Bob Harris is a former writer for National Lampoon, a comedian, and a five-time Jeopardy winner. He just posted at his blog his extraordinary analysis of the final episode of "The Sopranos" which aired last Sunday.
Though some of his insights were discussed in a previous Open Thread, there are many tremendously compelling observations for your entertainment pleasure. Enjoy.
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Personally, I think it was a
June 16, 2007 - 22:54 ET by Warner Todd HustonPersonally, I think it was a great final episode. I wrote about it on my blog, Publius' Forum, but the gist is that the reason we got a black screen is because Tony was killed by that guy that went into the bathroom behind him. As he and Bobby were saying, you never hear the one that gets you. And, since the whole show as about Tony, once he was dead... blackness and NO music with the credits. All done. Show over.
Warner
June 16, 2007 - 23:23 ET by Noel SheppardWarner,
I've watched it four times, and think it's brilliant, hauntingly so.
As I mentioned in the other thread, America was looking for a whackfest ending that tied up all the loose ends like a Godfather film. Instead -- with no offense to Coppola -- they got a work of art.
We'll be talking about this episode, and the final eight, for years. ns
That was intriguing. I would
June 17, 2007 - 10:13 ET by Gat New YorkThat was intriguing. I would add one more Godfather symbolism and that was A.J. mentioning that he would want to go into the army and fight for his country in Afghanistan. Tony spent his life trying to get his children to have a normal life and away from his business but he opposed his going into the army.
Recall in the Godfather Michael joined the army to fight for his country against his family's wishes. Vito wanted a different life for Michael than the life Vito and Sonny led. But with the shooting of his father, Michael felt it his duty to join his family business.
I saw Tony looking at his son the way Vito looked at Michael in his final day and trying to counsel him. So I think is was a myriad of Godfather symbolism.
I have never watched the show--
June 16, 2007 - 23:03 ET by misterbillI have never watched the show--and I am hurt that the good people at NB watch it. It demeans people of Italian ethnicity. I am Italian. I have, many times, debated sending a letter to HBO and asking them to cancel this absolute insult to my Italian roots
But then I asked my consigliare if we could sue and he said whenever I wanted he would have everyone associated with the show, sleep with the fishes.
LOL
LOL. One of my favorite li
June 17, 2007 - 01:00 ET by Warner Todd HustonLOL.
One of my favorite lines from a movie..."Lighten up, Francis!"
veni, vidi, vici, vinnyYou'
June 17, 2007 - 05:14 ET by Jack BauerI think this ending has gro
June 17, 2007 - 04:23 ET by sarcasmoI think this ending has grown on people over time, which is a good sign, but I think it's an excellent sign there will be a movie. The payday is just too big, even if the eventual Sopranos movie sucks, which seems unlikely given the quality of the series.
Since this is "open thread" I'd like to discuss some good news in the Cory Maye case, another "isolated incident," and more infuriating to some news from Atlanta. (Flame away!)
JMR
My guess is... never a movie.
June 17, 2007 - 05:09 ET by Warner Todd HustonMy guess is... never a movie. I'll bet its done and will never be returned to. Gandolfini is finished with the character. Heck, he was the reason there were so often a year or more between seasons. He was just sick of the whole thing. Plus some of the other main characters were either too old to wait too many years between the series end and a movie effort or were already killed off.
But the payday from a movie
June 17, 2007 - 08:25 ET by sarcasmoBut the payday from a movie is likely to exceed the combined pay any of them has gotten throughout the series. Yeah, some people are dead and Gandolfini's tired of it, but that much money is very hard to refuse. If it was me, I'd let the bidding go up a couple years and then say "go ahead and typecast me!" Then I'd deposit the check ASAP. :)
JMR
I admit the temptation is pro
June 17, 2007 - 08:43 ET by Warner Todd HustonI admit the temptation is probably strong. But, there has been a direct refutation of a movie by the producers. I can understand your skepticism on the subject, but I've a feeling that this time we can count no the fact that the Sopranos is done for good. At least with any of those currently involved.
i think there could be a movi
June 18, 2007 - 10:36 ET by pmohbucki think there could be a movie, but pre-Sopranos, not a follow-up to the show ... seeing Johnny Boy and Junior Soprano yucking it up with the lovable Livia would/could be a tantilizing movie ... and Gandolfini wouldn't even have to be involved ... just some chubster to play him as a child.
The Sopranos ending was a stunt that...
June 17, 2007 - 09:12 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasThe ending was a stunt that, no doubt, looked great on paper and probably even better in Chase's head but...ultimately it fizzled.
The T.V. is where the modern world in mass goes to watch its plays. And in mass this play was watched. And as far as plays go, it might be that The Sopranos was a masterpiece, albeit a "Meatloaf Masterpiece". By that I mean of course that comparing it to genuine classics that demand the most from viewers is certainly silly and really "apples and potatoes" if you will.
Much like Mozart and Lenny Kravitz being compared. Both are undoubtedly excellent but Kravitz's excellence is a
pop excellence and rises above the pop norm where as Mozart is beyond the common 6,7 or even 10 chord iPod pop tune but is in a class that does not warrant comparison to such, and frankly neither is intended to be compared to the other.
So, if we remove the demand that our meatloaf be on par with Alba Truffles and see it for what it was then I
am comfortable in calling The Sopranos a "Meatloaf Masterpiece".
As for the ending, again it was a stunt that failed. Lesson learned:
When serving "Meatloaf Masterpiece" make sure dessert is Ice Cream or something everyone likes, not Sunday Surprise that ruins the main course!
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!