Originally posted by Sicilian Babe:
...But I've always thought that the two brothers would've shared the crown, if that's possible...
It probably would not have been. Not only would Sonny not want to 'share the crown' with his brother or anyone else...Michael would not have wanted it had Sonny lived.
Originally posted by Sicilian Babe:
... I can't believe that, given Michael's ruthlessness and thirst for power (not to mention his ceaseless need to control everyone and everything), that he would've been satisfied with Consigliere...
That 'ruthlessness/thirst for power/need to control...' was something that evolved and emerged over a period of time, in response to circumstances around him. Even Michael himself deftly explains that to Kay in one of the few decent scenes in GFIII. Again...had Sonny (and Appolonia) lived, a far different man Michael would have been.
And...I don't see how he would've been 'consiglieri' in any case. Take over from Tom??
Originally posted by Sicilian Babe:
... I can imagine a very powerful and frightening bicoastal Corleone Family, with two very strong leaders on each end....
Again, questionable (and I'm being polite). Sonny was not and never could've been a 'strong' leader.
Originally posted by Sicilian Babe:
... I agree with DC that Sonny never could've ordered his brother's murder...
He wouldn't have had to. Because he would not only have beat the shit out of Fredo...he would've taken it a step further and killed him himself.
But we do all agree that with Sonny as Don...Fredo would not have gone down the same road of betrayal that he did with Michael (who of course in the business sense...was completely justified in ordering Fredo's murder).
Apple