Hollywood Deep

Life goes on, that was the theme of the Final Episode of The Sopranos, #86 MADE IN AMERICA. In typical Sopranos fashion, the story continues on, whether we are there to see what happens or not. David Chase chose not to tie up every story point, as the show came to a close. Like in life, some issues just go unresolved, and we move on. Chase, the creator of the show, fittingly wrote and directed the final episode, as he did the original pilot episode. Over the years sometimes frustrating the loyal viewers who, at times, wanted typical television show closure. Chase, led us through this winding road, of the life of a mob boss trying to balance his two families. We should not have expected Dr. Melfi to come back or any closure on Silvio, their stories remain lingering. Also, like in real life, the cops will continue to do their jobs and go after the bad guys. Tony will always have to keep looking over his shoulder.
I felt the last episode was both satisfying and well done. Chase played more of the classic Sopranos comedy in this last installment. As in the pilot and early episodes, the show’s sense of humor shined through in the finale. Tony Sirico as Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri, stole the show, with his authenticity and comedic talent. Again, like in the genesis of the story, the character of Paulie Walnuts, always brought the most entertaining comic relief, to the shows darkest and most dramatic moments. Amongst speculation and all the second guessing of how it will end or how it should end. I applaud David Chase for staying the course, and ending it like it began. As the Journey song played us out, “Don’t Stop Believing”, that maybe we will be allowed to glimpse back into Tony’s life some time soon, to see how things are going.

Paulie “Walnuts”

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The show starts out, showing that Tony can trust Paulie Walnuts and his new guys. Tony and Paulie are on the offensive trying to track down Phil Leotardo. They meet Agent Harris at the airport to exchange information. I liked that Agent Harris character plays a pivotal part in the shows outcome, he was always a favorite of mine. Tony puts the pressure on New York, and Phil Leotardo’s absence and arrogance leads his crew to turn against him. With the tip from Agent Harris, who had to sleep around to get the information, Tony’s man whacks Phil Leotardo in a gas station. In a brutal but comedic scene, Leotardo is shot in the head, in front of his daughter and 2 grandchildren. His skull is then crushed, when the wheels of his daughter’s car accidentally rolls over his head. Great reaction shots of the gas station customers watching this unfold, with one of them throwing up.
…”bye, bye, Pop Pop.” A fitting demise, to one of the most hated characters in The Sopranos history. Frank Vincent, has the knack to make the audience hate his character, played it to a tee.
So Tony wins, wins for now. He moves back into his house, and the family is back together. Then Tony has to deal with more AJ problems. AJ and his model girlfriend blow up his SUV, by parking on a pile of leaves, while making out. Somehow it was funny watching the car burn and then explode. Tony then explodes in a hilarious scene, yelling at AJ, telling him how hot a catalytic converter gets, “…you can fry a steak on it it gets so hot.”
And Carmella’s idiotic suggestion, that if there were kids playing the leaves, AJ would have run them over.
Tony Sirico, however steals every scene he’s in with his quirky comedic talent. Paulie’s superstitious hatred of the stray cat, is classic. Also Paulie sitting down with the next generation of The Sopranos, at Bobby’s funeral. Laughing with Meadow, flirting with Bobby Baccala’s niece as he opens his pants because he ate too much, and putting AJ in his place. Paulie Walnuts could sit right down and join the next generation with no problem. He’s a survivor and can get along in any group any time, everybody likes Paulie. Sirico’s timing and facial expressions are priceless.
AJ the craziest one of them all, turns a corner and ends up an aspiring movie producer, with a BMW and a hot model girlfriend. Meadow plans to get married, and to study law, which can conflict with her old man’s business ventures in the bid fixing industry. Tony’s lawyer tells him he will probably be indicted by the FBI, in a very funny scene, as they eat burgers in the back room of the Bada Bing. Will Tony end up like John Gotti? Is he destined to end up behind bars? Tony’s immediate future remains uncertain, with the FBI bearing down on him.
In a very well done and suspenseful final sequence, Tony sits in a diner waiting for his family, as they come in one at a time, so do a bunch of suspicious looking people. Each time someone enters a bell on the door rings. Tony eyeballs them all, as he plays Journey on the juke box. Carmella arrives, then AJ arrives, the suspense builds. Will one of these suspicious characters make a move on Tony? The scene is intercut with Meadow having a problem parking. Will something happen to her? People move around the restaurant, the bell rings, Tony looks up every time someone comes in. Finally Meadow approaches the door as she enters from outside, the bell rings, Tony looks up. The screen turns black… Life goes on.

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