Carmine Junior low key was the smartest of them all. Once it became clear he wasn't going to be boss, he takes a back seat, and enjoys his wealth...something Tony and Johnny never got to do. He'll always have some influence in that family without the need to be involved in any violence, nor the day to day shyt that will get him indicted. He can pull up here n there to broker sit downs and help iron out disputes if he wants, collect some tribute, and earn of legit biz.
And rhe thing is, rewatching his talks when the war for boss was on, rusty wants to hit them and carmine doesnt say “i dont wanna win the war”. He says he dowsnt wanna play it like that. He falls back and lets them kill each other off and is completely off the hook at same time.
Butchie is looking for carmines ok at sit down that gets phil killed as well. For all the shyt they talk how hes retarded,tony and phil and other bosses always go to him. Tony saying “why the fukk would you say that” is the clue that he meant to say it. Also a clue with the rusty call out. He knows.
Im not saying its a master plan. But hea like so mafia he really understands the game deeper than they do. He picks up from his dream of his dad with the paper crown and empty box that being the boss is stupid. Let them be the boss. While he decides whos boss forever.
Half the beefs on th show start with mouthing off and ego and greed. By playing the fool, noone takes him seriously or see him as a threat until he plays puppet with rusty to feel people out. Yet he causes nothing but trouble and they cant even tell when it happens right in front of them.
The one time Tony decided not to be a cooz hound was with the probably the baddest broad on the show Annalisa.
