[misterrob]

He's not going anywhere. Without him there is no show. It's a dramatic plot element. With Tony laid up there is a power struggle in the works. Fat Gay Guy is already making noise about where he wants to be and Chris has his own ideas. I see some interesting stuff leading up the season intermission.

[Darth Republican]

He's not going anywhere. Without him there is no show. It's a dramatic plot element.

T'aint no big thing.

[0siris]

I pretty much agree, Tony'll be incapacitated and everyone's trying to get a piece of his pie (AJ and Janice, two characters I can't stand, actually have the chance to be important/intriguing characters in the coming weeks). But it still feels like a bit of a cheap tactic under that scenario. We've already had this type of event happen before in the show with Christpher, although not with the consequences.

James Gandolfini has long wanted to walk away from the character, so I can see him pushing for a plot twist like this behind the scenes--either Tony dies, or his role is minimalized so he can pursue other roles. Its possible that he does die, and he's scene more in flashback or in dream sequences. The show loves to do that, and wouldn't it be fitting if the main cast member spends the rest of the season as a ghost/hallucination in the minds of his "friends" and "family"?

[ApeStyle]

I think Silvio Dante is going to try for a power grab also, he has not been on board with Tony for a while now. I expect he'll be sleeping wit the fishes in an episode or two.

[nutmeg]

He's not going anywhere. Without him there is no show. It's a dramatic plot element. With Tony laid up there is a power struggle in the works. Fat Gay Guy is already making noise about where he wants to be and Chris has his own ideas. I see some interesting stuff leading up the season intermission.

Yep, I agree.

[eleni121]

I wonder if Furio comes back from Italy...to help out Tony? Carmela?