I am not quite sure how to feel about the series finale episode last night. I absolutely feel ripped off, in the sense that I just want to KNOW the outcome! Then again, I feel it was the best ending because it really lets us use our imaginations. There were so many clues put in this episode leading to the demise of Tony Soprano in one way or another. I have a big interest in organized crime in America, and there were many lines, or details, in this episode that actually happened in real life mafia situations.
This is what I picked up on. Some of it may be me reading to much into the situation, but I felt it relevant.
1. Black
The show ends with a black screen and credits without any music. This is the first time no music has been played on a show famous for the music selection played during the credits.A few episodes back there was a scene where Tony & Bobby were in a row boat together. They were chatting it up and the subject of being "hit" came up. "You probably don't even see it coming" (para phrasing here) was used. Tony even said something about "Just goes black".
When Meadow was coming into the restaurant, there were 2 black guys who came in before her. Tony & Christopher tried to use 2 black guys to kill Carmine back when Johnny Sack was trying a take over. Only to back out on the hit, double cross the black guys (kill them) and piss off Johnny Sack.
Remember the attempt by Junior and Livia to kill Tony? They used 2 black guys for the failed attempt.
2. Restaurant
A popular place for mob hits, in both movies and real life, have been restaurants. Of course, the Michael Corleone scene where he shoots Sirlotzo (spelling?) and McClusky the dirty cop. Then there are the real life mob hits. John Gotti had "Big" Paul Castellano killed in front of Sparks Steakhouse on a very crowded Manhattan street. Carmine Galante was also shot gunned to death while dining at an Italian restaurant.Now what about the guy who walked in right before AJ? He was at the bar and repeatedly looked towards Tony. Then he goes into the restroom? Sound familiar? Very similar to the scene in the Godfather (referenced above). Also, in the episode credits, that man was listed as NICK LEOTARDO? Phil's brother/cousin/son possibly?
3. FBI
When told about Phil Leotardo being executed, FBI Agent Harris said "We're gonna win this thing!" and slapped his hand on the desk. Remember that agent Harris had given Tony information about where he could find Phil Leotardo! In effect, he was an accomplice to the murder. Why is this important? Because real life agent R. Lindley DeVecchio had said the exact same words "We're gonna win this thing!" (with the slap on the desk) when told by a colleague about a mob hit. DeVicchio passed on information on the whereabouts of the victim of that hit. He had given information to "top echelon" informant Gregory Scarpa. Scarpa also happened to be a psycho and mass murderer for the Columbo crime family. Greg eventually died of AIDS and DeVicchio is currently under indictment for wrong doing during the Columbo family war of the early 90's. He is said to have assisted in multiple murders, commited by Greg Scarpa.
4. Snitch
So it was confirmed that Carlo flipped and will be testifying against Tony. Being that Carlo was a top guy, he most likely would be able to put Tony away. A RICO conviction would probably mean 20+ years for someone like Tony. Basically a death sentence in my eyes. Even though Tony is a younger guy (mid 40's) he is obviously very unhealthy and I would assume he would die in prison.
5. STOP
While Tony was at the restaurant waiting for his family to show up he played "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. As the music played his family showed up one at a time. In the last split second of the episode, tony looks up and the screen goes black. I don't know why this stuck with me but the last word played of the song before going black was "stop". Stuck with me from the look on Tony's face. This is one of those "reading to much into it" moments, but I just feel like it had some importance.
I'm sure i'll come up with some more ideas once I watch the episode again. So is the final episode a jip or genius? A little from column A, little from column B.