I wasn't. It is what she needed. She stopped trying to help Tony years ago... she was in an unproductive and unhealthy situation that she was incapable of breaking off without added pressure.

I'm sure Paulie would've liked a cutout of Meadow in a swimsuit, but then Tony would have to kill him.

Man, this episode totally rocked my world. I'm glad that I was able to watch it instead of reading from all of youse how freakin' unbelievable it was. This is not going to end well. The question is how far the whacking and the resultant collateral damage will spread.

Abruptness? It has been building for a few episodes. Were you expecting a long drawn out dramatic dialog between the two? Melfi was done. She probably felt a bit embarrassed professionally and angered personally for not seeing what so was obvious to her colleagues. She just wanted him out. And Tony was in no position to really prolong the situation... he was preoccupied.

I thought it was great that with all their wealth and riches the Soprano family had living in that house and having all that money, it was coming down to having to grab what they could while they ran away to go into hiding in fear of losing their lives. Ultimately, what kind of quality of life is that?

Yeah, it made me laugh my ass off - but it was in the middle of an intense scene, which wasn't going for any laughs (I don't think so, anyways).

I'm sure I think up some long-winded answer about how it means that Tony is haunted by Silvio's situation, and how the type of cardboard they used adds many layers to the episode and how the color suit he was wearing in the cutout helps explain the show as a whole.

But truth be told, I think the prop department was bored and decided to have a bit of fun, and the director agreed.

EDIT:
I think this episode had a lot of humor in it. Even though we see a gunfight that results in Silvio getting shot and a biker becoming collateral damage, they still included some funny reaction shots of men and half-naked women running off in fear, and then gasping at the biker.

Additionally, after the botched Phil hit, when Silvio and Tony are talking, what should have been a very serious moment is briefly deflated when Sil says "Just want you to know, Paulie says he takes full responsibility for this, and it's all on him. But he says he didn't do nothing." To me, that struck as a very funny line, and a totally Paulie thing to say.

Or maybe it was to be used as a decoy to draw any fire if the house was being watched.

just watched it. man was that an amazing episode.

When Paulie and Silvio looked at the newspaper and came to the realization that they whacked the wrong guy and then they slowly turned towards each other, with those looks on their faces... That had me rolling so hard I had to pause the show.

Yeah maybe they should have put it on a moving clothes line so it looks like he's walking in front of the window like in Home Alone.

Anyone remember the old episode where Christopher was in a coma and he had a dream about being in a bar and someone told him to "tell Tony and Paulie 3 o'clock"

Anyone think that will come into play in the finale, or do you think it's one of those things Chase has long forgotten about?

It can't be a coincidence that Tony and Paulie are the two "main" guys left, can it?

7 minute Sopranos refresher course:

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^^That video would actually be very helpful in remembering key events if it wasn't sped up for laughs.

Damn! That's all I have to say. Obviously the walls are now closing in, and I don't think we will see many survivors.
What was that music they played over the credits(just now saw the ep. and didn't feel like scrolling all the way through to see if it was asked before)? Very eerie and appropriate.

At was wondering about that too. The Italians were dumb, but I was hoping not so dumb to just pick some random gray-haired guy in neighborhood.

I imagine Phil holed up somewhere hearing about that and having his decision about taking out Tony reinforced: not only was Tony's crew inept enough to hit the wrong guy, they killed the innocent woman on top of it.

Its all a dream

My comcast guide says its on from 900 to 10:05 so guys be ready for some time problems

After skipping though the episode again, why would Silvio have his gun in his briefcase and not on him?

Yeah I didn't really like that - they saw the guys coming, first thing I'd do is grab my gun BEFORE trying to drive around them. Then if you get in a shootout, you're ready.

I was thinking about that before too, but has this ending been planned out since season 2?

Wasn't she really Phil's girlfriend who either lives with her father, or just had him over for a visit?

Probably so that he could crawl to the backseat in a way reminiscent of Adriana trying to crawl for her life.