Okay, they've confirmed that the character isn't ID'd as Nicky Leotardo in the end credits, but has it been confirmed that he was played by the same person? If, in fact, David Chase & company have gone out of their way to utilize the same actor who portrayed Phil's nephew, and in this episode's end credits have specifically identified him as not-Nicky Leotardo, then, as rulers of the Soprano universe, I think they have implicitly told us that he is not Nicky Leotardo -- this time. And by choosing to make such a statement, consequently, what they would appear to be informing us (pardon the verb), is that Tony is probably not about to be killed -- this time. Instead, like Gregory Peck's Jimmy Ringo in The Gunfighter, Tony's top gun status has doomed him to a life without peace, a life of dread, a life of seeing Nicky Leotardos everywhere, and waiting for Nicky or those ubiquitous "couple of black guys" who also entered the restaurant (and who seemed to be at the center of so much misfortune in the world of Tony and friends that they got a fifth season episode named in their honor), or someone else to finally claim the title of "Fastest Gun," so the cycle can begin once more. Anyone for onion rings?
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"After all, it is better to be frightened than to be crushed."