Brian Damage
06-09-2007, 10:55 AM
"The Sopranos" ends Sunday. You know it, and even the strippers at the Bada Bing may suspect it. Last week, they danced to the most unlikely of song selections: "When the Music's Over," by the Doors.
It was an instrumental section, but series creator David Chase doubtlessly chose the music for some of its lyrics. "Before I sink into the big sleep," perhaps. "When the music's over, turn out the lights," definitely.
So after all these episodes, how would I like "The Sopranos" to end?
First, let me reveal my second and third favorite suggestions for endings. In both, Tony is shot and killed - but not at the hands of vengeful New York mob boss Phil Leotardo, whose minions already have killed Bobby and put Silvio in critical condition.
Daily News reader Dominic Nunziato of Glen Oaks, Queens, predicts: "Phil gets whacked, Tony thinks he's safe, then Janice kills him."
There's certainly a lifetime of resentment there, plus the juicy bonus that if their mother, Livia, didn't live to kill Tony, at least her daughter carried it through.
Cleveland Plain Dealer TV critic Mark Dawidziak fingers Paulie Walnuts as Tony's assassin. He argues Paulie is the only member of Tony's inner circle not targeted by Phil. Paulie previously made overtures to the New York mob. He has his own resentments about Tony, who seemed to favor Christopher and Bobby. While Tony is upstairs with an automatic weapon, Paulie is downstairs ... waiting for his moment to pounce, and take over whatever Phil will leave for him. It's a strong, Shakespearean scenario, in an "Et tu, Paulie?" sort of way.
Here's my idea. Phil, still blaming Tony for the murder of his brother Billy, makes it personal and goes after Tony's family. Phil may not succeed, but just the fact that his family is threatened could prompt Tony to go to the federal agent who tipped him off about Phil and enter, with his family, the witness protection program.
That way, Tony provides for his family, gets revenge against Phil by squealing and comes full circle by doing what he killed someone for doing back in the first season of "The Sopranos" - becoming an informant.
Then, finally living up to his name and the show's title, Soprano sings. And his swimming pool has been drained, so the final shot can have the ducks flying home to nothing.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/06/08/2007-06-08_sopranos_swan_song_who_sings_who_dies-2.html
It was an instrumental section, but series creator David Chase doubtlessly chose the music for some of its lyrics. "Before I sink into the big sleep," perhaps. "When the music's over, turn out the lights," definitely.
So after all these episodes, how would I like "The Sopranos" to end?
First, let me reveal my second and third favorite suggestions for endings. In both, Tony is shot and killed - but not at the hands of vengeful New York mob boss Phil Leotardo, whose minions already have killed Bobby and put Silvio in critical condition.
Daily News reader Dominic Nunziato of Glen Oaks, Queens, predicts: "Phil gets whacked, Tony thinks he's safe, then Janice kills him."
There's certainly a lifetime of resentment there, plus the juicy bonus that if their mother, Livia, didn't live to kill Tony, at least her daughter carried it through.
Cleveland Plain Dealer TV critic Mark Dawidziak fingers Paulie Walnuts as Tony's assassin. He argues Paulie is the only member of Tony's inner circle not targeted by Phil. Paulie previously made overtures to the New York mob. He has his own resentments about Tony, who seemed to favor Christopher and Bobby. While Tony is upstairs with an automatic weapon, Paulie is downstairs ... waiting for his moment to pounce, and take over whatever Phil will leave for him. It's a strong, Shakespearean scenario, in an "Et tu, Paulie?" sort of way.
Here's my idea. Phil, still blaming Tony for the murder of his brother Billy, makes it personal and goes after Tony's family. Phil may not succeed, but just the fact that his family is threatened could prompt Tony to go to the federal agent who tipped him off about Phil and enter, with his family, the witness protection program.
That way, Tony provides for his family, gets revenge against Phil by squealing and comes full circle by doing what he killed someone for doing back in the first season of "The Sopranos" - becoming an informant.
Then, finally living up to his name and the show's title, Soprano sings. And his swimming pool has been drained, so the final shot can have the ducks flying home to nothing.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/06/08/2007-06-08_sopranos_swan_song_who_sings_who_dies-2.html