Television The Sopranos

[Abraxus]

Quoted for bein' right on the muthafuckin' money.

The plot is great, but that's beside the point.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Gandolfini is entering Brando/DeNiro territory (in terms of quality of acting in I and II, respectively), and I would argue that Chase's character development elevates the Sopranos even above those two greatest mafia movies of all time.

Thank you Mr. Chase, thank you Mr. Gandolfini, thank you Ms. Falco, and thank you HBO.

One of my favorite things in life is when we get to appreciate the fact that we know that something special and beautiful and precious and rare is happening WHILE it's happening.

To me, this is one of those times.



*****

It's also great how The Sopranos includes subtle and sometimes blatant homages to the great gangster films. From this past Sunday there were a few. My personal favorite was when after the botched hit on Phil Leotardo someone holds up the newspaper article about the murder and says something ot the effect of "Look like someone we know?". I thought this was a homage to the scene in Goodfellas at Tommy's mother's house when they are talking about how the painting looks like the guy that they killed that was in the trunk(who was played by the same actor that plays Phil Leotardo)

All in all this is turning out to be an amazing end to an incredible show. I just hope that they don't have Tony flip, but I am starting to have a feeling that that's where this is headed. The whole Agent Harris thing, and they way he throws out his "gabagool" sandwich as if he's throwing away "the life". He may jsut realize that Agent Harris may represent the only way out.

The only critisism I have of the episode is when Melfi was reading that paper on sociopaths and they did that annoying thing with the words flashing up on the screen while basically spoon-feeding the audience a rehash of the conclusions drawn by Melfi's therapist and the dinner conversation. They should have just said, "And now, for our slower viewers having trouble keeping up...here's the cliff notes."

 

[BA]

Holy crap, I read a spoiler last week before the last episode and the guy was right on the money about a number of things, including EXACTLY how Bobby would die, and the guys holding up in a house.

This person also let out how the show will end..... don't read if you don't want to know, obviously.

NSFW:

The guy said it is all a dream, as I think someone in this thread already mentioned.
Something about a scene with Tony on the back of a garbage truck complaining about how life sucks.

Since this person was correct on last week's show, I'm afraid to assume he's right with this weeks.

 

[9mmCensor]

I've been waiting for a good gang war on the show for years now. Let the bloodbath begin. May the best sociopath win.

yes.

I hope there is a hit montage (as seen in Yakuza Papers... yes there is a part of the movie which is simply hit after hit).

 

[JV]

man, i didnt know until just now that the final episode isnt 2 hours. thats kinda disappointing.

 

[fasteddie]

The only critisism I have of the episode is when Melfi was reading that paper on sociopaths and they did that annoying thing with the words flashing up on the screen while basically spoon-feeding the audience a rehash of the conclusions drawn by Melfi's therapist and the dinner conversation. They should have just said, "And now, for our slower viewers having trouble keeping up...here's the cliff notes."

I thought that was an interesting technique. I liked it.

Notice that not one, but two world class directors had cameos recently - Bogdonovich (the shrinks shrink) and Sydney Pollack (the wife murdering inmate - oncologist.)

Looks like it's not only BL'ers who think this series is class film making.

 

[phr]

Holy crap, I read a spoiler last week before the last episode and the guy was right on the money about a number of things, including EXACTLY how Bobby would die, and the guys holding up in a house.

This person also let out how the show will end..... don't read if you don't want to know, obviously.

NSFW:

The guy said it is all a dream, as I think someone in this thread already mentioned.
Something about a scene with Tony on the back of a garbage truck complaining about how life sucks.

Since this person was correct on last week's show, I'm afraid to assume he's right with this weeks.

That would be a big let down. Let's hope it's not true.

 

[GreatSpaceCoaster]

Holy crap, I read a spoiler last week before the last episode and the guy was right on the money about a number of things, including EXACTLY how Bobby would die, and the guys holding up in a house.

This person also let out how the show will end..... don't read if you don't want to know, obviously.

NSFW:

The guy said it is all a dream, as I think someone in this thread already mentioned.
Something about a scene with Tony on the back of a garbage truck complaining about how life sucks.

Since this person was correct on last week's show, I'm afraid to assume he's right with this weeks.

No WAY am I reading this before Sunday. We'll all see how true it is by then....

 

[9mmCensor]

No WAY am I reading this before Sunday. We'll all see how true it is by then....

do what I did. smoke some hash, read it go ohh interesting, then forget it. i dont even remember what it was anymore.

 

[-Guido-]

Good point. A recurring theme of the show is that they destroy everything good in their lives.

This last one was a great episode. I could feel the tension and fear and sense of danger like I was there with them. It feels real. Definitely the best show on TV, maybe the best show ever.

^ By far the greatest show ever.

 

[JerryBlunted]

the sense of isolation that has been building over the last two years is very palpable. tony has been drifting further from everyone in his life, just surrounding himself with temporary pleasures (eating, gambling, drinking, being a manwhore) that his money can buy. now, when the shit hits the fan and he starts to realize what really matters its waaaaay too late.

 

[sc4t]

yeah well i'm sure being a manwhore was worth it.

christophers' bitches were fine. :D

i'm telling you guys though, either tony gets whacked or he gets his lazy ass thrown in prison. no other options.

well there are other possibilities but they ain't gonna happen.

 

[skahead17]

me and my dad have been wathcing every season together every sunday at 9, we watch. this season is getting insane, only 1 more till its all over

 

[DarthMom]

Holy crap, I read a spoiler last week before the last episode and the guy was right on the money about a number of things, including EXACTLY how Bobby would die, and the guys holding up in a house.

This person also let out how the show will end..... don't read if you don't want to know, obviously.

NSFW:

The guy said it is all a dream, as I think someone in this thread already mentioned.
Something about a scene with Tony on the back of a garbage truck complaining about how life sucks.

Since this person was correct on last week's show, I'm afraid to assume he's right with this weeks.

NSFW:

if they pull that Newheart bullshit, i will be pissed. that is lame as fuck. that can only be done once on a show and be original and entertaining.

 

[sc4t]

qft

i would also be quite disappointed.

 

[Abraxus]

Here is my prediction: Phil sucessfully pulls off the hit on Tony, using a "cousin" from Italy. It soon is revealed that the "cousin" is in fact Furio. Furio then goes to console the poor widow Soprano, and becomes second in charge to Paulie in the NJ(Formerly Soprano) family. I also think that somehow Meadow is going to get killed prior to Tony.

Of course, this is just wild speculation, but anything's possible.

 

[GreatSpaceCoaster]

I hope David Chase can wrap this thing up properly. I hope and pray it's not another fiasco of an ending, like Seinfeld's last episode.

 

[BA]

Another DETAILED Sopranos spoiler, I can see something like this happening. Seems very David Chase'ish:

NSFW:

The episode opens at a gas station in upstate New york a couple pull up to a pump in a red Cadillac. It is revealed to be Phil and Patty Leotardo. Phil gets out and begins to fill his tank when Benny Fazio approaches him from behind and shoots him twice in the head. Benny runs and gets into a sedan driven by Patsy Parisi and the two speed off as an african american youth onlooker throws up. We see see Tony Soprano, Paulie Walnuts, Carlo Gervasi, and Dante Greco playing cards in the safehouse from the prior episode. Tony gets a call from Benny on a payphone. He says "The Shaw's gone," and hangs up. Tony get up and motions for Paulie to follow. The two get into his Escalade after putting his AR-10 inot the backseat. The two drive to Satriales and sit outside all the while discussing days past in Johnny Boy Sopranos heyday.

Paulie is working on his tan and Tony is smoking a cigar when a black Cadillac sedan approaches. Little Carmine Luperatazzi exits the backseat while the car drives around the corner. They seat themselves across from Tony and Paulie and begin to discuss recent affairs. After many malaprosims from Carmine and some moronic rambling from Paulie Tony laughs and interjects saying he is proud to be present at the first sit down between the new bosses of New Jersey and Brooklyn. Paulie and Carmine both appear shocked and Tony tells them its long over due and Paulie has been passed up too many times.

Tony leaves the two and goes inside to speak with Agent Harris. Who is seen sitting in the back corner. Harris acknowledges Carmines presence and asks if hes to take that Carmine's the new boss of Brooklynn Tony tells him to, "Take whatever the *beep* you want and take one last Veal Parm Hero on the house." We now see AJ, Carmella, and Meadow in a motel room. A knock on the door prompts Carmella to remove a .45 automatic from her purse and walk to the door and ask whos there? Meadow reading the paper and AJ watching t.v. are both scared. After a long silence a familiar voice say's "A loving father and husband." Carmella opens the door and Tony and Paulie enter they all leave and go back to Casa De Soprano.

After arriving home Janice Pulls up, leaves her kids there and her and Tony leave. Leaving Paulie to guard their respective families. The two arrive at a state hospital where they enter one at a time to talk to their Uncle Junior. Janice goes first and the two discuss moving him out of the hospital and Tony comes in to talk with him. The two make small talk until the shooting comes up. Junior apoligizes and said he was out of his head and that he always loved Tony even when he didnt show it.

Tony and Janice return home around night fall and Tony and Paulie leave again Carmella is worried and Tony tells her not to worry this is the last time he will be leaving like this. Paulie and Tony are sitting in his car at night in an empty parking lot as the snow is falling discussing Paulies promotion Tony says he will be happy to be Consigliere to Paulie. When headlights shine upon them. The two get out and walk toward a parked SUV. When Butch DeConcini and Albie Cianflone exit it and walk toward them. They discuss peace and Tony tells the that if ran under Carmine, Brooklyn could expect no porblems from them. They shake hands and Tony suggests a drink to celebrate.

Tony walks back to his car and opens the backseat. Tony pulls out a large object covered in a black plastic garbage bag. Paulie runs off to the side and throws himself down and Albie and Butch pull ot pistols but are too late when the garbage bag erupts with machine gun fire. Tony helps Paulie out of the snow and the two admire the AR-10 and two dead bodies. Tony looks the gun over and admires a phrase written on the stock. "Made In America." The two then drive away. We see the Soprano home at daylight the next day Carmella is in the bathtub, Meadow is asleep, and AJ is unlocking the hidden gun closet in an indoor column. he removes something and then goes outside.

We see the pool once again uncovered yet empty and AJ is sitting in the botton holding a hand grenade. He pulls the pin out and holds the handle he hesitates and throws it to the other end of the pool it blows up dirtying him. Carmella comes outside with her .45 and nearly shoots her son. Tony arrives to see him sitting on the couch being questioned AJ says it was so cool. Tony laughs and writes it off and tells everyone to get in the car.

Carmella asks where there going and Tony replies, Out for ice cream. We see a number of things in the final scene Paulie the surviving Jersey crew with Carmine and his crew having dinner together and toasting the two's promotions. Silvio's heartbeat monitor going flat. Janice in a small home with her three kids appearing miserable. Agent Harris arresting the two muslims from the Bada Bing apparently making bombs. Pat Blundetto breaking Junior out of the state hospital.Dr. Jennifer Melfi Smiling alone in her office while reading about the recent gangland slayings and Anthony Sopranos apparent stepping down as boss. Finally we see Tony and his immediate family together at an ice cream parlor.Tony then tells his family that hes no longer depressed and that being with his family and them being safe was better than all the therapists and Prozac in the world. It just took all this *beep* to make him see it. AJ says he's happy just to be alive and that hes snapped out of it aswell. Tony proposes a toast to his family mirroring the season one finale "I Dream Of Jeannie Cusamano".

 

[Finder]

How can you read that stuff? I'd rather be surprised.

 

[BA]

I don't know, it's just interesting to see how many crazy theories are out there.

I take 'em all with a grain of salt.

 

[pennywise]

How can you read that stuff? I'd rather be surprised.

I'm scared just looking at this thread. Thank the gods for NSFW tags.