SOPRANOS FINALE
To me, the final sequence in "The Sopranos" finale was brillante. And not just because I'm an onion ring fan.
It's all in your noggin what happened after the abrupt blackout -- sort of like Rocky Sullivan at the end of "Angels With Dirty Faces." (Did he REALLY turn yella, or was he doin' Father Jerry a huge solid?)
If instead, we had seen Tony Soprano waltz into the sunset with a veal-parm sub under one arm and a stripper under the other, it would have seemed like a reward for all of the lying, stealing, cheating, bullying and murdering we've seen Tony do since '99.
But since, in a weird way, we WERE rooting for Tony all along (don't deny it), it would have been a horrible thing indeed to see him get what he really deserved.
This way, we were spared both unpleasant conclusions. I think.
Some random thoughts: Loved that Phil whacking. The man always looked so resplendent in his tailored suits and perfectly pomaded hair. But on the lam, in his fuzzy purple sweatsuit, he looked as powerless as a Miami retiree.
Going back an episode, I thought time was too condensed. Too much happened. Events that would have taken up whole episodes flew by in moments.
Cheers: The Baccala whacking was so inventive, right down to the miniature plastic "onlookers" in the toy train sets. Jeers: But Dr. Melfi "firing" Tony seemed rushed and gratuitous.
Of all the episodes of the series, the last two are probably the most dense. There's a lot to absorb. It hasn't all sunk in yet. And with no more "Sopranos" episodes on the horizon, we've got the time to let it.
It's all in your noggin what happened after the abrupt blackout -- sort of like Rocky Sullivan at the end of "Angels With Dirty Faces." (Did he REALLY turn yella, or was he doin' Father Jerry a huge solid?)
If instead, we had seen Tony Soprano waltz into the sunset with a veal-parm sub under one arm and a stripper under the other, it would have seemed like a reward for all of the lying, stealing, cheating, bullying and murdering we've seen Tony do since '99.
But since, in a weird way, we WERE rooting for Tony all along (don't deny it), it would have been a horrible thing indeed to see him get what he really deserved.
This way, we were spared both unpleasant conclusions. I think.
Some random thoughts: Loved that Phil whacking. The man always looked so resplendent in his tailored suits and perfectly pomaded hair. But on the lam, in his fuzzy purple sweatsuit, he looked as powerless as a Miami retiree.
Going back an episode, I thought time was too condensed. Too much happened. Events that would have taken up whole episodes flew by in moments.
Cheers: The Baccala whacking was so inventive, right down to the miniature plastic "onlookers" in the toy train sets. Jeers: But Dr. Melfi "firing" Tony seemed rushed and gratuitous.
Of all the episodes of the series, the last two are probably the most dense. There's a lot to absorb. It hasn't all sunk in yet. And with no more "Sopranos" episodes on the horizon, we've got the time to let it.
posted by Mark Voger at 8:07 PM
6 Comments:
I initially thought Chase wussed out on us - and gave it a non-ending. Except for the Phil whacking (rolling over the head sealed shuts any thoughts that he might survive) which I agree, was in fact brilliant, there are alot of lose ends yet. This episode was chock full of stuff that could have taken up almost an entire season.
I wonder if he left it open ended like that for a possible reunion/ future movie/comeback season? I guess we'll never know.....
In any event, I'll sure miss the Sopranos on Sunday nights.
If Chase WAS leaving it open-ended with the intention of a possible revival down the road, I would be disappointed. He said that this is THE END. The whole cast swore it up and down. So my endorsement of the final sequence is based on this REALLY BEING THE FINAL MOMENT of "The Sopranos."
Looking at it from that perspective, it's a genius ending.
Looking at it as a not-burning-bridges maneuver, it's whoredom. Which, I believe, is beneath Chase.
Here's my random thoughts on the Soprano's - notice how the family all eat onion rings the same way - one big chomp. Aaahhh, family togetherness.
My stomach was in knots the last few minutes, not wanting to witness Tony's possible demise, the last shot of violence.
The collective shouts of WTF when our screens went black. Now that was an ending that got most fans right outta their seats. We had several phone calls asking if our TV went black too, or was it an isolated cable glitch.
Sunday nights - what to do now? Was a habit I'll miss.
Book
On a separate subject... Voger, you are part of a trend. Sunday's NY Times Section 9 ("Sunday Styles" section) led off with an article called "The Boys in the Band Are in AARP," about middle aged guys playing in bands... you're a few years younger than most of the guys they use as examples, but still...
I've never denied this was my midlife crisis.
Hey, playing with a band as part of your midlife crisis sure beats the more embarrassing things you could do: get a toupee and a sportscar, and date very young women. (Though I don't think you need the toupee...)
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