When executing self[i:j], the __getslice__(self,i,j) method is called
first, if it exists. See
http://docs.python.org/ref/sequence-methods.html

Yes, the __(get|set|del)slice__ methods are deprecated since 2.0, but
for compatibility the built-in types must keep defining them. You may
want to override them as well if your class inherit from such a type.

With python 3.0 the __getslice__ slots were removed, and __getitem__ is
called in all cases.