I wasn't going to finish it today, but I didn't want to disrupt the mood I was in, and the flow of the last few episodes, so I saw the last four straight. I will not do my series review, that will come tomorrow when I have had more time to dissect the entire series. I just want to say, boy, what a ride it has been.
Yes, I knew about the final shot. I knew it would cut to black unexpectedly. Without knowing anything about the series, when all of the buzz was on it when it ended, it sounded brilliant to me. What did I actually think now having seen the series. Perfection. It's important to note what Bobby and Tony had talked about in Soprano Homes Movies, a conversation that was quickly remembered by Tony in The Blue Comet as well. Bobby made a comment about how death happens quickly, and the person killed doesn't even know it or hears it. In that respect, it can be said, yeah, Tony died, and that's what the scene indicated. I knew all that before seeing it, but what I didn't know was how incredibly directed those last few minutes were. The whole scene at the diner was incredibly tense, the directing and editing tight, and it's honestly probably one of the most effective scenes I have ever seen. They masterfully built up all of the suspense, and then cut it. It did defy expectations, and satisfactions weren't met with many of course. Although, as Chase apparently said (reading from the wikipedia page), many fans had cheered Tony for the series, but during this last run of episodes suddenly probably wanted him dead. Seems legitimate, and it does raise concern about the characters audiences root for or against.
As a whole, the finale was really good, and while I wouldn't say I loved it (aside from the last 4 or so minutes), I truly appreciate the tone it ended in. It left in a pretty calm state, very reserved, very controlled but exquisitely executed. I wasn't buying the AJ storyline for most of the season, and he grated On my last nerves, but it seems like I finally bought it these last two episodes. It's also important to note that yes, Meadow/AJ are clear progress over who their parents were. They are examples of the newer generations, more open-minded, more aware of their surroundings (although like I said, a lot of it didn't feel believable with AJ, but with Meadow they brilliantly built up her character all these seasons to where she is in the end. Truly wonderful young lady, flaws and all)
As for the deaths, surprised Paulie wasn't outed, surprised Bobby was
And as for Melfi, although in a way I loved her final scene, anyone else think it was in a way too convenient for the writers? Like, they should have built up her dissatisfaction with Tony more throughout the season, and not just have made it because of a "study" that a friend pressured her about just the episode before. It just seemed way too tidy, and a way to resolve that storyline as simply as they could. But then again, does anyone else know if the writers just got bored with Melfi? I mean, was Bracco under contract for the entire series? It seemed like after her big moment in Season 3, they didn't know, or didn't care, what to do with her. In Season 5 she kinda got more stuff to do again, and she was always at least interesting in her limited screen time, but the entire sixth season her convos with Tony just seemed... a lot less interesting than before. Did they not have faith in Bracco? (I mean, she gave the series' best performance in Employee of the Month)
Overall, I probably wrote a lot more than I intended, but a fantastic conclusion to the series.
Yes, I knew about the final shot. I knew it would cut to black unexpectedly. Without knowing anything about the series, when all of the buzz was on it when it ended, it sounded brilliant to me. What did I actually think now having seen the series. Perfection. It's important to note what Bobby and Tony had talked about in Soprano Homes Movies, a conversation that was quickly remembered by Tony in The Blue Comet as well. Bobby made a comment about how death happens quickly, and the person killed doesn't even know it or hears it. In that respect, it can be said, yeah, Tony died, and that's what the scene indicated. I knew all that before seeing it, but what I didn't know was how incredibly directed those last few minutes were. The whole scene at the diner was incredibly tense, the directing and editing tight, and it's honestly probably one of the most effective scenes I have ever seen. They masterfully built up all of the suspense, and then cut it. It did defy expectations, and satisfactions weren't met with many of course. Although, as Chase apparently said (reading from the wikipedia page), many fans had cheered Tony for the series, but during this last run of episodes suddenly probably wanted him dead. Seems legitimate, and it does raise concern about the characters audiences root for or against.
As a whole, the finale was really good, and while I wouldn't say I loved it (aside from the last 4 or so minutes), I truly appreciate the tone it ended in. It left in a pretty calm state, very reserved, very controlled but exquisitely executed. I wasn't buying the AJ storyline for most of the season, and he grated On my last nerves, but it seems like I finally bought it these last two episodes. It's also important to note that yes, Meadow/AJ are clear progress over who their parents were. They are examples of the newer generations, more open-minded, more aware of their surroundings (although like I said, a lot of it didn't feel believable with AJ, but with Meadow they brilliantly built up her character all these seasons to where she is in the end. Truly wonderful young lady, flaws and all)
As for the deaths, surprised Paulie wasn't outed, surprised Bobby was
And as for Melfi, although in a way I loved her final scene, anyone else think it was in a way too convenient for the writers? Like, they should have built up her dissatisfaction with Tony more throughout the season, and not just have made it because of a "study" that a friend pressured her about just the episode before. It just seemed way too tidy, and a way to resolve that storyline as simply as they could. But then again, does anyone else know if the writers just got bored with Melfi? I mean, was Bracco under contract for the entire series? It seemed like after her big moment in Season 3, they didn't know, or didn't care, what to do with her. In Season 5 she kinda got more stuff to do again, and she was always at least interesting in her limited screen time, but the entire sixth season her convos with Tony just seemed... a lot less interesting than before. Did they not have faith in Bracco? (I mean, she gave the series' best performance in Employee of the Month)
Overall, I probably wrote a lot more than I intended, but a fantastic conclusion to the series.