On the topic of Ralph vs Rekieta, if you look at Ralph's life story you see a pretty clear tale of human tragedy. Given his childhood, it would've been a miracle for Ralph to turn out any different to how he did. He comes from a long line of fucked up, drugged up, deadbeat, shitbags; so it's really no wonder that he is one too. With Rekieta, however, there is no such inevitability to his degeneracy. He comes from a long line of successful, intelligent, entrepreneurial men, and Nick had every opportunity to end up the same. But he chose differently. He chose the drugs, the swinging, the adultery, and the balldo.