MovieChat Forums > The Sopranos (1999) Discussion > Who ordered the hit on Tony and why?

Who ordered the hit on Tony and why?

posted 6 years ago by TexasJack (12515)
9 replies | jump to latest

I see three possibilities. They likeliest being that Butchie gave the order because the manner in which Phil's hit went down (in front of his family) caused too much unrest in his own family and possibly even with the other New York families. Phil was a jerk but he also did 20 years in jail without ratting anyone out, so it's reasonable to see people getting angry over such a brutal hit.

The second likeliest possibility is that Butchie was a snake who never intended to honor his deal with Tony.

The least likely possibility is that it was ordered by Carmine Jr, possibly for the same reasons as I gave for Butchie in scenario 1. Maybe he saw an opportunity to blame Phil's hit on Tony and Butchie, kill both and take over the family that his father once ruled. Carmine also had some joint construction deals with Tony that he might have just taken completely for himself afterward.

[–] Sandman81 (1502) 6 years ago

Other possibilities:

Butchie got word about Carlo and feared that Tony would flip to save himself, which as we learned from the FBI in season 1 would mean Tony would have to give evidence about New York and destroy what was left of their family.

One rogue solider who was fiercely loyal to Phil sought revenge.

A soldier that Phil gave the task of killing Tony, and no one else knew he had that order, was not in communication with anyone else in New York, and thought the war was still going.

[–] TexasJack (12515) 6 years ago

Interesting. I like the rogue soldier idea.

It seemed to me that Chase had way too many guys supposedly working with the FBI. If they had that many rats, all of them should have been in jail.

[–] ducksoup (3933) 6 years ago

The "Members Only" jacket always made me wonder if it was someone disgruntled from Jersey rather than New York, since it was an obvious reminder of Eugene Pontecorvo.

[–] McQualude (4231) 6 years ago

AJ, moving up in the world.

[–] TexasJack (12515) 6 years ago

Did he just order the hit or did he do it himself? Did he take out Meadow and Carmela also?

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Like yourself I see three possibilities.

Butchie for threatning him and on behalf of Coco since not being able to exact revenge on the Soprano crew had caused so much problems previously. Another motivating factor was the concern of Tony testifying - since it was complained about that Tony and his crew weren't familiar with the prison experience, along with all the other issues towards the "glorifed crew".

Little Carmine as eventual payback for the Rusty hit - possibly in collaboration with Butch.

A disgruntled member of the NJ crew, most possibly Patsy given there was also a strange and out of place conversation between him and Tony in the final episode. A possible indication in a reaction shot of Patsy that he thinks Tony will fear him flipping like Carlo.

[–] TexasJack (12515) 6 years ago

Patsy's an interesting one. Remember that Tony had his brother killed in Season 2.

Coco got what he deserved. I'm sure his buddies (and even Phil) knew that, even if they acted angry about it for his benefit. I doubt that was a motive.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Yes which could serve as another motive.

I have to disagree that they thought Coco got what he deserved since there wasn't any indication that Coco was seen as a buffoon who overstepped his mark.
Butch already had it in for Tony. Then from Butch's point of view, this small timer from Jersey, who's family they could just swallow up, barges in and stomps on one of his high level soliders while waving a gun in his face. Butch emphatically warned Tony not to do it. The fact that Coco stood over Meadow had no bearing on Butch. Butch, who replied with "So"? when Tony brought up that Bobby had been his brother in law before he was wacked.

[–] Washingtonnative (2613) 6 years ago

Don't know who ordered the hit. Tony was a beast who always had it coming.