The Sopranos

[RibbieRubarb]

I was shocked not to find a thread for the final season on here. We had such wonderful disucssions during the past season.

So here it is...

 

EPISODE 1 of 9

"Soprano's Home Movies"

 

HEY! A loose end getting revisited. In a move that is a bit out-of-character for "The Sopranos", we flashed back to 2004 when Johnny Sack got pinched by the FBI. We finally got to see what Tony did when he fled from the Feds. He threw his gun away and some kid found it...

Three years later this kid gets picked up by the local police and fingers Tony as the owner of the gun.

 

David Chase again loves to show us that Tony's past will always haunt him. No matter what he thinks is over.

 

This is brought into chillingly clear focus during a funny, but disturbing game of Monopoly with Janice, Bobby and Carm at the lake house.

 

Bobby's punishment for hitting Tony? He finally has to make his "bones" and feel the guilt of killing a man. For a somewhat kind soul like Bobby, this is real torture.

 

My fave symbolic moment?

Janice's birthday gift to Tony. A DVD of the family home movies. This tells me how this final season will go. Tony is going to be forced to finally confront all his family issues. They are going to be presented to him bluntly and with clarity...he won't be able to just recall them like a scratchy, fuzzy home movie...but like a clear, vibrant DVD.

 

A brilliant epsiode full of what we love about this show. Acting, writing, and killing. Wheee!!!!

 

 

 

(on a personal note it's good to back after a brief hiatus)

[Brian]

I thought it was very good as well.

 

How convenient that Carmela was singing "Love Hurts" on Karaoke. I've always been a Bobby fan, good to see him get something important.

[retro1983hat]

I liked the episode. But I don't have the passion like I did earlier in the series. You can't go away for as long as they do and keep fans' interest.

[Brian]

I liked the episode. But I don't have the passion like I did earlier in the series. You can't go away for as long as they do and keep fans' interest.

 

I agree with this. I'm one of the few that looked forward to the return and will watch, no matter how bad or good it is.

 

I do believe that these last 9 episodes have to be GREAT in order for the show to go down in history as great. The first two seasons were awesome and since then it has been up and down and mixed with the long hiatus', has people on edge with it.

[Controlled Chaos]

I read this guy after every episode. He's pretty good.

 

 

Sopranos Rewind: Livia's legacy, Bacala's broken heart

Posted by Alan Sepinwall April 08, 2007 9:56PM

Categories: The Sopranos

WARNING: This column contains major plot spoilers for last night's "Sopranos" episode.

 

"Tony is not a vindictive man."

 

Uh, Carm? You want to watch last night's episode and get back to me on that?

 

Forcing Bacala to get his hands bloody after so many years of avoiding murder was the worst thing Tony could have done to his brother-in-law, short of whacking one of Bobby's kids. And all over a fight that started with a silly argument over the unofficial Free Parking rule in Monopoly. That is some revenge served up sub-zero, the sort of calculating evil that only one other character in "Sopranos" history would be capable of:

 

Livia.

 

Ever since Janice turned up in season two, we've been taught to believe in an obvious gender-based personality inheritance. Tony is his father's son, with Johnny Boy's temper and ego. Janice is Livia's daughter, with the scheming and the passive-agressive manipulation. Simple, right? Not really, according to the final season premiere, "Soprano Home Movies," in which Janice of all people - delusional Janice, who rewrites every second of her autobiography to make herself into the heroine - suggests that the roles might be reversed.

 

And, in fact, killing Richie for punching her in the mouth (presented in a sad, funny alternate history to Carmela) was more a Johnny Boy reaction than a Livia one. Livia wouldn't have shot Richie. She would have henpecked him to death, or found something he loved and taken it from him. What Tony did to Bacala, meanwhile, as payback for the Monopoly brawl, is exactly the move Livia would have made, where Johnny Boy and Janice both would have gone straight to pistols or knives or whatever weapon was handy.

 

In looking back over the series, I've always wondered how things would have gone if Nancy Marchand hadn't died after season two. Livia was so fundamental to the show - David Chase having based her on his own mother - that everything after her death feels almost like a backup plan. And yet as the show heads to a close, Livia's spirit remains a presence, and last night's episode was our strongest hint since season five's "Cold Cuts" (the one where Tony provoked Janice into attacking him because he was jealous of her good mood) that Tony is in the process of becoming the person he most feared and loathed.

 

He isn't becoming New Tony, that's for sure. It took a while after last year's shooting, but all the "every day a gift" and "they go about in pity for themselves" quotes couldn't keep Tony's true nature hidden forever. If "Soprano Home Movies" was slower-paced and more claustrophobic than I suspect some of you may have liked, it was also a crucial reminder that Tony is not, no matter how much we try to rationalize all his behavior because James Gandolfini is so charismatic, a nice person, not in any way. He is selfish and judgmental. He nurses grudges and takes advantage of his power as boss to make sure he always wins. He's a monster, even if he's our monster, and even if Livia made him into one.

 

(She did a number on Janice, too, obviously. Watching Janice flip out over Nica for acting her age and saying "No!" made me feel just a little bit sorry for her for the first time. And it made me feel very sorry for Nica, who's destined to put some therapist's kid through private school.)

 

The show began with a brief prologue where Tony was arrested for the gun he dropped in the snow at the end of season five. (Carmela's "Is this it?" as the Essex County sherriffs pounded on the front door served as a nice opening statement for a season where the audience is waiting to see when or if Tony will be arrested or killed.) But after cameo appearances by most of the wiseguys from both sides of the Hudson (the Jersey ones awaiting Tony's return from jail, the New York ones greeting the rehabilitated Phil Leotardo and telling jokes about the "farmers" in Jersey), Tony, Carm and the episode headed off for Bacala's cabin for their own road company version of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

 

Even by the standards of "Sopranos" episodes set largely outside the characters' home turf, this one felt like a departure. Director Tim Van Patten's use of dissolves to illustrate the passage of time, coupled with all those lingering shots of Bacala's lake, gave the precedings a relaxed, almost hypnotic quality, one that made the ugliness of the Monopoly game (even before the brawl) especially shocking. Everyone's having a fine old time telling old stories, getting drunk, singing karaoke, and all of a sudden Tony's getting pounded on by walking fat joke Bacala?

 

The hour was largely a refresher course on Tony, Janice and their history, but it also gave Bacala the dignity he's so often been deprived by the writers. Having to kill that Canadian guy just crushed him, and when the Canadian ripped open Bobby's shirt as the second bullet was fired, it exposed his broken heart for all of us to see.

 

As I said in my preview last week, if "Soprano Home Movies" was too on the quiet side for your taste (even with the brawl and the shooting and Tony teaching that tree a lesson it won't forget), know that next week's show will likely be more your speed. In the meantime, some other thoughts:

 

-Proving once again that the genius of the show is in the little details, I give you Carmela brushing off the Monopoly piece stuck to Tony's bloody cheek.

 

-Michael Imperioli had, what, 10 or 15 seconds of screentime? Still, Christopher seemed clear-headed in that cameo, so maybe he's on the wagon again. Either way, Tony doesn't seem over the Julianna thing.

 

-Some of the funniest aspects of the show are the things left unsaid. Last year, a big deal was made of Tony getting tough with A.J. and forcing him to do that construction job, and we were left with the implication that A.J. had finally come within spitting distance of a work ethic. So, of course, we return from hiatus and now he's working at a pizzeria. So much for both his maturity and Tony's tough love.

 

-Know your Family: Two important characters to keep an eye on from the brief glimpse of the New York mob are Doc Santoro and Gerry "The Hairdo" Torciano. Doc's the white-haired guy who's been serving as unofficial boss during Phil's recovery, the one the other wiseguys were complaining about. Gerry the Hairdo (possibly my favorite nickname in show history) is the one who complimented Phil on looking good. He popped up several times last season (looking blonder); he was one of Vito's killers.

 

-"Sopranos" hypocrisy in action: the "they oughta build a wall now" comments after Bobby's story about his grandfather entering America illegally.

 

-When Tony started asking Janice, "I'm different how? How am I different?," I can't have been the only one to flash back to the "Funny how?" scene from "Goodfellas," can I?

 

-In addition to Janice's Richie story, we had Tony and Bacala discussing the killing prowess of the late Bacala Sr., played by Burt Young, who coughed himself to death after the bloodiest shootout in "Sopranos" history, in season three's "Another Toothpick."

 

-Another subtle callback: Carmela's other birthday present for Tony (the one in the bedroom, not the golf clubs) was a reminder of the scene in season one's "Boca" where we found out that Tony returns the favor once a year and only once a year.

 

-Sopranos Rewind will continue to appear in The Star-Ledger for the rest of this season, but it'll have a second home on-line, as part of a five-day-a-week blog at blog.nj.com/alltv/. We'll have Sopranos Rewind there on Mondays (I'll also have an NJ.com chat Mondays at noon), and reader feedback, links, classic moments and other "Sopranos" content to bridge the wait between episodes.

 

Alan Sepinwall may be reached at asepinwall@starledger.com, or by writing him at 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, N.J. 07102-1200.

[SoxFan562004]

Last night was good, I really enjoyed it. I am really looking forward to how this plays out. A bit of me is afraid they are going to do a movie, and do a big cliffhanger at the end, but ultimately I don't think that would happen (signing the whole cast for a movie would be too much, they would have all the leverage unless there was something in their existing contracts.)

 

Just a stab, I think Bobby and Janice may double cross Tony and inform. That's just an obvious leap from Bobby's reaction from greasing that guy yesterday. However, I don't think they'll go the "Tony gets it through the legal system" route, just simply because to have ultimate closure, they would need a ton of episodes for that arc to play out.

[Brian]

Chaos, please post those every week. Good read.

[RibbieRubarb]

Chaos, please post those every week. Good read.

 

He was great last season, especially during the "Tony in Limbo" episodes.

 

I look forward to reading thsi guy every week. It solidifies what a great series it is on so many levels.

[Controlled Chaos]

When Tony was talking to Bobby on the boat about someone he was grooming to take over, but that someone may be going another rout or something. He was talking about Christopher correct?

[Brian]

When Tony was talking to Bobby on the boat about someone he was grooming to take over, but that someone may be going another rout or something. He was talking about Christopher correct?

 

That is who I assumed.

[DrunkBomber]

I for one thought Bobby was gonna get killed for sure after that fight. Hearing Tony's rendition of Under the boardwalk was one of the funniest things that show has come up with. Im not sure what yet but you know something is gonna come of Bobby being careless and just dropping the gun after he killed that guy.

Edited April 9, 2007 by DrunkBomber

[RibbieRubarb]

I for one thought Bobby was gonna get killed for sure after that fight. Hearing Tony's rendition of Under the boardwalk was one of the funniest things that show has come up with. Im not sure what yet but you know something is gonna come of Bobby being careless and just dropping the gun after he killed that guy.

 

I don't think so. First, outside the heat of the moment, Tony is more like his mom. He will use psychological warfare on Bobby...hence his first kill.

On the subject of Bobby getting pinched because of the gun. He won't.They are taught to drop the gun because they are usually stolen and untraceable.

If you recall the gun Tony dropped in the snow is only connected to him via eyewitness...not its registration.

 

BTW...who doesn't play "free parking" rules!?!

Edited April 9, 2007 by RibbieRubarb

[DrunkBomber]

I don't think so. First, outside the heat of the moment, Tony is more like his mom. He will use psychological warfare on Bobby...hence his first kill.

On the subject of Bobby getting pinched because of the gun. He won't.They are taught to drop the gun because they are usually stolen and untraceable.

If you recall the gun Tony dropped in the snow is only connected to him via eyewitness...not its registration.

 

BTW...who doesn't play "free parking" rules!?!

I know they normally drop the guns but normally theyre wearing gloves or something I thought. The whole thing just seemed careless. Ya, I see your point about the physiological part about his first kill.

[SoxPhan7]

I for one thought Bobby was gonna get killed for sure after that fight. Hearing Tony's rendition of Under the boardwalk was one of the funniest things that show has come up with. Im not sure what yet but you know something is gonna come of Bobby being careless and just dropping the gun after he killed that guy.

 

See when i first saw it, i was more worried about the torn shirt. Bobby had a bit of forshadowing when he was in the boat with Tony and said something like he is afraid to kill someone because of all the DNA testing and whatnot. I am hoping they dont find and DNA on shirt. But i am sure the writers wont go there.

[Brian]

My dad is still waiting for the russian to show up that Paulie and Chris chased and got lost in the woods in season 3. Ha Ha!

[RockRaines]

See when i first saw it, i was more worried about the torn shirt. Bobby had a bit of forshadowing when he was in the boat with Tony and said something like he is afraid to kill someone because of all the DNA testing and whatnot. I am hoping they dont find and DNA on shirt. But i am sure the writers wont go there.

I thought of maybe a piece of his chain or a medallion got torn off by the kid. Iguess it could have been chest hair.

[maggliopipe]

I know they normally drop the guns but normally theyre wearing gloves or something I thought. The whole thing just seemed careless. Ya, I see your point about the physiological part about his first kill.

 

I thought he was wearing gloves.

 

I dug the episode and it had some great one-liners. Also, I heard Dan Jiggetts has a cameo in next week's episode.

[Chisoxfn]

Some funny lines and a decent episode but not enough Mob for my taste. Entourage was pretty good though but for the most part both shows were more setting things up for the 2nd half of there respected seasons.

 

I thought he was wearing gloves.

 

I dug the episode and it had some great one-liners. Also, I heard Dan Jiggetts has a cameo in next week's episode.

He was wearing gloves.

[pierard]

Personally, I loved this episode. Knowing that somehow, in the next few episodes, this drama I've been glued to for years is going to end creates such an extreme amount of tension. I have never been on the edge of my seat watching the waves of a lake before.

 

Also, Edie Falco looked terrific. It's hard to believe she is nearly 44.

Edited April 11, 2007 by pierard

[jackie hayes]

My dad is still waiting for the russian to show up that Paulie and Chris chased and got lost in the woods in season 3. Ha Ha!

Lol. He's included in the "mob hits" on-demand promo, which suggests that he ain't comin' back.

 

Kinda sad, anyway, cuz that was a fun character. My heart sank a bit when I saw him in that promo.

[DrunkBomber]

Personally, I loved this episode. Knowing that somehow, in the next few episodes, this drama I've been glued to for years is going to end creates such an extreme amount of tension. I have never been on the edge of my seat watching the waves of lake before.

 

Also, Edie Falco looked terrific. It's hard to believe she is nearly 44.

For some reason I have a hard time viewing her in this character because I used to watch Oz before The Sopranos and first saw her as a prison guard.

[RibbieRubarb]

TONIGHT'S EPISODE: STAGE 5

Tony finds art imitating life at the 'Cleaver' premiere. Meanwhile, how will an incarcerated Johnny Sack cope with more bad news? Plus, Phil Leotardo contemplates his lineage; Silvio has a dinner interrupted.

Dante at dinner and the 'Cleaver' premiere? This has all the makings of a classic!

Edited April 15, 2007 by RibbieRubarb

[KipWellsFan]

Lol. He's included in the "mob hits" on-demand promo, which suggests that he ain't comin' back.

 

Kinda sad, anyway, cuz that was a fun character. My heart sank a bit when I saw him in that promo.

 

Well technically in that promo, they have a question mark after his name. But I'm pretty sure David Chase said he's not coming back.

 

I hear a major character is going to die tonight. Just a guess here but I'm thinking Phil Leotardo's going to get it, but it could be anyone. In a trailer for the last episodes I saw Tony's talking to Little Carmine about becoming boss so maybe Phil's out of the way.

 

deaths promo

[DrunkBomber]

Johnny Sac

[Brian]

Lots of foreshadowing tonight. I think one thing is clear, Tony gets it in the end, just by who is the question.