The Sopranos: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Tony's Decision to Kill Christopher

The Foreshadowing of Christopher's Death

Despite it being years since The Sopranos season 6 aired in 2006, there are still many questions about why Tony killed Christopher. Tony Soprano was the head of the crime family in the series with his nephew Christopher as one of his soldiers with a good deal of personal issues.

Chris stands in the pork store on The Sopranos

In one of The Sopranos' final episodes, 'Walk Like a Man,' the long-time friends joke around with each other and appear to be on good terms, despite some conflict to resolve with Paulie. However, the inherent vices of the underworld soon catch up with Christopher Moltisanti, which leads to the season 6 episode 'Kennedy and Heidi' when Tony Soprano kills Chris.

Tony Soprano and Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos

Tony killing Chris was one of the most significant deaths in the series yet the show did not give a clear answer as to why Tony chose to kill his nephew. The background of Tony Soprano and Christopher Moltisanti's relationship is revealed in The Many Saints of Newark, HBO's Sopranos prequel movie, adding more context to the moment. Moreover, Christopher narrates The Many Saints of Newark as a disembodied voice from hell.

Collage of Chris Moltisanti and Many Saints of Newark characters

Although The Many Saints of Newark is focused on Dickie Moltisanti and a teenage Tony Soprano, Christopher Moltisanti's death in Sopranos season 6 haunts the DiMeo crime family even in the past.

Tony Soprano with one of his fellow aspiring mobsters in The Many Saints Of Newark

The Moral Dilemma of Tony Soprano

Christopher's death was thematically foreshadowed in 'Walk Like a Man' through Tony's interactions with his son A.J. (Robert Iler) and Dr. Melfi. While they initially seem unrelated, they reveal a great deal about Tony Soprano's worldview and outlook at the time, which by extension explain why he killed Chris.

Dickie and Tony smiling together in The Many Saints of Newark

Christopher wasn't killed by Tony as part of a mob hit but because of what Christopher represented in regard to Tony's son, and where Tony was on his journey as a parent. After a breakup, A.J. becomes severely depressed and shows suicidal behavior, at least according to his sister Meadow (Jamie-Lynn DiScala). Tony subsequently tells Dr. Melfi that he's done with therapy, and calls the sessions 'a jerk-off.' He references his failures as a parent, and how he has passed 'rotten' genes to his son.

Tony and Livia speak in the school in The Many Saints of Newark

Importantly, though, Tony doesn't realize that Christopher is no longer sober. These are all factors that build to a fateful car accident involving Tony and Christopher, with the latter admitting that he's unable to pass a drug test. Although Tony can never change what he genetically passed on to A.J., he can prevent Christopher from destroying lives other than his own. Christopher's life is worth saving, of course, but Tony's subconscious guilt takes over, and he sophisticates Christopher until he dies.

Tony Soprano in the kitchen in The Many Saints of Newark

The Impact on the DiMeo Crime Family

The Sopranos also set up Tony killing Christopher in a clever way through the show's soundtrack. Although the moment was shocking, Tony's motivations in The Sopranos presciently link to a song that plays before the accident, with Christopher referencing The Departed soundtrack and playing Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb.' In Martin Scorsese's 2006 film, the track plays as Leonardo DiCaprio's Billy Costigan spirals out of control during an undercover investigation and contemplates suicide.

Christopher crying to Tony in his basement in The Sopranos

As Tony and Christopher drive, 'Kennedy and Heidi' plays, with the lyric 'the dream is gone' underlining the central message of the scene and foreshadowing Tony's subsequent actions as the mob boss kills Chris to save him from a more tragic death. Prophetically, David Chase shows audiences that in Christopher Moltisanti's final moments, he isn't terrified but rather 'comfortably numb.' As Tony and Christopher's relationship comes to a bittersweet end, there is a faint sense of acceptance - and even relief - from both characters.

Christopher Moltisanti in a car in The Sopranos

Christopher's supernatural presence in Many Saints of Newark reveals how Christopher's spirit views his death. While Christopher's last line seems acerbic, there's no bitterness or anger in his voice when he says the line, implying that Christopher understands why Tony killed him.

Michael Imperioli as Christopher in The Sopranos wearing a leather jacket and talking on a cell phone