The Sopranos Finale...

[Lord ZOG]

I've long been a fan of this show, but haven't seen much talk about it here (maybe I'm too lazy to see the obvious).

Any fans here care to give their thoughts on tonight's outcome?

In my mind I believe the show is about people's flaws, and how they deal with them. No-one is perfect, and although Tony shows signs of being a good guy, always trying to do the right thing for the good of the larger picture, I think he's also a victim of his own power. He can justify the terrible things he does. As outsiders we may want to see Tony emerge victorious but I think it's only to qualify humanity's penchant for self-destruction.

We see Tony murder countless people, and be a party to their "removal" from his mafia machine, but at the same time we see him weep for dead animals, identify with the unfortunate innocents and we hear his desire to protect his emotionally-struggling, dysfunctional family.

The show plays on our weakness for wanting heroes to worship and follow. It tugs at the basic emotional strings in our psyche, begging us to want to see Tony survive. If Tony survives, it's because he deserves to.

That being said...I think Tony does survive. Not because he deserves to, but because he's a survivor. He's a great white shark, a predator whose success is directly connected to his innate ability to react with concentrated force against the one major threat he senses.

[gowhitesox99]

maybe AJ goes Pacino and kills Phil L to take over??

Yeah can't wait, hope it is a good show. He has to survive right?? Would be crazy if he didn't.

I always like how naive Carm is, sure she looooooves the $$$$ but thinks TOny is like mr innocent. Hey Carm, your hubby kills people all the time!! including Aidrianna..... well he called it, Sill actually killed her.

[Lord ZOG]

I don't think Carm thinks Tony is Mr. Innocent. She's the ultimate hypocrit. She laments Tony for his evil doings (You're going to hell when you die!), puts up with his infidelity, yet she couldn't survive living a normal life.

Same goes for Meadow. She's so high and mighty, yet will be the first person to cry when she can't get the newest cell phone. She's got the most humanity in her of all the regulars, but she's addicted to the life-style and oppulance.

AJ seems to be the worst of the lot. If he isn't the poster child for American kids now-a-days, I don't know who is; a vacant, self-absorbed dim-whit without an ounce of intelligence or backbone.

It seems to me that although Tony is as self-centered as everyone else, he at least seems to have a much better grasp of his surroundings and the world he lives in.

I think Paulie will come out on top here. He has his faults, like everyone...but he's distanced himself from enough people to keep himself in position to take advantage of any downfalls sure to come.

Great stuff.

[gowhitesox99]

yeah Paulie would be a good boss, tough guy, paid his dues, smart. A little whiny and gossipy... but interesting possibility.

[Cleatus703]

Paulie takes things way too personally to be a good boss. You've got to take a long view in things like the family business, but Paulie is all about righting perceived wrongs against him right away. All he seems to care about is his cut regardless of what consequences may come.

I love the show, and am interested to see what happens tonight. Maybe it's going to end up as a case of Mutually Assured Destruction - Tony's guys get Phil, Phil's guys get Tony, a bunch of the middle management on both sides gets whacked and Little Carmine ends up being the boss of both families since Tony's family has lost leadership.

Either way, it should be interesting to watch.

[Lord ZOG]

I do agree that Paulie needs to be reigned in, but more often than not his immediate take on any given subject seems to be spot on. His answers might not be right, but his gut feelings show loyalty and a commitment to leadership and tradition that the newer generation seems to forget in favor of self-promotion.

Paulie reacts as a family, not as an individual. His family is "the family". He's got no wife, no close companions and barely seems in touch with his son (is he even still alive after being shoved out the window by Chris?).

[[ecgn] btt]

I have been giving play by play on vent the past few episodes. Since Chinny doesn't have HBO anymore. I am getting ready to watch it. Sorry Chinny but I am gonna focus on this one so no vent. I will be on after Entourage.

[Lord ZOG]

Post finale; let me be the first to say this...

OK, two points;

Whose heart wasn't beating like a drum during those last few minutes?

And, was the man walking into the bathroom who walked past the Soprano's table the same guy who played Tony's father from years ago?

[[ecgn] btt]

All I have to say about the end was WTF! I thought my HBO went out. Yes the last scene was intense. Thought someone was gonna kill him. Didn't get the Meadow can't parallel park thing. I did like that my home town of Oyster Bay Long Island was represented.

[Buliwyf]

wtf!!

[DocTrebor]

Post finale; let me be the first to say this...

OK, two points;

Whose heart wasn't beating like a drum during those last few minutes?

And, was the man walking into the bathroom who walked past the Soprano's table the same guy who played Tony's father from years ago?

Shit, i was in suspense since Phil got shot and got his head ran over Talk about a crazy ending....I thought my cable went out, then I realized it was a bomb. Poor boyscouts at the other table....and i guess there wont be a movie now

Crazy way to end.

[cavalierlwt]

a bomb? how do we know that???

[[ecgn] btt]

Bomb I don't think it was a bomb. Hmmmmm

[Lord ZOG]

I liked it. It was subtle, yet tense.

A series like this can't be ended. Life goes on, with and without people living in it.

In my younger years I would have screamed "Foul!" and wanted blood...but in my older years, I liked it.

It did exactly what we ask for from a drama; it teased, and promised so many things, and left us all in a state that real life usually does; with un-answered questions, and un-resolved conflict.

Who was Carlos, anyway?

[[ecgn] btt]

O I liked it. I might say WTF, but I did that all through the series. Having Tony pick the last song they played was a nice touch. They couldn't have done better with Phils offing.