The Sopranos’ Finale: David Chase Literally Fades To Black
NOTE: TMV was down last night. This was written right after viewing the final episode.
So now “The Sopranos” is over. And the ending is likely to be talked about for years.
Some will love it. Some will hate it.
But it isn’t as if creator/writer/director David Chase didn’t warn us.
In an ending worthy of the late Alfred Hitchcock, Chase ends The Sopranos with Tony seemingly have triumphed on several fronts with bittersweet victories. He has his family. Phil Leotardo is dead. His son follows his parent’s wishes and doesn’t join the Army.
He was helped in his triumph by a federal agent — but he’s warned by his lawyer that he’ll likely be indicted soon.
But did he win? In a final scene that is reminiscent of Michael Corleone murdering his father’s enemies in a restaurant in “The Godfather,” all kinds of hints are dropped that something awful is about to happen to Tony and perhaps his entire family as they sit in a diner, seemingly a family now more than ever. It builds.
And then it fades to black.
It’s akin to a 21st century version of some vintage Hitchcock TV show endings. Do they live, do they die? Are they all wiped out? Or are we being paranoid? What’s certain: Chase uses point of view to manipulate the audience’s certainty — the grabs the certainty away.
Chase made it clear over the years that he felt the traditional story arc of gangster movies that shows “crime doesn’t pay” or all ends are neatly wrapped up a la “The Godfather” and “The Godfather II” aren’t necessarily the way things work in real life…and that Hollywood scripts have become trite and tiresomely predictable. And a cast member a few weeks ago said viewers might be disappointed because some things might not be resolved.
THAT was an understatement.
But was “The Sopranos” supposed to be just another gangster saga, or was it a higher form of art?
Why is it that dramas MUST end in a way to provide tidy “closure”? (Anyone who watched the old Hitchcock TV show when it aired or have rewatched those incredible half hour dramats with twist or suspense endings has experienced this kind of drama\ before).
And, if so, isn’t the surprise ending suitable for the way the series has unfolded?
And a long, “pregnant,” pause at the end — with a long fade to black.
What happened to Tony (and his family)?
What do you think?
Read our PREVIOUS POST and see how offbase virtually all predictions were on this.
6 Responses to “The Sopranos’ Finale: David Chase Literally Fades To Black”
Joe: I think you’ve got it just right. I posted on my blog last night right after it was over and wouldn’t change a word this morning. Among other things, Chase was saying The Sopranos isn’t just gangster melodrama, it was trying to be like life, and life doesn’t come tied up in neat packages. In its way, his is the anti-Godfather ending–no dramatic montages, operatic killings, heavy-breathing philosophy. Just keep living and fuggedabout it:
http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2007/06/arrivederci-sopranos.html
Who the hell cares? Shouldn’t you be blogging about real issues instead of a tv show? It might shock you to know some of us aren’t the least bit interested in this show.
BTW david chase is no Hitchcock.
I will watch the show again with all the following in mind.
In the snow scene when Tony is in the Feds car, Tony tells the Fed about a bank the terror suspects use.
The Fed is not happy with the information. Tony also tells the Fed that AJ is worried about the terror plots and asks if he making a molehill. This shows Tony is a bit ignorant and the Fed does not answer since it should be making a mountain out of a molehill.
In the psychiatrists office we learn AJ has bought a lesson plan to speak Arabic. Also AJ is saying throughout the show it is a time of trouble for the country and he wants to help.
Tony says all you need to know is Shiscabob. This shows Tony’s ignorance of the world around him.
When Phil is killed the Fed says we may win this thing.
When Tony is out to eat with Meadow she bemoans the states treatment of her father, he asks what state the state of NJ, and she no says no the Feds.
AJ is interested in serving his country, breaking dependence on foreign oil.
When AJ is laughing at the TV he is viewing Bush and Rove dancing.
The man entering the bathroom at the diner looks like a Fed.
Tony’s visit to the mental ward, shows how mob families pass on power by the generation.
My take, the Feds need help with tracking terror plots, Tony has been less than cooperative, AJ seems willing to serve country.
The feds protect the Soprano family with the info on Phil.
The feds kill Tony, AJ is forced to take family lead, the feds feel he will be cooperative.
The only thing that interested me about this show is that the very last scene was filmed two blocks from where I live.
Laura. In case you haven’t noticed by now, we write about all kinds of things on TMV. And The Sopranos seemed to have a teeny-weenie bit of viewship over the years and have a slight bit of an impact on television so it is a valid subject. We will continue to write about topics other than the usual Bush Is Bad/Bush Is Misunderstood or Democrats Democrats Democrats Republicans Republicans Republicans Hillary Hillary Hillary McCain McCain McCain posts on TMV. From the very start this site did more than just cover politics. Sorry you feel that way but maybe some other nonpolitical topics will be of interest to you.