I didn’t hear anything about them revealing part of the ending, but it was the same place.
Incidentally, I checked Wikipedia after the first or second episode- and it spoiled the finale! The synopsis for “Made in America” was something like ‘AJ shoots Tony, and Carmela and family remember his life.’ I was in shock, and I spent most of this season in agony, hoping they were wrong. Some Doper mentioned that they may have filmed multiple endings, and when it became apparent last night that however it ended, it wasn’t ending that way, I was deeply relieved.
I like cmyk’s theory in post #144, that Tony had a panic attack and blacked out. Very possible, that’s what brought Tony to Melfi in the very beginning.
A couple of Tony’s malapropisms:
To Agent Harris: “My son’s talking about this shit all the time. Is he making a molehill out of it?”
To Paulie when he turns down Tony’s offer: “I got to admit, I’m a little miffled.”
And Philly’s last words to his grandchildren: “Bye-bye, Pop-pop”. – His head certainly did go “pop-pop” when the tire hit it, didn’t it?
I remember reading about that. Wonder how long it will be before we get to hear what the alternatives were. DVD commentaries maybe? HBO special? Fresh Air interviews? Blog speculation?
I would be willing to bet that if the issue were turned over to the fan base that there would be hundreds of themes and body counts involved.
It’s amazing to me how they chose the least likely to meet general approval as the solution. I, for one, am not disappointed. I was disappointed with Twin Peaks. But getting Phil Leotardo offed (even though it wasn’t as spectacular as in Goodfellas – Frank Vincent is so easy to loathe) was all I wanted to have happen in the last episode. Thus, I’m pleased.
one of the parts that I enjoyed watching was the future-in-laws meeting. How Mrs. Parisi looks like she’s casing the joint, inspecting the china, etc. I thought it was hilarious.
I knew I’d seen Mrs. Parisi before, but it’s been 20+ years. Donna Pescow, John Travolta’s love interest from Saturday Night Fever. She had a TV show for awhile, “Angie”. That ruffly blouse didn’t do a thing for her. Maybe Carm will take her shopping someday.
I’m forgetful and Sunday evening I was 3 months past due on my cable bill. To make sure I wouldn’t get cut off during the Sopranos, I call to pay them by phone. I got through to Cablevision at 8:55 to pay by debit card. The CSR finishes the transaction and confirms payment at 8:59.
When the ending went black, I started saying “WTF, that [bleep-bleep] didn’t put the payment through,” and then it hit me that that was the way it was going to end. ANYWHO,
At first I didn’t know what to think, but here goes.
I think they give us enough tension, drama and some resolution. At least Phil’s dying was resolution enough for me.
On the one hand, I think the ending could have been a little more dramatic, shoot-em-up, and “let’s resolve everything,” like everyone expected.
On the other hand, it feels like, creatively, Chase gave us the only ending he could have – confounding everyone’s expectations overall and giving us enough unresolved strands to allow each of us to finish the story in our on way.
You have raised an issue that extends beyond just the one example. Chase & Co. have been so attuned to what the audience (especially the “critical viewer”) expects and are so aware of all the tricks, gimmicks, cliches and other background of flimmaking to tease us with all sorts of red herrings and “go nowhere” devices.
Remember the episode where Patsy confronts the Annabella Sciorra charcter (what was her name?) to warn her off of bothering Tony any longer? In the next scene we see Patsy on the phone getting into his car. They linger on the car long enough to get you expecting it’s going to blow up. It doesn’t.
Same device last night with Meadow parking.
Same device in the last 15 minutes of the show. Make that the whole episode! We were being baited the entire hour. They knew it. They revelled in it. I just wonder how many of them are online today just seeing how bad they hooked us.
Me, too. I do wish that his offing was prceded by a confrontation. He was so full of himself lately, it wold have been great to see him grovel a little—or not—while he he becomes aware that he’s history.
That’s what I say! But I seem to be in the minority. Everyone at work disagrees with me. Even my wife called me and is still bitching about it.
But it’s genius. And it’s historical. People will be talking and debating it for years & years! I’ll bet there will even be college courses offered on it (at least in film schools).
Phil was out of control. His own people turned on him. He was bad for business and NY would be aware of that. Tony was safe to live out his life in prison.
Okay, clearing up a few things and pointing out some:
A previous poster referred to a Soprano’s moment: “Where’s the gabba goo?” ‘‘Gaboo goo’’ would actually be ‘‘capiacola’’.
Someone mentioned how Paulie didn’t take the construction job. In fact, he initially declined and revealed some typical Paulie whinings, poor recollection of facts and superstitions before accepting. Typical Paulie. Typical irony, too: You want this bozo running the most important gig in NJ? Of course, that’s the mob.
Tony refers somewhere to someone (AJ ?)making a big deal of things, as he says something along the line of “He makes mole hills out of things”, instead of “He makes moutains out of mole hills.”
Tony says to the hot new AJ therapist that his mother was a ‘borderline personality’’.
Phil “Can you hear me now?” Leotardo uses a cheesey excuse that he can’t hear on the cell phone to end the call. His clumsy ending to that call and clumsily communicated intent to sit down after the whackings left a bit of discomfort on the other end of the phone. Oops - Phil is a universal prick now, right down to his once-loyal guy. “Can you hear me now? Sit down…talk to you”?( Ha, well - buh bye, Phil.). Phil? Can you hear me now? Of course not, your f-in head is crushed.
And um, yeah…okay, Tony is whacked by the ever-so-obvious looking super suspicious guy at the diner that drew some focus. Yeah, cause that’s how Chase and the writers usually do things. Only a novice watcher would be sucked into that. :rolleyes:
That’s outstanding, VarlosZ!