TVSquad

Were "two great tastes that taste great together" combined and we didn't even realize it? I happened to come across an article from The Star-Ledger (in a New Jersey paper of course), which goes in to detail about a theory that Tony Soprano wasn't dead, he was in Purgatory. The author has personal contact with David Chase (The Sopranos creator and driving force) and after he referred to the two episodes as a "dream sequence," Chase quickly scuttled that word. After hearing the author's thoughts about it being Purgatory, it made perfect sense to me. Wikipedia defines Purgatory as "a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions". Not only was Tony's brief life as Kevin Finnerty temporal punishment by sheer lack of ... well anything, but Sopranos family members have referenced Purgatory in the past, Paulie in particular; he stated that he had come to grips with the fact that he was going to have to spend X amount of time there before he finally got to the pearly gates.

The only reason I bring up the Dharma project from Lost is that, for quite a while, the theory that made the most sense -- and was getting the most attention -- is that our survivors weren't survivors at all; they were dead and simply awaiting their time to be "judged" before moving on. The monster/security system in the jungle was either Satan or God; even the island itself resembles Purgatory from Dante's Divine Comedy: a mountain island with water all around." Alas, J.J. Abrams, Lost's very own capo, has stated that that's just not true. "The purgatory one is a great one, I love that theory — but it isn't what it is. I'd be frustrated if that were the answer, I have to say," he said.

Even though it looks like it never happened, could you imagine the epic crossover that would have ensued? If Jack thinks he has his hands filled with Locke, could you imagine him with Tony? Do you think that Sawyer would still be "running the show?" Personally, I think Tony would have been in charge in less than a day, no more power struggles, no more confusion, heck, even the others would have had met their match. All hail the new king, Tony Soprano.