The Sopranos Series Finale Review

We’ll get to the odd ending scene of the series in a minute, but let’s first review the major points in the episode. The big drama that built up over the last week was whether or not Tony Soprano got whacked. Well, we don’t know the answer to that for sure, but I’m 99.99% positive that Tony and the entire Soprano family is alive and well.

The other big plot line in this episode was the conclusion of the New York/New Jersey war. Speaking on behalf of all of New Jersey (I can do that now), let me say thank God that scum sucking son of a bitch Phil Leotardo got his brains blown out. And to add some poetic justice to the entire scene, his Cadillac Escalade rolled over his head – his grandchildren were in the Escalade. Beautiful – well done, Mr. Chase – especially in light of Phil’s speech a few weeks back about how the filthy Americans took advantage of his family when they came over on the boat, etc.

Phil’s head being crushed by a symbol of American largess while his soon-to-be-Americanized grandchildren are in the truck? Priceless.

I also liked how Phil’s underbosses came to an agreement with Tony and the New Jersey family towards the middle of the show. That was a nice little twist – who would have thunk that the guys from New York would have realized that Phil was completely off-center and ruining what was a good thing? Of course, now I’m left wondering whether or not Little Carmine rises up and assumes his rightful spot as the head of the New York mafia, but I’ll live with not knowing the result there.

Tony also has a touching scene with Uncle Junior, who he finally realizes isn’t playing a game and really is in deep physical trouble. The terrors of Alzheimer’s and dementia have taken their toll on Uncle Junior and the man who once tried to kill Tony is reduced to not really knowing who he is in the final episode of the series. It was sad, and touching.

We also get some resolution as to what will happen to Janice Soprano, Tony’s sister and the new widow of Bobby Baccalieri. She’s got his kids to worry about plus the child she had with Bobby. In recalling one of the less-remembered Sopranos trivia bits, Tony suggests she call her long-lost child, Harpo, and try to start a new life. But in the end, it looks like Janice is just going to sit in misery for the time being before trying to piece together her newly shattered life. Can she be a family woman once again? Who knows. I’ll take no resolution on that one, too.

And what about Carlo Gervasi?!? Turning in to the feds and giving them an 80% shot that Tony will be indicted? Wow! You fucking snake, Carlo! Nice twist in the final episode – also very well done. Related to this is Paulie Walnuts’ complete rejection of Carlo’s crew and then the ultimate acceptance that he has to take the crew over unless he wants an inexperienced guy to get control. Also a nice “the plot thickens” moment that we, as viewers, can stand to be without any resolution to…

Oh, and then there are the Soprano children. We think that they both end up alright, with AJ eating some of the “best” onion rings in the state as his sister runs into the diner to meet her family. All seems well with them – AJ stopped his baby bullshit (for now, we suppose) and is back to being a “normal” kid. Meadow is moving along with young Parisi and all seems to be well.

But what about that ending? What about the cut to black scene to end the show? What looked to be a mistake turned out to be exactly what David Chase wanted. I can’t say that I agree with that, but I can say that the entire scene was absolutely marvelously done up until the cut to black. You have Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” playing in the background (a heartfelt message from Chase to loyal Sopranos viewers, I’m sure) and you have 2 thugs walking into the diner that the Sopranos are at who look somewhat suspicious.

And before the thugs we get a trucker looking guy who seems to be just eating by himself and an FBI/hit man looking guy who sneaks into the bathroom while Tony just gives him a passing glance. All the while Meadow is trying her damnedest to find a parking spot outside, but she just can’t seem to find one.

When she DOES find one, she leaves her car, runs to open the diner door, and as the door opens we have a quick shot of Tony looking up to see who is coming in – and then we cut to black. End of series. No music playing, no resolution on the hit man/FBI guy and no resolution on the thugs. Just the Sopranos eating onion rings in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

And that’s it.