Don’t even think about clicking the more button below if you haven’t yet seen the series finale. This topic will definitely spoil the ending.
So, last night I watched the finale for The Sopranos. I’ve been a steady fan of that show from the beginning. Sure, some seasons were better than others. But all seasons were so much better than any of the round-the-clock “reality” programming on the networks that I never missed an episode.
My Yahoo! page this morning was littered with articles attempting to understand what happened with at the finale’s conclusion. Was Tony shot? Did nothing happen? Allow me to provide a perspective on this that may make you appreciate the writing a little more.
The last post-Phil 20 minutes were clearly aimed at building tension over Tony’s fate. With Tony’s lawyer introducing the imminent (“80-90%”) threat of arrest and the possibility of retribution over Phil’s murder, a sad ending was possible at any second. The last five minutes, in fact, where a nail-biting collection of edits designed to keep all viewers on edge.
After the big conclusion, everyone was left scratching their head. Was Tony killed? Was he arrested? Did neither happen as he quietly ascended to the position of boss? In truth, you are to never know.
Think about this. Tony Soprano, as a character, has been left with us crystallized in the moment in which he believes that any second may conclude with a family reunion, embarrassing public arrest, or immediate termination. Tony will literally live out the rest of his life wondering what his fate will be. He will literally never know if he is going to live or die.
And because of this ending, neither will you.
I thought my cable had gone out!! I was so confused, but I am glad that Tony didn’t get “whacked” in the last few seconds of the finale. And like Journey sang “Don’t Stop Believin”. Not to change the subject, but have you seen the new sleazy Hillary R Clinton ad imitating that Sopranos episode? Very strange!
Apparently there were clues in the last few episodes leading up to the finale. This is what David Chase has been quoted as saying. Nonetheless, this guy did his job. People are still talking about it!