Sopranos - Article page 18

[Social D]

For anybody who downloads torrents of this show there have been a few people getting busted or warnings for it from HBO and their ISP.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I'm sure he'd waive his "no-kill" clause for the final season, though.

It'd be a way to go out with a "bang" so to speak. :

Maybe they should do a Reservoir Dogs ending :laugh1:

 

[Danny White]

OK, here's a good poll question. If someone's going to kill Tony at the end of the series, who should it be (or will it be)?

[ ] Chris

[ ] Paulie

[ ] Silvio

[ ] Bobby Bacala

[ ] Philly Leotardo

[ ] Uncle Junior

[ ] AJ

[ ] Carmella

[ ] Janice

[ ] FBI/Law Enforcement

[ ] Other

 

[Danny White]

First, I'm not convinced Tony's going to die... but if he does, my vote goes to Chris.

 

[Doomsday]

• If they are going to kill Tony off it will be Philly Leotardo I think but I really dont see that happening either he has his own issues in NY to deal with
• Janice has the whole disfunctional family thing going but I dont think she is that psycho
• Bobby just popped his cherry so I dont see him growing a pair that big any time soon
• Sil doesnt want to be number 1
• Paulie has always been a good loyal soldier for him to suddenly whack the boss doesnt fit
• I love how Junior is wasting away in the mental hospital so I hope they dont go that way.
• Chris is the only other character that makes sense but that seems too obvious

 

[Timbo2st]

Man, the New York family is all screwed up. They can't even get a leader.

 

[jem88]

I thought that was a very solid episode.

I love it when they spend time on the root characters like Paulie.

I was pretty sure that Tony wasn't going to kill him, but the tension in that scene was pretty high.

Did anyone else get creeped out a bit by Junior's side-kick? It was poor timing for such a character (young Asian man with serious rage issues) but I guess there's not much the producers could do since the show had already been shot. There were certainly a few scenes with that guy that sent chills down my spine.

It was a very solid, tense episode. However, I was talking to my wife about it, and the problem is this:

Last season was so full of anti-climaxes, moments where you were sure something big would happen, only for nothing at all to happen. So, with the Paulie on the boat scene, it was pretty predictable that Tony wouldn't actually take him out. I've always respected the show for not going for the easy shock, but occasionally you have to follow through on the tension; otherwise it becomes a case of cinematic blue balls.

As well with Junior's sidekick at the hospital. Interesting character and all, but it seems a little late in the day to be devoting that much time to a new, marginal character, when there are other plot threads/character arcs that deserve attention. Basically that kid received as much airtime in that one episode as Christopher has in the first 3 episodes combined. That doesn't seem right and it brings back disturbing memories of how much plot focus was devoted to Vito last year.

The first 5 seasons were excellent because they consistently introduced or featured characters that made life difficult for Tony and sent him to Melfi (who's been sadly under-represented in the last few years):

Season 1: Livia and Junior
Season 2: Richie Aprile
Season 3: Jackie Aprile and Ralphie Cifaretto
Season 4: Ralphie Cifaretto (Joe Pantalione was perfect in this role)
Season 5: Tony Blundetto, Jonny Sack, and Phil Leotardo

The last two installments have been lacking this. Phil Leotardo looked to be heading that way, but then nothing happened (see earlier note about anti-climaxes.) Who knows, maybe that whacking of the NYC boss will bring Phil back into play.

 

[Danny White]

It was a very solid, tense episode. However, I was talking to my wife about it, and the problem is this:

Last season was so full of anti-climaxes, moments where you were sure something big would happen, only for nothing at all to happen. So, with the Paulie on the boat scene, it was pretty predictable that Tony wouldn't actually take him out. I've always respected the show for not going for the easy shock, but occasionally you have to follow through on the tension; otherwise it becomes a case of cinematic blue balls.

As well with Junior's sidekick at the hospital. Interesting character and all, but it seems a little late in the day to be devoting that much time to a new, marginal character, when there are other plot threads/character arcs that deserve attention. Basically that kid received as much airtime in that one episode as Christopher has in the first 3 episodes combined. That doesn't seem right and it brings back disturbing memories of how much plot focus was devoted to Vito last year.

The first 5 seasons were excellent because they consistently introduced or featured characters that made life difficult for Tony and sent him to Melfi (who's been sadly under-represented in the last few years):

Season 1: Livia and Junior
Season 2: Richie Aprile
Season 3: Jackie Aprile and Ralphie Cifaretto
Season 4: Ralphie Cifaretto (Joe Pantalione was perfect in this role)
Season 5: Tony Blundetto, Jonny Sack, and Phil Leotardo

The last two installments have been lacking this. Phil Leotardo looked to be heading that way, but then nothing happened (see earlier note about anti-climaxes.) Who knows, maybe that whacking of the NYC boss will bring Phil back into play.

:fact:

 

[Yeagermeister]

I thought of a crazy ending the other day. Tony finally gets the woman of his dreams, Dr. Melfi, and Carm finds them in the act and shoots both of them. :laugh1:

 

[Concord]

It was a very solid, tense episode. However, I was talking to my wife about it, and the problem is this:

Last season was so full of anti-climaxes, moments where you were sure something big would happen, only for nothing at all to happen. So, with the Paulie on the boat scene, it was pretty predictable that Tony wouldn't actually take him out. I've always respected the show for not going for the easy shock, but occasionally you have to follow through on the tension; otherwise it becomes a case of cinematic blue balls.

As well with Junior's sidekick at the hospital. Interesting character and all, but it seems a little late in the day to be devoting that much time to a new, marginal character, when there are other plot threads/character arcs that deserve attention. Basically that kid received as much airtime in that one episode as Christopher has in the first 3 episodes combined. That doesn't seem right and it brings back disturbing memories of how much plot focus was devoted to Vito last year.

The first 5 seasons were excellent because they consistently introduced or featured characters that made life difficult for Tony and sent him to Melfi (who's been sadly under-represented in the last few years):

Season 1: Livia and Junior
Season 2: Richie Aprile
Season 3: Jackie Aprile and Ralphie Cifaretto
Season 4: Ralphie Cifaretto (Joe Pantalione was perfect in this role)
Season 5: Tony Blundetto, Jonny Sack, and Phil Leotardo

The last two installments have been lacking this. Phil Leotardo looked to be heading that way, but then nothing happened (see earlier note about anti-climaxes.) Who knows, maybe that whacking of the NYC boss will bring Phil back into play.

Good post and I agree with everything you said, especially the part about Junior's sidekick getting too much time.

There are way to many things to wrap up in these final 8 episodes to be wasting that much time on this guy.

 

[Doomsday]

As well with Junior's sidekick at the hospital. Interesting character and all, but it seems a little late in the day to be devoting that much time to a new, marginal character, when there are other plot threads/character arcs that deserve attention.

I dont think they were trying to develop a new character with the kid as much as they were trying to depict how pathetic Junior had become and how he is pretty much left to rout amongst the loonies.

So, with the Paulie on the boat scene, it was pretty predictable that Tony wouldn't actually take him out. I've always respected the show for not going for the easy shock, but occasionally you have to follow through on the tension; otherwise it becomes a case of cinematic blue balls.

It was pretty predictable but it only showed that Tony had great instincts to figure out the Paulie was the one who had been talking to Johnny and that maybe Tony had indeed gotten a touch softer after his recent stays in the hospital.

 

[jem88]

I dont think they were trying to develop a new character with the kid as much as they were trying to depict how pathetic Junior had become and how he is pretty much left to rout amongst the loonies.



It was pretty predictable but it only showed that Tony had great instincts to figure out the Paulie was the one who had been talking to Johnny and that maybe Tony had indeed gotten a touch softer after his recent stays in the hospital.

But the hospital scene with Phil Leotardo last season showed Tony going a bit soft. In and of itself, the scene was great. I just think I'm a touch jaded after last season. Still a great show.

My wife and I are working through season 2 again. Now that was a mind-blowing season.

Something interesting occurred to me: It has been speculated on here that the whole series is in fact a screenplay written by Christopher. While I sincerely hope that isn't true (and I don't imagine it will be the case), I noticed something on the episode where Paulie goes to the psychic.

The psychic asks him about the poison ivy and if it still itches, basically invoking the ghost of Mikey Palmice. Now the only living person who was with Paulie at the time of the whacking was Christopher.

The psychic scene always seemed strange to me- David Chase might be a big fan of dreams, but his writing style doesn't seem to incorporate the supernatural (not like Lost for example.)

So the psychic thing always struck me as being a bit out of place. However, if in fact the whole series is a figment of Christopher's imagination, the same imagination responsible for Cleaver, then that would explain the scene.

A wildly speculative theory and probably more testament to the amount of free time I have on my hands these days than anything else, but still...

 

[Danny White]

But the hospital scene with Phil Leotardo last season showed Tony going a bit soft. In and of itself, the scene was great. I just think I'm a touch jaded after last season. Still a great show.

My wife and I are working through season 2 again. Now that was a mind-blowing season.

Something interesting occurred to me: It has been speculated on here that the whole series is in fact a screenplay written by Christopher. While I sincerely hope that isn't true (and I don't imagine it will be the case), I noticed something on the episode where Paulie goes to the psychic.

The psychic asks him about the poison ivy and if it still itches, basically invoking the ghost of Mikey Palmice. Now the only living person who was with Paulie at the time of the whacking was Christopher.

The psychic scene always seemed strange to me- David Chase might be a big fan of dreams, but his writing style doesn't seem to incorporate the supernatural (not like Lost for example.)

So the psychic thing always struck me as being a bit out of place. However, if in fact the whole series is a figment of Christopher's imagination, the same imagination responsible for Cleaver, then that would explain the scene.

A wildly speculative theory and probably more testament to the amount of free time I have on my hands these days than anything else, but still...

I can't imagine that the series has been the work of Christopher... it's too well written!

I can see Chrissy producing Cleaver... but not The Sopranos.

 

[jem88]

I can't imagine that the series has been the work of Christopher... it's too well written!

I can see Chrissy producing Cleaver... but not The Sopranos.

True enough! I'd be really disappointed if they went that way. But with David Chase, you really never know....

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I can't imagine that the series has been the work of Christopher... it's too well written!

I can see Chrissy producing Cleaver... but not The Sopranos.

Could be Chrissy telling the story to someone.

Easier to tell a story verbally than to write it down and have it work out.

By telling the story it could be to a ghost writer so he could do a script and take credit for it or maybe, an idea I like better, he is just telling the story to his child down the road.

For years Chrissy wanted to have a child but could not because Ade could not have children.

When his new girlfriend got pregnant...someone that just popped into the series it seems...he did not hesitate to say let's get married because he was happy about finally having a child.

Maybe at the end of the series we find Chrissy, his wife and his child living somewhere in a witness relocation or just under different names. It could be years later when the boy is coming of age or older and Chrissy telling the child the secrets of the relatives he never met and how Chrissy was once a member of a big mafia family and lifestyle.

Just something to wonder about. In some ways I like that better than it all being a screen play.

 

[Danny White]

If you go back and watch season 1, though, the story seems to be being told from Tony's point of view. We're getting a look into his mind and soul and emotions.

I hope to heck it isn't a "movie" or a "story" or a "dream" or some nonsense like that. Just keep everything at face value and end it.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

If you go back and watch season 1, though, the story seems to be being told from Tony's point of view. We're getting a look into his mind and soul and emotions.

I hope to heck it isn't a "movie" or a "story" or a "dream" or some nonsense like that. Just keep everything at face value and end it.

It could be worse and be a St.Elsewhere ending.

 

[Doomsday]

This whole gambling angle is pretty lame, suddenly Tony is a degenerate gambler betting on everything. I hope they go in a different direction the last few episodes. Seems like they are grasping at straws these last 2 episodes. Only like 45 minutes tonight too.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

Did Tony have the girl whacked? Seemed like a rather empty sorrowfulness.

So far, I am a little dissappointed of this season.

 

[Danny White]

The whole thing with Vito's son was a gigantic waste of time.

The last two seasons have been very disappointing.