As A.J. Sam Adams. "Army of One" is the 39th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the finale of the show's third season. Is Tony Soprano alive or dead after that final shot? Tony didn't always make the right choices, nor take the right lessons. The final season of The Sopranos wasn't just about gangsters, as we also got a lot of FBI Agent Dwight Harris (Matt Servitto). It became perhaps the most discussed moment in television-history… But while Butch is one of the most ruthless members of the family, he finally grows tired of Phil's obsession with destroying the DiMeo family. Is there a puzzle to be solved? What follows is one last go-around for the gangster: he strikes some deals, his rival Phil Leotardo is killed, and then goes to meet the rest of his family in a diner. In the end, the best explanation for the scene has perhaps come from Sopranos writer Terence Winter. Yeah, the war was won, his kids seem happy, and he's settling in for a quiet meal. On top of all that, he also has to deal with a new threat of criminal prosecution. It seems the second most powerful man in the DiMeo family will live out his final days in a hospital bed, putting a slow end to one of the most compelling supporting characters on the show. Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall debate TV’s most famous ending. She was engaged to Richie Aprile (David Proval), shot him to death, then hooked up with Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano), only for Tony to eventually kill him. a job at Little Carmine Lupertazzi's film production company, and he offers to buy hi son a new car. But The Sopranos is a series that's preoccupied by ideas of morality and philosophy, and that's what Chase really wants us to be considering here. While talking to Tony about what she'll do next, she mentions that she's determined to keep both her own daughter and her step-children together, despite Bobby's kids wanting to live with relatives. Told in two parts, the first half of Season 6 saw Tony in a coma, wandering around in his subconscious. From ©HBO/Photofest. Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email. The Sopranos' series finale remains infamous for its controversial decision to abruptly cut to black, but why did it happen? David Chase talks about the ending to his TV epic The Sopranos, as he prepares for the premiere of his film Not Fade Away. One of Tony's conditions of the truce with Butch was that Janice be financially compensated for her loss, so while she keeps losing lovers, at least she'll have some dough. ", We Finally Understand The Ending Of The Sopranos. Widely (and rightly) regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, The Sopranos went out with one of the most audacious … Maybe He Should Stop Explaining. Making things even more complicated, Tony was sometimes in love and sometimes sick of his therapist. Tony is frustrated by the news, but Neil assures him that "trials are there to be won," suggesting he's got plenty of strategies in his back pocket if it should come to that. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Then, just as his daughter seems to be walking in the restaurant, Tony looks up, and the screen cuts to black. The first confirmation was in 2007 in the HBO ultimate edition Sopranos book: Question:Are they wasting their time? He's the most prominent captain in the family, as well as the acting underboss, which would make him the acting boss should anything happen to Tony. This guy has spent years investigating Tony and the DiMeo family, but still, he's developed a kind of respect for Tony, especially after the mob boss came forward with info regarding Ahmed and Muhammad (Taleb Adlah and Donnie Keshawarz, respectively), two guys who've possibly been financing terror groups through credit card scams. I’ve always maintained that The Sopranos is one of the greatest television shows. She's finishing up law school, and she's engaged to Patsy Parisi's son, Patrick (Daniel Sauli). In "Made In America," Tony tries using more dirt about the Muslim men as leverage to get information about Phil's whereabouts. Then, she got caught up in Tony's world again when she arrived back in New Jersey. And that's especially true if his dear old dad actually bites the bullet in the last few seconds of the series. Chances are good that the screen cuts to black because that's the moment where Tony dies. The sixth and final season of The Sopranos was an interesting one. Apr 15, 2015 10:45 am … James Khubiar. After talking with his therapist and pulling some strings, Tony feels like he's finally got a handle on what to do for his son. That said, Harris has also noted Tony's help with his terrorism investigations, so the fed could provide some valuable leverage and vouch for Tony's character if prison time ever enters the discussion. We don't know. The Sopranos Ending Explained: Tony is not Definitively Dead, but his Future Looks Bleak Posted on 10 juni 2017 by jkleyngeld 10 June 2007, 10 years ago today, the legendary finale of the legendary HBO-show ‘ The Sopranos ’ was aired. Throughout the war with Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent) and the Lupertazzi crime family, Tony doesn't attempt to call or contact her, and as far as we know, he considers their relationship over, just as she does. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. When the last episode, "Made In America," aired in June 2007, it immediately ignited controversy for its abrupt, ambiguous ending. Shuvrajit Das Biswas. Well, there are two basic interpretations, so let's start with the most optimistic. By fading to black, Chase invites us to consider not whether or not Tony died, but bigger questions and ideas about life and death. The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest television series ever made, and the zenith of the Golden Age (alongside The Wire), which makes the infamy around its ending all the more fascinating. The final scene … Written and directed by series creator, executive producer and showrunner David Chase, it first aired in the United States on June 10, 2007. And since it's not going to be a gas-guzzling SUV, A.J. Click the button below to start this article in quick view. **Feel free to add your comments. Even in the series finale of The Sopranos, A.J. After a string of relationships that ended badly, Meadow Soprano (played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler) ends the series on an upbeat note, as it looks like her life is finally coming together. In an interview with Alan Sepinwall after the finale aired, Chase said: So, David Chase has said a lot about The Sopranos' ending, but also hasn't said much at all - which is exactly how it should be. 'Sopranos' star takes on campaign role in Brooklyn race 'The Sopranos' cast reuniting for NYC firefighters fund-raiser He inadvertently spilled the beans on the iconic scene. Loose ends and uncertain fates are a hallmark of The Sopranos' final season, and nowhere is that more devastatingly evident than in the case of Silvio Dante, the consigliere of the DiMeo crime family and one of Tony's most trusted friends and advisers. So does Tony go to jail after the show is over? It's entirely possible that the guy in the Members Only jacket walks out of the bathroom with a gun and shoots him. **DO NOT WATCH if you haven't seen the series yet! Ten years after the finale, fans of The Sopranos are still talking about that infamous ending. She wants to defend groups who are unfairly prosecuted and oppressed by the federal government, and she specifically mentions the Italian-American community as part of her mission. ‘The Sopranos’ Ending, Explained. We didn't see it because neither did he, and it's possible that one of the greatest characters in TV history was left for dead in that New Jersey diner. That changes when Tony gets to Holsten's for a family get together. 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Silvio and Patsy Parisi (Dan Grimaldi) are driving away from the Bada Bing when two men open fire. "I'm a good mother," she insists, and while she might have a struggle in front of her, she'll also have help. Through it all, the personal and professional connection very nearly ended on more than one occasion, but the two always seemed to find their way back to each other. His head is then crushed by his still-rolling SUV, putting a definite end to the Lupertazzi boss. When The Sopranos ended in 2007, fans were divided over what the finale meant for Tony, with many firmly believing he had been whacked. Whether or not that means lasting peace with the DiMeo family in New Jersey, well, that isn't discussed in the finale. And sadly, that's when Silvio (played by Steven Van Zandt) is introduced to a couple of bullets. Related: The 10 Best TV Shows Of 2019 So Far, The Sopranos finale isn't interested in giving us just one answer; in providing none, it leaves all of them on the table, and the choice we make is left to reflect on ourselves as much as it is the show. In the penultimate episode of the series, "The Blue Comet," Lupertazzi boss Phil Leotardo is on a quest for revenge and orders a series of coordinated hits against the DiMeo crime family for killing his brother. Yes... but not necessarily in that moment. ‘The Sopranos’ ending explained....finally: Creator David Chase leaves fans disappointed by revealing Tony’s fate 'David Chase just spoiled the last episode of the sopranos and now. But there's more to what went down than just that closing moment. After a string of relationships that ended badly, Meadow Soprano (played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler) ends the series on an upbeat note, as it looks like her life is finally coming together. Finally, she settled down with Bobby Baccalieri after the death of his wife, only to lose him to a hit at the end of "The Blue Comet.". 9 min read. Chase has been asked several more times to reflect on the ending in the years since the series finale, and each time, he's remained relatively ambiguous in his interpretation. The messaging here isn't just that Tony's life was in danger, and if he wasn't killed in that moment, he would be eventually. David Chase Has Explained the Ending of 'The Sopranos' Again. But if Tony made it out of the finale alive, these charges are something he'll have to reckon with on the other side of the Lupertazzi war. Tony Soprano has a lot to deal with in the series finale. There's certainly enough to support that: the similarities to The Godfather; the way it lingers on Meadow struggling to park, when she would've otherwise been sat next to Tony, and thus blocking Members Only Guy's shot; the ringing - or tolling - of the bell; the blackness signalling death, like much of the imagery across the final season. Patsy starts shooting back and manages to escape, but Silvio is hit several times, and his wounds land him in an intensive care unit. Perhaps the shady guy in the Members Only jacket went to the bathroom to pick up a gun a la The Godfather, came back out, and shot Tony in the head. The series finale of The Sopranos, "Made In America", picks up with Tony Soprano in hiding. David Chase talks about the ending to his TV epic The Sopranos, as he prepares for the premiere of his film Not Fade Away. The Sopranos' abrupt ending remains one of the most controversial series finales in TV history, but why did it happen and what does it actually mean? The final scene of The Sopranos sees Tony's story suddenly cut to black, but not before Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" plays out, a song choice with various meanings and possible interpretations in the context of the show's ending. What could've been the beginning of a bad joke instead grew into one of the most acclaimed television series of all time. By giving Tony permission to kill Phil in pursuit of peace, Butch has effectively made himself acting boss of the family and ushered in a new era for the New York operations. Not with a bang nor a whimper, but simply... vast nothingness. That all life is fleeting, and a series of choices that we need to reflect upon and learn from. Is that really what Chase would do with the last episode of The Sopranos? This job offer, plus Tony's tendency to rely on him above all other family members during the final stages of the Lupertazzi war, places Paulie in a position to be the second most powerful man in the family. It was written by David Chase and Lawrence Konner, and directed by John Patterson, and originally aired on May 20, 2001. But that guy at the counter is shady, anything could've happened to Meadow out on the street, and Tony has to look up every time the bell over the restaurant's door rings because he has to be sure he's not being ambushed. Things get a little more interesting when Meadow reveals where she wants to take her law career in the future. lands\"Episode 5: \"College\"Episode 6: \"Pax Soprana\"Episode 7: Convinced that he's been using her, Melfi cuts Tony off during a tense final session. That's a big part of it, sure, but it's also something that's been apparent through almost the entire show. One of the most debated and controversial scenes in Sopranos history — nay, TV history — starts when Tony and his family meet up for dinner. Of course, that doesn't mean the family is dead. Is prison looming in his future? Sure, maybe Tony Soprano made it out of the show alive ... but it's possible that Tony had his brains blown out in that diner. A bowl of onion rings is delivered to the table, we see a stranger go into the bathroom, and despite the music we get a great sense of tension building. The Sopranos Explained! When Harris gets word that Phil has apparently died, he momentarily celebrates, indicating a closer bond with Tony than he's willing to admit. In an effort to get things back on track, Tony offers Paulie Gualtieri (played by Tony Sirico) leadership of Carlo's old crew. One of the most important relationships in The Sopranos, if not the most important relationship, is between mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and his therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (played by Lorraine Bracco). He actually acknowledges the cut-to-black sequence as a "death scene," and states that he conceptualized the series climax years before. That's not a bad entry into adult life at all. In the 20 years since its debut on HBO, and the 12 years since the series finale aired, the mythology surrounding The Sopranos has only grown. The revelation that Carlo Gervasi has disappeared and likely flipped on the family leaves Tony with a power structure problem, one that's further exacerbated by the death of Bobby Baccalieri (Steve Schirripa) and the comatose state of Silvio Dante. "You probably don't even hear it when it happens, right? He spends the final episode of the series on life support, and though Tony does visit him in the hospital, the episode ends before we learn anything more about his fate. The sudden cut is his point of view as a character, with the darkness showing that his life has come to an end. Or more accurately, you never really understood Chase’s creation in … Chase left audiences in total blackness for 10 seconds of confusion, surprise, and even anger, before the end credits started rolling. Here is ‘The Sopranos’ ending, explained. Perhaps the best way to look at it is that we the viewers get whacked, not Tony. The Sopranos ending explained. Every time the door opens, Tony's eyes dart upwards, as he watches various customers come into the parlor before the others eventually start to arrive: first Carmela, then A.J., and finally we see Meadow parking up outside. It was an ending that both earned The Sopranos creator David Chase high praise for pulling off a masterstroke, as well as a lifetime of fending off criticism over its ambiguity, as well as inspiring decades of fan theories … Arriving first, he puts Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" on the jukebox, and waits for his family to arrive. We explain. Now we get to experience it ourselves. Plus, Patrick's firm wants to hire her with a starting salary of $170,000. puts it, he feels free now that his car gone, reasoning that he'll reduce dependence on foreign oil by not driving. We don't even know if he has a future. "My interpretation was that, when you're Tony Soprano, even going out for ice cream with your family is fraught with paranoia," Winter said. The Sopranos ending explained. We've been told what death is like. It's the 20th anniversary of 'The Sopranos' debut and there's a new explanation for the show's ending. Given the ambiguous nature of The Sopranos' ending, it's no surprise that David Chase has been asked about it countless times over the years. Related: 8 Things We Know So Far About The Sopranos Prequel Movie. It's given fans over a decade of engaging, passionate, and fascinating debate over what really happened, which is more than it would've got had Tony simply been killed, gone to jail, or, as Journey sang, seen his life "go on, and on, and on, and on.". I have nothing left to live for,' wrote one For seven years, the two danced around each other in Melfi's oval office, as the therapist was often entranced and sometimes repulsed by her gangster client. If he survives the series, he's going to spend the rest of his days fearing for his life, and that final scene was simply our connection to him being closed off forever. The Sopranos ending properly explained Given the character of Tony, a lot of viewers thought that the black screen meant Tony is dead. And everybody who walks in, a guy in a Member's Only jacket ... this could be the guy, or that could be the guy. In the wake of the truce between families, he gets A.J. At least he has a girlfriend now, and their relationship seems to be the only thing he really cares about, especially after his car blows up during a makeout mishap. He might be content to calm things down for now, but if he sees a business advantage to pursuing more violence, the man will definitely pick that option. But when most people think about The Sopranos, almost everyone thinks about the ending first. The gangster first learns he might be in trouble when it's revealed that Carlo Gervasi (Arthur J. Nascarella), one of his captains, likely started flipping on the family after his son was arrested on a drug charge. This little line strongly suggests that in Tony's last moments, he didn't hear the bullet the laid him low or even realize he was about to die. You're always looking over your shoulder and at some point, whether it happened that night or not, when you live that life, one day, somebody's going to walk out of a men's room, and that's it for you. Ending on an odd, subversive note like this has become something of a trend since The Sopranos' shocking final shot.The reasoning is different for each show. In 1999, an HBO original series called The Sopranos began with a gangster walking into a psychiatrist's office. And just like that, The Sopranos was over. Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" is blaring over the restaurant speakers, and as the four members of the Soprano family show up for a meal, the tension is becoming more and more unbearable. The Sopranos centered around the life of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), an Italian-American mobster from New Jersey who attempts to balance his family life with being the mafia's leader. Well, if past is prologue, then probably not. This is the best explanation available. It's reinforcing that message, not introducing it. The show was lavished with praise across all six seasons of its run, winning plaudits for its cast and writing in particular, but the series finale proved extremely divisive when it aired in 2007, and that hasn't changed 12 years on. It's good, and it works as part of the build-up to the ending, but it's also in keeping with much of what you'd expect from The Sopranos. Created by David Chase, The Sopranos debuted in 1999 and is often credited as one of the series to help both establish HBO's reputation as a serious player in the prestige drama market and usher in a new Golden Age of Television. Add comment. Viewers of the HBO were divided, to say the least, when Harris is still an FBI agent, though, and is bound to continue investigating Tony, especially since indictments might be coming down on Tony sometime after "Made in America." CLNS Media Sports Network And since the scene is essentially from his perspective, we also don't get to hear the gun shot. After all, she feels her father is being treated badly over bogus charges, but as she explains her decision to her dad, Tony's face changes. Did Tony die at the end of Sopranos? Paulie initially refuses, citing superstition, but accepts after Tony threatens to make Patsy Parisi — whose family is about to merge with Tony's own through marriage — head of the crew instead. The series never explores this storyline further, but it's definitely fun to think about a crime family run by Paulie Walnuts. It's also, for a series that never did the obvious thing and defied codes and conventions of the genre, the most typical gangster ending possible for Tony to get whacked as the finale. A one-stop shop for all things video games. It's given fans over a decade of engaging, passionate, and fascinating debate over what really happened, which is more than it would've got had Tony simply been killed, gone to jail, or, as Journey sang, seen his life "go … The FBI agent tells Tony to look for gas stations in Oyster Bay, as he's probably using pay phones because he can't get his hands on a "clean cell phone." Meadow Soprano isn't the only character with a long and difficult romantic road. Related: Ranked: Every Major Death On The Sopranos. In this version, the cut to black is simply our last moment with Tony Soprano, and we can see that his future will be full of tension and uncertainty. There's actually some evidence backing up this theory, as Tony's possible death was foreshadowed earlier in the show. [to the end] Chase: There are no esoteric clues in there. Fans got a little thrill in early 2019 when he referred to a "death scene" for Tony in an interview, but he later clarified that he was referring to an earlier idea that was discarded, and not the final scene that he ended up shooting.

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