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"Whatcha gonna do?" (The Sopranos)
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"Whatcha gonna do?" (The Sopranos) |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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Any fans of this series, knows that is what the main character, Tony Soprano, always said about death, disappointments, and just about everything. So let's hear it, Soprano fans. What did you think about the ending? and hey? I wrote the ending of my choice, too. Feel free to share yours!  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I only got to see it a couple of times. Figure I'll catch it on the re-runs. Heard the finale was abrupt. All good things come to an end....but then there are re-runs....lol. |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
Well, in the eloquent words of some of the shadows of my youth, "Bada-boom, bada-bop, bada-bing." |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
Shocked, confused, and... kind of taken, at first. "That's it?!?!" As my father ran around shouting obscenities, first because he thought his TV was broken, and then because he realized it wasn't.  Which, I'm sure, is what Chase intended. But, my ever introspective fiancee made some very good points. He brought up Tony and Bobby's conversation about death, and while neither of us can remember exactly how it goes, doesn't one of them say something about everything "going blank?" The shot was from Tony's point of view, watching Meadow walk in the diner... Also, another interesting point he brought up- the last scene evokes a sort of paranioa- maybe the paranoia Tony feels every day?- my dad (in his loud and erratic way) kept shouting "uh-oh" and "here we go, this is it" at every shot of another family/couple... but it is, of course, the man going into the bathroom that evokes the Godfather, when Michael commits his first murder. So... as heartbreaking as it is, I knew he was right when he said Tony was dead. The scene plays out in my mind... and with that in my mind, I think the song "Don't stop Believing" will always choke me up. But things did come full circle. I almost expected the ducks to come back. God, doesn't anyone else on this board watch movies or TV? My thread on Borat got ignored and now this thread on the ending of the Sopranos, one of the biggest TV events in years??? What's your take, Karen? |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I didn't see it yet (drug induced sleepy sleep, yes, prescription...). But I just know there is more to it then just what is seen, as is the case with a lot of the HBO series. Remember Six feet Under? Outstanding series..anyway, I am going to try and catch it this week... "too bad ignorance isn't painful" ~Unknown~ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
WARNING: The following post should be read with caution, as some of it is The Sopranos--the way Karen wanted it--and the other is The Sopranos finale the way it actualy was written. Confusion is not only understandable, but it is encouraged. Just like the series! *grin* I just re-wrote the ending, which is what I think the viewers were invited to do themselves, anyhow. Interestingly enough, in my re-write, the screen still goes blank, but that was in the midst of a high noon style showdown between Phil Leotardo and Tony, which involved--ta-da! Melfi!!! (I even wrote dialogue for this exchange, too--an interesting exercize btw. I liked my version better, because it was longer. They really could have given us two hours for a finale, doncha think?) I appreciated the paranoia, and like you, I picked up on it right away, because well, being paranoid, I have lived the way. (You always sit back to the wall and y'look at everybody like, "Are you the 'expletive' that's gonna try to ruin my day?") So kudos and nods for that. Also, the music. Journey's selection was great, but didn't anyone else notice how many times the camera seemed to pause on well-known hits with the word "magic" in them? I'll have to watch it again, but I could count at least two, where the camera seemed to hesitate as if Tony were considering them, and then he moved on. I thought the use of the camera was ingenious for a series--something usually reserved for film only, and I too enjoyed that it was from Tony's point of view. Where was I disappointed? The death of Leotardo was anti-climactic and too easy. I also wanted Melfi to be involved, somehow, even if only to qualify or disqualify Tony's issue with how "women ultimately disappoint." I also thought it would have been interesting if Anthony Jr. would have naively excused himself to go to the bathroom right behind "suspicous guy"--just to watch Tony squirm, as well as toss in some interesting foreshadow, as the rest of the events evolve rapidly without him--but I liked it because it would have raised questions about whether or not Jr. would have a future with the family as an active member. The "suspicious guy" in the bathroom was a direct allusion to The Godfather, afterall, and Michael's first kill, which initiated him into the bloody aspect of the life, and pretty much sealed his future as "Don". (Nod. It would have been a subtle but nice touch, and I think somebody missed an easy play on that.) (My re-write also raised questions about Meadow's future, because in my version, as the screen goes to black abrupty, nearly the same way--just as Meadow walks in-- and we get to hear gunshots, but we are kept guessing as to who shot whom, and we get to hear one last thing from Carmella, 'cause poor Carmella should have gotten the last words: "Omg, Meadow, Meadow, we need a doctor!" *wink* A little ironic twist there on both Meadow's decision to change her career ambition from medicine to law, and a teaser, because in my version, sd stated above, Dr. Melfi was there.) So y'see? I liked the blank ending, because it allowed people to fill in the blanks, and I would have probably done it the same way, but with the variables I mentioned. (Including a big one I did not--which would have offered a peaceful resolution, and "retirement" for Tony--this is done as Phil Leotardo produces Tony's shrink file, and Melfi as hostage, and he's offered a legitimate life with a generous stipend, on the condition that he kill Melfi.) Hey? I loved that idea. I'll bet Carmella would have too--she would have been tempted to kill Melfi herself! But oh--back to the actual screenplay: the allusions to mob movies and real life mobsters were grand too. And now I'm all screwed up, because I was rolling along nicely into chapter two of THE DAMNED BOOK I haven't been writing for six years, when I stopped to write a screenplay!  But..shrug--as Tony says, "Whatcha gonna do?"  OH. One more teaser about "my" two-hour re-write. Dr. Melfi, unbeknownst to everyone, is armed as well. (Anybody in Hollywood need a writer? I sure could use some money.) |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Never did get a chance to watch the show, and I'm sure someday I'll catch it all on reruns, but can you imagine the bruhaha we'd take had PiP been around at the time JR was shot? Now, THAT would be a LONG thread! Serenity...you've got to start selling your exercises! |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Just finished watching it. Did anyone notice the plates on the car in front of Meadow when she was trying to park? I think that pretty much seals the ending. I actually liked the ending and the whole "blank" thing. Of course I love Karen's too. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
No! What about the plates? I liked the ending myself, as I could write about three endings, and none are similar to Karen's  I think anything unfinished tends to last in our minds way longer than if it had been spelled out for us, or is that just me? Could be they were so undecided themselves, that they actually couldn't come up with a decisive ending, and left it to us. Perhaps the ending is the beginning of a a play or movie too? Who knows. I do agree on the point that the cinematography was absolutely excellent, and they used that camera to full advantage, even to the "onion ring." I won't go there, but that onion ring signified a significant part in one of my endings. |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
and what was with Tony going to see AJ's shrink and talking about himself and his mother? No progress? a circle? nothing really ever gets resolved? meh.... "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
My TV is all dusted because I have missed all good soaps. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
quote: I'm inclined to agree -- those were my thoughts as well -- but some of the cast are dropping hints that there may be a movie -- and I suppose that could be in the offing -- why not take it to the box office? But really -- if we assume that there is a reason for everything that gets put into the script (and a budget is a budget so let's assume there is) then Tony and Bobby's conversation on the lake is relevant to the ending because Bobby said something like -- "you don't ever hear the shot --everything just goes blank" |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
Reb- what about prequels? I didn't notice the plates. What about them? |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
'and what was with Tony going to see AJ's shrink and talking about himself and his mother? No progress? a circle? nothing really ever gets resolved? meh....' Right- I agree. Everything was full circle. Meadows childhood friend, AJ sitting on his butt watching TV, Tony, with the mother, and the gumahs (sp?), and sitting with Paulie in front of Satriale's... You get the feeling that all the death and the drama that surrounds these characters will keep going on forever... as life goes on. |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Alright, confession time and you guys are going to be shocked... I never saw "The Godfather" so can someone explain the reference to the Godfather and the final episode of the Sopranos? you know you love me in spite of my failings... "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Nope. If I have to read Atlas Shrugged--then you have to watch The Godfather. And know that I do this out of love... |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
meh...okay, but can I get it on Netflix? "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Susan, what did the plates on the car say? Karen, yes, you should definitely be a screenwriter. Very creatiive writing! |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Well, don't remember the plate numbers but it was the same plate from the car used in the earlier hit... "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
Wait- which earlier hit? The one on Bobby? Or Syl? I'm very confused. |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
At the gas station, the guy (can't remember his name) got shot, went down then the SUV ran over his head. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Not really Susan -- if those plates were in use by the men who hit Philly -- we know it was Tony who sent them to make that hit -- they are ostensibly then -- in his employ -- possibly now as body guards... In the event they are merely mercenaries -- then they could have been hired to hit Tony as well...it could go either way. It doesn't really solve the mystery? |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
True enough, but why bother with showing the plates at all then when Meadow was parking? "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
All the better to mess with your head my dear! |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. Doesn’t the sudden blackout say something about the creator’s view of what death is all about. It’s hardly “Gladiator” where a wife and child are smilingly waiting for one down the road amid fields of golden wheat. . |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
did anyone else catch the guy coming out of the bathroom with the gun in his hand??? and the scene ended????????? ~~**~~ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
gitouttatown!....really? I thought the last frame was a close up of Tony's face...  hmmmm... And speaking of out town, where ya been? |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
yes, if you taped it or buy the dvd take a look....there were actually 2 guys in the window before the scene ended with guns in their hand one went into the restroom, and the other was by the jukebox.....they somewhat focused on them when meadow was parking her car, or you could see them in the reflection.... I'm around...busy with going back to school and work and my girls... ....how are you??~~**~~ |
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