The Sopranos: The Complete Series bonus feature: Fake Ending (HBO)

[HandsomeJimK]

the most underrated comedic show of all time, I laugh more at Soprano's dialogue than the processed generic "comedies" that are on TV today

[bounceeer]

10/5

[ediblehatred]

The ending summed up the Sopranos for me. It was clever, subtle and created tension without anything actually happening, which in a lot of ways is the genius of the show. The sopranos was never about huge explosions or gun battles, it was about the intricacies of the characters themselves and the complexities of their relationships. To end with any sort of significant action would have totally contradicted everything the show stood for. The ending was ambiguous, as is the nature of life.

[aperson22222]

When he was raking he looked up at the sky and I was expecting to see the ducks who had left on the pilot return. Now that would have been an appropriate ending. Neither the ending we got nor the one he's talking about were any good at all.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 The ducks returning? That sounds shallow and contrived.. not worthy of a Sopranos ending

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 Because when I hear "Sopranos," I think "quality ending," all right. At least mine would have tied into the early days.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Sure it would have ... but it seems kinda cheesy. The consensus is that Tony was whacked. The ending makes you think. You can watch it over and over because it is so detailed.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 Detailed, please. Just certain cockteasing elements that people latch onto beause they can't accept that there was no ending. Even if he was killed, it would give no closure. Who killed him? Why? These are not insignificant questions. Throughout the show we saw that actions have consequences, which clearly implies that they have causes as well. Those who imagine Tony to have been killed forget all about this fact, which precludes such an ending from giving any satisfaction.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Well its really not that complicated. Tony had many, many enemies. He was just in a war with New York and killed their boss for one. As to who whacked him, you can see him as he walks in just before AJ. Throughout the scene you can see this guy looking at Tony. Then he goes into the bathroom, which gives him a perfect shot at Tony's head from the side.

Also, a few episodes earlier Tony and Bobby talk about death. Bobby says "It just goes black". How did the show end?

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 A war which he had won. That person who walked into the bathroom was someone we had never seen before and how cheap is it to send an unnamed extra to kill the star? As for "It just goes black". . . . 1. How would Bobby know? 2. If it does, it goes black for the deceased, not the observer.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Its not about if Bobby knows or not, it is about the person who wrote that line: David Chase. That is beautiful foreshadowing on his part. In terms of the observer or the deceased, on that cut we as the observers were seeing from Tony's POV. Throughout this scene, there is a strict pattern. We see Tony's face as he looks at something, then we see what he is looking at. When the door opens and we see Tony look up, we are due for a shot from his POV (In this case the door).

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 If we're seeing the scene through Tony's eyes, we wouldn't be looking AT him!

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 We do not see the door though, and it just cuts to black ... showing us that Tony's POV is nothing and he is in fact dead.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 The only way he could die that quickly would be a bullet to the brain. If he had been shot point blank, he would have had time to notice the shooter approaching, even if he didn't have time to react. If he were shot from farther away, the report of the shot would have caught his attention for a moment. Anything more subtle than a bullet and he woud likewise have had time to notice.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Thats the thing. We can see the shooter walk into the bathroom that is to Tony's immediate right. This whole scene Tony has been very laid back and not payed much attention to his surroundings. He was looking down at the menu and the song list constantly, allowing for an easy approach by the assassin. A 9mm bullet travels at 10 meters per second faster than the speed of sound so no matter how far away he was, he would not have heard it.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 Maybe you saw a shooter; I saw an extra walk across the scene. You're making your case but you haven't said anything I haven't heard before (well, the super-sonic bullet is new information.) You claim there's consensus that this was a killing, but there's not. And even if it was, we deserved to have the satisfaction of seeing Tony killed. And building up to it--throughout this episode at least, maybe the last few before it, we should have seen this plot going on without Tony

[aperson22222]

@aperson22222 noticing. Make him a CHARACTER, for God's sake. When Malcolm McDowell killed Captain Kirk, at least he had lines and a backstory and a name.

Instead the finale was so chock-full of absolutely MEANINGLESS developments. Meadow and Patsy's son, the SUV burning down . . . Who gives a shit??

A dramatic murder scene wouldn't've saved the finale but at least it would have been fun to watch. As it was, this was an obscene gesture at the fans.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 All right, I googled the speed of a bullet, and you're right, it is supersonic. Still, if someone pulls out a gun in a crowded public place, it will certainly create a commotion in the time it takes him to aim and fire.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Ok, I understand that you do not like the ending. Many people don't. But do you agree that Tony was killed? Remember that long drawn out scene with Meadow attempting to park her car? It took her 3 attempts to finally get it right. Before this scene, there were two unsuccessful attempts on Tony's life. This scene, the final scene of the entire Sopranos series, marks the 3rd attempt on Tony's life. It is successful. That is just more symbolism from Chase.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 I'll admit it's possible, but it's not conclusive. And what has the parking got to do with anything? It was an independent event, and was every bit as important as the cat who stared at Chris's picture or AJ getting a job.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Addressing the point you made about the commotion that would have been made if a gun was drawn in a public place: Remember just a few episodes earlier when Sil was at a restaurant and the person he was eating with got whacked? We as the audience did not notice until Sil's face was splattered with the blood of the murdered man sitting next to him. Sil was in shock and it took him a few seconds to register even after he was splattered with blood.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 . . . .You know, I don't remember that at all. Who was it? I'll admit my recall is imperfect. I find it hard to imagine, though.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Season 6 episode 14, Gerry something was his name. I think it's on youtube if you wanna see it. I the parking is important because it takes place in the last few minutes of the series. I expect everything shown in the final scene to be significant. Chase is consciously choosing to show us these things, and I don't believe they are just designed to mess with our heads.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 You're assuming there's meaning and working from there. This constricts your interpretation as it prevents you from even considering the possibility that the ending is pointless.

If you're certain the parking matters, care to explain what it means?

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Im not certain the parking matters, and I did explain to you the significance of the parking already. Yes, I am assuming there is some meaning behind most things the creator shows us. Especially considering this is the last 5 minutes of the show ever.

Thats just how I see it. No one knows anyway.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 No one knows, but earlier you claimed there was consensus, and you're saying things quite authoritatively.

The problem with saying "It's the last 5 minutes so everything must be significant" is that you're inserting "must" in place of "should." If a student needs certain elements in an essay to earn a passing grade, you don't assume they're all there, you read the essay and judge the content on its merits. You don't decide he's passed and then interpret whatever he did write

[aperson22222]

@aperson22222 in such a way that backs up this decision.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Yes, there is a consensus. In opinion. Opinion is obviously not fact. I am saying things authoritatively? Im glad you think so. You're saying things quite clumsily.

Your analogy misses the mark. This is not an essay or a term paper. This is film. It is not bound by the constraints of pen and paper. Everything we need to see to make a decision is presented to us in this medium. We then reflect on what we have seen, and make our decision. I have made mine, and you have made yours.

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 Oh you're being clumsy, no doubt about it, but you speak as though you were invoking an authority. And I am not aware of any consensus, of opinion or otherwise.

My analogy is quite valid; just because you're making a film instead of writing something doesn't mean you're not obligated to tell the audience what you want to say. Leaving everything up to interpretation is lazy and it's not art. I'll give you another analogy, try to keep up this time: If I sent you 10,000 Scrabble

[aperson22222]

@aperson22222 tiles and instructions to use them to form a poem, would that make me a poet?

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Lol. I am not going to even address that. What is your point here, friend?

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 My point, friend, is that an artist, in any medium, will not leave the audience to supply the message of the work in its entirety. Leaving some aspects of meaning open is legitimate, but the artist still needs to craft a narrative, leave strong hints as to what the ambiguous pieces mean, and provide a conclusive ending note, especially in literature or drama, where the artist is constructing people's lives. Maybe Chase did the first two, but he definitely didn't do the third.

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Wow, you are an expert on art!

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 And since we're such good friends, feel free to request my assistance on understanding art whenever you'd like. :)

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 Thanks, I might do that if I need an opinion that is a bit out of left field. 

[aperson22222]

@TonsofFun777 Well, you know where to find me. :)

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 I provide you with a quote from Chase himself:

"Remember when Jerry Toricano was killed? Silvio was not aware that the gun had been fired until after Jerry was on his way down to the floor. That's the way things happen: It's already going on by the time you even notice it."

[TonsofFun777]

@aperson22222 This just goes to show us as the audience that it can happen so fast that we would not even notice until it is too late.

[StevenCBlah]

@aperson22222 I think you've been watching too much Lost....

[aperson22222]

@StevenCBlah Never seen it, actualy.

[SuperDayv]

Who are the others at the table besides Falco and van Zandt?

[bitcheznhos]

the ending sucked. the scene was great, the ending was a cop out.

[miralunaful]

Watch popular TVShows at W W W . TV-Vide . NET

[G0odf3lla]

does anyone have those bonus ? if so, can someone upload them ? i badly need to see them !!

[MrRobsoprano]

i hated the ending but people are still talking bout it years later, so he did something right

[raVe4theslaVe]

i cant believe some people. They really cant comprehend something when you have to think about it.

It was an artistic approach! It had depth! The ending and the show was a statement.

The ending was a stroke of genius and so was the events leading up to it. It was like Twin Peaks had come back to our air waves!

The Mafia thing was the outer shell, it had so much inside it. The problem was that people watched it like it was a god father film...ultimately, that was their mistake.

[PilkinGervaiSmerch]

everyone keeps saying it was genius it had this, it had that for fuck sake why dont you explain what the genius part is, tell us all whats so genius about it

[raVe4theslaVe]

Google search "the definitive sopranos ending explanation" 1st result.

Be ready for a lengthy read but, if you really want to see the genius, read.

Btw, Gervais is one overated one trick pony thief :)

Stole from Coogan and Armando's team. If you really want to see genius british comedy, check out Chris Morris's work.

[PilkinGervaiSmerch]

yeah because people say alan patridge and david brent are so alike, cmon arrogant characters are funny doesnt mean he copied steve coogan, if he had copied them then the office would have been his only success but he followed it up with extras

[raVe4theslaVe]

I actually enjoy Gervais despite his over exposure and repetitive comedy.

He followed it up by playing himself in Extras which i thought was better than Office but now, its copy and paste. Ghost town was my end with him.

Armando's work with Coogan, Morris and the lark, far outstrip that of Gervais and most of "Gervais comedy" was done before by these people.

The fact you mentioned Partridge when i only said Coogan confirmed it all.

[PilkinGervaiSmerch]

the fact i mentioned patridge is because ive heard the same thing you head, doesnt confirm shit, just means ive heard the same thing when a paparazzi guy told gervais that steve coogan said that he copied him.....you havent trapped anyone with the cleverness you think you have

[raVe4theslaVe]

Take it easy mate lol its just comedy.

Yeah i seen that clip, made up by a paparazzi guy. However, there is a clip on youtube of Coogan joking around about Gervais (and Brand among othe overexposed comedians) saying exactly what i said but, in a more softer manner.

On the show 'The Day Today' written by Morris and Armando Iannucci, there is a sketch DURING one episode about everyday happenings in an office shot in a documentary style...the title was "The Office". This was done in 1994...

[NikeAurrs45]

i want to see the crew edit ending now it might show more clues as to what had happened

[DrChebutykin]

Right, Mr. Matt Weiner... like you ever ride "the N train".

No way did you find sides on the subway, you liar.

You wrote and produced for Sopranos Productions, and they provided cars for you, everywhere you went!

[Petey123123]

i do think David Chase has alot of respect for his viewers because if he didnt he would write dumb episodes that don't challenge the viewer's attention like so may shows do. I didnt like the final ending either but i think thats what he wanted

[lisasboogies]

MOVIE...PELICULA. MOVIE FULL MOVIE

[MINMICHELE67]

david chase does not do right by the fans of Sopranos.... that ending was not worthy at all - a total jip.

[ickyvickieLOL2]

i  love silvio

[wreckcentered]

It doesn't sound any worse than the bullshit they actually used.

[ednavelho]

5/5

[terer21]

)))thx

[johnnycuen]

he must of got shot, because he wasn't at that dinner.Lol.

[colemckelvie]

if I didn't already own the whole series, I would get that

[mjducky]

If you have all the seasons you should be able to cash them in for credit to get the complete season :(

[Alleneagle88]

any ending would've been better than no ending at all.

[clash360]

yeah it cost 300.00 dollars.