The Sopranos: Series Finale Autopsy Report

How fitting. The music playing when the credits roll is something I always look forward to. Tonight, there was silence. I love the ending. It said so much with saying so little. As Tony almost played 2 other songs at the diner, he finally settled on Journey's "Don't Stop Believing", one of my favorite songs to sing along to. The way Chase made you jumpy at the end, by Meadow having a problem parking, by the trucker looking at Tony, by the other stranger walking past Tony, by the two African American guys coming in (Tony is a known racist)....Chase was showing us that life goes on for Tony, but can he ever relax? Danger is around every corner with every stranger that he doesn't know. People at the top get whacked, it's what happens. He knows it, he said as much to Bobby while fishing and heard Bobby's voice before falling asleep saying "you probably won't even hear the footsteps". I thought Meadow would walk in right after a hit on the family and survie. Then I thought there would be a robbery and Tony may try to intervene. Then, I thought maybe a robbery and Meadow would walk in and scare the guy and get shot. I was on pins and needles for the last 2-3 minutes. Good stuff.

Tony believes he's on a lucky streak and I think that's why he's not that upset about the possibility of getting pinched by Carlo's information. He was right about one thing - he was afraid Christopher would get caught with drugs and give him up. As it turns out, it was Carlo's kid. Same theory, different delivery. Only one thing upset me a little during the episode and that was AJ's car blowing up. I really think they did that just for last week's teaser. That was pretty weak at best. Uncle Junior got a great sendoff and should win an Emmy award for the way he played the part coming down the stretch. Agent Harris likes Tony, more than he wants to admit. I wonder if he requested a transfer so he would never have to put him away? Did he request a transfer? I can't remember. Anyway - the Arabs story didn't get resolved - I guess we'll have to wait for the movie. Maybe in the movie my original prediction of Meadow being on a case that involves Tony will come to fruition? I had a big bowl of ice cream to give Tony a proper sendoff. Maybe I'll have to buy the DVDs and watch 13 episodes every 2 years, just like real life. I really thought maybe Paulie and Tony would get hit at the end sitting outside. That scene reminded me of the very beginning of the series. I also thought as he was in the back yard the ducks might come back. Nada. I did catch AJ quoting his grandmother again with the "drama" comment directed at Tony. That's Chase's way of letting us know that Livia ruined Tony, who in turn may have ruined AJ. They had Tony saying "Poor You" a few times this season as well.....another Livia quote. I enjoyed the episode as well as the season. Good writing all around. I'm glad Phil's head caved in like a melon. It's HBO - they should have shown it.