Originally Posted by Baby Lee
I can't say enough about the economic genius of the cold open, and particularly the choice of song.
First off, it was a great ear to recall a song that is both cheesy and totally karaoke appropriate, and yet timeless and emotionally resonant at the same time.
And then it just blossomed all these themes that were simmering under the surface of the narrative. It multi-tasked to take us back and showed us other sides of these characters, and set the table for the resentments that would fester and the pain to come.
Chuck is perfunctorily proud as he vouches for Jimmy at the swearing ceremony, and he even makes a low-key appearance at a scrub/newby party after. To the casual observer, he's just a shy, prim and proper, but proud, older brother. But given the story we know unfolds, you think you might see signs of him straining mightily to bite his tongue.
Then Jimmy cajoles him onto the stage. And here they make full use of 'David St. Hubbins' casting Chuck as a reluctant participant, . . . until the mic is in his hands. Turns out, surprise, not only is Chuck not a shy guy or poor singer, . . . he's a born star!! And he subtly and completely [and by some measures justifiably] steal's Jimmy's moment of joy and triumph by sheer unavoidable superiority.
Then you follow them home, and Chuck is again exceedingly patient as Jimmy makes big talk about firm takeover and immediate plans to put his stamp on his brother's firm. It's left to the ambiguity of the writing and Jimmy's drunkenness whether this big talk is trying to bond with his brother or just plain ego.
Through it all Chuck is not only perfunctory in his care for his drunk brother, but goes the extra mile, joining him in bed to stay and watch over him, and sharing an encore of the karaoke.
In a few short minutes, you see the best and worst of the central Jimmy and Chuck dynamic. It was revisited, summarized and given new perspective all at the same time.
And then, the theme of that cheesy, emotional, karaoke song was revisited when he tells 'Esposito the shoplifter' that the winner takes it all. And we're left with the ambiguity whether this was a lyric that has simmered in his craw for years or just a general cliche that fit his mood of the time.
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