What was Gyp Rosetti's Problem? - Boardwalk Empire Explained

[@CineRanter]

*Please note: There are 3 small cuts in this video. This is due to a copyright hit. You can see the full version here for free:* www.patreon.com/posts/what-was-gyp-115659140?Link&

[@BubblegumCrash332]

"How can i not take it personally, im a person. "

[@goodnightvienna8511]

well.....he's got a point. passive-aggressive people use this "get-out" clause all the time. hide insults behind "jokes", Gyp however was never going to last, Masseria saw this. Gyp was deeply unpleasant, any psychoanalyst would have a field day with him. if you watch the scene where he sits down to dinner with his female relatives in very informing.

[@megacatsupreme466]

Isn't everything personal?

[@guyshafor1320]

​@megacatsupreme466 define personal.

[@jcarry5214]

@@goodnightvienna8511 The look he gives to the man who tries to politely excuse himself, that was a whole play by itself.

[@darraghkelly1744]

@@goodnightvienna8511he’d find insult in things that weren’t insults though

[@hippipdip]

We can point the finger directly at Barney Google living in his head rent free.

[@breveth]

And his Goo Goo Googley Eyes.

[@patsysolatzzo2962]

Yes, this is the only true answer.

[@slthjawa5062gggghhjjjjjkkkk]

At least Barney Google never took things personal.

[@indigohammer5732]

Case closed.

[@brianduru3753]

It was that Animal Blundetto that did him in.... F*cking breadstick in a bowtie.

[@justinkroboth360]

He headlined the most entertaining scene in the entire show, so I'll always hold a special place in my heart for Rosetti. "Creeping around like a fucking dentist with the ether" as Rothstein smiles super big - just fucking perfect.

[@24Ruiner]

I never get tired of hearing him insult a room full of gangsters in colorful ways.

[@oldmacdreadapexriddims1460]

The "ether" jibe made me outta the chair.

[@brettmconnor4337]

Like a fucken dentist

[@djLagwayEnjoyer]

The Barney goo goo scene is just as good honestly

[@Jewclaw]

One of the greatest lines! Gah Hilarious

[@tomlewis9207]

Gyp was a scary combination of egotism and insecurity. Brilliant character.

[@one_of_the_Bobs]

Most egocentric people are deeply insecure….Gyp just made you aware when he was insecure.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

and a complete psycho

[@Georgeweismeyer]

Terrible character ruined Boardwalk Empire And Nurse Jackie

[@Wendy-vb2fx]

I absolutely loved his character as Gyp. I also loved his character in Nurse Jackie. My favorite scene of all time was when his son was brought in the ER. That emotion was so raw and gave me chills

[@ihateallthethings2683]

Well said

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

Gyp’s problem was that he couldn’t tolerate breadsticks with bowties, Shortpants, and creeping dentists with ether.

[@creasefold1986]

🤣

[@Drew791]

😂

[@purplerider2362]

He also felt like a viagra pill with a face in a shoot out in the other guys

[@shrapnel77]

and fuckin' rathole bars and warehouses in Canarsie!

[@richardhart9204]

LOL! ... nice.

[@slightrebellionoffmadison]

Woman: What happens when Bible Camp opens? Gyp: Bible Camp's canceled. And I'm not really doing questions and answers right now, dear.

[@Anerdandhisphone]

One of the best lines in the show

[@rKAL-EL]

Every time Gyp is on screen, the tension is at an 11

[@pepleatherlab3872]

The Gyp Rosetti character is a demonstration on misapplied interpersonal skills. He never knows which to apply: Intimidation, leverage, credit, cash, charm or violence. He basically muscled his way through all his problems and it made him a bit of a goon. Which is why he failed so miserably. Charlie on the other hand starts as a goon, develops people skills then creates one of the largest syndicates the West has ever experienced. Gyp was his own worst enemy, and couldn't get out of his own way.

[@CarlAquaForce]

Well said

[@goodnightvienna8511]

@pepleatherlab3872 agreed 👍 he was unstable. The lights were on, someone was at home, but they were running up and down the stairs and all over the place

[@mrknucklehead5882]

“Breadstick in a bowtie” is one of my favorite lines ever

[@richardhart9204]

LOL! ... same here.

[@XaimitaBuchonita]

Bog trotting mick is a close tie

[@gordonfreemen1920]

Gyp wasting the modern day equivalent of $200 dollars of gasoline makes him the most evil character on the show

[@WarTheory]

Gyp was a great character… he was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for because he almost won… but he took everything personal…Gyp was that kind of guy… The nicest gesture would be taking as an insult just because of his upbringing and ignorance the dude literally grew up in a cave

[@tedwojtasik8781]

Yeah, almost won...and then the 1920's version of the Terminator shows up 🙂

[@WarTheory]

@@tedwojtasik8781 don’t forget there was an exodus of men right before the terminator showed up 😂

[@blaQriot]

M 😅😮

[@CoreyT127]

@@WarTheoryGood point! A entire generation of alpha males just died or returned with serious psychological problems!

[@propheci]

Exactly, he has major chips on his shoulder from his upbringing. A total loose cannon.

[@marquesjohnson6359]

Gyp was ambitious, overly sensitive, and completely insane which is a dangerous combination definitely the most memorable villian on boardwalk empire bobby cannavale was great

[@westonstevens3239]

Honestly one of my very favorite villains ever. He was very entertaining, scary, and terrifying yet very believable that a guy like him could actually exist. Bobby Cannavale totally won me over the first episode I saw him in as an actor I hold in high respect.

[@brettmconnor4337]

Gyp was introduced to the show so we would quickly forget that nucky killed jimmy the previous season. Everyone loved Jimmy, he was the character we rooted for. The show runners needed us to get back on Nicky’s side By bringing in the absolute biggest villain in the entire series

[@daveytriplesix4165]

nah i may be in a minority of people that doesn't like jimmy.

[@null-xf9pd]

Yeah call me crazy but I hated Jimmy. He was an ungrateful brat.

[@jbird976]

That is a great observation

[@jbird976]

@@daveytriplesix4165really? Even next to the creepy dentist? To each his own

[@CRS099]

@@daveytriplesix4165Jimmy sucked…hated him

[@gazm135]

Absolute POWERHOUSE performance by Bobby C!!! His character jumped through the screen every single scene!!! Changed the temperature.

[@davejones6870]

Gyp was a great antagonist for Nucky and co. Even being behind the explosion that killed Billie Kent. Definitely layers to peel back on him as you pointed out in your great video. Probably a risky character too since he was so explosive and unstable. Really enjoyed this video. I would love one on Chalky White. I think whatever angle you could approach that from would be very interesting indeed!

[@mastod0n1]

Bobby Cannavale very much deserved the Emmy he got for playing Gyp.

[@michaelchialastri1088]

Great actor

[@75apocalypse]

He was amazing! Very complex character.

[@alharthy50]

BARNEY GOOGLE WITH HIS GOO GOO GOOGLY EYES

[@Crimson28]

My thought is he had a massive inferiority complex and took every single opportunity to threaten or lash out violently for the smallest of slights

[@jasonwolfe3252]

He says that he grew up in a cave. That'll do it.

[@Owyourhurtingme]

Narcissist.

[@CoreyT127]

The women in his family mercilessly mocked and emasculated too!

[@Ishbikes]

Only against ppl that couldn’t fight back. Lost his murders were CIVILIANS. Not gangsters

[@Rustyshackleford1544]

True

[@jonant8317]

"He was just too high strung, the stress was more than he could bare."

[@AlephTroll]

It’s scary bc there’s a lot of guys like gyp but few that have the power and support to never be held accountable for their actions

[@bangmateo7481]

My brother is sort a like gyp. He finally caught a 20 year sentence and is serving his time at Big Sandy USP and inside added another 7 years to his sentence.

[@Rustyshackleford1544]

You seem a little effeminate

[@benjy8148]

Gyp reminded me more of Phil Leotardo than Ralphie, but he reminds me more of Nicky in Goodfellas, with almost all of his scenes being a 'funny how?' moment.

[@Ishbikes]

Without the laughter, he never laughed the whole series.

[@thekingstayking836]

tommy . he was nicky in casino

[@benjy8148]

@thekingstayking836 oh yeah! Can't believe I did that, seen both films so many times, but I think I've always had those names mixed up in my head.

[@mariozd971]

It's sad when Gyp went young like that. 45, just a kid, that animal Tonino stabbed him without any provocation whatsoever

[@jockoadams3377]

Gyp Rosetti was a great, credible outside threat to Nucky's life and livelihood. Less of a straight Tommy Devito knock-off (like Ralphie on the Sopranos was). The guy had his own deep-seeded issues that made him dangerous. Gyp was an insurmountable obstacle that tested Nucky's resilience and cunning. The deal he strikes with Chalky and Capone to save himself; and Harrow's Travis Bickle style shootout at Gillian's house of ill-repute is the show's last truly great season finale.

[@WarBrah]

Ralph was not a knockoff of Tommy DeSimone. You speak like an eggplant.

[@billbixby557]

Ralphie a Tommy knockoff? I wouldn't say that. Ralphie probably represents a good chuck of a certain type of wiseguy...super charming, super daper and super deadly. If you've read anything other than 'WiseGuys' you would probably agree.

[@JayCity10]

Richie Aprile is a better comparison to Tommy DeVito.

[@TheSuperhomosapien]

Children usually get stuck in the developmental stage where their needs aren't being met at that stage. This happens in abuse, but neglect can be even more devastating, Gyp seems to be more the product of extreme neglect as a child, possibly from a mother who suffered from depression. Neglect was almost certainly responsible for his impaired social development.

[@jk-76]

That was absolutely insane writing and acting. Gyp was menacing. It is hard to pull that off.

[@DavidFobare]

This is easily the best exposition of Gyp I’ve come across.

[@jungshin87]

im convinced im the only person who thinks jimmy was handled perfectly. I actually thought his character was weak and one dimensional, but the last two episode of season 2 just perfectly fleshed him out while also perfectly wrapping him up. i thought he was executed perfectly and his s2 death actually let the other amazing characters shine in s3. but i get that maybe jimmy was supposed to be the main villain in s3

[@Rustyshackleford1544]

You weak cuckboy. Jimmy is king.

[@steelersguy74]

I’ve long wondered if Gyp was the show’s nod to Mad Dog Coll who himself was only ever known for being a hothead and downfall was caused because he kept making enemies.

[@chiligribble8431]

In a world full of sociopaths, ralph and gyp really stand out

[@alexspurr124]

I would say psychopath

[@Onishiro]

Killing Jimmy was the beginning of the end of this show. All the other character arcs immediately went to shit by the end of season 3.

[@jasonwolfe3252]

I agree. I heard that was not in the original script but the actor that played Jimmy (Michael Pitt) was so difficult to work with that they wrote him off the show.

[@joshflynn2173]

I fucking loved Jimmy s1 episode 1, after that episode I thought he became a bit too gloomy, he had a playful attitude in the first episode and I think that was Martin scorsese's doing. I'm very sure the game plan for Jimmy was to make him to be apart of Lucky and Meyer's crew but sadly the actor for Jimmy was unstable so they killed him off at the end of season 2. He became a complete idiot in season 2 and it was so out of the blue imo.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

Jimmy was the best character on the show that had some complexity my favorite scene was where he's about to kill the guy that carved up the face of his girlfriend and he tells the story of this german dude dying and calling for his mother constantly, that scene was a masterpiece.

[@ndogg20]

The first two seasons were brilliant. But by the rules set up for Boardwalk Empire to mix real events and characters with fictional ones, it had run its course. The third season was very engaging and well done but pointless. The two following seasons were cringy and downhill in all production values that I watched out of curiosity.

[@CoreyT127]

@@ndogg20Just when you thought you were rid of Margaret for good? She returns and grinds the show to a holt! Season 3,4, and 5 in a nutshell! Jeez i hated her character!

[@anthonyc1629]

His problem was that he did 20 fuckin' years living in a cave carved into the side of a mountain. And he didn't know what 3-in-1 was.

[@mariozd971]

I did 20 fuckin' years !

[@casperislamicus]

He didn't know how to compromise.

[@octavioherschberg5280]

The wine males him emotional, and Nucky was the only bread stick

[@juliansw3110]

That animal.. I can't even say his name

[@Dexroid]

9:13 is that.... a fire alarm chirp?

[@Johno731]

Played my favourite gangster character on any mafia series. I would have loved a character arc like Van Aldens for him making him somewhat likeable. That scene at Nuckies New Years Eve party was classic. They killed him off way to soon. Always thought Bobby Cannavale would have been a great leading man to carry on the Sopranos franchise in the wake of Tony's death as new character like cousin Gyp who just gets outa the joint and takes over the family.

[@richardhart9204]

Gyp and Homelander have a lot in common.

[@richardhart9204]

That's an excellent observation.

[@tom79013]

His biggest failing was he never stopped Jeeter from being shot

[@slthjawa5062gggghhjjjjjkkkk]

He's a biracial angel.

[@chalkywhitelll8448]

Gyp “ praying “ in the church is one of my favorite scenes in anything ever.

[@billyb4790]

You nailed it. Gip should never have been in a position of responsibility. He's more of a Luca Brazi type who should have been called on for muscle. It's a wonder how he got to be a higher-up in the first place.

[@Fanatik4Ever]

Why are egomaniacs and egocentrists bosses nowadays? Same reasons, there is no wonder. He can talk the talk and has the brutality to step over anyone in his way.

[@raoulduke2309]

Like most mobsters you get not only a narcissist..but also get a supreme sociopath..

[@Tatian4191]

I’m definitely on the side who didn’t like him in the context of the show itself. I thought he was a fine character and really did a good job making you despise him, but in retrospect, I would have rather have had a time skip to explore more of the mob history, rather than get an interlude with a made up villain.

[@lsporter88]

Very insightful. Superb analysis. Great video.

[@alexvillegas8971]

Great insights shared. Appreciated this….it made me think more deeply about the character and the character’s background and motives

[@zero1188]

His problem was too much gyp not enough Rosetti

[@mariozd971]

Small hands, that was him problem

[@matthewdunham1689]

Bobby Carnevale is a top actor in whatever role he plays. Mob guys are seldom brilliant, coolheaded masterminds. Being a hothead psychopathic made guy protected by the family goes a long way.

[@norsemanbushcrafting1621]

Damn the gyp raplhie resembelance i never saw it before now. Very good haha

[@goodnightvienna8511]

this video was great, good insights. thank you. bone for tuna!

[@PimpinBassie2]

I know him as Torquemada from Oz.

[@mariozd971]

Alonzo Torquemada, one of the best characters in season 6 in OZ, but he was in many films and tv shows, the last i watched was Irishman

[@automaticmattywhack1470]

I always figured Gyp's guys turned on him because they were afraid of Gyp turning on them one day for no reason.

[@E.C.2]

Me too plus a lot of resentment from his daily outbursts.

[@PoppaBearandBabyBear.-be5jz]

Gyp never had the makings of a VARSITY athlete. Small hands was his problem

[@ghostsofwargow2511]

Thank you so much for doing a video on him. Awesome character, and amazing show. I grew up in South Jersey.

[@deficks]

excellent analysis

[@Ar1AnX1x]

a lot of mobsters are very insecure people and desperate to inflate their ego I realized this watching Michael Franzese and Sammy the Bull's channels and their content and they constantly compliment their selves and how great and brave and intelligent they are, and how they have so many values and how they're great guys, they're so obsessed with carrying themselves as bigger than life characters and sometimes you can see through the facade of how insanely delusional they are, their lack of remorse, justifications for horrible things and how they 'had to' do what they did

[@ndogg20]

Best summation of Franzese's channel I've seen. In fact, the only critique of that hypocrite I've ever seen. Here is a man, claims he never murdered anyone, yet was part of an organization that routinely murders. He only brutalized people from time to time. But now he's found religion and inspires others not to go down that evil road while at the same time bragging about his past life in books he hawks on his channel along with his name brand merch.

[@007ndc]

​@@ndogg20he's also a Trump supporter (no surprise there). Sociopaths know and apparently appreciate only each other and themselves

[@panspermiapancakes]

@@ndogg20 He actually kind of beats around the bush when questioned about murdering people because he likes to keep his audience guessing if he did or not. It's part of his mystique. It infuriates Sammy because Michael uses it like a toy that he would dangle over his cat to play with but always keeping it out of reach. It's strange that both of them have millions of fans who idolize them and praise them as upstanding people. I have to imagine it's due to the fact that Hollywood has romanticized and glorified the Mafia life through film. Their sit downs have been entertaining to watch on camera but it's basically a real life drama and people latch on and take sides. They are interesting case studies, but it's worrisome how many folks glorify them. lol

[@DeezNuggz]

@@007ndcnice TDS bro!

[@Ishbikes]

Michael is more hypocritical than Sammy, as a Christian..I’ve been realizing that.

[@hubblito]

Length of video was perfect! Anywhere between 10-13 minutes is ideal

[@Lossandthepanda]

Tonino went to bed every night wondering the exact same thing

[@xennialsavants8226]

This is terrific analysis. What's interesting to me is the difference in Gyps character with the conversation with Chalky. When he knew Chalky was hiding Nucky, he was more measured and strategic. He didn't go into his normal bully tactics or fly off the handle. Why was he different with Chalky??? Maybe he didn't know what to expect since Chalky represents a different criminal element than what he may be used to??? Anyways it's one of my favorite scenes from Boardwalk and I would be interested to know your take.

[@coreykindle5892]

Rosetti felt a connection with Chalky due to the fact Chalky was black and he was Sicilian. Sicilians are looked down on by other Italians so he felt they shared a bond of being prejudiced by others

[@jbird976]

Interesting video! Really great, I enjoyed this one greatly. Two things that hit personally with this video . First I dated someone who was as volatile as Gyp, minus the violence. But the insane outbursts really remind me of her. Yeah, her lol but it turns out she had a borderline personality disorder from a childhood full of trauma. Might also something they are getting at with all the other hangups. Just a thought. Also, its a great detail that bit about the bricklayer dad dying at 50. This is my trade or at least was for a good amount of time and bricklayers are traditionally short lived due to all the brick and stone dust we inhale on the job causing silicosis. Especially back then when safety was barely an afterthought. Even today it is super common for us to hear about someone retiring around 60 and dead within a year or two. That and a combination of other factors, like the general shady nature of union construction in the northeast US, assisted in my decision to change careers midlife. Great video 👍

[@cennon]

Gyp would make a great debt collector, but a bad leader. I thought the exact same thing about Ritchie Aprile.

[@jbird976]

Hey as long as you’re cool with losing the occasional debtor their both a great fit!

[@maribethschlosser6785]

Bobby Cannavale is great! I think he did a great job of playing such a whack-a-doodle!

[@smileyfawler8454]

Your videos are always top notch.

[@CineRanter]

Thank you!

[@smileyfawler8454]

@@CineRanter to answer the question, Gyp was a great character. Not only was he entertaining but he wasn't unrealistic at all since there are people just like him in real life. I've known a few.

[@NickDDDD]

Yes - Ralphie & more so the Turk (look-alikes - Don't tell Gyp I said that). Good spot! Good analysis. Forgot about the home scene. Yes too volatile to last. Richie Aprille too? Waddya think? Richie v Gyp - who wins? Great next video to make? Go on do it!

[@saintcyr1990]

He is more like Richie Aprile.

[@MishMash22]

No he isn’t. Jackie was a successful leader and loved by his men. Stop commenting on stuff you don’t understand bish

[@taysmith9321]

Kudos to you sir magnificent how you broke down gyp character.How you say he's not respected at home by women but lash out on other men nd like to get strangle by others women awe man you analyze it perfectly.

[@LeviBulger]

God but what a fantastic, criminally underrated show BWE was

[@AlbertBormant]

He never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@Hriskataaa]

if any gangster ever did have somewhat of them... it was Gyp!

[@PolynesianPrince97]

Gyp's dinner with his sisters and mother was quite telling. He has serious insecurities along with being an impulsive idiot. Masseria should have whacked this creep long ago and replaced him with someone more stable to maintain ties to NJ.

[@avikellerman4539]

lol It's a tv show you smooth brain. Gyp was an amazing character and addition to the show. The tension rose every time he was on screen. Which was the whole point of adding this character to the equation.

[@babscabs1987]

More Boardwalk content please!

[@moviejunkpodcast]

great episode

[@robertstraw9881]

One of his mantras was that “it’s always personal”

[@davidowens7634]

To be fair he's just a taller version of Al capone

[@robrick9361]

His problem was that he needed 500 cases of rum. Weren't you paying attention?

[@cheesewald]

Great video, man! The scene where he is naked is prob my favourite one in the Series, atleast that season

[@Flipnred78]

Can’t remember the episode where he told the lady “Bible study’s canceled” and “the sheriff is going to keep in sheriffin” lmfao

[@patrickpilkington6241]

Great character. Loved Gyp on Vinyl too.

[@jukee67]

Corporate boardroom type of madman. Replace his handgun with a pen and a computer.

[@Cbart23]

Spaghetti and coffee.

[@Drew791]

His problem was that he secretly enjoyed the gas station coffee with the spaghetti.

[@Zarbon000]

Rossetti was a Psycopath. At the end he had a Psychotic break.

[@grimcity]

Fantastically written and acted character... his instability always left me with a sense of dread while he was on screen... I mean, looking back we know he *would* go off for any reason, but even upon first viewing of his character you still felt it. Being a sociopath was probably an asset, but his sadism, lack of intelligence, and narcissism made him doomed from the start. This makes me want to watch the whole season again. What a work of art.

[@LKaramazov]

“ lack of intelligence”? The man convinced Joe the boss to back him, he basically outsmarted nucky. Only chalkys loyalty and Richards skill/ luck saved him.

[@grimcity]

@@LKaramazov - yes, he was a moron.

[@vietrounder]

Gyp killed the old man because he insulted Gyp not one time, not two times, but three times. First was the 3 in 1 comment. Second was when the man translated the dog’s Italian name meaning queen despite Gyp just telling him he’s Sicilian. Third was when the man refused to shake gyp’s hand when he clearly reached out after saying good day to you sir.

[@elhombrenegro4999]

Dope that isn't Gyp problem he is just stupid, ignorant, unintelligent, many people as that behave as Gyp, when someone tell them something correct, when they only be correct, but wrong

[@Johno731]

The look on his face when Eoin says Bon4Tuna always cracks me up.😅

[@nigatar]

No no, great fit! How many ppl gotta tell us that Tommy's character in Goodfellas barely grazed how crazy the guy was in real life?

[@boxing.mma.5006]

Season 3 was by far the best one. Gyp played the role perfectly. Bobby C. Is such a great actor. I wish he would be around for at least one more season.

[@asheriko26]

One of the best villains ever. He was a true psychopath. This actor is seriously underrated

[@obioraabiakam1604]

That young Bugsy Siegel attempted hit scene on Gyp was classic

[@1three7]

One really cool scene was when they tried to kill him while he's getting choked. He ended up looking like a feral dog who had broken free of his leash. Like now there's no chain holding him back and he's running loose ready to kill anyone that gets in did way. It was a cool scene I thought.

[@FencingGold]

I think that for a show where all the characters make careful, calculated moves, a character like Gyp was needed to add tension with his likeliness to blow up violently at a moments notice.

[@ace1776]

Holy crap! That was his wife?! I thought he lied about the wife and 2 daughters. I always thought those were sisters and his mom. It never clicked for me. That poor man.

[@franciscoherrera5577]

Same here. I almost felt bad for him

[@rovert173]

Your smoke alarm is beeping

[@lovelee1772]

Wait... those women at the breakfast table weren't his mom and sisters??!!!!!! Wow! I need to rewatch.

[@stvinney]

Chip seemed unbeatable right up until Richard pulled a John Wick and took out every one of his men who weren't able to run away

[@matthewdunham1689]

What wasn’t wrong with old Gyp is a better question. 😂

[@davidrivera6599]

Gyp is the rookie cop who just graduated from high school that was bullied and now has something to prove.

[@valtontony826]

yyty

[@DeezNuggz]

ever see True Romance? the Sicilian scene pretty much sums it up.

[@very7962]

Good Morning Mr. Rossetti! *gets shot immediately*

[@kohlenklau399]

Then death came for house Rosetti, in the shape of Richard Harrow.

[@ts109]

Sometimes i have to stop and tell myself they are just acting, this person is not really this bad when the acting is so damn good. He deserves any and all awards for this performance.

[@sluggingbread]

You'd be happy to know he won an Emmy for his performance!

[@RogueSabre]

Objectively tho, he does have amazing hair. As one Sicilian to another

[@1987Liono]

Gyp is sort of the anti-Nucky. An insecure gangster who insults others but can't take an insult. His first scene he is insulting Meyers and Rothstein. If he had been gracious, he could have formed strong ties with those two. Nucky shows that it is wise to charm and befriend at times. He is a smart man. His decision to take control of the only town between New Jersey and New York to control the flow of alcohol was very smart. However his ego and insecurity made it worse. He only survives Masseria by applying to those same insecurities.

[@aheroictaxidriver3180]

He had to spend his life dealing with people who couldn't take a joke.