referred to him as) for simply angering the wrong people and playing with fire like he did. His respected father was long dead and nothing was really stopping anyone from taking him out. You make moves like mafia boss you better be ready to take heat like a mafia boss and he definitely wasn't ready for the heat. As Mobb Deep once said ".. ain't no such things as halfway crooks."

[@Carmine_Lupertazzi]

Take it easy, we're not making a Western here.

[@LssnLrnd]

Scared to death..

[@aWomanFreed]

Play the dumb guy….play the everyman….nobody likes a guy who’s smarter than the audience… Norm MacDonald

[@rickydlp]

Dumb guy, smart businessman

[@blacxice]

Play a fool to catch the fools….. whatever happened there

[@charlitovar8166]

I always thought AJ was the idiot.

[@birdinreality8928]

❤

[@WestSideGorilla1980]

Scared and propane

[@kbrdft]

Plus he killed Tony too!

[@nytia117]

Whatever Happened There ??!!!!!!!

[@mondoseguendo6113]

Something happened?

[@miket.6293]

Everytime someone mentions the "dumbasses way to get power" aka 48 Laws , I keep moving. Its a book of quotes, with an 8th graders commentary.

[@dannyburns9850]

Well I was all pumped up to read the 48 laws of power for the last 2 years. Yet you make me hesitate . The grade 8 comment. So it is as retarded as How to win friends and influence people from the 60 s? If that's what you mean I am disappointed in the hype 48 Laws has gotten. So 50 still trolling🤣

[@adamrutherford8523]

Is this a parody?

[@matthewbarry1746]

You don't know what wisdom is if you think he was the wisest.

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Ver-sails ? Do you even live on this planet?

[@chuck1481]

Narrator can't get to the point.

[@daveyboy_]

This video's been done b4. Try doing something new with your own ideas.