(S06E20) We had two weeks to wait for a new episode of The Sopranos, and the powers that be didn't throw us a double insult by making this week's show a waste of our time, that's for sure. Our own Rich Keller wrote a couple of days ago about a New York Post item suggesting that this week would be the culmination of the series and next week would settle us up. Not too far off the map, I'd have to say, either.Big surprises aside (we'll save the spoilers for after the jump), it was great to see Artie and his restaurant (and New York Jets coach Eric Mangini with his wife) make an appearance, and the monstrous amount of foreshadowing that the opening scene showed us was pretty damn intoxicating, if you ask me. Hell, a good part of me forgot about all the little plotlines that were left open for us to ponder over the years. We're definitely going to get a run for our money in next week's episode, so if you haven't watched this week's yet, then fire up your DVR and get to it before finishing this post.
But let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? From the previews last week, it looked like Silvio was about to take action, but it wasn't clear whether he was going after Tony or another member of the Jersey crew. As it turned out, he was taking care of business that ultimately led to a whole lot of bloodshed, bloodshed that we knew would happen eventually. And who doesn't love the cinematography that makes this show what it was. From the white shoes on the feet of his prey to the white shoes he's later seen buffing up in the office, to the individual words drilling themselves into Dr. Melfi's head as she reads through the research about sociopaths, we're treated to something thrilling not only in story, but visually as well. Hell, I thought the cut / transition from Bobby walking into the back office to the guys making their "plans" together at the restaurant was awesome. That kind of thing kind of makes me wonder if it would ever be possible to make a show this solid into the printed word, and have it have the same impact on a reader.
As the word went down from Bobby to Paulie to Patsy on how the business to take down Phil went down, I guess we shouldn't have been surprised that there was a screw up. I'm sitting there thinking it might just happen, but there'd be repercussions, while the person I'm watching with was absolutely, positively sure that it wasn't Phil that was about to be killed. As it turned out, she was right, and I'm wondering if whacking Phil would have made any difference at all when it came down to it, as he had already told his crew to take care of things with Tony, Sil and Bobby.
Looking deeper into what went down tonight, though, just moments after Tony put his uncle into a state facility when his cashflow ran out, he basically gives Janice and her husband a big middle finger. Follow that with a brutal hit on Bobby in the train shop and you've got the makings for something that's been suggested by commenters here and elsewhere - that Janice would ultimately be the one after Tony in the end. I don't think that'll be the case based on how she reacted towards Carm and Meadow, but for just a few moments Chase & Co. had you thinking of that as a possibility. As for Patsy and Silvio being tagged by the New York crew outside the Bing (it was absolutely comical to see the strippers and patrons outside, though), it was bad enough to see the gunfire back and forth leave Sil in the car and possibly dead, but follow that up with a motorcycle rider getting tipped over then run down on the highway, and if that wasn't supposed to reiterate the chain of events about to take place, then nothing was.
You had to know that a bloodbath would ensue between New York and New Jersey. New York, specifically Phil, is all concerned about Tony's respect (or lack of it) for the Mafia, and Tony is sick and tired of dealing with the garbage that started when John started to get tough before getting picked up by the Feds. I've gotta say it's almost comical that the only reason that Tony might be alive at this point was because he happened to share a bit of information with the terrorist task force agent that he was involved with during Ade's workings with the Feds. That being said, I guess the agent and Tony have some sort of mutual respect for one another, playing from either side of the law.
I'm going to throw this week a solid 7, as I thought the way we're beginning to close the door on the lives of some people, and get an idea on who will be around at the end and who won't. I'm sad to see how Silvio Dante appears to be going, as I have always been into his character, but know that how he's been hit will only tick off Tony and the crew more. That said, I'm all out of predictions at this point and think that this will be more about whether we all "like" what the series ends with. It's been a long time coming, from production delays and split seasons to decisions on how long the series would live on and money issues between cast and producers.
What I do know is that based on what we had to see this week, I think we'll get what we deserve. We'll all debate forever whether we liked that so-and-so died or that this person or that one ended up looking like a good/bad guy/woman or whatever. We won't be getting an ending like Clue, and you won't be picking your favorite. There probably won't be any fanfic that people will be keeping tabs on when it's all said and done, like many other big television favorites. If Tony and his family ride off into the sunset of West Caldwell, Phoenix, or whatever - or they don't - it's been a great ride and I'm sure we'll all appreciate how much effort went into the creation of this strong of a show. Well, as long as it doesn't end up as one big dream. Oh, yeah - you all noticed that this week didn't open with Tony waking up, as this season has up to this point, as has been pointed out by many a commenter?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
6-03-2007 @ 11:51PM
Zack said...
The Best Episode Yet to a FANTASTIC SEASON! I am elated, yet saddened, anxiously anticipating next week's episode.
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6-03-2007 @ 11:51PM
Will said...
Wow... now that was amazing television. I'm really loving this greek tragedy end to things, and can only hope that next weeks episode lives up to this one. WOW!! David Chase don't let us down!
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6-04-2007 @ 12:14AM
Diana said...
Really great episode. At the end I was shocked to see that 50 minutes had gone by so fast. I feel for Bobby's kids though, no one should be stuck with Janice....that's if she doesn't ditch them at first chance.
I blogged my review at: http://www.mediaobsessed.com
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6-04-2007 @ 1:09AM
bmellin said...
Tom, you write "Oh, yeah - you all noticed that this week *didn't* open with Tony waking up, as this season has up to this point, as has been pointed out by many a commenter?" True, but you did notice that the episode *ended* with Tony in bed? I don't know what this might suggest, and might not know even after watching the final episode, but there is something going on with image of Tony in bed. "When you woke up this morning / You got yourself a gun."
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6-04-2007 @ 2:06AM
Borat said...
Truly masterful television.
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6-04-2007 @ 2:44AM
goddessfootball said...
I was on the edge of my seat the whole episode. Bit my nails to the nubs! Anixiously awaiting the final episode.
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6-04-2007 @ 5:19AM
pauly121 said...
I am amazed, I couldnt sit back and watch the show, I was at the edge of my seat speachless, I dont think I am ready for this to end, it is getting sooo good, I want to see tony handle this and prevail, then move on to bigger things.
maybe this will straighten out aj and we could hope for a spinoff with him, although nothing hbo will ever do can compare to the sopranos series.
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6-04-2007 @ 5:22AM
michelle said...
I thought this was a great Episode!! I am having a big party for the Finale...I am so in luv with this show: in fact, I tivo all the A&E episodes also..great episode tonight..Please let Tony live! He is awesome and if he lives there will be possibilities for a return episode. My friends think Medow is going to take over and others think Tony and the other Mob boss have a gun off. Maybe he is dreaming that would be kewl. For all we know he maybe dead already..anything can happen in the world of television ...HBO ...Can't wait until next week..does anyone know what is gonna happen???? Until then all we can do is dream and rewind the Tivo..lol
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6-04-2007 @ 5:25AM
Dawn said...
My heart was in my mouth and my pulse literally raced watching this episode.
Chase is really wrapping it all up, letting us see and say goodbye to great characters like Artie Bucco, and involving Meadow, AJ , crazy Janice and Dr. Melfi more than they have in years. I'm glad these plotlines and characters were not just ignored or left hanging without resolution.
This show always has as much to do with implied threat that sometimes bursts into outright violence like last night. Has there ever been a show so tightly written and well acted? Chase has made me vow more than once never to tune in again because of the endless length of time between its short seasons. But, just like another famous mob movie character once said, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."
The Sopranos has annoyed me with its loose ends and dropped plots, but its all coming together, which will make me miss it more. It's been a great ride. I hope Chase one day gives us something else that will drive us just as nuts.
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6-04-2007 @ 5:51AM
Clint said...
A return to season one form! Gotta admit I have no clue how they'll end it. But I was glad to see that at least they have made the last few episodes memorable.
http://www.tvdeuce.com
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6-04-2007 @ 7:13AM
m.may said...
great episode, although i would've liked to see pauli get it instead of bobby. who knows maybe pauli is the one playing both sides of the fence!! afterall, did u notice his reaction when sil let him know about the hit on phil???hmmmmmm.
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6-04-2007 @ 7:41AM
kaseydog said...
The last episode will be Tony going into the witness protection program because of the relationship with the Feds. He'll give up Phil's crew and the uncle as a trump card; the Feds get to take down a NY family while Tony's has been wiped out and weakened considerably. In addition I predict that before he goes into hiding he'll get a shot at Phil and all's forgiven by his Fed friend for the information they get about the other organizations under investigation. Good triumphs over evil and His sister goes off into the sunset with her kids. The show really doesn’t end it leaves David Chase a shot at a new series sometime down the road with Tony still being alive. Why kill your opportunity to bring back the golden goose for HBO? This series reads like a dime-store novel, in fact that’s where Chase probably found this material for his series. Watch, you’ll see I’m right.
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6-04-2007 @ 8:09AM
Hank said...
a little Easter Egg of sorts for anyone interested. in the scene where Tony, Syl and Bobby make the decision to go after Phil as the scene ends with Tony and Syl doing a little slow motion shadow boxing you hear the background music and it is the overture from 'Cavalerria Rusticana'. this is the opera that is being performed at the end of Godfather 3. more significantly for the Sopranos perhaps is the opera itself. the title means rural chivalry or in the context of southern Italy the code of honor which is much of the basis for mafia ritual. In the opera the hero, Turridu, treats the women in his life badly and is having an affair with the wife of a very tough old school type in their village. Eventually T is found out and realizes he has to do the honorable think and fight the much tougher Alfio. The opera ends with Santuzza, T's wife equivalent, mourning as she hears of T's death and the ruin the rest of her life will be.
it struck me at the time as a bit of foreshadowing that the attempt to take out Phil wasn't going to go very well.
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6-04-2007 @ 8:10AM
Peter said...
This was a great episode, but I would have loved to have seen it 2 or 3 weeks ago. There can't possibly be enough time to wrap things up or get an idea of how things will be for Tony going forward. A few more episodes to expand on that point would have been nice.
It will be sad to see it end.
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6-04-2007 @ 8:12AM
BobbyBuz said...
@13 the song playing while they were shadow boxing was a shoutout for "Raging Bull."
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6-04-2007 @ 9:01AM
MJ said...
What about Paulie - does he get away free? humm.....just wondering.....
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6-04-2007 @ 9:05AM
Hank said...
BobbyBuz
just checked the credits from Raging Bull. the piece they used was from Cavalerria Rusticana.
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6-04-2007 @ 9:08AM
Lindsay said...
I cannot believe that the show is ending! I am deeply saddened. But this last epsiode was great!
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6-04-2007 @ 9:23AM
Sorceressss said...
I am also very saddened that the series is ending. Quite simply, it is the best show that has ever been on television. I was upset that Sil got hit, I have always liked him and he, unlike Paulie, has always stood by Toni. I also didn't like how the Jersey crew was being picked off like, well, sitting ducks. I very much hope Phil gets what is coming to him....
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6-04-2007 @ 9:28AM
Cheryl said...
I love the way they are ending the series! Paulie's continued references to the "old days" ... the FBI is more interested in terrorists than the mob ... profits aren't what they used to be ... children of the mob aren't staying in the "family" business ... The era of the mobster is over! Tony is going to ride off into the sunset and we are going to be left to wonder what he is up to (a sociopath can't enjoy lounging by the pool too long). The writers are doing a great job of wrapping up the series. Let's hope this talented group of writers, producers, directors and actors give us something else to anticipate every single week!
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