Why Tony Considered Killing Paulie - Soprano Theories

Paulie may have survived the Colombo war by the skin of his balls, but he also doesn't know how close he came to Tony killing him while on his trip to Miami. Always known as a blabber-mouth, a liar, full of greed, selfish, and a total complainer and pain in the ass. Paulie's true colours were on full display throughout the fifteenth episode of season six "Remember When" As Tony saw right through him and finally realized he was involved in the controversy that unfolded with John Sacrimoni on why he began to question and get jealous of Tony during the real estate scam, and also about the infamous joke about Sacrimoni's beloved Ginni. For all these reasons as well as playing telephone with John, Paulie should have been clipped, but he wasn't. As Tony simply couldn't get himself together to kill one of his most loyal capo's.

Do you think Paulie should have died? Let me know down below 👇🏻

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[SopranoTheories]

Paulie may have survived the Colombo war by the skin of his balls, but he also doesn't know how close he came to Tony killing him while on his trip to Miami. Always known as a blabber-mouth, a liar, full of greed, selfish, and a total complainer and pain in the ass. Paulie's true colours were on full display throughout the fifteenth episode of season six "Remember When" As Tony saw right through him and finally realized he was involved in the controversy that unfolded with John Sacrimoni on why he began to question and get jealous of Tony during the real estate scam, and also about the infamous joke about Sacrimoni's beloved Ginni. For all these reasons as well as playing telephone with John, Paulie should have been clipped, but he wasn't. As Tony simply couldn't get himself together to kill one of his most loyal capo's.

Do you think Paulie should have died? Let me know down below 👇🏻

[marcster]

I think Tony was mostly worried that Paulie was going to accidentally reveal something by just talking too much as he usually does. During that talk with Beansie, he tells him that “Paulie has never been put to the test”, which is why he kept pressuring him to admit he told the joke. Tony wanted to see if Paulie would fold in the heat of the moment, which Paulie didn’t. That’s why Paulie survived.

[puremisery]

Tony was setting up a mock interrogation on the boat. He knew that Paulie told Johnny the joke, but Tony wanted to see if Paulie could keep his mouth shut in a very stressful situation. If Paulie admitted to telling the joke, Tony would have for sure killed him.

[g_cs_echo]

I just finished rewatching the series. I forgot what a monster Paulie was. I guess I'd forgotten he robbed and murdered that old lady. Great actor though, and a real life old school wise guy.

[burgersquaad]

When you think about it, Paulie was pretty much the source of most of Tony’s problems towards the end, he’s the reason that tony had issues with New York and he’s one of the main reasons Christopher lashed out so much

[FifthGearBeer]

All the characters were psychopaths or sociopaths in their own way, but Paulie exhibited so many textbook characteristics. He was an incredibly brutal guy when he needed to be, but could come across as sweet, caring and sincere when talking to Carmela or Meadow for example. He would completely change his tone of voice depending on who he was speaking to, such as Tony and John. But when talking to Christopher or anyone he deemed beneath him he was normally always undermining or rude. Paulie was the sort of guy who would ignore you if you were a nobody, but then kiss your ass if he saw you were friends with powerful people. For example, when he spoke to Meadows boyfriend like shit and told him to clean his tires, then chased after him with a big smile and some money when he found out he was dating Tony’s daughter.

He was also duplicitous maybe more than any other character and very greedy. Even more than characters like Ralph and Ritchie because they had quite a clear agenda. Paulie played both sides secretly.

He always wanted more and was never satisfied but still painted himself as the victim. He was a cheap thug in an expensive suit. The sort of guy who would steal a charity donation box and shoot somebody if they threatened to tell the police. A real POS and probably the most accurate portrayal of a mob guy. These guys aren’t usually rich, successful or smart. Most of them are bottom of the ladder, button pushers and extortion artists.

A tremendous character, brilliantly acted by Sirico. RIP.

[thingfish]

Not sure if this has been brought up, but I believe when Tony sees Paulie in his hotel room laughing like a child, he recognizes a sense of childlike mentality in Paulie.

[jacksmith]

It was ultimately Beansie's talk with Tony that saved Paulie's life. It caused Tony to momentarily hesitate and take pity on him.

[brianNJwatson]

There is nothing worse than looking forward to a trip with someone who ends up annoying you just by breathing.
This episode is a masterpiece example.

[Trebliw]

i disagree that Paulie's loneliness made him more of a target for the feds. If anything, it was a positive. Many mafia members have flipped in order to protect their family i.e) Carlo flipping because the feds caught his son on a drug charge

[hugeiftrue]

I love that probably the biggest reason for his survival was that Tony Sirico told the show runners his character was never allowed to rat to the police.

[nattylight]

Audiences were begging Tony to kill Paulie?? Oh hell nah man

[rickyandreou]

Paulie may not have been the brightest gangster around, but he always had good mob instincts when death was on the line. He saw through Tony's attempts to put him at ease, as he knew that if he admitted to telling Johnny about the joke that he was 100% a dead man

[StevenEatsAlone]

I don’t think anyone stabs at their plate better than Tony

[godfather]

The biggest mistake Tony ever made was not killing him. Remember in Tony’s dream he kills Paulie. Why? His subconscious told him you better kill him before he kills you. This scene gives Paulie all the motive to not be loyal to Tony and have him killed in the end. Paulie wasn’t intelligent but was street smart and knew how to play the mob life. It’s why he is basically the only one that survives.

[JRRALLS]

Paulie would have died if he had admitted anything on the boat. It's such a great scene because both characters know the other one knows they know that they know that....

[LFCzak]

I think you’re wrong about the Cubans, I think that’s what makes Tony second guess about killing him cos he’s a capable guy and has balls which he sees

[lildoge]

Paulie's arc, much like Season 3, changed because of real-life content going in: Tony Sirico had back surgery that needed to be done, so he took more of a telephone role until around halfway in Season 4. With Season 3, Livia nearly fulfilled her duty as villain, but Nancy Marchand died. It's great to know the show still ended up being as great as it did; hard work really pays off.

[navyguyinva]

In "Funhouse", the answer to Sil's "Our true enemy has yet to reveal himself", is Paulie.

Also in "Funhouse", T & Paulie's card game scene mimics their indoor sit-down in "Made in America" (when T's hand simulates a gun).

Chase's opus will never, ever be topped.

[froggyluv]

It was Paulie and Patsy plotting against Tony at the very end -you can see them having conversations which Chase wont let us hear except "You'll be allright". Patsy already hated tony for killing his Brother and then trying to force him to say he moved past that. Butchie in NY wanted both bosses gone Phil & Tony, and to "decapitate the leadership" but "leave middle management" -a perfect time for Paulie who knows Tony's already thinking about killing him -to flip and make his move. Patsy had also moved in close to the Soprano family with his son dating Meadow and devilishly enjoying Tony having to "serve him" drinks now at his home. Patsy's son would have also known what restaurant Meadow & Family were going to the night of Made in America -its all in there.