As much as we all would have disliked to see Clemenza "flip," I nevertheless see it as an important part of the trilogy.
Very true.
I would have hated to see Clemenza turn against the Family. He was a lovable character and the romaticized view that Part I gave of gangsters was embodied in the character of Clemenza. He was loyal, he brought Mike gifts when Mike was growing up, etc. To see him "flip" would have only emphasized the (real) dark side of these characters as portrayed in Part II.
The "honor amongst thieves" view in Part I was replaced by the more realistic portrayal of them being "businessmen" (in Part II) and fuck anybody who got in their way. I hate to think of likable Clemenza that way.
