If you’ve ever wondered what it’d feel like to bring Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri from The Sopranos into the world of Skyrim, look no further — YouTuber Pertinax nailed it. In a hilarious and darkly absurd mashup, he captures the mood of the Daedric quests by framing them as if Paulie himself was living through black magic and shady dealings.
The video, titled How it Feels to Play Daedric Quests, was published on February 2, 2022, and riffs (pun intended) on the Skyrim Daedric quest “The Mind of Madness”. As Paulie would put it: “It’s satanic black magic … sick sh*t.”
The background score is Skyrim Music: Beneath the Ice, which adds an eerie but epic tone, perfectly matching the surreal crossover of mobster swagger and Daedric dread.
Why this works so damn well
- Character contrast: Paulie is known for his tough-guy, streetwise persona — dropping him right into Skyrim’s magical horror quests is unexpectedly perfect.
- Quest fit: The Mind of Madness is one of Skyrim’s most psychologically twisted Daedric missions. Imagining Paulie coping with the madness (or dealing with a Daedra) is equal parts funny and strangely logical.
- Tone: The parody doesn’t just mimic — it elevates. It’s not a cheap meme; it feels like someone actually wrote Paulie into a Bethesda script, complete with attitude and confusion.
For these and other reasons, I plan to bring more Pertinax’s content here, so we can have a good laugh in a crossover between these two great works.
A nod to Tony Sirico
The voice and character of Paulie in this parody inevitably bring to mind Tony Sirico, the late actor behind the iconic role. Sirico passed away in July 2022, aged 79. Sirico’s portrayal of Paulie Gualtieri in The Sopranos left a lasting legacy: his wit, loyalty, and deadpan gangster humor are fondly remembered by fans and co-stars alike.
While this Skyrim mashup is just parody, there’s something touching about seeing Paulie’s spirit live on — even in a magical realm, chasing Daedra and dropping lines like he’s at the Bing.
This video is more than a joke — it’s a clever cross-genre homage that blends two very different worlds in a way that surprises and amuses. So leave your thoughts in the comments to see if all of this was worthwhile!