Sopranos: Who ordered the hit on Paulie?

Multiple articles and discussions on Reddit have explored the question of who ordered the hit on Paulie in the TV series "The Sopranos." Clues from the show suggest that Paulie may have been involved in orchestrating Tony's assassination. Some of the key pieces of evidence include the presence of a man in a Members Only jacket at Holsten's, symbolic moments relating to "The Godfather," tensions between Paulie and Tony throughout the series, Paulie's close relationship with New York mobsters, and his conversation with Johnny Sac where he implies his loyalty to New York rather than his own family. Additionally, Paulie's actions often showcased his disgruntlement and desire for power, leading to suspicion surrounding his involvement in Tony's assassination.Analysis:While the evidence suggests that Paulie may have ordered the hit on Tony, it is important to consider alternative theories as well. One theory proposes that New York may have been responsible for the hit as retaliation for Phil's death. However, it is unlikely that New York would spare Paulie and target Tony instead, considering Paulie's long-standing involvement with the Soprano family. Furthermore, Paulie's close relationship with New York and his history of sharing insider information with them makes him an unlikely target for their vengeance.Another theory suggests that Patsy may have been the one to order the hit on Paulie. This theory is supported by the conversations between Paulie and Patsy, where Paulie seemingly distances himself from the plan and implies that Patsy will take the fall if New York finds out. This implies a level of distrust between Paulie and Patsy, raising suspicions about their involvement in the assassination. However, the evidence surrounding Patsy's motive and opportunity remains unclear, leaving room for further speculation.From a character analysis perspective, Paulie's actions and personality provide substantial evidence of his involvement in ordering the hit. Throughout the series, Paulie is shown as disgruntled and feeling passed over by Tony, which could have fueled his desire for power and revenge. His close relationship with New York and his tendency to share insider information further suggests his willingness to betray Tony.Additionally, Paulie's actions in earlier seasons, including his problems with Tony seeing a woman psychiatrist and his mishandling of the Russian situation, put the family in a precarious position. Tony's mishandling of the Tony Blundetto situation and the rise of Bobby Baccalieri without a justifiable reason further fueled tensions within the family and potentially gave Paulie the motivation he needed to order the hit.In conclusion, while the evidence is not definitive, the available clues suggest that Paulie may have ordered the hit on Tony in "The Sopranos." His actions, relationships, and personality traits provide substantial reasons to suspect his involvement. However, the question still remains unanswered, allowing for interpretation and speculation among fans of the show.