Reviews

Soprano's Series Finale

David Chase sure knows how to divide his audience and start internet arguing second only to political debates. Chances are if you’re on this website you’ve seen the finale so I’m not going to be discrete. Besides, if you’ve been following the show and you somehow didn’t watch the finale you’ll hear about it anyway and frankly you deserve it.

Last warning.
The nerds started banging on their keyboards within seconds of the screen going black. The IMDB message boards were rife with topics like “Chase Sucks” - “Copout” - “Weak” – “Jump the shark” – and my favorite “Coupon the Movie”.

People wanted something explosive to happen. There may not have been raging shoot outs or car chases but there were major impacts to all the characters of the show. The boss of New York – Dead. Why? His war was bad for business and it sounded like Butchie wouldn’t be getting the bump he felt he deserved. The Jersey family is a skeleton of what it used to be. Seriously, most of the major players from the series are dead or out of commission. What do you know, just like what happens to real people who join gangs or the mob.

The show had a lot of fans and there were a lot of expectations. You can’t bring something this big to an end without pissing off a lot of people. I’m happy to say I’m not one of them.

I don’t see the finale as open ended at all. The people who were close to Tony in his crime family are either dead, in the hospital, or he can’t fully trust them (first Tony toys with the idea of killing Paulie then he had to force him to take a promotion). Carlo has turned to the feds leaving Tony with his nuclear family to depend on. Let me build on this for a minute.

The last scene of the episode was to build on that feeling of paranoia and dread. This is what Tony’s life is going to be like. Constantly having to size up every person who comes through the door. I don’t buy that Tony is killed at the end of the show. A truce was called between New York and New Jersey so it doesn’t make sense to me. I also think it would have been too clichéd of an ending.

For the people who said it wasn’t bloody enough – Phil not only gets shot but his head is run over by an SUV accidentally left in gear. In turn a witness vomits.

For the people who wanted to see Tony die – The show isn’t about people getting what’s coming to them. To me it’s always been about the numerous power struggles revolving around Tony. Keep in mind Carlo flipped to the Feds so more than likely Tony will end up in prison. Not very happy. If you want people getting “what they deserve” watch The Shield.

For the people who complained about loose ends – Chase said years ago some things just won’t get resolved. The Russian is never coming back. Furio… come on! He knew he would be clipped for his inappropriate relationship with Carmella. He’s back in Italy… probably hiding. Pretty obvious.

The Sopranos ended the way it began, with an insecure mafia boss and his family life. A fitting end to a stellar show.

Personal favorite moment: Anytime Paulie freaked out about having the cat around. “It’s a snake with fur!” or “He keeps staring at the picture of that dead kid!”
I’ll miss you the most Paulie Walnuts.

Andy

All available seasons of The Soprano's (along with HBOs other amazing series The Wire) can be rented at Wild and Woolly Video

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