Well I am Happy to say that I highly enjoyed this episode the second time around. As has been noted by others the performance by Pucci was phenomenal and the relationship portrayed between him and Goren was really sweet. Based on rewatching these last two episodes of the week I am going to have to reassess my opinion on season 5. At least the Goren/Eames episodes, I tried to watch the Logan/Barak episode about the Voodoo priestess and just had to change the channel, it was such a snoozefest.
For all of his negative and childish qualities, Joey also seems to have many redeeming ones. He has a sense of ethics (he doesn’t “cheat”); he seems to be a good boyfriend and companion to his girlfriend’s son. Goren seems to feel he’s worthy of saving. Is Goren right about Joey? If so, where did Joey get these qualities?
I think Goren is right about Joey and that he is certainly worth saving, like Jeffan I am going to believe that All In was not about Joey and that Joey is doing well. I think Joey's father must have been a good influence on him. He didn't want Joey to go into playing cards and indeed recognized the bad influence that Phil had on Joey and tried to keep him away from Phil.
Did Joey play Goren? Does Goren play Joey?
If Joey did play Goren it was because Goren wanted to be played by him and I think Goren and Deakins played Joey in the end, but it was for his own good.
Does Goren see himself in Joey? Does he see Frank?
I think he does see a little of himself in Joey in that Joey grew up without a father and a distant mother. I don't think Goren sees Frank in Joey. Joey seems nothing like Frank. Frank didn't seem to play by any rules unlike Joey.
What, if anything, is Joey guilty of? Will he spend any time in jail?
Joey is probably guilty of abetting a murder, if he testifies against the not so wiseguys he might get minimal if any jail time.
What did Joey know about his mark and Phil’s plans?
I think he thought he was just suppose to humiliate Phil's brother-in-law but when he saw the not so wiseguys he realized murder was on the menu but did nothing to stop it.
Joey’s mother—did she have any other choices?
Yes she had a choice, but took the easy way out.
Is Carver more of a jerk than usual in this episode?
I find Carver is often a jerk and seems at times to be condescending toward the detectives, so I wasn't a bit surprised about how he acted.
Several posters noted this story’s resemblance to HAMLET. Is this the LOCI take on that play?
Since it has been more than twenty years since I read Hamlet I take a pass at this question. But I did notice one of the wiseguy's name was Rosencrants. I would have enjoyed seeing Goren holding a skull and stating "alas poor Yorick I knew him will"
Does this episode, especially Deakins’ remark about heroes falling, foreshadow Deakins’ downfall?
Maybe, but didn't Deakins quit so nobody else would be smeared?
Why is Deakins brought in to speak with Joey?
for the old proverbial goodcop/badcop routine.
Why does Phil reveal so much in the interrogation? Doesn’t he realize someone—like Joey—might be watching?
I think Phil thought he was smart enough to talk himself out of trouble and he was probably surprised when they started questioning him about Joey's father murder.