We know from Fredo's "why didn't we ever spend time like this before" comment that Michael spent precious little time with him. This remark, in my mind, was Fredo's way of saying "this is all I ever needed from you", and "I would have looked at things differently had we done this before".
Good point...however, this in my opinion emphasises Fredo's weakness, not Michael's. "If only you'd spent more time with me despite all your responsities as Head of the Family (when it should've been me cause I'm oldest)...then I wouldn't have betrayed you and set you up to be murdered and gotten myself in a heap of trouble if you ever find out."
Dreaming up specific tasks,responsibilities or reasons to engage Fredo was Michael's job, not mine.
That would be true if you (and others) hadn't been stating throughout this thread that Michael should've foreseen Fredo's potential for betrayal and done something to prevent it. If you could support that by suggesting what he could've done, how he could've treated Fredo, then you're making a good case.
Wasn't there a lesson to be learned from Tessio's betrayal and the careful methodology that Vito walked Michael through to help him anticipate the weakness from within?...
Not in terms of predicting Fredo's behavior. As you said, this was done for far different reasons.
And by the way...if Vito posessed such 'people skills' and 20/20 foresight that Michael lacked, wouldn't HE have foreseen Fredo's discontent at being passed over (at his own wishes), and advised Michael how to handle his brother? Or given suggestions on how to keep Fredo happy so he wouldn't one day be connned into working with the enemy?
Good thread though....welcome to the Board and keep it coming!!
Apple
