Sopranos 6/10 -- THE END

He had how many guys with him in the safe house? He's got nothing to worry about from N.Y. for the near future.

Compared to a normal family, no. Compared to Whitecaps, yes. Remember, they were separated not so long ago. They're now having family dinners. I'd say it's pretty good with the wife.

He sure seemed happy/proud when the $170K number came out.

But don't you have to look at it this way: Weeks/months ago he tried to off himself. He's now got a job and looks pretty damned happy.

I don't think he's terribly concerned about Janice. He's going to get a "number" from N.Y. to help support her. Junior tried to kill him. I don't think he really cares what happens to him. And, unless they've got more on him than his lawyer thinks, he's not losing that case.


I still say things are looking up for him in nearly every aspect of life.

 

In no way did he look truly content at the end. Nor were we given any notion that he felt content at all in the last episode, which is the point of the show. As for his "family," he's never getting that cushy semi-retirement now. The guys in the safe house were stooges at best. His consigliere is all but dead, his brother-in-law is dead. Paulie's a pain in the ass, so much so he had to be guilted into taking a captaincy job. He doesn't like Patsy.

 

Well, mustard, we'll have to agree to disagree about the entire series, then.

I just can't fathom an interpretation of Tony as "happy" or his life as going good, but if that's your reading, I do see why you were frustrated with the finale.

To each his own.

 

Not so much frustrated as disappointed in the quick cut to black. Otherwise, I thought it was pretty good.

 

hey, what else is on?

 

Lots. Do you like gladiator movies?

 

Mustard, all due respect, but I think the entire point of the series -- not just the finale, but the series -- was that Tony could never be truly happy. Therapy did nothing for him. What happened when he and Carmella met with A.J.'s therapist, a blonde ringer for Dr. Melfi? Tony started right back into the stuff about his mother. What did Tony say previously about being the boss? "In the end, it's almost too much to deal with. You're all alone with it." None of that has changed.

Until Tony dies, or ends up in jail, there will always be a Phil. There will always be the threat of indictments. Carmella will always drive him crazy with her complaining and her materialism. A.J. will be a fuck-up forever. His daughter, who said for years that she wanted to change the world, will be just another big-money lawyer defending gangsters, and deep down, I doubt that makes Tony feel good.

Throughout the series, every time a supposed problem in Tony's life was dealt with or went away, another one popped up. That's the point. He cannot be happy.

People let you down, and in the end, you die in your own arms. It's all a big nothing.

 

Nothing - but at least one our favorite columnists is back with a bi weekly column to look forward too.

 

Yes, mustard, I'm going with you and your, pun intended, walks like a duck, talks like a duck reasoning.

 

And, thus, Tony is as happy as he can be.

I don't think, based on his exile on main street comment, he's too broken up about Bobby getting whacked.

 

I agree that Tony, in the final scene doesn't feel the dread that we all have talked about. But it doesn't mean he doesn't feel some. He ALWAYS feels it. He's has said so himself on numerous occasions. In "Walk Like a Man", Tony says to Melfi (and not for the first time) “I’ve infected my kid’s soul! It’s in his blood—this f—in’ miserable existence!”

Happiness is all relative to Tony Soprano. In the final scene, he's about as happy as he can get, but it doesn't mean he's happy.

 

Some Journey notes:

In the track from the 1981 concert in Houston, Perry introduces Don't Stop Believin' by saying "Here's some new Escape music for you..."

Also, it ends, in the middle of a chorus, immediately after the words "Don't Stop." No doubt Chase derived some inspiration from that styling.

While I think this was the best Journey song to use (the piano as Carm comes in has gone from giving me a chill to bringing tears the most recent time I saw it), Wheel in the Sky and Still They Ride had the lyrical chops to make the end of the series as well. Faithfully, right there with DSB for me, works on some levels, but maybe not as much (drips with the conflict of the idea that Tony really is faithful to his family, if not sexually to Carm).

Maybe this kick will get Perry's ass in gear and get them to reunite for a tour. Hell, if the Police can reunite....

Wheel In The Sky
Winter is here again oh lord,
Havent been home in a year or more
I hope she holds on a little longer

Sent a letter on a long summer day
Made of silver, not of clay
Ive been runnin down this dusty road

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin
I dont know where Ill be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin

Ive been trying to make it home
Got to make it before too long
I cant take this very much longer
Im stranded in the sleet and rain
Dont think Im ever gonna make it home again
The mornin sun is risin
Its kissing the day

(chorus)

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin
I dont know where Ill be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin


Still They Ride
Jesse rides through the night
Under the main street light
Ridin slow

This ol town, aint the same
Now nobody knows his name
Times have changed, still he rides.

Traffic lights, keepin time
Leading the wild and restless
Through the night

Still they ride, on wheels of fire
They rule the night
Still they ride, the strong will survive
Chasing thunder

Spinning round, in a spell
Its hard to leave this carrousel
round and round
And round and round


Faithfully
Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
Youre on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendin all my love
Along the wire

They say that the road
Aint no place to start a family
Right down the line
Its been you and me
And lovin a music man
Aint always what its supposed to be
Oh girl you stand by me
Im forever yours...faithfully

Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns
To make us smile
Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am
Lost without you

And being apart aint easy
On this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy
Of rediscovering you
Oh girl, you stand by me
Im forever yours...faithfully

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Faithfully, Im still yours
Im forever yours
Ever yours...faithfully