Originally Posted By: Louren_Lampone
Didn't Michael continue to employ this type of manipulation throughout the trilogy? Have subordinates put their head in the Lion's mouth in exchange for having them appear loyal?


Yup. It goes on throughout the trilogy. Michael did that to just about everyone-Clemenza, Tessio, Tom, Frankie, Rocco. I really think of Michael as a fallen angel. And like a fallen angel he can still be quite charming and persuasive when he wants to be.

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives."
Winter is Coming

Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.