"See after awhile it all gets mixed up together in your head, and you can't remember whether life's shit because Arsenal are shit or the other way around." #AFC
Just watched The Sopranos S3E4, “Employee of the Month,” and I genuinely need to sit in silence for a minute because what the hell was that.
That might be one of the most insane episodes of television ever made, not because it’s loud or flashy or trying to shock you for no reason, but because it puts you in the worst possible emotional position as a viewer.
The entire time, you know exactly what Tony Soprano is capable of. You know what would happen if Melfi told him. You know he would not call a lawyer, file paperwork, or wait for the system to correct itself. He would handle it in the most Tony Soprano way imaginable, and the terrifying part is that the episode makes you want him to.
That’s what makes it so disturbing.
The show spends years telling you Tony is a monster, then creates one situation where you catch yourself begging for the monster to be unleashed.
And then Melfi says no.
That final “no” might be one of the strongest moments in the entire series. Not dramatic. Not cinematic revenge. Not some Hollywood justice scene where everyone claps. Just a woman sitting across from the one person who could destroy the man who hurt her, choosing not to hand her pain over to a gangster.
It’s brutal because it denies the audience the exact thing we think we want.
Most shows would’ve turned that episode into revenge porn. The Sopranos does something way more uncomfortable. It forces you to sit with the fact that justice doesn’t always happen, rage doesn’t always get release, and morality is only real when it costs you something.
Dr. Melfi could have crossed that line and nobody watching would’ve blamed her.
But she doesn’t.
That’s why this episode is so fucked up and so brilliant. It makes Tony’s violence feel tempting, then reminds you why giving in to that temptation would mean losing something even bigger.
This show was operating on a level most television still hasn’t caught up to.
@thematchday Will have a think and get back to you. In the meantime I have a signed Saka shirt that needs framing (was waiting for a pic of him holding the premier League to go in it!) I will call in first home game or the season to discuss!
@ruthbeckart Thank you for replying Ruth. Ordered one for me and my old man just now and chucked in his father's day card too! Thanks so much can't wait for it to arrive. COME ON YOU GUNNERS ❤️🤍
This is glorious. I’ve read it 3 times already and it was only published 71 minutes ago.
Paul Howard: You’ll spend the rest of your life chasing the way your first World Cup made you feel
https://t.co/bv1eZRhr9w
In a manic week covering the club, my favourite piece was actually this: letters from the families of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the Champions League final.
Free-to-read on @TheAthleticFC:
https://t.co/E1womFWPix
⚽️⏳️: Young #Arsenal supporters from the Thomas Fairchild school in Hoxton (North East London) during the 1980s give their accounts as to why they support the gunners. Including clips from the victory parade in Islington by the Arsenal team the day after the Gunners lifted the FA Cup at Wembley.
Hand on heart, I dont feel sad at all. Im so fucking proud of this group. Won us a PL after 22 years and took us to a UCL final. Kings who will be remembered forever. 99% of Europe would want our season.
Thank you Mikel and Thank you Arsenal.
I recognise my football club again.
“Go out there, enjoy the moment, trust yourselves and make beautiful memories together.
We love you endlessly.”
On #UCL final day, letters to Arsenal’s stars from their families & friends.❤️
Free on @TheAthleticFC ⬇️
https://t.co/77Ey39J9xo
@inHighburyN5 I understand they've got the money and contacts to get tickets to the game in a box or whatever but nobody from the club should of given it the okay for them to be on the pitch and get photos taken with the players and manager.
@_danny_gates You've just popped up on my newsfeed randomly. Your kids were at the same house I was watching the game in yesterday. They were BUZZING when they saw you on the telly. So sweet.