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This is What Most Likely Happened to the Russian.

posted 7 years ago by Retromogul (1082)
25 replies | jump to latest

I could never understand how some would think he survived a flesh wound out in the middle of nowhere in freezing temperatures. Some would mention the car being gone. It does generate a mystery yet who could drive out for miles without a clear knowledge of their surroundings, all the while driving with a bleeding hole in their head? There's also the fact that if he had survived, we would have heard from Slava again.

But anyway...

After Paulie loses his shoe and catches up with Christopher - there is a shot of the pair from above, within a tree as if there being watched. This most likely is the Russian hiding in the tree which makes perfect sense since his footprints abruptly ended. Since we never heard from Slava regarding the matter, the Russian most likely died while hidden above in a tree.

[–] McQualude (4231) 7 years ago

I'm watching the series again, 3rd time, and this episode is coming up. I'll keep this theory in mind.

[–] tph890 (490) 7 years ago

I like not knowing what happened to the Russian, but I like this theory. Rewatching the series now, just watched this episode the other night. Never thought that he might be hiding in the trees, but it makes sense. I like to think that the Russian made it out, but I don't think he stole their car (though that is also a possibility, but how would he have hidden his footprints....?).
Anyway, I think it's cool how the show left that plot line open-ended. Just adds more dread to the tone of the show.
Also, that episode is hilarious. This show was an incredible black comedy, in my opinion.

[–] Bloodworth79 (5739) 7 years ago

This episode was over the top...
They were so hungry after a few hours they needed sugar packets?

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Ketchup packets. I think at that point they had been stuck in the woods for around 10 hours and they hadn't eaten breakfast that morning - therefore their last meal likely having been over 24 hours before.

[–] McQualude (4231) 6 years ago

I'm watching this episode now. Paulie shoots him, blood spatters, they follow the footprints and the blood spatter stops. Cut to a high up view; you can see the Russian's footprints circle a tree and double back. There is another trail crossing at right angles. Behind Paulie and Chris there is another trail of footprints that lead to the camera vantage point. The Russian couldn't have made so many prints without the guys seeing him so I don't believe the writers meant to imply he is in the tree but it does make sense.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

That could just be a goof - left over footprints from previous takes.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Mayonnaise...Mayonnaise

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Ha I wonder if that line was improv.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

That could just be a goof - left over footprints from previous takes.

Excellent answer. There are few movies where this isn't seen. Lots of times we see skid marks from car chases or hoof prints from many takes in westerns etc.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Yeah very true it is common. I think the intention is still that he's supposed to be hiding in the tree. Honestly, where else could he be? He's an ex-commando used to the wildness and hiding. And the writers would have it in their head where he was at.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

I only saw that episode once, and my impression then was that he managed to escape by methods unknown. I thought he would appear or at least be referenced in later episodes. I thought the overhead shot was just to emphasize that the Russian really did escape, and not just be hiding behind a tree stump or something.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

How I always saw it, as mentioned in the OP, was that it would have been impossible for him to have survived a head wound for long out in the middle of nowhere. In addition, without knowing where he was and where the nearest hospital is. There was never any mention from Slava again which gives credence to the idea that he simply bleed out while hiding in a tree above.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

hmm.. gonna have to watch that one again.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

In the episode also Paulie's car goes missing which lead to speculation that the Russian stole it. That would have to entail the Russian managing to hot wire a car with a bleeding head wound and driving off...And if that fantastical scenario had played out and he died on the road, his body would have eventually been found on the road and Slava would have found out.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

And anyhow, the Russian's footprints did suddenly stop next to the tree...

[–] mnphotoguy99 (445) 6 years ago

@Retro. All good points. However, Jason Bourne could easily hotwire a car with a bleeding head wound and drive off (or run off) and survive. If he can, I think the Russian could have. And somehow wipe out his footprints in the snow. :)

[–] McQualude (4231) 6 years ago

It could be, or it might be intentional. Like the camera in the tree, maybe it means something, maybe it doesn't. But if think the camera vantage point is important and it's showing the tracks then it makes sense the tracks are important.

[–] RickGee (266) 6 years ago

1. We don't get a clear picture of how bad the head wound was. So he could have been grazed and able to escape.

2. It's hard to believe he could be hiding in a tree right above them, in the middle of winter, when there were no leaves for camouflage, and they wouldn't have seen him from either close up or afar.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

Yes but his footprints do vanish near the tree and then there's that mystery looking down shot from above. As an ex-commando in Russia he would have found it easy to utilize the wilderness to his advantage and climb trees.

Had he somehow managed to hot wire Paulie's car and find himself at a hospital despite without directions from the middle of nowhere, and all with a head wound - Slava would have got wind and sought retribution.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

That's true. A scalp wound creates a bloody effing mess. It would look much worse than it was. My wife cut her scalp by pulling the rear hatch of her Jeep down on her head while wresting groceries in the rain. It looked like a murder scene in the garage and her scalp was still oozing the next morning.

It does seem odd that he would try to escape in a tree. If his foot prints suddenly stopped, they would have known he was in the tree. I wonder if the foot prints stopping was just bad continuity.

Gotta watch that scene again.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

The footprints stopping was intentional and planned out as well as the last view down from the trees. They never think to look up in that scene.
I've considered if the head wound appears more minor that what it was and that he somehow managed to steal Paulie's car as well and get to a hospital, but the problem with all that is Slava would have known...

[–] RickGee (266) 6 years ago

Good point about Slava. However, we never see him again and surely he knew the interior decorator was mixed up with Sil.

[–] Retromogul (1082) 6 years ago

I was just reading somewhere that Tony mentions in the final season that he's going to see Slava to liquidate some money. This would indicate that he remained good terms with Slava which would not have happened had Valery survived and returned to Slava.

[–] strntz (12773) 6 years ago

I've considered if the head wound appears more minor that what it was and that he somehow managed to steal Paulie's car as well and get to a hospital, but the problem with all that is Slava would have known...

If it was purely a scalp wound, he would have a lot of blood loss and a splitting headache or even a concussion, but he wouldn't necessarily need a hospital. A compression bandage would stop the bleeding. If it was real bad, he might drive out of the area to get some stitches.

[–] ebhaynz (3761) 6 years ago

Immediately after being shot the Russian was seen sitting down, drinking coffee and wodka on the set with director David Chase.