Jun 11th, 2007
End of the Sopranos
To be honest, I think it was a brilliant ending. When I watched it last night I knew that it was going to be immediately thrashed by critics and fans for being anti-climactic but I think it was perfect.
Everyone assumed that Tony was going to die in the final episode, to the point at which the majority of the debate was over how he was going to die and who was going to kill him. No one ever imagined that he would make it through okay.
The final scene was also a thing of beauty. The moment he put the Journey song on the jukebox you began to imagine that this was going to be the soundtrack to his demise. Then, his family began walking into the restaurant and as he shared moments with his family members, you imagined that he would go out a happy man. Then, Meadow had trouble parking and you thought to yourself that she would somehow be the lone Soprano to make it through alive. Finally, a mobster-ish guy walks into the restaurant and begins eyeing Tony Soprano and you imagine that this will be the his executioner.
Then, Meadow walks into the restaurant and nothing and everything happens at the same time.
Here is the thing though: during those final few minutes you experienced what it must be like to step into Tony’s shoes and experience all these seemingly mundane activities that you or I take for granted, while in the back of your mind realizing that any moment could be your last. It is that lingering sense of doom that accompanies everything he does and the gift that is bequeathed in the final episode is that you really empathize with Tony Soprano.
I think it is brilliant - and I think the way they built up the audience expectations through subtle innuendo only to play upon that expectation in the final scene - is also a masterful stroke.
I’m probably alone in saying this but I absolutely loved the way the Sopranos ended.
You are not alone. I sat there in disbelief for a few seconds, almost got pissed, but then had to laugh. It was a very appropriate, Tony Soprano-ish f-you. I loved it! I continue to giggle. And as far as anti-climatic goes, I sat through the entire show with baited breath, wondering when Tony would “get his”. The last few minutes was absolutely excruciating. I was holding my breath, waiting for Tony’s finale, and then…black screen. Brilliant.
I’m glad to hear some other people dug the ending - although it doesn’t surprise me that someone as creative as yourself could appreciate the ending
I loved the ending, as well, although the argument that a show shouldn’t end with the thought “shit, did my cable go out?” holds some water.
I don’t think Tony died.
Haha - I thought the exact same thing.
You know what though? Now that I think on it more closely, I sort of think he might have died. Isn’t there one scene where he is talking to his brother-in-law about how when you get whacked, you never see it coming and all of a sudden it just happens? Maybe that is what happened in the final scene? Hmmmm….
I’m still two seasons behind. I can’t watch these shows on tv and sit through the commercials. I wait until they come out on DVD, rent the entire season and plant myself in front of the tube for the entire weekend.
It’s the only way to truly immerse and fully enjoy a show like this.
Hmm…the marathon is a favored past time of mine. One that I have not indulged in for a while.
This is my first season of the Sopranos actually so I may have to think about your idea for the first few seasons.