The Sopranos
Season 1-6
![](http://k42.kn3.net/B980D9364.jpg)
So I just finished rewatching the entire series for the 3rd time. What could possibly be said about this show that hasnt? Between the shows backstory, the meaning of the ending, the true mobsters they were loosely based on, and James Gandolfinis death. After finishing the series I immediately went on the internet to read the theories surrounding the final episode. Found great interviews and watched a documentary about the real crime family they were based on. First things first, mobsters
are not this rich.
![Nope](/community/images/smilies/nope.gif)
Real mobsters are more like the Donnie Brasco variety where theyre scraping for an existence, and there isnt a warmth inside them like existed in Tony.
I dont know if David Chase could ever follow this series up. He originally developed it to compliment his relationship with his mother. This became the backdrop for a mobster series which was made to be as realistic as possible, show what
The Godfather universe would be like interacting with the real world, and use profanity & violence shown only in movies before it. He definitely had the setting down, and mirrored certain characteristics from the real life New Jersey DeCavalcante crime family. The boss who owned a legitimate business, a strip club, and the sandwich shop the crew hung out in front of was just 300 yards from where the real crew hung out.
Chase casted it from authenticity. If he hadnt we would not have had Gandolfini as the lead or having this conversation now. He captured the essence of New Jersey only done before in songs by Bruce Springsteen. He made the show immersive first and foremost. It wasnt politically correct, like All In The Family there was bigotry & ignorance, but all rolled up in a very human believable flawed modern day package.
![](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/34/b6/4b/34b64b023f108448c3a7b7801a63d176.jpg)
The authenticity stayed in the writing throughout, it didnt taper off after finding a "formula" to work with, the story stayed ever changing. The actors were nervous if their character was going to be killed, nothing was set in stone. This gave a more organic flow that hasnt been captured since. Game Of Thrones is based off novels, The Walking Dead based off of a comic, Breaking Bad had a concrete storyline going-in, but The Sopranos.......the characters dictated the story. A.J. is a perfect example of it, as he could have been a likable character at certain points, and was, then a real life turn made him a mopey mess again. Frustratingly realistic.
As a film and tv nut, I am still in awe of James Gandolfinis performance. Not even Ian McShane in
Deadwood showed this much range, and Bryan Cranston simply does not have Gandolfinis presence. Many actors interviewed said it was all in his eyes. There could be a fatherly warmth, a manly sex appeal, a murderous rage, a pitiless inhumanity....he could do it all, and fluidly. What shocked me even further was how different James Gandolfini was compared to Tony Soprano. Yes he was a nice guy, but a giving man with his money and influence. That is even rarer in Hollywood than a hit series of this magnitude. I was saddened all over again knowing he was gone.
Its quite silly, right? I didnt know the guy, but I wouldnt feel this way if McShane, Cranston, or another star from a great series passed. Why him? To a guy, Tony Soprano probably represented what a modern day man wishes he could be, someone that others would want to be their Dad, he was a kid at heart, but could kill you looking into your eyes - Tony Soprano was fear and love all rolled into one. A monstrous everyman. To many women he represented a protective husband, loving father, provider, and was in charge. A
real man.
The comedy was brilliant. Truly some of the scenarios that would take place throughout the series had such a random suddenness to them. If all it took was 45 seconds to get the scene across, then thats what it was, and by the time youre done laughing youre already in dialogue for another part of the story somewhere else.
Regarding the ending - I think David Chase wanted to leave his options open.
WARNING: spoilers below
When Tony walked into the restaurant, he sees himself sitting in the middle of it, and then the scene continued with him sitting in the middle of the restaurant. Now he could say Tony was killed, and thats why the screen went black with no sound for so long "I wondr if you hear it coming" is what Bobby said to him on the boat, a scene reinforced. THere are theories that Tony will be paranoid now always looking at the door to see who comes in, but imo Chase wanted to one day tell more Sopranos stories. Why he had Tony see himself in that seat is him playing the scenario out in his mind and realizes he cant sit in the middle of a restaurant anymore. His paranoia would save him and Dr Melfie no longer seeing him as her patient might have pronounced this, and saved his life.
When Tony walked into the restaurant, he sees himself sitting in the middle of it, and then the scene continued with him sitting in the middle of the restaurant. Now he could say Tony was killed, and thats why the screen went black with no sound for so long "I wondr if you hear it coming" is what Bobby said to him on the boat, a scene reinforced. THere are theories that Tony will be paranoid now always looking at the door to see who comes in, but imo Chase wanted to one day tell more Sopranos stories. Why he had Tony see himself in that seat is him playing the scenario out in his mind and realizes he cant sit in the middle of a restaurant anymore. His paranoia would save him and Dr Melfie no longer seeing him as her patient might have pronounced this, and saved his life.
With the cat making an issue of staring at Christophers picture, Sylvio in a coma, Patsys son & Tonys daughter getting together........The Sopranos was originally pitched as a movie. I wouldnt be surprised if Chase had more stuff if he figured the actors wanted to one day revisit it. So where do I think the characters would be now?
WARNING: spoilers below
With Tony killed in front of him Im sure AJ would have dropped the movie making carrot Tony & Carmella laid out for him, and he would have joined the Army. Meadow probably would have married Patsys son being she just lost her Dad, and Carmella would still have a decent lifestyle since Tony did cave in and sign that trust fund to her. Sylvio would be the boss, & Paulie would probably been made consigliere in name only as Patsy would be who Syl would truly confer with. Paulie wasnt the sharpest knife in the drawer.
With Tony killed in front of him Im sure AJ would have dropped the movie making carrot Tony & Carmella laid out for him, and he would have joined the Army. Meadow probably would have married Patsys son being she just lost her Dad, and Carmella would still have a decent lifestyle since Tony did cave in and sign that trust fund to her. Sylvio would be the boss, & Paulie would probably been made consigliere in name only as Patsy would be who Syl would truly confer with. Paulie wasnt the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Salute!
![](http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/the-sopranos-artcollector-viola.jpg)