Introduction
In the sprawling and complex world of HBO’s *The Sopranos*, few characters made as immediate and lasting an impact as Feech La Manna. His introduction in season five was like a blast from the past, a reminder of a bygone era of the mafia, where respect, loyalty, and iron-fisted control reigned supreme. But Feech’s arrival also served as a stark illustration of how those very values, once the cornerstones of organized crime, were becoming increasingly incompatible with the modern, profit-driven world overseen by Tony Soprano.
Feech La Manna was not simply a character; he was a symbol. A symbol of a mafia that existed primarily in memory and myth. This article delves into the complexities of Feech’s persona, examining his motivations, his conflicts with Tony, and ultimately, the reasons why his old-school approach was destined to fail. We’ll explore how his loyalty, while admirable in some respects, was also intertwined with a stubbornness that proved to be his undoing. We’ll see how his character serves as an allegorical representation of the decline of a certain type of criminal mindset, increasingly replaced by the ruthless, pragmatic approach of Tony and his contemporaries.
A Blast from the Past: Introducing Feech
Feech La Manna’s history is a crucial element in understanding his character. He’d spent a significant portion of his life behind bars, having been a made man long before Tony Soprano even rose to prominence. This extended absence from the streets created a time warp effect. When Feech returned, he carried with him the traditions and expectations of a different era, a time when the boss’s word was absolute, and underlings showed unquestioning deference. He walked into a world that had fundamentally changed. The very definition of “respect” had become more flexible and, many would argue, entirely conditional.
Tony’s initial impressions of Feech were a mix of respect and apprehension. He recognized Feech’s reputation and his past deeds, acknowledging his status as a true gangster. However, Tony also sensed a potential threat. Feech’s presence was a constant reminder of Tony’s own relative youth and inexperience. Furthermore, Feech’s old-fashioned methods and refusal to fully embrace the new ways of doing business were destined to create friction.
Feech presented as confident, almost brazen, even though he was essentially re-entering the game after a long hiatus. His old school mentality demanded respect be given, not earned through cunning or profitability, but simply due to age and reputation. This approach immediately set him apart from many of the other members of the DiMeo crime family, who were focused more on exploiting opportunities than upholding traditions.
Key Conflicts and Showdowns
Several specific events highlight the clash between Feech’s old-school ethos and the new realities of Tony’s leadership. The lawnmower incident is perhaps the most memorable. Feech, as a gesture of goodwill (in his mind), gifted Artie Bucco, a longtime friend of Tony’s, a high-end lawnmower. Artie, however, felt pressured by the gift, obligated to reciprocate. This seemingly innocuous act revealed Feech’s inability to understand the subtle dynamics of modern relationships. He believed in grand gestures and displays of power, failing to recognize the discomfort they could cause. Tony’s reaction was telling. He recognized the potential for this type of behavior to disrupt the established order, creating unnecessary obligations and fostering resentment.
The stolen medical supplies incident was far more serious. Feech, seeing a lucrative opportunity, decided to hijack a shipment of medical supplies and sell them on the black market. This act, while profitable in the short term, was incredibly risky. It drew unwanted attention from law enforcement and jeopardized the entire operation. It also showed a blatant disregard for the established rules. Tony, while not averse to illegal activities, understood the importance of maintaining a certain level of discretion and avoiding unnecessary risks. Feech’s actions were not only reckless but also disrespectful to Tony’s authority.
A more direct challenge came with the Christmas tree incident. Feech, disregarding Tony’s existing deal with a tree vendor, decided to set up his own Christmas tree operation, undercutting the existing supplier and directly profiting at the expense of the family’s established arrangements. This act, more than any other, demonstrated Feech’s lack of respect for Tony’s authority and his willingness to pursue personal gain even if it meant disrupting the established order. It was a clear signal that Feech was not content to play by Tony’s rules.
The relationship between Feech and Tony was the central conflict. Tony struggled to balance his respect for Feech’s reputation with his need to maintain control. He tried to reason with Feech, to explain the way things were done now. However, Feech was unwilling or unable to adapt. He viewed Tony as a relatively inexperienced leader who had forgotten the true meaning of loyalty and respect. Feech’s subtle attempts to undermine Tony’s authority, coupled with his blatant disregard for the rules, created an untenable situation.
The Inevitable Downfall
Feech’s downfall was a culmination of his actions and his inability to change. His gambling habit and other questionable activities at the horse track ultimately provided Tony with the leverage he needed to remove Feech from the picture. Tony, exploiting a parole violation stemming from Feech’s previous crimes, arranged to have him sent back to prison.
Tony’s motivations in orchestrating Feech’s return to prison are complex. On one level, it was a pragmatic decision. Feech was becoming a liability, a constant source of conflict and potential legal trouble. Removing him was a way to restore order and protect the family’s interests. However, there was also a personal element. Tony felt threatened by Feech’s presence and his old-school values. He resented Feech’s constant reminders of a different era and his subtle challenges to his authority. Sending Feech back to prison was a way for Tony to assert his dominance and reaffirm his control.
Feech’s departure had a significant impact on the family dynamics. It sent a clear message to everyone else that Tony was in charge and that dissent would not be tolerated. It also marked a further shift away from the old-school values that Feech represented. The family was becoming increasingly focused on profit and efficiency, with less emphasis on loyalty and tradition.
Feech La Manna: A Symbol of a Lost World
Feech La Manna is more than just a character. He represents a specific vision of the mafia, one built on unwavering loyalty, unquestioning respect, and adherence to a strict code of conduct. *The Sopranos*, in its exploration of the modern mafia, presents a stark contrast to this ideal. The show depicts a world where loyalty is often conditional, where respect is earned through power and profit, and where the old codes of honor have been largely eroded.
Feech’s character highlights the changing landscape of organized crime. The mafia, once a tightly knit organization with a clear hierarchy and a strong sense of tradition, was becoming increasingly fragmented and commercialized. Tony Soprano, while still adhering to some aspects of the old code, was ultimately driven by the same motivations as any other modern businessman: profit, power, and self-preservation.
The contrast between Feech’s unwavering loyalty and the pragmatic self-interest of other characters is striking. Many members of the DiMeo crime family were willing to betray each other for personal gain. Feech, while flawed, remained true to his own code of honor, even if it meant his own downfall. He was a relic of a bygone era, a reminder of a time when the mafia was more than just a business.
Gardening and the Passage of Time
The final scene with Feech, where he’s gardening back in prison, offers a poignant commentary on the passage of time and the irrelevance of his old-school ideals in the modern world. Gardening, a quiet, solitary pursuit focused on cultivating and nurturing growth, stands in stark contrast to the cutthroat world of organized crime he previously inhabited. It’s as if Feech has been relegated to a peaceful, almost pastoral existence, removed from the conflicts and power struggles that once defined him. He’s no longer a player in the game; he’s simply tending to his garden, a symbol of his isolation and the futility of his old-fashioned worldview.
Conclusion
Feech La Manna, in the end, was a man out of time. His loyalty, his stubbornness, and his unwavering adherence to the old code ultimately led to his demise. He was a casualty of a changing world, a reminder of a mafia that was fading into the past. His story raises questions about the nature of loyalty, the meaning of respect, and the enduring power of tradition in the face of modernization.
Was Feech La Manna a victim of circumstance, or did he bring about his own downfall? His story leaves the audience pondering the complex and often contradictory nature of organized crime, and how values once considered essential can become liabilities in the relentless pursuit of power and profit.
