I've enjoyed ALL the eps so far and enjoy that Tony is going through this "awakening."I'm really excited to see Carmella now trying to guide Tony, watch his back & take a bit of a role in his business.
Paulie is the guy I despise the most. There is not one redeeming quality about him -- a snake. I am looking forward to his demise (hopefully) this season. I want Tony to catch him in the act and get rid of him. LOVED the death bed confession of his real mother & his pathetic issues about it.
I felt really bad for the poor Waste Mgt kid. He knew nothing about the "business" (bad parents) and TRIED to make it right but stuck between a rock & a hard place. Paulie is a major snake & I hope that Tony finds out what he did somehow and takes Paulie out. Paulie is not in it for Tony's best interests.
The whole thing with the pastor trying to enlighten Tony. This is the most surprising, but actually relevant story line. As a 1/2-Italian growing up in NJ I am aware of certain individuals who are "connected" in various ways (and formerly knew -- note past tense -- a couple not alive anymore & a couple put away indefinitely). I also know how the whole Catholic philosophy sort of plays into it and how people are lead to believe that they are "buying" their way out of pergatory in the end. I also know some former devout Catholics who became "Born Again" and have left the Catholic church and changed their ways. I actually can't wait to see where they go with this one and how it does or does not affect Tony.
Anyway the writers have laid a lot out there in these first episodes and I am anxious to see how the whole thing pans out up to the finale. It's like waiting for Christmas in a way.
Kind Creation of ARNutz