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The Sopranos

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Sure, this is mostly a sports blog, but if ESPN can devote a segment to The Sopranos finale, I can squeeze a small article out of it as well. The finale was brilliant. There, I said it. Why it is getting absolutely demolished among the media and fans is beyond me. Really, there were only two options – Tony getting whacked or what ended up happening. A family member’s death, witness protection and Tony becoming a rat were all out of the question. The last scene (Journey song and all) was so tension-filled, never before has writing done a better job of allowing the viewer to see life through the main character’s eyes. Speaking of which, while Tony may be one of the most immoral protagonists in television history, when it comes down to it, all Sopranos fans like the guy, right? So why does everyone want to see him get whacked in the end? If you’re one of the viewers watching for bloodshed, Phil Leotardo’s death more than satiated.

On a side note, The Sopranos is laugh out loud funny – the most underrated aspect throughout the show’s eight-year run. While the finale may not have brought the closure “Six Feet Under” did, who really wanted this story wrapped up neatly in a tight little bow anyway? David Chase, king of metaphors, wasn’t going to leave the ending without an opening for interpretation. To me, however, the ending was actually straightforward – no, that fade to black didn’t mean Tony died. But still, the closing did leave plenty up to the imagination. What happens next? That part will be unique to each individual viewer, but I do know this, everyone who watched the finale won’t soon forget it.

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15 responses to “The Sopranos”

  1. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I won’t argue that – it’s a distinct possibility and definitely one way of interpreting it. Like you mentioned, that conversation on the boat with Bobby does give me pause. Tony did specifically say something to the effect that when you die, all you see is black. So there’s definitely something there.

    I’ve heard conflicting reports about that being Leotardo’s nephew – is that fact that it’s him? I’ll concede and take away my “the ending was straightforward” theory. Your reasoning is legitimate. Any theories on who opened the door and shot him? Meadow was right behind the person? I would argue that one of the main “laws” is not to whack a guy around his family, but that rule was thrown out the door with Phil.

  2. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    Watching it the 2nd time around, I saw things much clearer. Although I never believed that Paulie would set up Tony, you guys at least put it in my mind, and I watched it the first time with a paranoid eye. I was initially cautious of the meeting with Tony’s lawyer and of the cat. In actuallity, strippers run around like crazy backstage and we didn’t hear any of the club’s music to emphasize that. The cat was just there for comic relief with Paulie. I was paranoid for most of these scenes at first. Same goes for the scene at the diner at the end. The dude who went to the John does not kill Tony. You were just supposed to fear that when you were watching it. Don’t over analyze this. If anything is true with David Chase, he usually doesn’t reach for a reaction. BTW, that is not Leotardo’s nephew. I believe it has already been disproven.

    Yes, they have left it open for a movie, but the episode in it’s entirety echoes the title of the episode, Made in America . It was a generic portayal of the upper-middle class family. In the end, Meadow and AJ just end up working for the family, just not as mobsters. Nothing crazy. Just privileged, rebellious kids who eventually come around and use their connections to their advantage.

    With Paulie getting old, Carlo flipping, Sil in a coma and a handful of low level guys, their organization, like most mafias today in the U.S., is slowly dying off. There were three legit ways to handle Tony. A)Kill him. B) Let him live. C) Let him deal with the Feds.
    If you chose B), this was probably the way to go. You can’t copy Godfather III. Too Hacky. Once Phil Leotardo was out of the picture, it was smooth sailing for everybody.

    Anyone else catch the birds chirping when Uncle Junior was talking with Tony? Tony says “enough wit da birds” and they disappear. I guess we’ll learn more once the dvd comes out.

  3. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    Say bye bye to Grampa was the funniest scene in TV history.

  4. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    If the guy who went to the John is the killer, why would he sit down at the counter first? He would get id’d. If he was the killer, he what have shot him at first glance and left the scene asap.

  5. Mr. Tintle Avatar
    Mr. Tintle

    …and why in the world would he need to go to the bathroom first? He didn’t have a gun back there. What, he needed to hide a gun ala Godfather even though nobody was going to pat him down? Geezuz.

  6. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    http://www.deadspin.com/sports/the-sopranos/the-sopranos-hold-onto-that-feeling-267688.php

  7. paulie walnuts Avatar
    paulie walnuts

    Apparently, you didn’t read the 2nd link on deadspin, where the guy on the hbo forums essentially says, “my bad.” Here is the link you want, tough guy…mesage board rumors, why I oughta

    http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/06/11/222698.aspx

  8. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Interesting. I still think the theory Tony could have been shot is a legit interpretation. But again, I didn’t see it that way. The fact the ending has promoted this much discussion among everyone shows just how creative/thought-provoking it was.

  9. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Ha Ha check this out:

    http://tonyisdead.com/

  10. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    yeah – there’s a lot of truth to that.

  11. Mr. Tintle wisely Avatar
    Mr. Tintle wisely

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYexfzWjRDI

  12. dqwpdnbzea Avatar
    dqwpdnbzea

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