The Sopranos

[goldengreek 0]

I found this on another site:

 

 

 

"Remember when he was speaking with Bobby...basically saying that you don't see it happening?

 

So here is what I found out. The guy at the bar is also credited as Nikki Leotardo. The same actor played him in the first part of season 6 during a brief sit down concerning the future of Vito. That wasn't that long ago. Apparently, he is the nephew of Phil. Phil's brother Nikki Senior was killed in 1976 in a car accident. Absolutely Genius!!!! David Chase is truly rewarding the true fans who pay attention to detail.

 

So the point would have been that life continues and we may never know the end of the Sopranos. But if you pay attention to the history, you will find that all the answers lie in the characters in the restaurant. The trucker was the brother of the guy who was robbed by Christopher in Season 2. Remember the DVD players? The trucker had to identify the body. The boy scouts were in the train store and the brothas at the end were the ones who tried to kill Tony and only clipped him in the ear (was that season 2 or 3?).

 

Absolutely incredible!!!! There were three people in the restaurant who had reason to kill Tony and then it just ends. This was Chase's way of proving that he will not escape his past. It will not go on forever despite that he would like it to "don't stop". Not the fans!!! Tony would like it to keep going but just as we have to say goodbye, so does he."

[C Dubya 04 0]

So, to enjoy an episode you're supposed to study the credits and try to piece back to who characters were in something that may or may not have happened? If that's what he's selling, I'm not buying.

[Coffin Surfer 0]

Again, I believe the threat in the restaurant was most likely imagined by Tony, a look at the paranoia or risk he's now facing to be out in the open with his family. I don't believe it is meant to be literal at all, besides one doesn't have to know who these characters are to know they are menacing in the first place.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Tony said to Phil about death that "When it happens, everything fades to black" which, given the fade to black credits we got lends credibility to the "Tony is dead" theory.

[World's Worst Man 0]

Again, I believe the threat in the restaurant was most likely imagined by Tony, a look at the paranoia or risk he's now facing to be out in the open with his family. I don't believe it is meant to be literal at all, besides one doesn't have to know who these characters are to know they are menacing in the first place.

 

Exactly. Given that it was the final episode and that people expected something to happen, just the way the final scene was setup would give people some reason to believe something was going to happen. The execution of the lead up to the end was brilliant really, even if the final ending may have been unsatisfying.

[Coffin Surfer 0]

Tony said to Phil about death that "When it happens, everything fades to black" which, given the fade to black credits we got lends credibility to the "Tony is dead" theory.

 

True but I think whether or not he dies or is even picked up by the feds is insignificant. It was the viewers not the writers that emphasized "Tony dead or alive" for the finale. The contrast with Phil, is that if Tony is going to go out it's not going to be hiding in fear at some old gas station, he's going to be enjoying the moments he does have with his family when the inevitable comes.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Not like it hasn't been said before but Paulie and the cat were hands down the best thing about last night. And the fact that Sylvio didn't die (or hasn't yet).

[Coffin Surfer 0]

Always good to see Paulie involved in some sort of possible supernatural wierdness. I was disappointed that the invincible Russian never returned before the finale, you could make an entire show about that.

[AboveAverage484 0]

I was seriously on the edge of my seat and more anxious than ever at the end of the episode and truthfully, yeah, I'm a little disappointed. But the more I think about it, the less I am, if that makes sense. I still would have preferred a different sort of "open" ending, like "Once Upon a Time in America" or "Taxi Driver," like the bell rings and Tony looks up and gets a look on his face and then black, or something to that effect.

 

I liked the episode if just for the fact that it made me reminisce on the rest of the series as the episode wound down, just thinking about how far the characters have come and how Chase had done such a great job of making me terribly anxious that one of the family was going to die at the end. Any show that would make me feel that sense of dread that one of the characters will be offed will always have a special place for me in my memory. So even if that wasn't as satisfactory an ending as most of us wanted, it still gave me the feeling that he (and the actors that portrayed them) created four characters that could generate those kinds of feelings in my during the last ten minutes of the shows history. Gee, that sounded kind of mushy. And rambling, can't forget rambling.

[Mik 0]

2. The fed who had been after him, the one he foolishly calls in order to find Phil...even if he isn't "Working the case anymore" says when Phil dies "We're going to win this one".

 

I took this one totally the opposite way. He was excited. The "we" was NJ and Tony winning over Phil and NY. I think he really was on to working terror and was genuinely excited that Tony got to Phil. He quickly straightened up when he realized what he just did... which lead me to believe that he was happy for Tony getting to Phil.

[RedJed 0]

2. The fed who had been after him, the one he foolishly calls in order to find Phil...even if he isn't "Working the case anymore" says when Phil dies "We're going to win this one".

 

I took this one totally the opposite way. He was excited. The "we" was NJ and Tony winning over Phil and NY. I think he really was on to working terror and was genuinely excited that Tony got to Phil. He quickly straightened up when he realized what he just did... which lead me to believe that he was happy for Tony getting to Phil.

 

That's how I took it too. Plus the ex-fed was kind of turning into a Tony-esque character, cheating on his wife, feeling the pressure of the job, etc, etc.

 

I dont know what to think of those notes from another board on who was who in the diner - if true, would be certainly interesting, but the fact remains, regardless of that, that the closure wasnt here that was expected to be regarding all of that. Did Tony get killed? Did the whole family get killed? Did Meadow even fucking get in the diner or was that someone else walking in? So many questions, no answers. That whole scene reminded me of fucking the hottest chick you've ever seen, you're just about to blow a load, and then all of a sudden your dick falls off or something. Just a major letdown to what was five minutes of intense building up to something there that never happened.

 

With everything said, and from reading a long winded AP piece on the show, it seems there is almost definate plans to make a movie in about 2-3 years, so I can live with this ending as long as its followed up in the movie, dare I say start the film with this EXACT SCENE continued.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

So, Tony's fed buddy's source in Brooklyn was the female cop he was balling, right?

[Bored 0]

The boy scouts were in the train store and the brothas at the end were the ones who tried to kill Tony and only clipped him in the ear (was that season 2 or 3?).

It was season 1 and Tony killed one of them so it couldn't have been both of the guys who tried to kill him.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

There's not going to be a movie that continues the series. Somebody asked James G. in an interview if he still likes the Tony character, and he said he didn't, and that it changed for him after the killing of Christopher. I don't want to say there'll never be a movie, but I highly doubt Gandolfini wants to reprise the Tony role now that the series is done.

[2GOLD 0]

There's not going to be a movie that continues the series. Somebody asked James G. in an interview if he still likes the Tony character, and he said he didn't, and that it changed for him after the killing of Christopher. I don't want to say there'll never be a movie, but I highly doubt Gandolfini wants to reprise the Tony role now that the series is done.

 

Yeah, James makes it sound like he'll demand a 20 million dollar payday to go back to Tony Soprano. He just doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with the character anymore. Almost like he is happy he is done with him.

[Atticus Chaos 0]

It was one of the most creative endings I've ever seen.I would've been let down if they had went with a happy ending and everyone dying might have been too predictable.

 

I think the people who hated the final scene might come round to it eventually. I hated the Angel finale at the time, but I appreciate it more now.

[-DeN- 0]

The guy in the restaraunt who heads into the bathroom is credited only as "Guy in Member's Only Jacket". No name, much less any relation to Phil. In the episode "Member's Only"; Junior does shoot Tony, kicking off the Kevin Finnerty coma arc.

 

Relevant? Who knows.

 

My interpretation is simply that it's open to interpretation. The "you don't see it coming/fade to black" reference from Tony's conversation with Bobby could apply to Tony, the Viewer or not at all.

 

I liked the ending, but putting it aside (and I'm sure we'll get some more insight, as Chase is supposed to start giving interviews later this week), I thought the episode was great. A few things that stuck out to me as being awesome:

 

- The Bobby-Death-Ziti connection continues.

 

- Nice little touch with the tour guide commenting about how Litty Italy is being swallowed up (running theme how the "old ways"--family, tradition, values, mafia are disappearing), then Butchie taking a two minute stroll from the restaraunt and winding up in Chinatown like wtf.

 

- The Double Flip: Carlo and Agent Harris (who's like the alternate reality Tony now).

 

- "We have to break our dependence on foreign oil!" and Tony's reaction.

 

- Continuity goodness with the return of Hunter Scangorella. Carmela couldn't wait to gloat about her getting kicked out of school, then couldn't bounce fast enough when it turns out she's pre-med. Fuckin hate Carmela.

 

- Obviously, Pauly and the Cat.

 

- Phil's Hit. "Bye-bye Pop-pop". That shit was hilarious, but the gimpy dude at the end of the scene put it over the top.

 

- "Long story short, it's about a private detective who gets sucked into the internet through his uhh...dataport."

 

 

Can't wait to watch this again.

[Atticus Chaos 0]

The cat

 

-was either Christopher reincarnated

-or the cat senses that Chris was "a rat". Remember Cleaver? It's about a guy who gets revenge on his boss from beyond the grave. Maybe the feds will get Tony based on what he told them.

[Jingus 0]

Someone else theorized it was Adrianna reincarnated. Personally, I hope it was Chrissy's soul stuck in a cat's body and annoying Paulie forever, that would just be hilarious as hell.

 

IF all that stuff about those people in the diner is true, that is a pretty damned amazing bit of subtle storytelling on Chase's part. IF. (Maybe the black guys were the ones who carjacked Chrissy?)

 

That whole scene reminded me of fucking the hottest chick you've ever seen, you're just about to blow a load, and then all of a sudden your dick falls off

 

Now THAT'S funny.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I read somewhere that the characters in the diner were symbolic. The "Member's Only" guy represented New York, the "USA cap" guy was the feds. Tony is always going to have the other families and the feds after him to some degree, so he has to watch out (even during some random dinner with his family).

[Lil' Bitch 0]

One of the most anti-climatic endings ever to a series so I could understand the disappointment, but it was original so I can't totally hate it. I guess like everybody else, I was expecting some kind of closure, but I guess Tony getting killed was too predictable and probably would have just as, if not more, disappointing. Hopefully, there'll be a movie made. That's the only logical explaination for that type of ending since it keeps fans interested and wanting more. I seriously can't see them just leaving it like that.

 

There's not going to be a movie that continues the series. Somebody asked James G. in an interview if he still likes the Tony character, and he said he didn't, and that it changed for him after the killing of Christopher. I don't want to say there'll never be a movie, but I highly doubt Gandolfini wants to reprise the Tony role now that the series is done.

 

They always say that. Enough zeros in the paycheck will make them change their mind.

 

 

I have to give Chase credit for using Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'". Absolutely one of my favorite songs of all-time that brings back a lot of good memories!

[Hawk 34 0]

There is no movie. Chase ended it as he wanted. If he needs money, He'll go to HBO and say "Hey, want another mega hit TV show that changes your network?".

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

I was dissapointed with the ending, although I can accept it. It's just unfortunate that not much closure at all was had. Look at all the questions just on this board.....They are not likely to ever be answered. I thought a movie would be stupid but I think I'd prefer more closure than nothing at all. Either way, I like the ending the more that I think about it, but hate it at the same time. I guess I just want more, but there is none, so I love it for what it is. Great, great fucking show.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

There is no movie. Chase ended it as he wanted. If he needs money, He'll go to HBO and say "Hey, want another mega hit TV show that changes your network?".

 

Majority of the cast members interviewed at the premiere of the episode at Hard Rock Seminole said that a movie has not been ruled out.

[The Truthiness 0]

I liked the episode...

 

I thought it was made kinda clear that Tony was going to be arrested at the end.

 

1. They make it clear that NY isn't against him anymore (even before Phil is killed). They move back into their house for chrissake.

 

2. The fed who had been after him, the one he foolishly calls in order to find Phil...even if he isn't "Working the case anymore" says when Phil dies "We're going to win this one".

 

3. His lawyer tells him theirs an 85 to 90% chance he's about to be indicted.

 

4. He spends the entire episode preparing and trying to make peace with people (Junior, Janice (both of which he realizes are fucking worthless assholes) Sil, even Paulie...forcing him to take the job he always wanted)

 

5. Christopher WAS a fucking rat. The hat theory holds true. Maybe it was meant to be nothing...but the entire point of the cat who's been cathing rats and staring at Christopher's picture (who's wearing that STUPID hat in it)...

 

They've given every clue towards feds arresting him. Even Meadow says in the episode that she's turned to law because of how many times she's seen her father taken out in handcuffs.

 

The last scene was fucking intense. Edge of your seat, frog in the throat. Everyone he looked at in that restaurant was a fed preparing to make their move. IMO anyway. And Meadow gets to watch him take off one more time.

 

 

Christopher wasn't a rat, he was a sniveling drug adiict, but there is nothing to prove he was a rat.

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

After seeing the last shot again, it went black with Tony looking at Meadow just past the audience. In my oppinion, this does not mean Tony is shot in ANYWAY. I see no chance of this being the meaning. I see it just as the end of our journey with Tony. We should know Tony will be indicted for his crimes and that his Mafia family is now gone. Paulie finally gets his job and his kids seem to be happy. As I watch the ending again I think I can appreciate it a whole lot more.

[Vampiro69 0]

What?! He was scared about going to trial! That's not what they were going for.

 

If I interpreted it correctly, they wanted the viewer to get a sense of what Tony's life now feels like. He has to watch over his shoulder constantly. There is always that slight feeling of doom in the pit of his stomach. Always around him, there could be that mobster trying to finally kill him or the FBI agent waiting to swoop in and make the arrest. There is never a safe moment -- there will always be a sense of worrying. You could see this on Tony's face as he continued to snap his head up towards the door every time he heard the clink of the bell. His family might be oblivious to the danger but he's not. David Chase wanted viewers to feel the doom that Tony feels. I get that.

 

But it's an F on execution. Closure would be letting the viewer realize that feeling but then revealing it was only a false alarm...or maybe it wasn't and Tony finally gets what he has worried about his entire adult life. To do what David Chase did tonight made sure not to provide any closure whatsoever.

 

I agree with most of this statement. It was to show that Tony will always have to be suspicious of anyone that walks into a room that he is in. He won't be able to have anyone close in his life anymore. The execution could have been done better the sudden cut to black could have been a slower fade but overall I thought this was a great ending.

[-DeN- 0]

Little Interview concerning the ending and possible movie prospects.

[RedJed 0]

From that above noted article (good read, by the way - certainly suggests a chance of a film down the road)

 

-- Not from Chase, but I feel the need to debunk the e-mail that's making the rounds about all the Holsten's patrons being characters from earlier in the series. The actor playing Member's Only guy had never been on the show, Tony killed at least one, if not both, of his carjackers, and there are about 17 other things wrong with this popular but incorrect theory.

[NoCalMike 0]

Am I the only that could have sworn that right as the resteraunt scene began, Tony was looking inside(from outside of the diner door) at himself and his family already together and eating? Did I imagine that?