Definately not Phil "the squishy speedbump" Leotardo.

You know I TRIED to get "Into" the whole Sopranos gig and I just could not do it. To me it seemed so off the wall so FAKE if You will. It's like going to McDonalds expecting a damned good burger but getting a meaterized piece of cardboard.

Larry

I actually watched it. I see we're atill doing "trendy" endings of TV shows.

Sigh.

I already posted my opinion on a userblog on the back page of DR.

At then end of the show I thought -- whaaa??? that's it????

Anyway, looks like I wasn't alone. I'm going to post below this article I just read on another website that said "Soprano fans crashed HBO" (they were so angry at the lousy ending):

The line to cancel HBO starts here.

What a ridiculously disappointing end lacking in creativity to The Sopranos saga. But if you're one of those who found it perversely interesting, then don't bother to read on.

Even if David Chase, who wrote and directed the final episode, was demonstrating the existential and endless loop of Tony's life or the moments before the hit that causes his death, it still robbed the audience of visual closure.

And if it were done to segue into a motion picture sequel, then that kind of crass commercialism shouldn't be tolerated. (See my "Does Chase Have 'Sopranos' Movie Idea?") There's even buzz that the real ending will only be available on the series' final DVD.

Either way, it was terrible. Apparently, my extreme reaction was typical of many series' fans: they crashed HBO's website for a time tonight trying to register their outrage. HBO could suffer a wave of cancellations as a result. (Already, the pay channel's replacement series like John from Cincinnati are getting panned.)

Chase clearly didn't give a damn about his fans. Instead, he crapped in their faces. This is why America hates Hollywood. Unlike some network series that end abruptly because broadcasters pull the plug without warning, The Sopranos has been slated for years to go off the air tonight. But instead of carefully crafted, this finale looked like it had been concocted in a day or two. (Some of the scenes were cut so abruptly, they caused whiplash.)

Let's not forget that, in later years, Chase had to be dragged kicking and screaming back to the computer to write more episodes against his will even though The Sopranos made him rich beyond what's reasonable. Especially now that it's in syndication. (See my A&E's Profanity-Free Tony Soprano A Hit.) Chase needed to exert himself to a concoct an artful denouement. But he took the lazy way out. The show we all loved deserved a decent burial. Instead, it went into a black hole.

I was totally let down too.

Then I started thinking. I wonder if:

A. The real ending will be shown on the DVD (cashing in), or

B. They are going to make a movie (cashing in), or

C. When Bobby and Tony were out on the boat a few episodes back, they were talking about getting whacked and stuff, and they supposed that when you die, it just goes black. Maybe when Meadow walked in, the guy came out of the john and whacked Tony. (expecting too much of the fans, probably actually A or B.)

Clearly some people have difficulty separating expectations for their leisure entertainment from their real life needs.

I never followed the show, didn't watch last night. I read the article. Sounds like a sucky ending to leave fans hanging like that -- but of course, its the perfect non-ending to make sure the franchise is safe to pursue all kinds of commercial ventures in the future.

Horrible. Just horrible.

Sopranos was all about symbolism. And that episode sybolized everything that was bad about Sopranos. Buildup w/o following through. Unfinished plot lines. Wasting time on BS.

Glad its over.

B. They are going to make a movie (cashing in),

Bingo! We have a winner. I heard someone from the show (writer or producer, can't remember which) say they are planning a movie. Right then and there, I knew they couldn't kill Tony in the last episode.

Profitable media properties never die, they just fade away.

sort of makes me glad that I never really got into either because it looks like they really disappointed a lot of people that they didnt just kill everyone on the show.
and gangster movies never got me going anyway. it was always the same......punks would kill people left and right and then would get all pissed off when some of thier people were killed.......like the people they killed didnt have family too......
sounds like the hype and result didnt match

C. When Bobby and Tony were out on the boat a few episodes back, they were talking about getting whacked and stuff, and they supposed that when you die, it just goes black. Maybe when Meadow walked in, the guy came out of the john and whacked Tony. (expecting too much of the fans, probably actually A or B.)


Posted by Spaulding


I posted this in the nooner yesterday... on the same train of thought as you. And also when Tony had a flashback thinking about Bobby he went to that moment in the boat as a flashback... but I think that's what Chase wanted us to do, was start thinking up our own endings... very annoying. I'm glad everyone is as pissed as I was.

I watched the ending several times thanks to my DVR... I don't think that guy in the bathroom was anyone...

For starters, who at that point would be wanting to kill him? Phil is dead and a deal was reached with NYC. And that was a very impromptu dinner at some cheesey diner, not really a realistic place for some mobster to plan and execute a hit on Tony.

So I think it was just life goes on, Tony will likely go to jail when Carlo testifies, but that's it...

Don't you think the police and the Feds would be onto this Soprano guy by now? Oh wait, it's just a TV show.

but I think that's what Chase wanted us to do, was start thinking up our own endings...

POSTED BY Rob_The_A_Hole

He did too, even before it actually ended. While Meadow was dicking around trying to park, I had her walking in as the bullets started to fly, with the shooter knocking her over on his way out of the diner.


Did you catch that he came downstairs in a bathrobe like Tony? With that and him talking to the shrink, I started to shudder to think that he was going to end up running the show someday.

Don't you think the police and the Feds would be onto this Soprano guy by now? Oh wait, it's just a TV show.

Posted by richardcranium


I'll bet when your friends or family are sitting around talking about shows like the Sorpranos, you're the guy who has to but in and remind everyone that 30,000 children died today from starvation and disease, and we need to rearrange our priorities... Hey wait! You're AJ Soprano from last night's episode...

I thought the tension was added to the last scene so that it wouldn't be a typical happy ending where they live happily ever after. Yes, he wins the battle with Phil but he still has a potential trial coming up and he could still be killed at any moment or his family may get hurt if they are in the way.

Was a little disappointed but I didn't necessarily feel cheated.

That's an interesting take on it sully... that everyone in the family knows about Tony's life and what he does now, and just like how we were looking at everyone in that diner saying, "This is it!" they're saying the exact same thing.... that's a craptacular way to go through life...

interesting point...

I'll bet when your friends or family are sitting around talking about shows like the Sorpranos, you're the guy who has to but in and remind everyone that 30,000 children died today from starvation and disease, and we need to rearrange our priorities... Hey wait! You're AJ Soprano from last night's episode...

Posted by Rob_The_A_Hole


I agree with this sentiment up to a point: when people actually star PROTESTING and cancelling HBO due to it, they really need to get lives, and in that case, maybe the money they save from their cancellation can be used to, say, help feed 30,000 children.

OH gee, take it to the feed the children thread.

when people actually star PROTESTING and cancelling HBO due to it, they really need to get lives, and in that case, maybe the money they save from their cancellation can be used to, say, help feed 30,000 children.

Posted by midiman


If someone were to cancel HBO because of one lackluster series finale chances are I wouldn't like them as a person...

hey rob, what no russian?

I was initially very unhappy with the ending but the more time goes by the more I think it was perfect and i mean PERFECT. It was the truly only completely unexpected ending, leaving you wanting more.

I honestly hope they dont come up with a movie, unless it is a prequel. I want to spend the rest of my life thinking about.

Given the amount of expletives used on the show, I think the ending was just so we could all say wtf.

"I'll bet when your friends or family are sitting around talking about shows like the Sorpranos, you're the guy who has to but in and remind everyone that 30,000 children died today from starvation and disease, and we need to rearrange our priorities... Hey wait! You're AJ Soprano from last night's episode..."

Well I don't get HBO but I have seen a few of the past shows syndicated on A & E. I could easily get caught up in all the hype. But when a TV show like The Sopranoes or worse yet American ***-hole get national media coverage on the news, my expectations of what is newsworthy becomes skewed. But that's just me.

I'm glad the show is over. I think chase just wasn't into the last 2 years. I guess I was expecting a brilliant effort from Chase for the finales but he didn't feel like giving it. Six feet under is what happens when a director wants to give you his best effort one last time.

I'll never cancel hbo as long as the wire has some episodes coming up. That show blows away the Sopranos now.

hey rob, what no russian?

You were right about the russian... further proof though of why the show went down hill over the past few years...

I was initially very unhappy with the ending but the more time goes by the more I think it was perfect and i mean PERFECT. It was the truly only completely unexpected ending, leaving you wanting more.

A series finale isn't supposed to leave you wanting more... A SEASON finale is supposed to leave you wanting more so you tune back in for the new shows, but there aren't going to be any new shows, and probably no movie... so no, the ending wasn't perfect, in fact it was enfuriating... The point of a series finale is to end the show, not leave the audience thinking their cable went out.

I knew you'd be here claiming it was the greatest ending ever... it wasn't it sucked... you and David Chase are the only ones who think it was good.

Now that I am well into middle-age (I'll be 50 this summer) and someone asks me what I've been doing I'll be the first to say, "Eating snacks and watching TV, how about you?"

rob, you dont get it, sopranos has in part been about leaving you wanting more.

it was about hte journey not about the desitination. It was about THINKING. it was about the viewer using his brain while watching the show.

the clues for an ending were there if think about what you want.

It seems to me like there are only 3 endings that people would have found satisfying:

1) Tony gets killed.

2) Tony goes to the FBI and enters witness protection.

3) They flash forward a few decades to Tony as an old man getting ready to "retire".

Anything short of that and people say they didn't get closure.

I'll never cancel hbo as long as the wire has some episodes coming up. That show blows away the Sopranos now.

Posted by byrdman


I never really got into the wire... Rome was my absolute favorite, but that wasn't a sustainable show... too expensive, and just wouldn't work for more than a couple seasons...

I'm really looking forward to John Adams... the short series' have been really great lately, even a lot of their own movies have been really good... Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee I've watched a few times now...

the wire is awesome, do yourself a favor and get the 1st season and watch em all.

For those of you who need endings and all it is great. Great combination of wrting acting, story and closure for those who need closure.

rob, you dont get it, sopranos has in part been about leaving you wanting more.

it was about hte journey not about the desitination. It was about THINKING. it was about the viewer using his brain while watching the show.

the clues for an ending were there if think about what you want.


Posted by truthhurts


OMG I hate intellectualy superior snobs who think they and David Chase should make a movie together...

Yes its always been about leaving you wanting more... every show is about leaving you wanting more... until the SERIES FINALE... then they wrap it up.

Six Feet Under... the finale was one of the best ever in my opinion.

The Sopranos got too big for Chase, he didn't know how to end it so he took the bullshit pussy way out and left the screen blank, and says, "You decide how it ends." Its a bunch of crap, and 99.9% of the fan base agrees... they crashed HBO.com last night they were so pissed off...

It was not a good ending, you're just saying that cuz you want people to see you as some great philospher... you're not.

its a great ending because you have gotten so discombobulated. When will you get it into your head that that is what chase wanted to achieve through the show. to make you as the viewer think. to appreciate more than the kill more than the typical tv fare you get.

The show did have an ending. and the ending was "and life goes on". It was probably the bravest ending he could make cause dunder heads like yourself whine and cry when everything is not wrapped up nice and neat.

If you were athinking person who didnt need things spelled out for you, you MIGHT get the impression T was killed.

The guy at the counter was Phil's cousin (nephew), T ate an orange/T and Bobby talked about how it is when you get whacked, just goes black.

YOU would only be satisfied if it were spelled out for you.

If you were athinking person who didnt need things spelled out for you, you MIGHT get the impression T was killed.


Yeah, I get it, he told Bobby that wise guys don't hear it coming (and they even flashed back to that scene) and the screen going blank like that implies that he never heard it coming and was killed before hearing the shot... Everybody has already posted on that... sorry you don't get to be the one to break it to the thread...

However there are million holes in that... the first and foremost being that the Sopranos has always been shown in the third person, never in the first, so it would not have switched all of a sudden and ended like that... Second is Tony didn't have any enemies left that would have taken out a boss of a family. Third is that they were just out to dinner in some cheesey diner, not planned in advance and not to the knowledge of anyone in his crew that could have told someone to kill him there. If Chase's goal was to imply that he was killed, he failed terribly and it makes less sense than just ending the show there for no reason...

But you know all this... you just want to come off as some "thinking" person as you have many times accused me of not being... you have no idea what Chase was doing or why he did it, but you are acting like you do to give off this persona of intelectualism... fuck you, the show sucked... any idea that you can come up with for the end I can blow apart in half a second. It was not a brave ending, it was a copout because he didn't have a clue how to end the show, but he knew he could count on wannabe david chase's out there to defend whatever he did...

Nobody is going to buy your script... (Admit it... you've written one)

The guy at the counter was Phil's cousin (nephew),

IMDB page for that please?

Yeah, I get it, he told Bobby that wise guys don't hear it coming (and they even flashed back to that scene) and the screen going blank like that implies that he never heard it coming and was killed before hearing the shot... Everybody has already posted on that... sorry you don't get to be the one to break it to the thread...

TH: Its only one possible ending, perhaps meadow got shot, or perhaps its all a big nothing.


However there are million holes in that... the first and foremost being that the Sopranos has always been shown in the third person, never in the first,

TH:no problem here, it is the director/creators vision that matters not yours.

so it would not have switched all of a sudden and ended like that... Second is Tony didn't have any enemies left that would have taken out a boss of a family.

TH: as stated, it was phil's relative, who presumably would have a grudge to bear.

Third is that they were just out to dinner in some cheesey diner, not planned in advance and not to the knowledge of anyone in his crew that could have told someone to kill him there.

TH: he followed AJ. This was established as a possibility earlier in the episode.

If Chase's goal was to imply that he was killed, he failed terribly and it makes less sense than just ending the show there for no reason...


TH:only if you are one of those who needs things spelled out for you (destination) and not one who realizes it is the journey (the story) that matters, as in life.

But you know all this... you just want to come off as some "thinking" person as you have many times accused me of not being... you have no idea what Chase was doing or why he did it, but you are acting like you do to give off this persona of intelectualism...

TH:I enjoy learing about possible things chase was doing. I find by reading many different things chase may have been trying to convey. This is one of hte great things about he sopranos, it motivated me to want to learn more about the show. FOr instance someone has pointed out to me that this last half season was possibly a trip through dantes nine levels of hell. I read that and enjoyed learning a little bit. You should try it.

fuck you, the show sucked...

TH: then why did you watch it?

any idea that you can come up with for the end I can blow apart in half a second.

TH: no you cant cause you are only raving like a fool. It's all a big nothing.

It was not a brave ending, it was a copout because he didn't have a clue how to end the show, but he knew he could count on wannabe david chase's out there to defend whatever he did...

TH:any other ending would have been the copout, the copout to those who need the standard tv format for a show.


Nobody is going to buy your script... (Admit it... you've written one)

TH:nope, I am humbly not qualified, I only enjoy watch tv

wrt to the leotardo character I am going by what has been posted on NJ.com sopranos forum

If he wanted to have us come up with our own ending he could have simply just showed the family eating and panned out. Nothing great but it works. Instead Chase said to himself I'll make this real shitty ending and I'll still have people defend it. Chase could have left his legacy of the Sopranos intact instead now the show will be known for the worst ending of all time.

It sucked.

I'm glad Paulie lived. I'd like to see a series with him. Whenever he showed up, it got interesting. Him and the cat thing was hilarious.

wrt to the leotardo character I am going by what has been posted on NJ.com sopranos forum

Posted by truthhurts


So you don't actually know that was his cousin... you're just reposting what some other guy speculated on another thread from another site...

You don't think Tony Soprano would notice Phil Leotardo's cousin in the same diner as him? And why would he walk past him into the bathroom? Why not just shoot him...

TH: he followed AJ. This was established as a possibility earlier in the episode.


Now you're just pulling shit out of your ass...

perhaps meadow got shot, or perhaps its all a big nothing

Maybe she started banging the two black guys who came in while AJ hooked up with the waitress and Tony began beating everyone in the diner under the age of 10 to death with a napkin dispenser (Which is why they showed the guy with his kids at the table).

There is a big difference between leaving an ending open to interpretation and just not ending a show, letting any crackpot come up with his own idea... that is a stupid way to end the show... you are in the vast minority of people who enjoyed the ending of what up until that moment was a very enjoyable show.

Byrdman and LeeAtwater... you guys aren't thinking people either I guess... right truthy... welcome to the club.

PS I'm glad Pualie lived too... the way he was acting around the cat was hysterical, like when he was about to crack it with a broom and tony walked in... I almost fell off the couch laughing when he started sweeping the floor...

Maybe she started banging the two black guys...

Now thats an ending.

when they were at teh safe house and AJ's girlfriend left he said something abouit leaving through the front door and then sand ahhh who would she tell.

perhaps they followed him/her to get a fix on T.

perhaps they followed him/her to get a fix on T.

Posted by truthhurts


Who is they?

And why would they need to get a fix on Tony, by the time they went to the diner they were again living in their home... Truth you're just throwing shit out there hoping it sticks... And that's the problem with the ending... IT WASN'T AN ENDING...

Now thats an ending.

Posted by LeeAtwater


I'd save that on my DVR for years...

perhaps

That's all you got?

Perhaps Tony farted after eating the onion rings.

And why would they need to get a fix on Tony, by the time they went to the diner they were again living in their home...


ok then HE followed T to the diner, saw T vulnerable went to the bathroom to so he could come up on his blindside.

ok then HE followed T to the diner, saw T vulnerable went to the bathroom to so he could come up on his blindside.

Posted by truthhurts


Why? If he was vulnerable, why not just shoot him and run out? If he was really Phil's cousin or nephew (if you can show evidence of this that would really rock), Tony would likely have recognized him... You know given that they had been in business with each other since the 5th season when Phil got out of prison, and there was that whole issue with Tony B killing Phil's brother...

Truth it was a shitty ending that you're grasping at straws trying to defend your mancrush David Chase... its just as likely Carm began felating him as he ate an expensive ham as your explanation is.

I was hoping a wrap-up the way six-feet-under did it.

Working hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

I was hoping a wrap-up the way six-feet-under did it.

Posted by COMMONSENSE


That was one of the best finale's I've ever seen...

Rome was great too

"Rome was great too"

I thought Rome was awesome. I love Deadwood too.

Never got into 6 Ft. Under. Just seemed like the writers were going out of their way to make every character as fucked up as possible - often in not very realistic ways. Came across as being very pretentious to me.

"Rome was great too"

I thought Rome was awesome. I love Deadwood too.

Never got into 6 Ft. Under. Just seemed like the writers were going out of their way to make every character as fucked up as possible - often in not very realistic ways. Came across as being very pretentious to me.

Don't you think the police and the Feds would be onto this Soprano guy by now? Oh wait, it's just a TV show.

Posted by richardcranium at 2007-06-11 09:15 AM | Rep

Guess you don't watch every episode. The Feds are on to the Sopranos. Didn't you see the Fed guy talking to Soprano in last night's episode, or Tony telling the Feds about those two guys from the Bada Bing he saw hanging out with a group of Muslims in NJ??? The Feds are all over this.

Now that I am well into middle-age (I'll be 50 this summer) and someone asks me what I've been doing I'll be the first to say, "Eating snacks and watching TV, how about you?"

Posted by richardcranium at 2007-06-11 10:05 AM | Rep

Eating snacks and watching TV.

the show died when Adrianna died. period. end of story.

season six was a complete waste on all levels. dont get me started.

hospital and dream sequences - boring
vito - a complete waste of episodes.

i do not watch the sopranos to be socially conscious on the homosexual agenda. i watch it so gangsters act like gangsters.

aj- who cares about his character? not me. who cares that he dated a minority single mother? who got a hold of the script for this B.S. weren't any of the writers from Goodfellas available. how do you spell AGENDA?

final episode- nothing of significance happens. phil leatardo should have gone out like a man, not sans head squish.

why leave it open ended? this is not father knows best.

the season six writing staff should all be tarred and feathered and hung in the town circle for the public to throw rotten tomatoes at.

SIGN ME-

a fan of seasons 1-5 only.

Nobody is going to buy your script... (Admit it... you've written one)

i am still P.O.'d

I haven't written a script, HOWEVER, I will write an entire script right now that is better than the crap we have been forced to watch all year-

ummm-

Jenny Sack dies in botched robbery.

Johnny Sack orders super secret hit on one of Tony S's men in retaliation because he knows Tony involved somehow.

Vito taken out before his eyes can wander

Phil strong arms Miami to take control of Miami's interests. Bloodbath.

Tony decides to play it cool and not challenge Phil.

Tony hires inside jail employee to take care of Johnny Sack in his cell.

Phil Leotardo becomes blind with power and starts to strengthen New York to wipe out New Jersey.

Tony's crew takes out lesser members of New York.

Outside mob influence orders New York and New Jersey families to reconcile.

Heated words at sit down only leave more questions.

Paulie or Chris goes to Feds. Knows there is no way out, getting to old, etc. etc.

AJ is killed by New York before he can date a minority or spew a liberal agenda. (no offense, drudgees)

Chris is kidnapped.

Tony knows someone close to him is a rat.

Tony finds Phils Achilles heel and attacks ferociously. Phil and two cronies die.

Power struggle to stabilize New York.

Tony picked up by FBI. It is inevitable he is going down.

Final scene, Tony walks into courtroom to see Feds super secret star witness is-

Christopher~!

credits roll.

let me guess, mine was worse.... NOT!

you didnt get the meaning of what Chase was attempting to show.

start by reading yeats

The Feds are all over this.

They were taping the peace meeting.
But it was interesting that Tony's FBI contact was doing another agent when he ratted out Phil to Tony.

you didnt get the meaning of what Chase was attempting to show.

start by reading yeats


My girlfriend had a yeats infection once and we didn't have sex for a week after that...

Brilliant Ending!

Life is always full of threats if you're Tony Soprano.

I love how disappointed you losers are!!! You all got hoodwinked by the show. As a non-watcher, I've heard nothing but Soprano's buildup for the past month, on sports radio, the web sites, water cooler etc...It's like you wasted a small portion of your life watching someone else's (fictional at that) life like a vicarious voyeur, and you just got DUMPED! Your vicarious life is over before Tony Soprano's fictional life is...What a bunch of losers!!

I've spent the past five years at the beach, whaddabout U?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

It's as if HBO Nation was the 8th place finalist on American Idol!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

What a bunch of losers!!

I've spent the past five years at the beach, whaddabout U?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by bocaink


wait a minute... aren't you the same poster that works for that free access show and claims to have never lost a debate...

And if you've spent the last five years at the beach I feel sorry for you...

I had half the Detroit Mafia on my paper route. Future boss Tony 'Blackjack' Tocco lived right behind me. Very much a Tony Soprano type. Son and daughter like Tony Soprano, but much more spoiled and bratty. The daughter drove a Vette in high school, and you could hear Tony yelling to his wife, "Maria, get me another goddammed beer', and the wheezing guffaws when one of their 'crew' made a joke.

I read a few years ago in USA Today about the mass arrest of the Detroit Mafia. Half of them were on my paper route. The wives never had my 50 cents on Saturday, but their poodles would take a swipe at my ankles.

I learned how to play Bocce Ball from their Sicilian parents.

Anyway, I wouldn't want to live their lives. I have a Vito Giacolone (former Detroit mob boss - Tony 'Blackjack' Tocco's boss before he took over) story, but another time.......

Fuggedaboudit

B. They are going to make a movie (cashing in),

Bingo! We have a winner. I heard someone from the show (writer or producer, can't remember which) say they are planning a movie. Right then and there, I knew they couldn't kill Tony in the last episode.


Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2007-06-11 08:20 AM | Reply | Flag:

Whatayagonna do? If you're a fan, would a movie or two down the road disappoint? If not a fan, why would you care?

Fagettaboutit!