" Avlon : After cowboys and Indians , Tony became our central media metaphor . Tony : ` ` The Joker '' was a violent fantasy for middle - aged guys who want revenge . Tony Soprano 's best quotes . He says Tony represented the plight of the world with its many contradictions . There was a guilty pleasure in watching oversensitive thugs refuse to take any crap , he says .
" Avlon : After cowboys and Indians , Tony became our central media metaphor . Tony : ` ` The Joker '' was a violent fantasy for middle - aged guys who want revenge . He says Tony represented the plight of the world with its many contradictions . There was a guilty pleasure in watching oversensitive thugs refuse to take any crap , he says .