Did Ralph Really Kill The Horse? The Sopranos Explained 

*Why You're Wrong About Ralph Cifaretto | The Sopranos* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0q-XJbWIGtI.html

The horse is alive and well at a farm in Beaver Falls, overlooking a little river, pine cones all around

Tony does have a thing for animals. Especially that animal Blundetto. I can’t even say his name.

I think he did it. It was probably his plan all along. Horses, especially race horses, are very expensive to own and maintain. He probably figured he could make a few bucks racing it and then do a little insurance fraud once the horse started costing him. Sort of like a bust out. Tony's response was unexpected. Most guys in his position would just wonder where his cut was.

Yes he did… Ralph was hemorrhaging money on vet bills etc on pie and when his son got hurt he really needed money… Also David Chase confirmed it

I know that David Chase confirmed he did on that pygmy podcast (That animal Schirripa, I can't even say his name), but I honestly think the story would have been better if Ralphie was innocent. It would have been the perfect ironic twist - here's this guy that committed so many heinous acts, yet is brutally murdered for something that he was ultimately innocent of while also trying to turn his life around. It would further cement Tony as an emotional hypocrite , which I feel the writers were really trying to hammer on in the last half of the show especially. Tony murdering Ralphie to avenge Pie-o-my frames his acts as almost noble in a way, and it just felt a bit out of character for David Chase to give such a blunt answer.

Ralph doubles down when he repeats, “It was a f’ing horse.” That was all the confirmation I needed.

Something to consider.. When Ralphie finally calls Johnny Sac about the joke he made about Ginny, the convo was VERY similar to the convo w/Tony about Pie-O-My. In both instances, he basically states the same thing. That he is innocent of the accusation, but even if he was guilty, so what? Either way, the alleged misdeed didnt deserve the punishment. Initially my intuition was "No." Then after a re-watch, I couldnt help but follow the logic that if he responded in virtually the same exact way both times, and we know he was guilty of the Ginny joke, then he probably is guilty of killing the horse as well. I’ve heard they filmed two versions of the confrontation between Tony and Ralphie, one where Ralphie admitted it and one where he denied it, and then cut the two together into the final product. They wanted to leave some ambiguity but apparently it was confirmed Ralphie did it. At the end of the day, whether he did or not, IMO is not important...he deserved getting beaten to death..the same way he murdered that young girl.

There’s one thing not mentioned, cause it’s kind of off topic. What Ralph didn’t know is that Tony had a trigger about meat, due to his abusive mother’s obsession. Maybe Tony could have been talked down before that, but once you hit that Oedipal rage button it’s over, just like with Chrissy at the intervention.

I know Chase has confirmed it, but I've always liked the idea that he didn't actually do it. Ralphie lands himself into hot water on numerous occasions, most notably his killing of Tracy and the joke about Ginny Sacrimoni. He conspicuously behaves much differently when confronted with his actions over those instances than with Pie-O-My. With Tracy he quickly tries to come up with lackluster excuse as to her death, and is nonchalant about the event only getting emotional after Tony attacks him. With the joke about Ginny, Ralph is feigning sympathy and outrage in an attempt to mollify Johny and make it seem like he is being falsely accused by the one who told him about the joke. Ralphie thinking it will make him seem more sympathetic foolishly apologizes, which makes it obvious to Johny that Ralph is guilty of the offense. In both instances Ralph is essentially trying to weasel out of the situation he put himself in. This is a person guilty of the crime refusing to take ownership, and either feigning sympathy or blaming the victim for his actions. Now when confronted by Tony about the horse Ralph's reaction is completely different. He is at first confused and then becomes legitimately angry when Tony continues to accuse him. This response is more consistent with a person being falsely accused than someone who's trying to demur or shift blame. Ralph may be coming off callously, but you have to think of it from his perspective. Imagine your a guy who's son is in the hospital. Every ounce of your emotions are resting on his well being and the unknown of his recovery. Then Tony comes over because, let's be honest, he wants a shoulder to cry on because of his own grief over a horse that Ralph could care less about. Ralph tries his best to say the right things about the horse, but I feel Ralph is so emotionally consumed with his son's recovery he doesn't really have it in him to show much sympathy for the horse. And Tony being the self consumed man he's always been concerned more for his own feelings than the people around him, blames Ralph for the horses death because he doesn't think Ralph is sufficiently upset about it. Wouldn't you just want to explode at the guy too? He doesn't apologize and is empathic that he had nothing to do with it. It's only when Ralph shows no sympathy for the horses death in any way that Tony convinced himself that Ralph did it. He then insults Tony's feelings for the horse and ironically is attacked after making another fat joke that results in his death. Ralph is killed not because Tony thought he did it from the beginning, but rather because Ralph wouldn't validate his feelings of sadness. Now I think most people are convinced that he did it because this is something Ralph would absolutely do. If he beats a woman to death just for insulting him, would he burn a horse alive for financial gain. Of course he would, but I just love the irony that for all the bad things he did, the one that Tony kills him over he is innocent of.

Bro, that subtle dig of "how long did Phil Leotardo do in the can?" was funny as ever 🤣🤣

The actor said no and the creator said yes. That's deep af 😂

When Ralph first showed up Ralph had burned one of Albert's garbage trucks. Albert burned 2 of Ralph's dumpsters. These guys like to use fire. To me it was always obvious Ralph burned the horse.

I met Joe Pantoliano at Terrificon a few weeks ago and asked him this very question. He said David Chase never told him one way or the other but in his mind Ralphie was too preoccupied with his son’s injuries. He said Tony went there and wanted to believe what he wanted to believe, and he compared that to Fox News and CNN viewers wanting to believe what they’re being told because it aligns with their beliefs already. It was a great conversation and he was super nice to talk to. This is a great video to show both sides of it and I love how it could absolutely go either way.

I really hate how David Chase revealed the answer recently. Removing the mystery takes so much away from the episode.

Tony's soft spot for innocents (noun) is scattered throughout the series. It's one of the ways Chase makes him relatable to viewers. Tony knew that he couldn't avenge the killing of Tracee, who was Ralphie's property, but the killing left Tony with a deep sense of disgust with Ralphie. The fire that killed Pie-O-My may or may not have been arson but it gave Tony the opportunity to vent his ire over Tracee's murder.

The way he said "SO WHAT" during his confrontation with Tony indicates he did. One can draw inferences from his tone.

Chase confirmed he did, which confuses me for why he was lying to Tony. I preferred the idea that he didn't do it, but was so fed up with Tony's bull that he stood his ground in a "it shouldn't have to matter if I did"

"You talk to Corky Ianucci lately?". Tony absolutely implies "human involvement".

I do believe that Ralph killed the horse but I can see Joe Pantolianos perspective. Ralph doesn't come off as panicky in their interaction or trying to shift blame to someone else. The way the dialogue is delivered comes off as someone who is just frustrated from trying to explain what they believe to be a completely logical and obvious point to someone (Tony) who just can't wrap their head around it

I think that Tony felt he could kill Ralph because his son being in a coma broke him. He just lost that light in his eyes, that drive. Tony, who hated his guts anyway, needed a reason and since he's a sociopath, he convinced himself that Ralph killed the horse.

Paulie has been going the stables each night and giving something to the horse, and this was what making the horse sick. Paulie was doing it so that the Vet bill would be to high that it would started bring what Ralph share he would give to Tony down so that it would like that Ralph wasn't making that much money. On the day of the fire, Paulie was surprise by the goat drop a lantern and this was what started the fire.

I think Ralph did it. Fun to hear you 'splain all sides.

It was a fucking horse. His kid was in the hospital

'The Goats Shenanigans" is a great name for a heavy metal band! Another great video, happy New Year!

At the time I suspected Paulie, I can't remember why. I couldn't see Ralph doing that when he was on a bit of a redemption ark and had bigger things going on. I think also it he did do it, he'd have said when he started shouting at Tony. At that moment he didn't care, he had nothing to lose. I wish David Chase had kept it ambiguous instead of telling everyone it was him.

I think he did, but not knowing for certain is part of life. When it comes to people...do we really know anything for certain? I think the scene played beautifully.

i wonder what would have happened if Ralph won the fight with Tony, i would've been the second time Tony assaulted him, this time in his own home

lol your writing here is just fantastic. The hidden stuff like the Phil-can thing; I love it.

Billy Leotardo wasn't 40, he was 47. Still just a kid, though. I've had this discussion a few times with people. My stance has always been "No, Ralph did not kill the horse." I realized the answer now: Whether or not he killed the horse is irrelevant, if Ralph did it he didn't do it and if he didn't do it he didn't. From the viewpoint of the made men civilian deaths are of little importance. Sunshine the dealer, Tracee, the waiter that Chris and Paulie killed. Tony was actually the one breaking mafia code by killing Ralphie for Tracee and the horse. They were civilian casualties. Silvio and Albert even had a conversation about this off the record. What we're really seeing here is another example of the viewpoint of those abiding by the mafia code of civilian vs non-civilian casualties and Tony does not when killing Ralph (and many other times). Remember how the audience views the world mainly through the eyes of the made men, cheer them on and take their sides when they are really just parasites preying on ordinary people. So the conversation can indeed be interpreted both ways without a definite answer.

I didnt even think this was debatable, of course he did

Bruh, everybody knows that Phil did 20 years and ate grilled cheese cooked off of radiators; no more, Butchie, no more. Incidentally, congratulations on the 100,000 subscribers, it's well deserved.

I still keep missing the one line where it is mentioned how long Phil did in da can.

NO. HE. DID. NOT!! BUT SO WHAT! IT WAS A FUCKING ANIMAL!

I actually disliked Tony in this scene. Ralph really isn’t much worse than the other mobsters. He was starting to become a more sympathetic character and was about to have a redemption until Tony killed him

Another great analysis. Best Sopranos channel on YT.

Whether or not Ralph killed the horse is not the point. The point is “don’t stop believing” think about it “don’t stop believing” see now isn’t that much clearer now?

Chase confirmed he did in a podcast. Plus I thought it was pretty obvious that Ralph did. I didn't even know this was a controversy until recently

I always took it that Ralph didn't kill the horse. Like the video, I kinda think there is an amusing irony if a scumbag like Ralphie getting his dues for something he didn't do. I also felt that for all Ralphie's bad qualities, he did love his kids and was genuinely broken up about the injury and wasn't thinking about mob business. That said, now I'm open to him doing it, it does kinda seem like he did.

There's no way that fire was an accident. Ralph was just trying to justify it and was sick of kowtowing to some guy he hates. Tony was sick of Ralphie's shit. Things were bound to come to a head, or neck as the case may be.

i think Tony just snapped when Ralph called him out on his hypocrisy. in several regards.

I always thought they could have made it more interesting if they gave a nod that it could even be Paulie Paulie knowing Tony a lot better would mean that he knows he loves the horse and framing Ralphie for the murder of the horse would be the ultimate machiavellian scheme and it would make things more complicated and therefor more interesting, but obviously that's not the case.

IMO the show walked the grey line to keep the emphasis like their lines, about Tony being nuts. caring more for a horse than Ralph and Ralph caring for his son to the point of killing Ralph for this useless cause of dead horse.

He did that shit -50 Cent

David Chase outright said he did, and Tony was projecting what Ralph did to Tracy through the horse.

He did it and explained to Tony the reasons why it was done.

Absolutely love your interpretations of these episodes mate, you really do have some talent for this. 👍

Great video! I like the way how Joey Pants actually played it leaves it more open ended even if Chase did have in mind that Ralph killed Pie O My.

People miss the point of Ralphie’s death. Tony explicitly said *NO MORE FAT JOKES* . What did Ralph do, despite the fat joke feud with Johnny Sack which nearly killed him? *He made a fat joke about his boss* . His death has nothing to do with the horse! It was about Ralph’s unwillingness or inability to change his behavior.

I hadn't caught that mention of Raph saying "What kind of sick f*ck does that" till now. That changed my mind!

Oh I’m sure he did it. He had such cruel disregard for the horse

I always took the scene as an admission of guilt. Never even realized it was meant to be ambiguous. 🔥🏇🔥

Love your videos

I was so hoping you would make a video about this, as this episode is far and away one of my top five favorites! I loved it! I think Ralph did it, but I love hearing your alternate scenarios (especially the one about Ralph being the Scape-Goat!). Well done!

I think it was simply a good scene showing how tony is who he is, the untrusting and untrustworthy monster that he was....willing to do anything to his own men without any proof. As mentioned by the dinner scene with Sylvio.....I wondered how they came to the conclusion that tony killed Ralph over the horse. "This has to be tony, right?". But as I'm typing that out I suppose that could go back to the stripper that was killed

I never questioned that Ralph killed the horse, but I didn't think that Tony killed Ralph "because" of the horse. Or even because of the girl. So much as it created issues for Tony that he was unwilling to face in himself, so it was easier for him to place his anger onto Ralph.

I love your thoughts on the irony of Ralph being condemned for the horse if he had in fact NOT killed her. But I thought your throw away idea of Paulie doing the deed even more interesting... I hope you'll expand on that or Paulie himself (if you haven't already, I'm working my way through your vids lol).

Silvio lives in Lillehammer

I'm with you @CineRanter - with the way it's written & performed, my gut tells me Ralph is guilty, but I think Ralph being innocent is a much richer, more literary take because of the tragic irony involved, that after all the violence, murder, and abuse he's doled out during the entirety of his time in the show, his comeuppance is over something terrible he *didn't* do. The fact that it comes right in the middle of him beginning to change his ways (much like Tony started to do in his season 6B arc) after his son is hospitalized gives it even greater impact. Great video.

What about da case of Billy Leotardo you promised to make? 47 years old he was just a kid, He was robbed of a bright future, by dat animal Blundetto.

In RDR2 I always name my horse Pie-O-My 🐴

Great analysis as always. I like the idea you put forward that it was indeed arson and not an accident, but that it was done by someone other than Ralphie, e.g. Paulie. Whoever did it would of course know that Ralphie would get the blame.

Excellent work my man. I'm glad Southwest Asians from England love mafia movies as much as us.

biggest sign ralphie did it: he can barely look Tony in the eye

I think this is one of those scenes where there is no answer and it's done on purpose perfectly. Say he did, it allows for his satisfying end to the series and a a great plot point in the show as a whole. If he is innocent, then Tony murdered an innocent man yet got him back anyway for all things he had done in previous episodes. Even if we never really know, this was the perfect way to play it out for the show.

That scapegoat joke was hilarious to me 😂😂😂

David Chase confirmed that Ralph killed Pie-O-My

Tony definitely got hit at the end. People seem to think it's the guy that walked into the restroom, but the scene's structure indicates it was someone that walked through the front door. Meadow would have been right behind the gunman when it happened. The entire family could have been killed for all we know. I simultaneously love and hate that fucking ending.

David Chase already said in an interview that it was Ralph who had the horse stable burnt down.

I agree with your conclusion: the totality of the evidence suggests Ralph did it, but I personally prefer the irony that he didn't.

The Sopranos had just as much impact on America and the world as did welcome back Kotter or happy days… things said and Done on that show are Now catch phrases for Eternity

I think the actual point is it doesn't matter. It was literally just the last straw. What actually made Tony Snap was that Ralph didn't care and mocked Tony for caring.

Of course he did. I don't see how you can even question that. As Tony said it: "Suddenly, there's a fire and be cash in 200K". Ralph had the means (Ruthless Connected and Creative Mob guy) and the motive (his son's medical care). To top that the way he acted 'surprised' when Tony told him. C'mon...

Love the video and he 1000% did it. Whenever someone says (O come on it was just a …….)Thats a sign admission

This fan theory got squashed. The raider director themselves said that he killed the horse

Definitely one of the greatest shows to ever be on TV

I tend to think if David Chase weighs in then that’s that.

I think he or one of his crew did it on his orders. The only doubt i have is Ralph is clear distressed about Justin in the hospital so in some ways i think he maybe didn’t as he was not thinking about pie-o-my but he is bit unstable so i could still see him going and doing it to get his frustration out.

i am fully satisfied with whatever david chase says since it is his story. which is why his steadfast refusal to confirm whether tony was shot in the final scene continues to frustrate.

I never understood this. I thought it was obvious from how indignant he was over it. The moment he says "IT WAS A FUCKING HORSE!" I thought well that's it then he did it.

Paulie doing it is actually a pretty good theory

Ralph did it, not Paulie. The reason Paulie took the panting was because he wanted it to symbolize his own self importance. That’s why he had the painting changed to a Napoleon like one, because Paulie wanted to feel a significant importance and that he part of a greater cause. Like he was this special soldier for a Great War general like Napoleon, when in reality he wasn’t. So him keeping the painting and hanging it up in his home, was of feeling truly useful and important. Paulie was half lying to Tony “to have your picture and hang you in my home, was an honor”. No, it was to have Tony in his home, and to HONOR Paulie. That’s what it’s about. Look at how Tony is in the painting. It’s almost like he’s paying homage to someone. And I think that is what Paulie liked about it. It had nothing to do with killing the horse. If so, why change the painting? The horse in the painting meant nothing to Paulie, only Tony in the painting. If Paulie wanted to get back at Ralph, it wouldn’t be over a horse. He knows Ralph wouldn’t care. As why Ralph did it (if he did), was pretty obvious. He had Justin's bills to pay, and it was his revenge on Tony, for taking Valentina from him. Of course, its also possible, it really was an accident (but not likely in the Sopranos world). I am in the camp that either Ralph did it, or it was all really just an accident. And this was all over nothing. The way Ralph responds could be just out of annoyance that Tony would accuse him of this, when his mind is on his son. And how little it means to him either way. I look at Ralph's response almost like he doesn't care if Tony thinks its him, and just angry he'd even bring it up when there are more important things on his mind. The scene is brilliant, and I can see multiple ways of thought on whether he did it, or didn't. To me its either Ralph did it, or it was an accident, no other way. Paulie to me was never a good suspect for this. I know he hated Ralph and was steaming over what he did to his ma. But Paulie knows killing Ralph's horse wouldn't be 'viable' payback. Ralph wouldn't care one bit, and Paulie knows that. This guy barely values human life, he wouldn't value a horse.

Basicaly beeing made guy in Tonys glorified crew means nothing. He casualy hits and kills anybody he wants

It turns out "Whoever Did This" was a stealth Black Phillip prequel.

If Ralphie did it he'd have admitted it, its that simple.

Of course Ralph killed the horse. I cried when Pie O My died and was delighted when Ralph's head went bouncing down the stairs.

the dialogue isn't as evenly balanced as you claim; it tilt a lot more to he killed the horse

David Chase already said yes, he did, "obvious" is how Chase described it I believe. This isn't a mystery and arguments are kinda irrelevant when the creator says what's what. Just like the fact that Tony is dead and it was NY that did it (possibly with assists or agreements with Jersey guys like Patsy, but we don't know that much). I'm all for death of the author and all, but, regardless of how the acting portrayed it, we know Ralph. Not as well as we should had some significant scenes not been cut surrounding his mom that Joe remembers filming that never made the final, but we know him well enough to know this is exactly the kinda thing he'd do and he's nowhere near above it. I get that there's a certain narrative that works if he didn't do it, but I don't think it's relevant tbh. It's not really from the Chase playbook either, that's more GRRM. I also don't think I'd say he was on some too-soon ended redemption arch either, that seems like a stretch. I don't think Ralph could help the way he was.

It's been awhile since I watched the series so I didn't even think about that that the no more fires comment is ironic considering the fire at the stables which circumstantially links Ralph to it if you think that he did it I was under the impression that he did it but as is brought up it really doesn't matter if he did or did not do it necessarily for Tony to take him out but his death will have some consequences in terms of his other capos opinions on him going forward

Yes Ralph killed the horse! I saw an interview where the creator said Ralph did it 😂

Yes. Davis chase confirmed it on the taking sopranos podcast.

"I did 20 fucking years!" Phil

It's unfortunate that David Chase gave a definitive answer to this question. I think it would have been more interesting if he had left the issue ambiguous.

No he didn't. But so what. It was a horse.

Of course he did. Tony took his horse, money and girl.

Haven't watched the video yet but I thought David Chase already confirmed in an interview that Ralphie did kill Pie-O-My

'What sick f***?' That was the last straw either way.

It was 19 or 21 years in the can. one of those two. I can't remember.

Ralphie was already top earner, money wasn't an issue for him. His son will probably get treatment via various insurance plans Ralphie (and dependents) are part of. Not saying $100k in clean money isn't enticing, but the whole killing the horse for the payout is unnecessary.

Ralph and Tony were verbally at each other's throats. If Ralph had really killed the horse, he would have admitted it right then.