Tag: Sopranos

James Gandolfini, forever loved as Tony Soprano, died today at age 51 while on vacation in Rome. The cause of death has not been released, but the LA Times reports he may have suffered a heart attack or a stroke. [Added: The Daily News reports he suffered a massive heart attack.)

What a shock, and how sad. Our condolences to his family and friends.

I put up a Sopranos open thread before the start of Sunday night's finale as I have every week the past two seasons. I was too angry after the show to add my thoughts. I waited until I slept on it and watched it again. My final reaction: Count me among those who are livid.

Like many viewers I've watched every episode of the show. Unlike the most obsessed viewers, I cannot recall all the players in all the episodes in all the seasons. I just enjoyed the show as I watched. It was entertainment. I never saw any greater message in the show, never cross-checked the minor characters with their real actor names to see if they re-appeared in future episodes and didn't analyze the dialog or action searching for clues.

But, at the end of each show I wondered what would happen next. I never expected that the final episode would be one in which nothing happened.

More...

The last episode of the Sopranos. It all ends tonight.

Were you satisfied?

Monday Update: I hated it. I watched it again tonight to see if I felt differently. I didn't. It teased and manipulated and then didn't deliver.

The second to last episode of the Sopranos, Number 85 is tonight: "The Blue Comet." Could they be any more cryptic?

This week, the allegiance of those closest to Tony is put to the test. Meanwhile, a case of mistaken identity has serious ramifications

Episode 84 is tonight: "The Second Coming."

This week, Phil turns down Tony's offer of compromise and A.J. despairs about the world and his future. Meanwhile, Tony takes offense over an affront to Meadow.

I thought last week was the best episode of the season, and a total surprise. It's winding down rapidly.

Episode 83 is tonight: "Kennedy and Heidi."

This week, an asbestos-disposal impasse raises tensions between Jersey and New York. Meanwhile, Tony has a revelation while Paulie gets upstaged.

Episode 82 is tonight: "Walk Like a Man."

This week, A.J. struggles with depression. Meanwhile, Kelli's dad is the unwitting catalyst of a new feud between Christopher and Paulie.

Paulie sure is getting his share of attention this season. I wonder if it means he'll be gone by the season's end.

So many loose ends, so few episodes left. Anyone have any predictions or reactions?

Episode 81 is tonight: "Chasing It."

This week, Tony hits an unlucky stretch and AJ makes a life-changing decision. Meanwhile, Vito's widow Marie turns to Tony for help with her troubled son.

Is AJ going to decide to join the mob?

Episode 80 is tonight: "Remember When."

This week, with the heat turned up in Jersey, Tony and Paulie head south to cool off. Meanwhile, Junior rekindles some of his old fire in a poker game.

I'm wondering if someone will be killed tonight. Three weeks without a whacking is a long time.

After the Sopranos is the final episode of Apprentice: LA. Donald Trump chooses his apprentice tonight. My money's on Frank. This was definitely not a great season for the show, I usually tuned in to the last 15 minutes to see the boardroom action and who got fired, but the finales are fun to watch because they are live and the contestants presumably don't know who will be chosen.

Update: Trump chose Stephanie, a very L.A. civil lawyer who defends construction companies against defect claims and employers against workman comp claims. She was a mouse the whole season, but she showed her mettle tonight. A fitting choice for Trump.

If you watch and have some thoughts, here's the place to leave them.

Update: Ann Althouse and her commenters review the Soprano's episode. I agree with one of the commenters who said it seems like the show is going to go out with a whimper, not a bang.

This week, Tony finds art imitating life at the Cleaver premiere; in prison, Johnny Sack copes with more bad news. Watch Episode 79: "Stage 5" Sunday at 9PM.

Geraldo Rivera has a cameo.

Update: What a great episode. If you missed it, watch the rerun later this week.

Finally, the Sopranos are back. The final season, Made in America, begins tonight on HBO with Episode 78, "Home Movies." Like last year, I will be putting up a thread every Sunday night to discuss the show. Predictions, analysis, reactions, all Soprano topics are welcome.

If you get Comcast On Demand, it appears that HBO is free this weekend, including the Sopranos past episodes and tonight's new one.

The only thing I can glean from the news coverage is that not all of the story lines will be resolved by the end.

Update: Some hints here from an exclusive interview with Tony and his son.

Update: Spoiler Alert: Here's a recap for those who missed it.