“Additionally, the episode title seems to suggest that Tony is in some Purgatory-like place between life and death, just one step away from “joining the club” of the dead. Ultimately, however, it really doesn’t matter whether Tony is dreaming or visiting the Afterlife or has slipped into some alternate reality. What does matter is Chase’s intentions. Whatever else it may be, Tony’s unconscious sojourn is first and foremost a narrative device that Chase uses to explore questions of identity.”
“From the same article: As I watched Tony wander through his coma-dreams, I was reminded of mythologist Joseph Campbell’s idea of the Left-Hand Path. This is a path of self-discovery, one that deviates from the normal Right-Hand Path of everyday life. The Left-Hand Path is full of mysteries and dangers that the Hero must negotiate as he tries to complete his quest. Generally speaking, an odyssey on the Left-Hand Path requires the Hero to abandon many of society’s rules and norms—and therefore, certain aspects of the Hero and his odyssey may be deemed to be socially unacceptable. What is ironic here, though, is that given Tony Soprano’s regular status as a criminal and moral outlier, the Left-Hand Path that takes him out of his normal life now actually makes him conform more to society’s definition of a productive, legitimate member of the community. It is this inversion that truly complicates the hour: it underscores how Tony’s search for identity and self-knowledge is complicated by his place within a Mafia family and mob famiglia.”
“Additionally, the episode title seems to suggest that Tony is in some Purgatory-like place between life and death, just one step away from “joining the club” of the dead. Ultimately, however, it really doesn’t matter whether Tony is dreaming or visiting the Afterlife or has slipped into some alternate reality. What does matter is Chase’s intentions. Whatever else it may be, Tony’s unconscious sojourn is first and foremost a narrative device that Chase uses to explore questions of identity.”
https://sopranosautopsy.com/season-6-part-i/join-the-club-6-02/
“From the same article: As I watched Tony wander through his coma-dreams, I was reminded of mythologist Joseph Campbell’s idea of the Left-Hand Path. This is a path of self-discovery, one that deviates from the normal Right-Hand Path of everyday life. The Left-Hand Path is full of mysteries and dangers that the Hero must negotiate as he tries to complete his quest. Generally speaking, an odyssey on the Left-Hand Path requires the Hero to abandon many of society’s rules and norms—and therefore, certain aspects of the Hero and his odyssey may be deemed to be socially unacceptable. What is ironic here, though, is that given Tony Soprano’s regular status as a criminal and moral outlier, the Left-Hand Path that takes him out of his normal life now actually makes him conform more to society’s definition of a productive, legitimate member of the community. It is this inversion that truly complicates the hour: it underscores how Tony’s search for identity and self-knowledge is complicated by his place within a Mafia family and mob famiglia.”
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