The Sopranos Bullshit “Final Episode”.
OK, I am assuming everyone who is reading this falls into one of three categories: (a) You have seen the Final Episode of The Sopranos, (b) You have not seen the Final Episode, but you really don’t much give a damn about the Sopranos, or (c) You haven’t seen the Final Episode, but you intend to see it, either on tape, DVD, or “On Demandâ€. If you are in Category (c), you might want to move on.
The level and amount of media noise and water cooler chatter that was heard before the Final Episode aired was probably exceeded five-fold by the uproar that was created by the unexpected trick played on the audience by David Chase.
Sure, I get it – the blank canvas and all, leaving each to come to his or her own conclusions about an “ending,†seeking clues and, even more nuts, seeking symbolism in the story line. (e.g. “Da cat was Adriana reincarnate, ‘cause it was staring at the picture of Chris.â€)
To me, it too cute and clever by at least half. I would have preferred an ending – a real ending, no matter what it was. Tony dies, Tony lives, Tony runs off the circus … I don’t care, as long as it’s the end of an eight-year saga. Oh, there are many on local fan forums, who deride those of us who wanted an “ending†as knuckle walkers, who don’t appreciate nuance. But, I figure they were Kerry voters, who are deeply into “nuance,” so their opinion matters zilch to me.
The Final Episode struck me much like a song in which the final note does not resolve to the tonic. Don’t worry about the link: It is complicated and a snoozer. Rather, consider the song “Happy Birthday†as would be sung to a person with a nice, neat two syllable name:
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday dear Edward.
Happy Birthday to you.
See how nice and tidy that is? It ends in a nice, comfortable place, much like where it began.
Now, hum it to yourself, only this time STOP just after the word “to†in the last line — before the final “you,†and hold that note.
If that doesn’t leave you feeling verrrrrrrry uncomfortable, then you probably don’t give a shit that The Final Episode stopped one word away from the end of an eight-year long “songâ€.
Drove me downright nutso, it did.
I would dearly love to see you, dear Godfaddah, pen that final chapter. Perhaps, just perhaps, we could have one feisty, former lawyer, female detective take him out…she’s out there somewhere, ya know.
I have faith!
You could rock it.
; )
Comment by Christina — June 11, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
Bush voter here who liked the blank canvas ending as I mentioned yesterday. I have nothing against nuance in the right circumstances, but that’s not what’s driving my feelings about the show’s ending. That’s just it. It’s my feelings. I didn’t want the main characters killed off (well, maybe I would’ve been okay with AJ biting the bullet).
Against all reason and the odds, I wanted Tony to quit the mob and live happily ever after with his family. That would have made for a ridiculous ending. But, all along I have been rooting for each character to change – to see the light – “I got it.†I knew it wouldn’t happen, but I wanted it to happen. Where there’s life, there’s hope. So, in the end I’m left with a tiny sliver of hope. For me, the fill in the blank ending was the only way Chase could have made that happen and still maintain the integrity of the show.
Don’t stop beli
Comment by Enlighten-NewJersey — June 12, 2007 @ 12:32 am
HBO left it open so they can bring it back in a few years just like they did last time. But then again, maybe not. I have it from a good pretty good source that Tony will be the next guv of New Joisey
Comment by GUYK — June 12, 2007 @ 5:40 am
Cuz,
The Sopranos never was “One Life To Live”. The fact that Chase could have you so wrapped up in whether or not Tony lives IS the story. The earlier scene where Paulie was alone in the Bing was the same moment. I was afraid someone was going to whack Paulie. Could it be better than Paulie telling Tony his deepest secret that he saw the Blessed Virgin, and Tony throwing it back as a punchline in order to get Paulie to take over the construction racket. Why do you need a smooth, generic ending to appreciate the whole story
All the endings have been done already. “Do you renounce Satan” mass whacking in the Godfather. Henry Hill flipping in Goodfellows. Me, I’d rather see the cat outside with Paulie sunning on Kearny Avenue.
Comment by cousin gary — June 12, 2007 @ 7:39 am
THE TRUTH IS I WORKED FOR THE SHOW ON TWO SHOOTS IN THE LAST SEASON , AND CHASE WAS LIKE AN OLD OLDS ON THE PARKWAY AT 135 MPH IT RAN OUT OF GAS .
Comment by bass — June 12, 2007 @ 10:34 am
I love that you utilized musical terminology to describe how you feel.
Comment by wRitErsbLock — June 12, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
The Sopranos was a very entertaining show despite of the glorification of organized crime…..Coming from a town that at times seemed like a province in Italy, the character last names read like my subsciber list when I had a paper route as a kid.
It was one of the very few TV programs other then documentary or discovery channels I would watch. In retrospect …..The ending sucked!
Comment by dudley1 — June 13, 2007 @ 7:55 am
My husband was a Soprano’s addict. He owns every season on DVD as well. He’s a New Jersey, Italian, what can I say? He wasn’t big on the ending, but was happy that Tony didn’t get whacked. He said he’d have been pissed if that had happened.
Comment by Bou — June 13, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I loved the final episode. I think he did a great job with it, especially with (poor?) Phil. That scene alone made me cackle in glee at his demise. “Wave bye-bye to Grandpa”.
Bye-Bye Sopranos
Comment by Kate — June 13, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Well, I never watched it… however, from the chatter (which has been rampant on sports talk radio up here *grin*) I was left thinking… that sounds just like a liberal. Heaven forbid you make a choice and finish something up. Heaven forbid someone wins and someone loses.
But what it really comes down to is, he didn’t know how to end it – so he copped out. Doesn’t surprise me at all.
Comment by Teresa — June 14, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
sheesh, you REALLY dont get it??
here are the two theories tied into one statement.
Think about the first episode in this season. Bobby and tony are fishing and talking about what its like to get hit. Bobby says along these lines “you dont see it comming, every thing goes dark and quiet”.
So, did tony get hit and we see it from his perspective?
Or did we the VEIWERS get hit……..cut off instantly without warning from the world we know/love?
Comment by Tears Of The Dragon — June 15, 2007 @ 8:10 am
rather know AND love lol…
Comment by Tears Of The Dragon — June 15, 2007 @ 8:19 am