Comments on: The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661 Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:25:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-75657 - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:53:08 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-75657 [...] Blink left us wondering about the fates of characters, as The Sopranos did at the end. I’ve previously discussed the finale here, and quote information from an interview with David Chase here. Chase accomplished the goal of keeping everyone talking, but I continue to feel he made a mistake in the abrupt ending. Too many of us first questioned whether our DVR was working correctly when we should have been wondering if Tony was dead or alive. [...] [...] Blink left us wondering about the fates of characters, as The Sopranos did at the end. I’ve previously discussed the finale here, and quote information from an interview with David Chase here. Chase accomplished the goal of keeping everyone talking, but I continue to feel he made a mistake in the abrupt ending. Too many of us first questioned whether our DVR was working correctly when we should have been wondering if Tony was dead or alive. [...]

]]> By: David Chase Speaks About The Sopranos - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73529 David Chase Speaks About The Sopranos - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:08:13 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73529 [...] The ending may have been frustrating, especially as it left many of us momentarily wondering if our cable had gone out, but Chase certainly has done as he had hoped in keeping everyone talking. In consideration of all the hype, I bet that no matter how the series ended there would be a lots of talk, and almost as many fans left unhappy. Related Stories: The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black Cable Finales: The Sopranos and The Tudors Written by Ron ChusidLast 5 posts by Ron ChusidDefense From The Jawa - June 12th, 2007Karen Bradley: Mom-ing The Government - June 12th, 2007Republicans Lose Support in Rural America - June 11th, 2007Republicans Firm In Their Convictions--The Flat Earth Philosophy Will Not Die - June 11th, 2007Moonbats to The Left, Moonbats to the Right - June 11th, 2007 [...] [...] The ending may have been frustrating, especially as it left many of us momentarily wondering if our cable had gone out, but Chase certainly has done as he had hoped in keeping everyone talking. In consideration of all the hype, I bet that no matter how the series ended there would be a lots of talk, and almost as many fans left unhappy. Related Stories: The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black Cable Finales: The Sopranos and The Tudors Written by Ron ChusidLast 5 posts by Ron ChusidDefense From The Jawa – June 12th, 2007Karen Bradley: Mom-ing The Government – June 12th, 2007Republicans Lose Support in Rural America – June 11th, 2007Republicans Firm In Their Convictions–The Flat Earth Philosophy Will Not Die – June 11th, 2007Moonbats to The Left, Moonbats to the Right – June 11th, 2007 [...]

]]> By: Republicans Lose Support in Rural America - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73248 Republicans Lose Support in Rural America - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:52:53 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73248 [...] The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black [...] [...] The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black [...]

]]> By: Ron Chusid http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73223 Ron Chusid Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:47:39 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73223 "We are kidding ourselves trying to say the “The Sopranos” was superior to network TV because ..." The Sopranos was superior to network television, especially the first four seasons, but not simply for the reasons you list. The length of time between seasons was anoying, but that doesn't affect the quality of the show itself. It's not as if Tony's use of the FBI was something out of left field. They've been setting this up for quite a while. I saw that as a definate possibility. When we got to the scene where Tony was waiting in the car for a meeting, I predicted that the meeting was with the FBI agent after everything which was done to set this up. It is more than just a matter of receiving a bit of information. There was a personal bond built up where the FBI agent didn't want to see Tony get killed. He already demonstrated this in giving Tony the earlier warning. I obviously don't condone Tony killing Christopher (or anyone else) but I don't see that as crossing a line. I remember years ago that Tony warned Christopher that he'd do this if he didn't go thru rehab and drop the drugs. As soon as I saw Christopher get Tony into an accident and admit he wouldn't pass a drug test I was certain Tony would kill Christopher. This was consistent with Tony's character and what occured previously. There were many possilble endings and people would have been unhappy with any of them. Instead Chase decided to displease virtually everyone--but increase the talk about the show. “We are kidding ourselves trying to say the “The Sopranos” was superior to network TV because …”

The Sopranos was superior to network television, especially the first four seasons, but not simply for the reasons you list. The length of time between seasons was anoying, but that doesn’t affect the quality of the show itself.

It’s not as if Tony’s use of the FBI was something out of left field. They’ve been setting this up for quite a while. I saw that as a definate possibility. When we got to the scene where Tony was waiting in the car for a meeting, I predicted that the meeting was with the FBI agent after everything which was done to set this up. It is more than just a matter of receiving a bit of information. There was a personal bond built up where the FBI agent didn’t want to see Tony get killed. He already demonstrated this in giving Tony the earlier warning.

I obviously don’t condone Tony killing Christopher (or anyone else) but I don’t see that as crossing a line. I remember years ago that Tony warned Christopher that he’d do this if he didn’t go thru rehab and drop the drugs. As soon as I saw Christopher get Tony into an accident and admit he wouldn’t pass a drug test I was certain Tony would kill Christopher. This was consistent with Tony’s character and what occured previously.

There were many possilble endings and people would have been unhappy with any of them. Instead Chase decided to displease virtually everyone–but increase the talk about the show.

]]> By: Joe McNulty http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73217 Joe McNulty Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:16:42 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73217 We are kidding ourselves trying to say the "The Sopranos" was superior to network TV because of its more liesurely pacing and characterization, like life where not all loose ends are tied up neatly. I have no problem with this, in theory. "The Sopranos" always demanded much of the audience: the insane length of time between "seasons," which was chalked up to giving the writers time to think at a high level; the episodes (and whole seasons), where nothing much happened, which was chalked up to the need for full character development; the red herrings and feints, which were charked up to realistically reflecting the "messiness" of life; and the self-indulgent dream sequences, which were supposed to tell us something importnnt about the characters, I think. What I did not expect is using the FBI as a "deus ex machina" to allowing Tony to survive the mob war with Phil, who was then killed in front of his grandchildren, even though his daughter's home was the first place anyone would look to find him. Was having him "fingered" by an FBI guy for some meaningless information regarding two Arabs really necessary? The FBI guy was taking sides in a mob war. Is he now an "ex officio" member of the DeMeo crime family? A more realistic ending would have had Tony and maybe his family (except Meadow, who is delayed by her parking problems) in the dinner. The show was always about Tony's redemption -- that he was really a good guy despite his doing terrible things. I think he crossed the line when he killed Christopher, his surrogate son and heir apparent, a helpless injured man and father. At that point, he became irredeemable. He is capable of anything. His reaction to murdering Christopher was totally without conscience. Why not have Rosalie Aprile betray him? She overheard him tell Carmella about the hideouts. Her boyfriend, Ralphie, was murdered (and dismembered!) by Tony. Her son was killed on Tony's order in a way to make it look like drug dealers did it. She has to know or suspect. Or Paulie? He barely missed being murdered in Florida. What was his sin? A joke about Johnny Sac's wife? Talking too much? Being a lonely old man -- and a potential threat to Tony? He could have been the traitor. He was not hit, even though he is a captain, like Bobby and Silvio, both of whom were shot. He was guarding Tony in the safe house even though he was told to go home. He was reluctant to accept promotion because everyone who had headed the "crew" had undergone premature death. The show did not end as much as just stopped. It appears that the needs of commerce -- movies or reunion shows, although Chase has given the impression that he was never stoop do anything so "cheesy" as a reunion show -- take precedence. A better ending would have had Tony and perhaps A.J. and Carmella (since Phil's girlfriend and her father, both "civilians," had been killed) shot. The show would have ended with Phil doing business with Paulie (not quite a boss, but the head of a New Jersey crew with whom New York could do business). What a downer. This will leave a bad taste in the mouths of most "The Sopranos" fans. We are kidding ourselves trying to say the “The Sopranos” was superior to network TV because of its more liesurely pacing and characterization, like life where not all loose ends are tied up neatly. I have no problem with this, in theory. “The Sopranos” always demanded much of the audience: the insane length of time between “seasons,” which was chalked up to giving the writers time to think at a high level; the episodes (and whole seasons), where nothing much happened, which was chalked up to the need for full character development; the red herrings and feints, which were charked up to realistically reflecting the “messiness” of life; and the self-indulgent dream sequences, which were supposed to tell us something importnnt about the characters, I think. What I did not expect is using the FBI as a “deus ex machina” to allowing Tony to survive the mob war with Phil, who was then killed in front of his grandchildren, even though his daughter’s home was the first place anyone would look to find him. Was having him “fingered” by an FBI guy for some meaningless information regarding two Arabs really necessary? The FBI guy was taking sides in a mob war. Is he now an “ex officio” member of the DeMeo crime family? A more realistic ending would have had Tony and maybe his family (except Meadow, who is delayed by her parking problems) in the dinner. The show was always about Tony’s redemption — that he was really a good guy despite his doing terrible things. I think he crossed the line when he killed Christopher, his surrogate son and heir apparent, a helpless injured man and father. At that point, he became irredeemable. He is capable of anything. His reaction to murdering Christopher was totally without conscience. Why not have Rosalie Aprile betray him? She overheard him tell Carmella about the hideouts. Her boyfriend, Ralphie, was murdered (and dismembered!) by Tony. Her son was killed on Tony’s order in a way to make it look like drug dealers did it. She has to know or suspect. Or Paulie? He barely missed being murdered in Florida. What was his sin? A joke about Johnny Sac’s wife? Talking too much? Being a lonely old man — and a potential threat to Tony? He could have been the traitor. He was not hit, even though he is a captain, like Bobby and Silvio, both of whom were shot. He was guarding Tony in the safe house even though he was told to go home. He was reluctant to accept promotion because everyone who had headed the “crew” had undergone premature death. The show did not end as much as just stopped. It appears that the needs of commerce — movies or reunion shows, although Chase has given the impression that he was never stoop do anything so “cheesy” as a reunion show — take precedence. A better ending would have had Tony and perhaps A.J. and Carmella (since Phil’s girlfriend and her father, both “civilians,” had been killed) shot. The show would have ended with Phil doing business with Paulie (not quite a boss, but the head of a New Jersey crew with whom New York could do business). What a downer. This will leave a bad taste in the mouths of most “The Sopranos” fans.

]]> By: Griping about The Sopranos » The American Mind http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73134 Griping about The Sopranos » The American Mind Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:54:14 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73134 [...] Ron Chusid is a little kinder about the ending: Ending the series by having life go on without a clean ending would have been fine. The problem is the manner in which this was done. Viewers shouldn’t have been left with the first reaction consisting of wondering if their cable went out. Fading out over a scene of a family dinner might not have created as much internet buzz tonight, but would have been a more conventional way in which to end. But then David Chase never wanted to be conventional. [...] [...] Ron Chusid is a little kinder about the ending: Ending the series by having life go on without a clean ending would have been fine. The problem is the manner in which this was done. Viewers shouldn’t have been left with the first reaction consisting of wondering if their cable went out. Fading out over a scene of a family dinner might not have created as much internet buzz tonight, but would have been a more conventional way in which to end. But then David Chase never wanted to be conventional. [...]

]]> By: The Sopranos… The End « Michael P.F. van der Galiën http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73078 The Sopranos… The End « Michael P.F. van der Galiën Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:38:05 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73078 [...] Jun 11th, 2007 by mvdg It seems that Tony Soprano didn’t exactly go out with a bang. Any thoughts from you all on yesterday’s final episode? [...] [...] Jun 11th, 2007 by mvdg It seems that Tony Soprano didn’t exactly go out with a bang. Any thoughts from you all on yesterday’s final episode? [...]

]]> By: Cable Finales: The Sopranos and The Tudors - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661&cpage=1#comment-73006 Cable Finales: The Sopranos and The Tudors - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Mon, 11 Jun 2007 03:33:10 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=1661#comment-73006 [...] Update: Comments on the Finale–The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black Written by Ron ChusidLast 5 posts by Ron ChusidThe Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black - June 10th, 2007Question of the Day From Maureen Doud - June 9th, 2007Fact Checking The Gore Fact Checker - June 9th, 2007George Bush's English Isn't Very Good - June 9th, 2007SciFi Friday: Human Nature and The Dark Side - June 8th, 2007 [...] [...] Update: Comments on the Finale–The Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black Written by Ron ChusidLast 5 posts by Ron ChusidThe Sopranos Ends Without Even Fading to Black – June 10th, 2007Question of the Day From Maureen Doud – June 9th, 2007Fact Checking The Gore Fact Checker – June 9th, 2007George Bush’s English Isn’t Very Good – June 9th, 2007SciFi Friday: Human Nature and The Dark Side – June 8th, 2007 [...]

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