These Two Deleted Godfather Scenes Answer One of the Franchise’s Most Burning Questions

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Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather trilogy is remarkably well-made, with most viewers’ complaints stemming from lingering questions. A common point of confusion for fans centers around Kay and Michael Corleone – specifically, why they got back together after Michael’s time in Sicily.

It seems puzzling that Kay would return to Michael after he married someone else while still with her, and equally strange that Michael went back to Kay after his first wife, Apollonia, died. While some believe they reunited and married out of convenience – Michael wanting children and Kay needing financial support – the true reason is actually quite straightforward, and can be found in two scenes that were cut from the original movie.

This Deleted Scene Shows a Different Side to Michael and Kay’s Relationship

One deleted scene features Michael and Kay relaxing in bed, playfully talking and laughing as they prepare to return to the Corleone family for Christmas. They discuss marriage and Michael’s family, even sharing a lighthearted phone call. Although seemingly small, this scene offers a glimpse into a more playful and intimate side of Michael and Kay’s relationship – a side not seen in the final version of the movie.

In the finished film, the connection between Michael and Kay feels unnatural. Their relationship begins promisingly, with Michael enthusiastically including her – like introducing her to his family and pulling her into a photo – but it soon deteriorates.

Following his father’s shooting, Michael came home to manage family matters. Kay called, telling him she loved him, and he simply replied, “Yeah, I know.” When Clemenza questioned why Michael hadn’t reciprocated, he quickly changed the subject. While Michael was understandably preoccupied with his father’s condition, it seemed his reluctance to express his own feelings ran deeper than just the stressful situation.

After watching the film, it’s easy to see why viewers wondered if Michael and Kay should have reunited. However, this deleted scene makes it clear they truly loved each other, even though external factors kept them apart. Michael later admitted he always loved Kay, even during his marriage to Apollonia.

Another Deleted Scene Shows Kay’s Love for Michael

Another deleted scene was originally planned to play during the end credits. It shows Kay lighting candles, which the novel explains are prayers for Michael Corleone’s soul. The scene has no words, but the book reveals each candle symbolizes someone who died because of the Corleone family.

I always felt like Kay truly loved Michael, even with everything he did in the first film. From the start, it was clear she was deeply drawn to him and desperately wanted him to be a part of her life. That’s why, honestly, it didn’t surprise me when she went back to him after he returned from Sicily, even after all that time.

Kay isn’t just grieving; she’s hoping to help Michael change. Each candle she lights symbolizes her wish for him to leave his violent life, make their business legitimate like he said he would, and become the good person she always thought he was.

Kay didn’t remain with Michael simply because it was easy or because of their children. She stayed because she held onto the hope that the good part of him still existed. She longed for the man she’d initially fallen in love with – the brave and selfless war hero. This wordless scene powerfully conveys the depth of her love for him.

Apollonia Wasn’t the Right Woman for Michael

Kay’s actions deeply hurt Michael, and he clearly cared for her. However, the idea that they were forced into a relationship isn’t accurate. It was actually Michael and Apollonia whose connection was driven by their situation and surroundings.

Apollonia embodied the typical Sicilian wife, similar to Michael’s mother, and perfectly fulfilled the role expected of a Don’s wife. While in Sicily, Michael fully embraced his family’s traditions and learned what it truly meant to be a Corleone from that region.

Michael wasn’t looking for a wife, but societal norms of the time didn’t offer much freedom in choosing a partner. Apollonia was young and beautiful, seemingly ideal for fulfilling tradition and pleasing his family. However, Michael’s feelings for her were purely physical attraction, and he was more interested in what she symbolized than in getting to know her as a person.

Michael and Apollonia’s relationship happened more because of their backgrounds and what was expected of them than because of deep affection. While Michael did care for Apollonia, their connection felt driven by duty and tradition, rather than a lasting love. Her role in his life was determined by her heritage and what was needed of them both.

This explains why Michael eventually went back to Kay. Some believe he returned to her out of desperation, trying to replace Apollonia and hoping Kay would have children for him. However, the reality is he always saw more potential in Kay, and his love for her was much stronger than what he felt for Apollonia.

Michael Loved Kay More Than He Loved Apollonia

Michael’s relationship with Apollonia happened by chance. Kay was different; he was drawn to her specifically because he was trying to break away from his family’s expectations. Their connection was built purely on love. He chose Kay for who she was as a person, the future they could have together, and because he admired her good qualities.

You know, as a fan, I always thought Kay was perfect for Michael. She really stuck by him, even when she didn’t agree with the life he was building, and she was there for him through everything – until, honestly, anyone would have reached their breaking point. Even when their kids were grown, she still cared about him. Michael knew that. He understood that Kay was the only one he could truly count on, the only person who still saw the man he hoped to be, not just the powerful Don everyone else saw.

Apollonia embodied the life Michael was pressured into, while Kay represented the life he actively wanted. Apollonia fulfilled expectations based on his background, but Kay aligned with his personal desires. Understanding this, Michael’s decision to return to Kay isn’t about replacing Apollonia or continuing the family line – it’s about returning to the life he always envisioned for himself.

The fact that Michael never remarries reinforces this idea. Even after many years and a life filled with both success and loss, he remains alone. His declaration of love for Kay is a genuine expression of his feelings. No matter how much power he gained, how violent his life became, or the decisions that drove them apart, she was the only woman he truly loved.

Both of these points highlight the genuine connection between them. One demonstrates the deep love they shared, proving their relationship wasn’t based on convenience or circumstance, but on true intimacy. The other shows Kay’s unwavering dedication to Michael as a person—not to his family’s influence or power, but to him alone. Together, these details portray Michael and Kay as loving partners, even as their relationship faced growing challenges, rather than a couple brought together by necessity.

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2025-11-20 01:15