Originally Posted by Turnbull
Pete's right. Vito and Tom knew right away that Carlo had set up Sonny. It's been speculated here that Vito simply couldn't bring himself to have his daughter's husband killed, especially in the state of grief and shock he was in because of Sonny's death. Also, as Vito states in the novel, "Revenge is a dish best served cold." Vito and Michael were jollying Carlo along until the time was ripe--after Vito died and on the day when Michael "settled all family business."



In the film, as Carlo is leaving Vito's office, Vito shows Carlo affection and tells him that he is happy for him. How insidious! If it's cold revenge, how cold, indeed! For some film viewers, Vito gets a pass because they view him as a hero of sorts fighting valiantly against the deadly intrigues of Barzini and the five families. But that ignores the evil Vito. Carlo was a protagonist in Sonny's death. Therefore, like any father, Vito sought payback. That was not a stretch for him; payback was part and parcel of who Vito was.

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