Was it ever explained later what happened to that Valerie Russian guy? Paulie hit him in the head and blood splattered... I'd say that they just missed him when they went to check out his body, because the footprints disappeared, and they were just getting paranoid. Unless it was later explained, I'd say that Paulie killed the Russian with the head shot.

I'm not up to date on all episodes, but he'll probly turn up and cause some problems for PAULIE.

Yeah, I've got a feeling Paulie isn't going to survive season six.

I seam to remember the scene where they lose the russians footprints being shown from above.....as if the camera was in a tree? Could this explain the mysterious disappearance?

Exactly, Steve Buscemi was trying to give the illusion that the russian "interior decorator" was in the tree. But he won't be showing up ever again. David Chase said in an interview that he will never be seen again. Period. And since Chase still has control over the scripts(thank God), he won't be back.

Doc

I hope the Russians make an appearance in Season 6. Is there any word on that?

Paulie is the best character, he shouldn't get whacked.

I just got finished saying how Chase already said he will NEVER be back. It's been years now, why would he suddenly, out of nowhere, pop back up? :rolleyes:

Doc

I said the Russians, not that one guy. I think there are more Russians than just "Valery."

That is one of my fav episodes.I was wondering what happend to the Russian as well.We will never know.Could have got Paulie in trouble big time

That is one of my problems with the show, they seem to leave good story lines behind, just like the rape episode. I wanted to see Tony cut that dogs balls off.

This is why the 1st two seasons will always be the best.

Actually that was one of my favorite episodes because the obvious and what we desired did not happen. It was clear that we were setup to root for Tony to find out and kill the bastard, but the fact that Melfi was morally strong enough to keep it to herself and ending the show with a simple "no" is brillant. Its one of the deeper shows as far as themes and introduces the idea of restraint against stong emotional feelings, which is clearly not present normally,ex. Tony beating the hell out of Ralph for a horse

It's so weird that you posted about this, because I was just getting on to ask the same question, since I'm rewatching season 3. Anyways, I think he lived because who else would have stolen Paulie's car?

I have a question to add however: If the Russian did die, why didn't his friends ever come looking for him?