It was a dream of Tony's. It may have even started when Tony went to bed with the machine gun. He had a leather coat on when he flopped on the bed but awoke with a white robe. But more likely a dream of the diner (listen to the line of the song just before he walks into the Diner).

Steve, Red Deer, Canada

Watched the last one yesterday. Gutting. Honestly, I liked the ending, kept me guessing and it was a clever choice. Possible one-off episode/film perhaps? There is hope there!

Now its all over. My favourite american-italian subculture family and their expoits fall silent. Did that guy on the stool silence them, or was he Tonys minder? He leaves to go to the bathroom and then 2 black guys enter, are they involved in any way? Man, the ending was genius. I can see why people dont like it, but maybe a final definitive conclusion just wasnt the right thing.

I cant see anything coming out which could ever rival Sopranos in its genius. I will miss it for sure! Least there is the dvd boxsets which are gonna get played back from episode 1 to screen turns black.

Rob, London, GB

i have just finished watching the final episode on More 4--4th March 2008 and it leaves it wide open. Antony Jnr to be a dad and film director, Meadow a working mum, Mrs Soprano a succesful housing project manager. Tony is still Tony. Given immunity by the FBI. Life goes on, as his grandchildren grow and grow. The bullets still fly.

Gary Campbell, Bebington Wirral, England UK

Holy god, what happened to punctuation and upper case letters?? I feel like I'm in a room with a bunch of dyslexic five year olds.. Depressing.

Sue, London, UK

(lyrics from the song playing in the final episode say a lot)

Working hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

Life is full of good and bad times... for both good and bad people (and the other 99% of us who are a little of both). We're all doing the best we can and trying our best to pursue the American dream, whatever that may mean to each of us... even Tony.

Mark Christensen, Seattle, USA

Am I crazy or did we see this same cliffhanger at the end of a previous season? Different restaurant, it even may have been Artie's place, the family was meeting for dinner, Meadow was late, the bell on the door rings, fade to black. Am I imagining this?

Carolyn, Van Alstyne, TX

I could write a small book about the final Soranos' episode. The writers and director of this episode are geniuses. The atmosphere throughout the episode was beautifully and cleverly crafted, the pace was perfect, the acting sublime, the understatement powerful, the use of irony and satire subtle(if you haven't discerned this then get someone to explain it to you now!) the dialogue, especially during the last few minutes in the restaurant, inspired, the use of symbology succinct and very, very clever, the emotion evoked awesome and the camera work so proficient I couldn't even begin to explain the technicalities behind it. This episode blew me away in a fashion and style that could never have happened had Tony Soprano and his family been blown away literally. Im thinking of writing an academic dissertation on the series and in particular on the final episode. And do you know something? I haven't even begun to discuss the sheer brilliance of this series. Thanks to everyone involved.

Patrick, Edinburgh, Scotland

I think the two black guys did it. They were brought in as "outside contractors" as a revenge for Phil.

The mafia "code" regarding not harming Tony's family would be out the window and I think they all got shot.

The guy in the bathroom was one of Tony's minders and as soon as he went for a leak, the deed was done.

My two cents.

Jason Clark, Manchester,

tottaly shocked never what i expected the finally was shocking i think i expected to much but then why should i its the sopranos lol top class never missed an episode keep it coming please producers

scott sutherland, carluke, scotland

fantastic show i cant believe its ended.all the cast and writers have my upmost admiration, i will sorely miss the sopranos,
once again thankyou ,thankyou for 8 years of fantastic ,compulsive viewing.

david fitzpatrick, workington, england

The ending is better the second or third time you watch it. But at first its a shock. It definitely captures the paranoia inside tony mind, which has kinda been the idea all along. to see his perspective. im pretty convincinced tony got shot by the dude coming back from the toilet. it would make sense seeing as gandolfini demmanding more money jeapordised production, and this gets rid of him. the only thing is with big characters eleminated i cant see how it can carry on. chris and booby and were top charcaters. i dont see what would go on in a new series.
i hope that it ends up like the godfather and anthony junior vows to avange tonys death and takes control of the family. unlikely but maybe possible.

oh and here me hoping they release cleaver in cinemas sometime soon.!

;-)

best show ever and dont think it will ever be beaten.
there are no inconsistancies or unrealistic bits. which really is rare


genius

tim, manchester,

I thought it was a crap way to end, especially after the previous exciting episode

Jody Miller, Nevada, USA

I think the ending was the perfect way to end, typical of the Sopranos writers. The whole essence of the show was to represent the normal side of Mafia life from problems at home to criminal activity to Tony arguing with his shrink. It showed how in a blink of an eye people are dead, a Mafia war has come and gone and Tony still has time for a nice sit down dinner with his family, all in a days work.
JAI LYNCH BIRMINGHAM.

jai lynch, birmingham, uk

Watched every episode of this AMAZING series and the tention in the final few minutes was nearly unbearable...then black screen....and credits roll.Anyone who followed this Fantastic show really shouldnt complain as I think the motto with The Sopranos has always been "Expect the Unexpected"
Without doubt the best tv show ive ever seen and il miss it!
Bye Bye and Bada Bing x

Sue Bennion, Winsford, Uk

Initially, when I saw the ending on Sunday, I was flabbergasted. When the screen went black, I thought the channel had gone off, but then the credits rolled.

Then within minutes, I thought what a brilliant ending it was. Chase left us wondering several things:

* Did the guy in the diner who had been looking at Tony, go to get a gun from the cistern in the gents' toilets?

* Did the two black men at the counter kill the whole family?

* Was Meadow pregnant even though she had told Carmela she'd gone to family planning?

* Was life going to go on as it always had?

I think the last scene really gave us insight into Tony's point of view, how if he survived he would continually have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life.

Brilliant!

Lynette, South Wales, United Kingdom

The theory in the US of us (the audience) being the ones who got whacked because we knew too much was brilliant!!

I'm sticking with that one cos it makes you feel like you were part of it all along

Jo, MANCHESTER,

Just watched the final scene and i thought it was amazing!
I love the tension that builds up and then just cuts out.
Your mind fills in the gaps..

Anybody who says its a bad ending is well... wrong...

its a great ending. firstly its an open ended ending, making it possible for there to be more shows etc. also they may not have killed tony on the screen, but in your imagination, they could have killed him about 20 different ways.

Ric, Liverpool, UK

When I first watched the final scene I was flabbergasted & deflated. However I woke at 4.50am & suddenly it all made sense ! You have to view it from Tony's perspective. One moment he's chatting away munching on his onion rings next moment , no sound, no vision, no thoughts, ..oblivion

Chris, Manchester, UK

That the Russian (Valery) in the superb Pine Barrens episode never reappeared in subsequent shows was one of the big lost opportunities in The Sopranos IMO. I don't think this was down to smart writing.
The last few episodes felt rushed to me (only 9 episdodes in the whole season!) and yes, the surprising finale could've been great, but what we got was disappointing.

Geoff, Liverpool, UK

I must admit when I first watched the recording I had made of the last episode I thought that the machine had messed up right at the end but having found out that is what really happened I must say I'm not disappointed and woulld have been very upset if the family or Tony had been killed. Best show ever made and long may it remain so.
paulcarb

Paul Carberry, fane drive , Berinsfield

How anyone can say it was a bad ending is obviously NOT a fan. Sopranos writers are the smartest bunch around. The storylines are always ambigous (remember the Russian in the "Pine Barrens" episode. He was shot in the head by Paulie and never showed up again! who knows what happened him? Just like Journey say in the final scene, "Don't stop believing."
P.S, it was by no means the best episode, of the best tv shoe EVER, but it still is an amazing Final Scene. Well Done all at Sopranos HQ for this masterpiece of a tv show.

Paddy Lynch, Derry, N,Ireland

As Bobby said last week, you don`t even hear it when it happens.

Lin Cavalli, Bardi, N. Italy

I think it was poisoned onion rings,like communion wafers eaten whole,that done `em in.
It was a terrible cop-out ending.We was robbed.

KAREN PRODGER, upminster, united kingdom

+I suspect like many other avid fans of The Sopranos, I was left aghast by the final episode and agree with others, who say that this is not indeed the end at all.
We may look forward to a big screen continuation, which I is fine by me.
At the same time, I feel that we all deserved a final TV episode, which lived up to all which had gone before.

Sheelagh Pakes, Dundee, UK

I don't subscribe to HBO, so in order to see the final episode I had to wait until it came out on DVD. I liked the ending, it left the fate of these fictional characters up to the viewer, unlike many other finales it did not wrap everything in a neat little package.

After reading many of the other comments the one thing I would add is that these characters are fictional. I have no doubt that they may be based on real people, but they are products of a writer's imagition. They showed us a world that the majority of us will never know and they did it in an entertaining way.

Bob, Salt Lake City, Utah

The ending was a piece of TV genius - like much of
The Sopranos at its best. The tension in that final scene was almost unbearable - superbly contstructed. Leaving people to make up their own mind was no cop-out, it signified that in life there are rarely, if ever, neat conclusions. What is certain is that in that final scene every viewer was drawn into Tony's world view of suspicion about everything and everybody. That's how a Mafia boss must live, and the genius was to put the viewer right inside Tony's head. I can't remember another piece of drama that has done that as effectively.

My take is that what ended was our view of Tony's life. Others think he was whacked, some that he was lifted by the Feds. All forms of closure. This was a finale - but what was final will be debated for years. It was the only way to finish the best TV dram series ever made. David Chase, I pay my respects to you. Thanks for 10 fantastic years.

martin cloake, London, GB

I can't believe people didn't get the ending. It was obvious that Tony DID get whacked in the restaurant. The clear pointer is the conversation with Bobby about what it would be like to get whacked (which was shown again as a flashback to give you even more of a hint). They agree that being whacked "you wouldn't know anything about it", and that "everything would just go black". This is what happened in the restaurant. It was (like the whole series really) from Tony's viewpoint. He sat there eating his onion rings one minute, and the next - it all goes black. You don't need to be a genius to work it out.

Rob W, London, UK

A disgraceful insult to the millions of devoted fans. We deserved better.Would you start reading a book if you knew the last chapter was missing ?

ALAN CRACKNELL, TILLICOULTRY, SCOTLAND

I have to say that the finale left me feeling slightly deflated with the sense that the producers had "copped out." Over the past couple of years we have seen Paulie actively look at working for New York and this was actively acknowledged earlier in the final series with Paulie and Tony's trip away. I can't help but feel that the question of Paulies loyalty as we built to a crescendo would have provided far more tension and an opportunity for far more drama to end what has undoubtedly been the greatest TV series ever made.

Chris Cook, Bilston, England

the only thing I can't get my head around is when Tony, in the last scene in the diner, comes into the diner and then we are given a POV shot of him looking into the room, it then cuts back to Tony looking offscreen right and then clearly gives us an eye-line shot of the same POV shot but with Tony sitting at a table in the diner. Usually when this happens it is a clear cinematographic (if there is such a word) tool to tell us that this is what the character is looking at but that would mean he is looking at himself already sitting in the diner like a flash forward type thing. The whole scene kind of reminded me of the feeling I got when watching the dream scenes when Tony was in the hospital in a coma from his gunshot wound and he was trapped in a city he couldn't get out of with someone elses briefcase and identity. Apart from my being a little thrown by this I thought the last episode was ok, although I'm not sure how I would have felt if he had been whacked! Best drama series!!

Peter, Milton Keynes, England

Ending was perfection farewell to a truly great series. Lets hope they change their minds and do another one.

mike, rugby, uk

The final episide ran here in New Zealand last night and, even having known the ending for some weeks (thanks to the various blogs & the HBO site), I was still absolutely gobsmacked - it was fantastic!!
I particularly agree with Alan of Sacremento's comments that it is the VIEWER that gets whacked, as the last camera shot before the screen goes black is of Tony's face. If it WAS indeed Tony being whacked, then the camera shot would have been from HIS point of view: i.e.. seeing AJ's face before the blackness/death. I would have hated to see Tony die, he's the most human, flawed, disfunctional yet endearing character ever, brilliantly played by James Gandolfini since day 1.
Clever clever stuff and I shall mourn the loss of my favourite series ever. Top marks to David Chase & all the cast & crew - we've loved every single minute of it.

Vicki, Hamilton, New Zealand

Loves it! James Gandolfini is an icon, eveything about this series is an icon. If you can call your self a true fan, you can tell that the last episode was perfect. What were we suppose to expect? Haven´t you people noticed that The Sopranos is always unpredictable, yet predictable, but mostly human? That it´s human means, that the way characters, story lines and plot are portrayed is not the typical hollywood phony ways. I think one of the magical things about The Sopranos, is that they always stay true to themselves, and it didn´t have to be catartic or something, it just had to be real, like real life, and I think it´s an ending, yet a new beginning.

Stella, El Paso, Texas

I think the ending was perfect in every way. If u watch the sopranos from the start you should have seen this coming. Why would tony die? why not give us an ending that fits the program i mean by this that tony has been in similar situations many times through the programs seasons but then life always go's on as normal as it can. To be quite honest i personally would have been gutted if tony had been killed I've watched it for 8 years for what so tony would get killed come on get real. To be honest i would have rather it ended with tony taking over new york as well as jersey. But all credit to the writers think they've ended it perfectly BUT please bring back a feature length episode or maybe a film but i don't think its meant to be a film but hey if it works it works.

philip evans, glasgow, scotland

I cant wait untill a few weeks when its on in the UK!!

Amy, Lancaster,

After I realised it wasn't me that had blacked out due to the building tension of the final scene I sat stunned in silence for a min... I think this ending is flawless and took great courage. Whether or on Tony got wacked in the diner that moment is irrelevant. He has chosen to live a life where that could happen any time, alas our window into his world shut during one of those moments. Smartest TV show ever and a befitting ending I thought.

Seamus, Vancouver,

I am a viewer form Israel, I hated the ending! the feeling was like they where about to get wakked, that left a bad feeling!!! well at least we are now getting all the seasons again form season one every day on cable,
I will miss the sopranos, actually since Andrea was wakked I kinda hated Tony and Christopher but when Ton finished off Chris I understood how much I loved Chris’s character and that his deterioration was brought about by allowing Andrea to be clipped. And that was the real end for the sopranos gang Chris secretly hating Tony, it had to come to a conclusion.
I am so sad the sopranos are over!

Ravid, Tel Aviv, Israel

I am a Soprano fanatic from South africa. The last episode has not aired yet but I was too curious. Now, i am not even going to bother about watching the last few episodes. For 8 seasons and thats the best you guys could go. I am extremely disapointed and I am sure i not the only viewer thats going to be..... Abosultely pathetic

Kevin, South Africa,

Brilliant brilliant brilliant! I couldnt say anything when the credits rolled for about 30 seconds and just thought what the F%$£ but on reflection, it was pure genious, did we really wanna see the Big Man dead, I agree the viewer was well and truly whacked! Anyone saying it was a cop out didnt get the show, Chase is a genius, he knew exactly what he was doing! has anyone seen Carlitos Way (favorite film) however Pacino gets shot in the end and it really leaves you with a numb feeling (to great effect and the the way it links into the start of the film) but you still feel cheated that he died. TONY lives on......

Colin, Dublin, Ireland

People that didn't like the final scene must not have gotten much out of the series outside of the occasonal blood letting.

"Life goes on and you have to savor the good times" - the ending was perfet in my opinion.

Ivanmarsh, Madison, Wi

Bloody Brilliant but sad to see a great show end!

mick, Melbourne, Australia

Just as The Sopranos was everything you ever wanted a TV series to be, the ending of it is everything we all want it to be as well. Would Tony get whacked? Would he go to prison? Would his family get killed? Whatever answer you wanted, the blackout ending gave it to you. And Phil Leotardo finally definitely got the ending he deserves!! Leaving us with very little to be disappointed about especially given the fact that its been left VERY open for another 86 episodes!

Adam Herrington, Essex, UK

It’s funny how everybody believes something happens during the “black-out”
Chase achieved what he wanted.
We have watch Soprano’s Journey for 6 seasons,
and in the end we are finally able to think the way Tony Soprano does – on our own….!
6 Seasons ago, we never would have thought, such dark and scary ideas were around every corner of an ordinary scene…!

Domenic, Loxton, Australia

First, I have to say that I have not seen any of the final season (I don't have HBO) so you can take this with a grain of salt but it seems to me that this entire episode was a love letter to the fans. From the title - "Made in America" to the farewell song - it would appear that Mr. Chase new we loved these characters and wanted them to live on for us in whatever way we choose for them. The biggest clue for me was when AJ said something that was actually pretty profound (AJ profound?) something about remembering the good times. Then there's Steve Perry singing, "Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling." And if you know the song, a verse says "some will win, some will lose, some of 'em just sing the blues. Oh, the music never ends it goes on and on and on and on." And you have to admit, no matter what ending they laid out someone would be unhappy. Personally, I don't want to see Tony get whacked and I KNOW he would NEVER turn. NEVER! Chase did the best that he could.

mspye, LA, USA

Here's my take:

The last view of Tony is apparently from A. J.'s vantage point (remember? he's seated diagonally across from "T"). This suggests that if anybody gets whacked, it's not Tony...but his ne'er-do-well son, A. J., instead. A. J. is seated with his back to the front door of the restaurant, so he would never see nor hear an assailant. Tony would likely not see the killer until it was too late--remember, he still expects that "families don't get touched."

Wasn't A. J. involved in criminal activities with some college pals earlier in the season? As I recall, these involved drug-dealing, loan-sharking, extortion, and even violence (remember the brutal beating of the Somali and the acid torture of the student?). Carlo Gervasi's son has just been arrested for selling Ecstacy, so it's possible one of his circle ordered a hit on A. J. because they thought he was a rat. Conversely, A. J. might have been killed by a former victim of his activities to settle a score.

Mark Jaeger, Lafayette, Indiana, USA

Paul.You may become the greatest tenor of our time.True to tradition,the Welsh have produced so many wonderful singers.

Mike, San Diego, USA

Until the general population are willing to pay for a ticket to a Sopranos movie. Only then we can find out that Tony only had his usual Blackout, like in the first episode. Writers like to go full circle. Moral of the last episode is fade to black and be quiet. There should be more money to be made here.

Frank, Toronto, Toronto/Canada

To clarify the comment that Tony Sirico had the silver wings in his hair of his character. That's not true. Tony Sirico styles his hair like that in real life.

Bill T., Ottawa, Canada

It seems everyone has missed it.
Next episode starts with Tony talking to the shrink about passing out in the burger joint right when his daughter walks in.

jb, central WV,

The scene shifted as Tony walked in the diner. You are now in the restaurant.........notice the shift. Now you are watching the Soprano family and suddenly it all goes black. You never saw it coming. You, my friend, were whacked... no music, it's all a big nothing...........

Molly, Miamisburg, OH

For all those who are disappointed with an open ending, think about this. Davis Chase is likely to go off and do other stuff, hopefully it'll fall flat on its face and he'll be forced to go back to writing Sopranos episodes to make the mortgage payments. If he'd killed everyone off then there would be no option, as it is we can continue to live in hope.

What we could do with is getting Bill Gates to offer him whatever sum of cash is required to turn the Sopranos into an ongoing, neverending soap opera. Either that or get a certain Italian American subculture to approach him with an offer he can't refuse.

Paul Prior, STOKE-ON-TRENT, United Kingdom

tony got whacked. great ending when you really think about it. loyal fans would notice that there was 3 people in that restaurant that wanted to kill him. his past finally caught up to him... the question was..who shot him? we saw what tony saw and he got shot. crazy huh? your mad but when you think about it its actually a fantastic ending to a great series. in the end tony never saw it coming. just like the conversations bobby had with tony on the boat.....he shot an elk and all their is in death is silence........

mike, farmington hills,

Is Soprano alive ? ... I'll bet a tenor he is ... :D

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Judging by the HBO boards The Finale seems to have split the "Fans" into two camps - those thoroughly disgruntled at what they see as a non-ending and those, like me, who see it as another master stroke by Mr Chase. Yes the veiwer is left stunned (most thinking the TV has packed in) and dozens of theories are now being fought over what happened when the screen went black (see Hal's comments above). I'm in the priviliged position, however, of knowing what happened after the screen went black as David Chase tolde me it was because............................................

Steve, Wolverhampton, England

The ending was perfect. Nobody knows what's going to happen to them tomorrow, and so for the Sopranos. A neat little ending to make non thinkers happy would have been too obvious.

The rising tension, with boy scouts, the nervous guy at the counter, couple of young hoodlums messing around at the register, and the daughter struggling to park outside and join them on time was superb. In other words a typical American everyday scene

But the best part was Paulie getting freaked out over the cat. How something so simple added a sinister twist. That was brilliant and perfect for his character.

Howard, Savannah,

Recalling what Tony told Bobby about getting killed, he said something to the effect that you never know it happened and it was just over. I think at the moment he looked up to see Meadow come into the door, he was shot by the hitman that went into the bathroom. It just ended, because Tony just ended. No more concern about what happens to Meadow, AJ or Carmela. There can't be any concern to Tony (and us as the audience) because he's not alive to be concerned. It was out of his and our control. After all, isn't that why we watched him for so long? We were Tony Soprano.

MM, Oklahoma City, OK

If the finale ended with Tony getting "whacked" everyone would say " I knew that was gonna happen" The way it ended is not how anyone imagined. Leaving it up to the imagination is just what it did. All of us Soprano fans have our own opinions and versions on how it could have and should have ended. (As a Sex in the City fan, I was hoping Carrie would end up with Big, and that is what happened.) If we saw Tony get killed, what would have to talk about? Maybe he did, maybe not. We would still think about the "another way" it could have ended. I still think David Chase left it up to our imagination, and that is what I am enjoying reading from other Soprano fans. Believe me I want more of the family, but conclusions are endless!
I absolutely LOVE Tony, and hope to see more of him...Good luck to all cast members of the Sopranos!!!!!!!

Christine Campbell, Chiefland, Florida

Earlier... Tony had said something like "when you die... you don't see it coming.. all of a sudden everything just goes black"
Well, suddenly everything went black at the end... im assuming hes dead.

Rich, Oakdale, NY

the overwhelming reactions to this brilliant ending to the show serve to separate the intelligent fans who enjoyed all the countless nuances and subtle plot twists that kept us constantly wondering throughout the entire run from the ones who would have loved nothng more than one big whack-fest from the very beginning (which would have left everyone dead and the series over in less than two seasons long before the characters were able to be developed and therefore cared about by any of us). david chase has said all along that he always knew how the series would end. it ended with the furthest thing from a spoon-fed, predictable and cliche mob finish. that said, if any of you still think that they just hosed us in the end after stringing us along last season just so they could make a movie, you are an idiot. in the last 20 minutes, tony made peace or at least came to terms with everyone in his life. then with family by his side, the end--- he never saw it coming. just like us.

dtrain, brooklyn, NY

Whether it be a movie or a television show, I have never been so anxious as in the last 3 minutes of the Soprano's season finale. I was definitely disappointed as the credits began, but I doubt I will ever experience that anticipation or anxiety in another film/show. That, in itself, is a success.

Steve, Scottsdale,

David Chase is brilliant. I've been thinking of the final episode for the past few days and have created my own ideas of what could have happened to the family. Since there was no significant ending, The Sopranos will live on in the minds of the true fans. Excellent ending!!!

Rich, San Diego, CA,

If I were in charge, I would produce a 3 hour movie (for the theatre) and take care of all the disappointed fans who faithfully watched this series for 8 years.
Perhaps that's the plan anyway? Hmmmmmm

D. Mundy, Dallas, Texas

If you watch the last episode a 2nd time, or even the last 5 minutes.........notice the "mysterious" people in the restaurant. They truly don't seem that mysterious. The guy sitting at the bar glances at the family and then gets up and goes into the bathroom. The trucker is just some guy who goes in and sits down and doesn't even pay attention to Tony. The black guys just came into the place to get some food. If the guy going into the bathroom really wanted to kill Tony, he just would have walked up and shot him, not walked past him, turned his back to him and went towards a bathroom. Watch it again..............Tony lives.

Nathan, St Paul, MN

tony had this flashback as he was laying down in the last episode...there would be no reason to have had that in unless it had some huge significance)...and finally...tonys daughter walking in to see her dad get shot just as janus did so many years ago...you hear the bell of her walking in and then blackness...nothing...it signifies the neverending cycle of the soprano family...aj will become tony...meadow will become janus...carmela will become livia (tonys mom)...and cycle of violence goes on and on and on....absolutlely amazing...i HATED the ending at first...but when i watched it again...and understood it...it is really the most amazing ending possible for the show...we really would not have been satisfied with the boring “you see tony get shot” ending...this was priceless...remember..this was not an action show...it was a drama about a FAMILY Tony IS DEAD and WAS CLIPPED by someone. We the audience have always seen the episodes from from Tony's point of view, and the blackened

Cavino, Philadelphia, PA

I think they went into the witness protection program. The guys from DEA (Drug Enforcement Association were there. They needed the whole family together to do it. Why would Tony say that Silver could run the whole crew and why would he visit his father who shot him and his friend in the hospital, but to say goodby. I will miss the show. I was ready to go after my husband when the screen went black Thought he did not tape the show long enough, but alas, then the credits. I want the Sopranos to continue. I thought they'd end up in the restuarant where his father got shot and killed. The fact that they were in the diner says to me that they were going to witness protection. Why else meet. Please Tony, come back. We will look for you in Minnesota planing corn somewhere.

Heavenly, Mpls,

I thought the show ended brilliantly. The symbolism of eating in an inocent, family restaurant. The family becoming closer and sort of starting new; Tony giving his children more attention, but still with the omnious clouds of mob-life hanging over him (the feds, his crew flipping, a possible hit from the men in Holsteins). The symbolism of the cat, possibly independent and clean, what Chris was striving to do. AJ getting work via Tony that was similar to the work Chris did. Was it Tony unc acting out of guilt. The list can go on and on. Each seen was packed with brilliance in its writing and the way the actors told the story. It's a shame that a show so rich in character complexity and development is seen as a letdown because not enough blood was let or people wacked. I know it's a show about mobsters, but it was equally a show about dysfunctional family life, and how this father struggled with that in his past and currently in both his families. Hope to see it continue in the movies.

James, Hoboken,

A 3 year child could have made a better ending! The last two season have been horrible. How is it possible to destroy such a good show.Great disappointment if you have not watched the ending please don't. It will ruin it for you, if possible stop watching it at the end of the 5th season.

Jeff, Albany, NY

I loved it! So many things left undone. Will AJ become the new Christopher and Meadow the new Carmela, or will Meadow become a mob consigliere? How about AJ's psychiatrist? Will she replace Dr. Melfi for Tony? What will happen to the NJ mob gang if Tony is shot and Phil is the top dog left to run things? In the last episode all the Soprano family members are painted as hopeless borderline personalities, not much redemption for any of them. Do their lives end or do they just do their time on earth, miserable and hedonistic to the end, making the rest of NJ miserable too? (but the viewers fascinated).

Pepi Lapue, Seattle, WA

I have never missed an episode, and I truly thought my tv went on the blink. I was incredibly bummed by the ending. I would have liked to see Syl wake from his coma when Tony spoke to him and I wanted to see Tony and his family live on...no court date or death just taking care of business so to speak. I guess you can't keep all the people happy, but this ending was not an ending. I hate shows like that. To say David is letting us write our own ending? He never asked us before? Why now? If this truly is the end, then end it. I can't believe I made a big Italian dinner, had my friends over, opened a big bottle of wine and watched a "non-ending" like that. It was going so well...

Lisa, Norman, OK/USA

I thought this was completely disappointing and totally horrible!!!!! After all of the dedication I have had to this series I was let down!! The finale was the worst ever!! Where in the hell have all the creative minds gone!! David Chase, I thought you had more in ya!! I am so frustrated!!! I can't believe the way it ended!! I don't want to draw my own conclusion!! I was in for the entertainment value!! So disappointing!!

Kelly Giffin, alliance, ohio

The guy sitting at the bar, who went out the back door was waiting for the momenent to ignite the bomb! So long Soprano's

Walker, Nashua, NH

It was great the way it ended. It is much more haunting this way than anything else that could of happened as a finale.

It was impressive how reserved and tense at the same time it was. Very Hitchcockian I thought. Very weird, frustrating, slow, unusual. I love that it blew all expectations out of the water. Everyone thinking this or that. It doesn't end the way "You" want it to it ends the way the writer wants it to and it's in retrospect just right. When it went to black it was so stricking because I thought something was wrong with the TV that's how surprising it was. Full of forboding omens for sure. The cat, the last supper, the mysterious guy at the resteraunt. I think if there is not a Movie coming out that they get killed. I think it is suggested very strongly. They appear so vulnerable and oblivious in a way. "enjoy the good times" indeed because they are about to end. And so the enigma remains. Hauntingly.

rick prol, New York, NY

We all got whacked. It was like those B Horror movies 50's genre where the monster is roaring and there is an explosion followed by a big question mark on the screen. Really not up to the quality of writing in the past. AJ would have never been inducted into the Army with a suicide attempt on his record much less the CIA. AJ as an interpreter for the CIA, common' he couldn't even write a book report on Billy Budd. I did read an interesting comment: Tony and Bobby are fishing and discussing the end of mobsters is ususlly in a casket prematurly, and Bobby says. "do you think you hear it comming?' and Tony answers, "Ask that guy on your wall (the elk)." Tony got whacked. We saw the last thing he saw. Still, we see almost everyone else get whacked so I think for all the time we watched over the years, if Tony did get whacked, we should have seen it. I really want a movie, if Tony is dead, I want to see Carmella working for Angie Bompensero (spelling) in the body shop.

Barb L, Oak Harbor, WA

Terrible ending. Loyal watchers watched for years only to see the screen go black! Its all about the $$$$$$ and keeping it going. I would not bother and if the actors, producers, or writers had anything other than their own greed for their so called craft they would have ended it once and for all either Tony flipped to the FBI, or got killed, or goes about his never ending life of crime. But to just leave nothing at all but dissapointment I am cancelling HBO and will live my own life without the guesswork of deceipt and profits James Gandolfini should have spoken up and been a man...he nor the cast have any honor except for their ability to hord millions of dollars and dissapoint the saga watchers. Tony became horribly evil this year, the writers wanted us to stop liking him and in the end.....they simply said sorry fans the joke is on you! - The real Deal

Fred, New York City, NY

I uderstand the ending. It was very effective. It isn't Tony getting whacked, it is indeed the fans getting "whacked".
David Chase shows you what it feels like for all of it to end suddenly "when you least expect it"
[cut to black; roll credits]
Your not supposed to know how it ends!
I live 3 minutes from Holsten's where the final scene was filmed and got inside info on an alternate ending in which gunfire and a car accident (Meadow's) take place. I am happy to see the ending the whole world saw Sunday night.

One funny fact about the suspicious character in the restaurant who goes into the men's room......he actually goes into the ladies room. In Holsten's the mens room is the door on the right!

Vinny, Bloomfield, NJ,

He died. Pay attention to who is in the place, his point of view(the camera views change from his view, to a broad view so yo ucan see him) everytime someone comes in the door the bell rings,jingles, whatever you what to say. when his daughter comes in...there is no sounds. black screen.
in one of the early episodes of the Sopranos, Tonys is talking with Bobby about what it must feel like to die.

Bobby says, "at the end, you probably dont hear anything, everything just goes black!"

truck driver who was killed in the dvd hold up- his brother is sittin in the booth.
two black guys- Tonys mother once triced to ahe him killed
Phil Letardos(sp?) nephew is the guy sitting at the counter.

i dont know. it took some reviewing but that is my opinion. i think that the abscent sound when Meadow walks in gives it away, but ......
at the same time it would be amazing if they come out with a movie and then Tony dies in the end of it.

Scotty, philly philly,

All of those Sopranos fans out there that thought all the loose ends were going to be tied up in the last episode are just delusional.

What did you expect? The Russian from the Pinebarrens walks into the diner, fresh off of killing Paulie out front, he shoots Tony, Carmela and AJ and just as he's about to whack Meadow, Adriana walks in and shoots the Russian. Meadow is grief stricken and then reveals to those left standing that she knew she was alive the whole time.

The show has been a character study of Tony Soprano for multiple seasons! All the mob activity has taken a back seat for quite a while now as his feelings and his real family have taken center stage.

Chase's last scene was both a parody and brilliant . Well shot, suspenseful and well acted it really has the whole country talking. I loved his use of music throughout the episode and the final scene contained such a great message in AJ quoting his father back to him!!! "You gotta remember the good times"
THE TRUTH!

Chris Russo, New York, New York

After rewatching the last scene in the show and reading others opinions on what happened, I'm convinced that Tony is NOT dead. For those of you who are blood thirsty and looking for some over-the-top blood letting, well, too bad. Why? Well, it's because YOU the viewer is who got "whacked." Hard to see the pool of blood when you're the one who is lying in it. Chase wanted to end the show and he did that by killing the viewer. The Sopranos go on living in imaginations while you rot in your grave.

The ending was brilliant! It mimics real life where when you die, you don't get to know what happens next. Just like Bobby said in a previous episode.. that everything must just "go black" and that's it. Well, for those of you who think it was Tony's vision that went black, well that would only be the case if the camera's point of view was from Tony. It wasn't! The point of view was from the audience, so it was you who got shot in the back of the head and the Sopranos gets to go on living.

Alan, Sacamento,

I really expected more from the last episode. After reading one of the comments though it made alot of sense. When Tony was at the lake with Bobbie, Bobbie said that when you die everything turns to black. That is what happend at the diner. You see the suspicious guy at the bar walk towards the bathroom (in Tonys direction) than everything turns to black. Tony was probably shot and killed there. I understand David Chase wanted to leave us thinking, but we deserved an ending with more than just leaving it to us to figure out what happens...How many of you noticed in the last scene how david chase focused on the characters with alot of detail. When each of them took there first bite of the onion rings, they dont swallow it immediately, they leave it in there mouth for a second before having their first bite. Also, when Meadow was parking it took her like three times to get the car parked right. Anyways, I dont know what all this attention to detail in the final scene means??

Palermo, miami, florida

Come on; did you really think something so great would end in an obvious way? I, too, was initially disappointed - even shocked - but then it dawned on me that this was a brilliant way out. The thing I've always liked and admired the most about this series was the beauty of the mundane, the humor, the sad and funny moments. The gore and shocking, brutal killings were exciting, but the thing that always grabbed me was the subtlety, the way Tony ordered a sandwich, Carmela's facial expressions. In the last episode, I was blown away by the scene where Phil's right-hand man (sorry, can't think of his name - the guy with the weird eye), gets dissed on the phone by Philly and then realizes that while he's been walking and talking on his cell phone to Phil, he's passed from LIttle Italy right into Chinatown. He has a completely freaked-out look on his face when he sees non-Italian faces, then heads quickly back in the direction he came from. This was no mistake. What amazing writing!

paula, los angeles, ca

To all the people that say that Tony was whacked because of the TV screen going black...I disagree.

It is only an imaginative possibility....true we see an Italian guy come in and sit at the bar (a Leotardo relation), 2 African Americans (were they ones hired to whack Tony; maybe Christophers' old contacts? who knows), and a trucker.....did Tony have a relative of the trucker whacked? Don't know.

Would Meadow have walked in and saw her family all dead at the table? Would Meadow have then taken over the family? After all, she made comments about how Italians were not treated fairly and had difficulty deciding her career.

So many questions. Very appropro for David Chase to end the character-driven series. I look forward to a movie--until then, thank goodness for DVD's and thanks to Mr. Chase for allowing America to tune in each week. Don't stop believin' indeed......Tony is still around :)

Dave, Olathe, KS

Each year David Chase surprised us with quirky charcters, brutal violence, laugh-out-loud humor and one heck of a peek insde a dysfunctional American family. Despite the hunger viewers had for blood and closure this ending opens the door for Television to go even further in creating multifaceted characters in fringe professions still trying to attain the American Dream. Don't be surprised if Meadow becomes the defender of Italian American mobsters beibg prosecuted for their stereotypical behaviour and argues human rights before the Supreme Court. AJ will kick around like most young men of his age and economic class searching for his niche. Tony and Carmela. closer than ever will evolve their relationship to a new level.
As long as NJ remains a state full of incompetant politiicians, undermanned police forces, and job and economic canyons that separate the calasses their will alway be the possibility of our anti-hero Tony regaining his struggle to provide opportunitiesfor the underclass

Peter Beronio, Hooboken, NJ

Wasn't your heart absolutely pounding in your throat at the very end, a few breathless moments after 9pm? The suspended terror of confusion? Perfection on so many levels. If you want a cookie cutter ending, go watch a Disney movie or some dumb Hollywood let down. Have we been watching the same show all these years? Any other ending would have been anticlimactic.

Right up there with the Great Gatsby. What other culture in history could have created a show with irony this rich: mixing the sensational, against our day to day family problems. The sensational pulled us in and entertained us, but it was the mundane middle class frustrations that resonated with all of us and kept us hooked.

If you were watching the Sopranos just for the superficial tragic-comedy (ie brutal whackings, eccentric characters), you certainly hated the ending, but quite fittingly, you missed the point all along.

A brilliant ending! I sang Journey's all -American power ballad all over the city .

Ted, New York, NY

A truly hack ending. The only thing it made one 'think' of was how cowardly Chase was to not make a stand on his own character and story line. Three minutes of Meadow parking...brilliant...

Somehow it looks like Chase grew tired of the series but even more so, tired of its fans and took this opportunity to make cruel fun of them.

FB, Seattle, WA

I hated the ending until I figured both camps can have it their way. Those that wanted to see finlity and Tony wacked will believe the mysterious man can out of the restroom and wacked him. Those that couldn't bear to depart with dear ole Tony will assume that he lookd up to see Meadow walk in the door. Period...there is noting more, unless they creators decide to come back with more.

Dan Kuchem, Ashburn, USA

Did any one else have a powere outage last night at 10:00?

anthony, Maspeth, new york,

What the hell happened to the writers? Did they get whacked in the middle of the final episode? That was horrible, I could barely sit through it. It was like the writers walked out in the middle. I expected a wholly bloody battle not oh ok Tony you kill our booss and we will be fine with that. They owe the fans a finale with action regardless if they kill the Sopranos or let them win the battle and crawl off, we deserve better than that sham they threw together in ten minutes and called a show. I for one will not watch the next series produced by these idiots, one let down is enough for me. Your welcome for eight years of loyal followers, oh and dont worry we dont need a thanks for making us rich by giving us a final episode that is worth talking about. Typical hollywood biggotry.

MICHELLE, Coolidge, Arizona

I will be interested in the DVD when it comes out, something tells me that there were several endings and we'll get to see them all.

Joy, Fountain Valley, CA

You guys are crazy. The ending was perfect. Make your own speculations about what happened. Did the sketchy guy go to the bathroom and get a gun Godfather style? Did Meadow get in the restaurant in time if the whole place was blown up? It was a great ending. Would you really have wanted to see Tony and his family shot up at the end? No one wanted to see Tony popped. And though it would be extremely difficult, it left open a return, possibly to the big screen. The episode was titled "Made in America" and ended with Tony and his farm being the closest thing they had been to a normal American family since the beginning. I thought it was great!

Will, Albemarle, NC

I think its obvious that Tony did end up dying in the last scene. It was mentioned in the last few episodes that "You wont see it or hear it coming", hence the silence and the black. Everything stopped.
I felt cheated when i watched it, but after it all sunk in, I now think it was brilliant.

Jim Coutsourelos, St.Kilda VICTORIA, Australia

I think the real ending is hidden in the final episode. Tony tells Carmela he has an 80-90% chance of being indicted - so the jig is up!

Irene , Los Angeles, CA

Ha ha ha ha, so glad I din't buy into the Sopranos formula. Goodfellas, now that was good.

tango, oxford, GB

this leaves it open for a posible movie

brxto, glastonbury,

i loved it. I loved it the instant the screen went blank. I just said "Perfect!"

dave holden, burlingame, ca

We were jipped

Red, la, ca

Great ending! The best cliff hanger yet. We can all assume Tony is dead unless his creators resurrect him. What will I have to do on Sunday nights?

Deborah , Greensboro, nc

If the world was not about money, however in a few years the movie will be out. Big bucks will go to the players.... Bottomline is as much as I would like to think "going black" is Tony getting wacked, that though will be wrong when the movie comes out...

J. GIAIMO, AMherst, NY

I cancelled my subscription to HBO today. I have had HBO for three years. First Deadwood and now Sopranos. I feel like they owe me a refund.

j m smith, Katy, Texas

Jason in Tacoma
I thought I was the only one who noticed that. When Tony first entered the restaurant, he was wearing an all black shirt. As he looked at himself, his shirt was tan, white and black. I figured he was headed toward death at that moment. Like rising out of your body. I was so dissapointed in the ending. We are all adults, they should have just given it to us straight. I am saddened also to see such an awesome show with so many talented actors and actresses come to an end.

Holly , Clarksville, tennessee

WOW !!! WOW !!! WOW !!!...????????

JOAN, RIDGWAY, US PA

Did you notice that the last episode was filmed during the winter months in New Jersey? There is no way to fake the bare trees in all of the scenes. That tells me this scene has been ready for us to view since January or February, it was not Chase's last minute decision to end it this way like so many people are saying.

Conrad, Phoenix, Arizona

As a hardcore fan of the series I am quite dissappointed that Mr. Chase saw fit to abandon his primary mission as a storyteller ...... if I want to be entertained, I watch the Sopranos; if I want to experience art, I go to a museum .... everyone should stop with "the Emporer's New Clothes" fearing that they should not question Chase .... he blew it by not completing what he started! I loved the Godfather trilogy, too and they had no problem telling complete stories.

ed doyle, phoenix, az

I am a huge Sopranos fan and I was somewhat disappointed in the last episode. There was so much non-valued added dialogue throughout the last episode. I was expecting a much more intense, thrilling, and suspenseful episode. The ending makes more sense after I read one of the comments about Tony having the conversation with Bobby about never seeing it come and the world would just go black. I believe the ending happened that a lot of people predicted, but it didn’t come the way they perceived.

Jason Taylor, St. Louis, USA/MO

II waited on the edge of my seat... waiting for Meadow to finally parked that damm car. I just knew that when Meadow entered the restuarant the whole thing would BLOW! But NO. I thought my TV went out. Luckly, I TVOed the show so Just in case... I could see Tony's demise. In fact, when I fastforwarded the the end.... again, BLACK :(

I thought the show was classic SOPRANOS. I would love to see a movie.

T, Tampa, FL

My guess would be that there is a movie in store. That would only make sense knowing how much money it would/could rake in...besides we gotta know what happens to the Sopranos. Who knows??? If nothing else, it has been one heck of a series.

Gerald, Cabot, AR,

The "members only" jacket guy that goes to the men's room is Phil Leotardo's nephew - he was present at a sit down during an earlier episode. It's open for intepretation, but I like one of these two:
1) during that last scene, we the audience are full of tension waiting to see if it ends in bloodshed - THAT is every waking moment of Tony's life.
2) During the entire last scene, everytime someone walks into the diner we see Tony quickly look up and then we see the view from Tony's eyes. When Meadow enters the diner, Tony only sees black as Leotardo's bullet takes his life with him never seeing it coming.

B-man, Burbank, CA

What a dud!!! I think all of the actors should have to give every penny of their salaries and the producers should have to give everything they made from people like me who have kept HBO all this time just so we could watch the Sopranos for the last 8 years, back to charity and hopefully regain some dignity from playing all of us as suckers for so many years. This ending was a cop out and only left the door open to start another series, which I hope no one will watch.

Susan Smith, New Hampshire, Conn

I have been a loyal fan of Sopranos never missing any shows home every Sunday night. I was so disappointed by the so called finale. What the hell was that all about.? I really expected so much more from David Chase. The ending was not brilliant as some reporters are saying. A truly gifted writer has a beginning, middle and an end to a story. Leaving a story unfinished and left up to the viewer to finish is cowardly. I must say, I will always love the Sopranos but have lost a great deal of respect for he great David Chase.....

shena, pensacola, fl

Could this be a lamer article? Are there pages missing? Just admit it. You don't have a clue what to say.

Chaseshouldbewhacked, Houston,

I though the ending was good compared to the rest of the episode. One thing happened, Phil Leotardo died, that was it. Other then Leotardo being killed absolutely nothing happened, the episode just went nowhere. It dragged on for its hour and fifteen minutes with only one development and then it ended more abruptly then Hostel Part 2. Talk about a let down, I know that The Shield would never do something like this to its loyal fans...

Brenton, Piedmont, CA

Did anyone else notice the booth switch in the last scene?

Tony comes in and chooses a booth. Carmela joins him. Same booth. In the first row, near the barstools. AJ joins them. Same booth.

Members Only Jacket Guy goes to the bathroom. The three Sopranos are in a booth on the other side of the partition.

Meadow comes in. The three of them are back in the original booth.

Any thoughts on this?

etph, Winnsboro, TX

Brilliant ending - it left the fans with hope! The Sopranos have made an indelible mark on all of us and the prospect that we may once again see these wonderful and talented characters again is thrilling!

Susan Kelly , Charleston, South Carolina

I apologize for what I'm about to say because I love The Sopranos more than any show I've ever seen but in a world that is so hard. In a world where people look to these shows on television, especially HBO, for an escape, for that ending to actually be shown, it... it just hurts. The writers ran from every angle that would get them hurt. Paulie lives while Christopher dies, Sil in a coma, Tony's health & marriage to Carmela, Ralphie's demise... and let's not forget the lost Russian in the woods. Unacceptable. And now this... They had to give us something in a show this important to mine and I'm sure a lot of people's Sunday night. There better be a movie...

Donnie, Gastonia, NC/usa

What about Tony's reaction to Phil's death ? Did Tony undermine his efforts at reconcilation? Did he order the hit and conveniently fail to rescind it ? We know characters by their actions and reactions to events in a plot. That's called characterization. What am I to think of Tony? I was never given enough information.

joe, Oak Harbor, Ohio

it was genius, whichever way you look at it....but i think a more definitive ending like "tony gets wacked" or "tony lives happily ever after" or "tony goes to jail" would have been a real injustice, any one of those kinds of endings would have been boring and cliche and too predictible, there'd be nothing special or creative about the ending, it was genius, just like the show has always been

aj, san diego, ca

That was the worst finale. I felt cheated after having been a loyal fan and viewer for many years. Too many lose ends. I felt betrayed and frankly laughed at.

Michael, Columbus, OH

Excellent set up to the ending. Beginning with Bobby and Tony in the boat and the what happens when question followed up by Tony's flashing back to the boat scene when viewing Bobby in the casket, tied into his vivid dreaming when lying in the hospital after Junior shot him.
It just goes dark and quiet baby!!
Second best show ending ever next to Bob Newhart waking up in bed with Suzanne Pleshette!
Thanks for the great ride.

Pat, Mission, B.C.

An amazing series...I will sorely miss it. I liked Tony's encounter in this episode with Uncle Jun the best. So well written...I have to say I would have rather had Tony die than go to jail...that would have depressed me. I was not prepared for what happened though..I doubt there will be a movie, but I'd happily go see it for some closure.

Nikki, Cranston, RI

p.s Tony (James Gandolfini) was amazing in this show. I swear towards the last seasons, he began to feel like an uncle to me or something. Big congrats on his acting, AMAZING!!!!!!

Palermo, miami, florida

Nobody gets it. As we all sat and waited to see who the final person was to get "wacked" - it turnes out that it was US - the viewer. We were insiders, saw everything the mob did for so many years, why should we think we were indespensible? Tony said several seasons ago that when you get wacked, "everything goes black." Life for the Soprano's goes on unchanged but for us, we never get to see how it ends - we are gone.

Thanks,

Joe DeIuliis, Pittsburgh, PA

I believe the ending was in pure Soprano style. A few episodes back we were given the answer to the final episode but you had to have had a "DVR or On Demand" and play it back to catch it.

When Tony and Bobby were alone in the boat fishing the question was asked; " what do think it was liked to be whacked? " Answer : " I don't know, maybe every thing just goes black."

The way the final episode ended, " I BELIEVE WE GOT WHACKED ." Great ending to a great series. Thanks David Chase for the memories.

J.Fuller, Helotes, USA/ Texas

People should not be upset with the final episode, they should be upset with about 70% of the final season. There were about six different story lines that could have been developed in the final season. It could have been incredible. That being said, as disapointing as this season was, it was still the best thing on tv. It could have been unbelievable.

Tony M., Chicago , IL

The worst final in t.v. history! i thought the cable went out .

chuck powe, addison, il

Awful.

Tim, Chicago, IL,

Phil is killed after the peacemaking sitdown between Tony and New York. That's motive for killing Tony. The ball caps are the big tell. The guys who killed Bobby wore ball caps. A guy in a ball cap fingered Sil in the Bada Bing parking lot the day before he was shot. A guy in a baseball cap entered the diner the evening of the last episode. The conversation with Bobby at the lake, the black screen, and the silence makes it pretty clear that Tony is shot in the head.

Hal, St. Louis, MO

David Chase went to brilliant lengths to erase the easy fantasizing about the Sopranos. For all their charisma and humanity, these are people that will break the legs of small grocers and dry-cleaners who don't pay protection. In each episode as we got closer to the end we saw Christopher kill a completely innocent man; Paulie wonder whether Tony was going to kill him, and Tony kill his beloved cousin Christopher. David's ending was brilliant. All the Soprano 'normalcy' is framed in an animal-realm, hunt-kill-or-die universe where any stranger can be an angel of death. That's the reality of Tony's life. His 'not-knowing' is identical to the audience's. I will miss the hell out of all of them, but I am NOT disappointed

Peter Coyote, Mill Valley, CA.

I think the ending was brilliant! A perfect way to "whack" Tony, without actually showing it. And for those who didn't "get it", the ending has intentionally created a public outcry that has probably far exceeded Chases' greatest expectations. Very clever, or should I say, "cleaver".

I could have lived without so much time wasted on the kids, though. I suppose this added to the suspense... wondering whether AJ was going to go nuts and perhaps whack the whole family.

Jeri, Kenosha, WI

I didn't like the ending when I saw it! The more I thaught about the more clever it became!! Remember the conversation on the lake Tony had with Bobby, when Tony said "you probobly never see it coming, you probobly never a thing".
One interesting coincidence is that the Sopranos came to an end on the fifth aniversay of the death of JOHN GOTTI!

Michael Conrad, PEMBROKE PINES, florida

The ending leaves way for a movie that was a rumor before the final season even started.With all the hype leading into the first show of the last season, one of the people of the show had said, "Don't be suprised if there is a movie at the of end this."Maybe it was just hype, but the ending definately leaves the possibility open..

steve, Pt. Pleasant, NJ

I hated the ending. Huge letdown. Worst series ending I've seen in years and years, possibly ever. I was disappointed and angry at the way it just stopped.

Nisha, Sierra Vista, AZ

it was a perfect ending. anyone who didn't like it clearly didn't get it. if you were expecting him to go out in some big slow motion hale of bullets or some such thing then you clearly have no idea what you've been watching for the last 7 years. that being said i really hope that david chase doesn't see dollar signs and decide that this isn't the end after all and makes a movie in a couple of years as i've heard rumored. that would completely negate this brilliant ending to a brilliant show

James A Agard, new york, NY

Pure genius! What a brilliant ending. Was Tony killed, and the screen went blank because, all along, from the first episode, we saw his life through his eyes? . OR, was it just the ending. The show is over, but,life goes on? It was clearly set up that AJ would officially be in the mob, he was too stupid to do anything else, Meadow would be connected, she would represent them as a lawyer, and Carmela was looking at those blueprints - building houses with her connections. Fabulous! I loved this ending. So unexpected! So many tease moments!

Eileen Brandes Garber, Sharon, MA

Nobody gets it with the Soprano's final episode. As we all sat waiting to see who gets "whacked" it turns out it was US - the viewer. Since 1999 we have been insiders, with the mob in their inner circle. We saw everything and we knew too much, why did we think we were untouchable. We never saw it coming and never heard the shot. Tony said several years ago, when you get whacked, "everything goes black." As Tony and the family were eating onion rings they watched us get popped. As with every member of the show that gets "hit", life goes on with the Soprano's. This time we don't know how it ends because we are the ones that are dead.

Thanks,

Joe, Mt. Lebanon, PA

did anyone notice the bad editing near the end of the show when Tony walked into the diner.It appeared that he was looking at himself sitting at the table before the family arrived ...maybe there is something I missed perhaps it was bad editing or was he looking at himself past tense!!!

DAWS, laguna Beach, USA California

Sadly boring. At least I can watch the reruns without knowing what is going to happen in the end, because nothing happened. My only hope is that this means there is more to come, maybe as another show.

Kathy, Costa Mesa, Ca

I too thought it was a brilliant ending. Chase showed us his skills in a spectacular display of emotional manipulation. My heart was racing throughout the entire restaurant scene. Had Tony been killed at the end of that, I don't think I would have remembered the emotional tease and buildup, but just the ending. As it is, I've been thinking about it all day today, and smiling.

Marcia, Grand Rapids,

What was everyone expecting? A "Godfather" ending?
David Chase did the unthnable: He made us THINK!!

Mary Lynn Nemergut, Stratford, CT

I have been an avid fan since the beginning!! I have NEVER missed an episode, even when the show was going through some rough patches!! I just have to say, last night, for the season finale, that I was completely and totally disappointed!!! The tension was there and the wonder of what would come. But, with this being one of the best series EVER, I really thought that more would've been put into the last show!! I was LET DOWN!! I hope that there is more to come to clear up all of the open story lines, but, I just wanted to post a note to see if anyone felt as naseated and confused, as I did, when the credits began to roll!!

Kelly Giffin, alliance, ohio

The ending was great. I loved it. There was a very exciting tension and apprehension that I can't remember feeling with any other book, movie, or tv show. Well, I don't know...I was pretty agitated when Dumbledore died. But the finale Chase delivered kept me stressed and fitful all night long. Don't focus on the last five seconds; look at the last five minutes. It was great.

PS: The guy who walked into the bathroom turned and looked only because he recognized a criminal celebrity. If he had been there to kill Tony he wouldn't have needed to retrieve a gun hidden in the bathroom. There wasn't anyone at the front door patting down the customers. He would have just carried in his own gun, hiding it in his pants like a real man.

David, Tucson, AZ

I flat out loved the shows and watched every one from day one. I wish the show could have gone on, but in 54 years of life, I've shows which became part of my life, something I looked forward to every week, end. I've seen shows from Howdy Doody, to Cheers to Seinfeld to X-Files, and others along the way and beyond, come and go. We all usually have some way we want programs with story lines end. But, if they end even the way we plan, often we don't feel satisfied because, if we loved the show, we didn't want it to end..

Over the years, I remember getting upset when Sopranos kept taking longer and longer to come back with new shows.

I kinda thought we would see Tony at the end, looking at the ducks, so that the show would have come full circle.

I think it ended well. Chase used a technique pioneered by Hitchcok, who knew that the viewer will always come up with something more horrible than you can ever show them.

The ending was "Badda Boom Badda Bing".

Fuhgetaboudit !

john, Austin, Texas

silence is what Tony sees and hears when he finally gets clipped. Remember the conversation with Bobby at the lake? "I wonder if you hear the one that gets you" - the final episode answers that question. That is why they flashed back to it at the end of last weeks episode. He never heard the one that killed him.

Cavino, Philadelphia, PA

The ending was in the true Soprano style. Leaving you wanting more.
I was hoping someone would take out AJ...early in the show...like before the last episode.
I can't wait for the reruns to begin.

gayle Harvey, Big Sur , Ca

My first thought was my DVR turned off too soon. Then I saw the credits and was a little miffled myself. Then I thought of course, Tony got whacked, never saw it coming. That flash of Meadow coming in the door, late, was what Tony saw; the open mouthed look on her face was because she saw that Tony was about to get hit. Then he did. No sound, just over -- just like Tony and Bobby were talking about in the boat before the drunken fight.
I think it was brilliant, and am surprised at all of the articles saying it was ambiguous, even more so at those saying it was not a fitting end.

JT, Tacoma, WA

If you've been watching and re-watching all or most episodes ,you get a feel for David Chase's style.{or at least you think you do!] Just the type of ending to keep people guessing and second-guessing until he decides to take it somewhere else!!!

jeff fujii, Seattle, Washington

In great writing - and the last Sopranos episode qualifies- all the lines and plot twists have a purpose.Why was AJ whining so much? He's whining about us, the audience.He said at the funeral diner that the guests were "f-ed" bc they focused on "j-off television fantasies" rather than real-life issues such as the war.Chase is communicating his frustration with American culture, including his own fans who watch his now famous "j-off television fantasy."
"Don't Stop!" is the last thing we hear. Again, Chase is playing with us. He's saracstically telling us to not stop believing in a bunch of fake characters, instead of what is truly important in this totally f-d and chaotic world of terrorists, wars and lies. If you didn't think that episode was brilliant, insightful and the perfect ending to the series, Chase was speaking to you.

Nikki, San Diego,

Well, I have 2 views....first, if the "cut to black" ending was Tony getting shot, then it was one of the most awesome series endings EVER! Personally, I think that that whole diner scene was being played out in T's head. REmember when he waked in, all of a sudden he was sitting down, as if he was looking at himself from across the room. Everything that happened from that poit on was him thinking about things he had done and how it may effect him and his family. When the bell on the door rang, that was the killer coming in and shooting T in the head from behind, ending his little daydream. He never saw it coming. However, if it was just him looking up and seeing Meadow running in from her bad parking job, then the writers owe us bigtime. That would just tell me that they ran out of ideas and wanted up to come up with an ending ourselves. Don't they get paid for that? Either way, I'll probably never watch a David Chase show again. I want an ending, not a writer out of ideas.

David, Massapequa Park, NY

It was perfect, bravo, Mr. Chase. No one wanted this to go on forever more than I, but the beauty is that, hopefully, it will end here. No additional episodes, no movie - ever. Spare us another Godfather 3. Secure the intergrity of this spectacular journey by ending it just as you did. With everyone wondering, "What the f---?"

JCaggiano, Long Island,

With the sudden floor-dropping of an end to the series, David Chase successfully allowed for two possibilities for his viewers: 1) To let them think for themselves. This is a tough sell for so many people who are accustomed to having everything spelled out for them on TV. (This also probably accounts for why the book industry is in decline, as people are less willing to use their imagination these days.) In this regard today's backlash was not at all surprising to me. Perhaps a few months and a martini or two will help the braincells to recharge. And 2) This definitely opens the door for a full-length Sopranos feature. After all, there are more than enough of the important characters left alive.

Unlike other viewers, I will not be discarding my Sopranos DVD collection. I will treasure them, as the series has earned its place alongside All In the Family as the most innovative, thought-provoking, emotionally intelligent and well-acted programs in history. Bravo!

Rick Kolenda, Bradford, MA

I am sad to see the Sopranos go and was a bit disappointed lastnight at the ending. However, after thinking about it today, I think anything else would have not done this great series justice. First of all people like Tony and Carmela Soprano always turn a blind eye to the truth. So in the final episode when AJ was like a fart in the wind with his desission to join the Army and then was so easily talked out of it and Medow with her dreams of being an attorney, it was fitting that they met for dinner as a "normal" family. Jancie is still looking for any money she can steal from anyone. Including poor Uncle Jr who she tried one last time to find out where his stash is hidden. Carmel goes on ragging at her son about his car, job etc when she is on the lamb as if nothing is wrong. Tony has scheme after scheme going through his thick head each time he gets a new chance. I hope there will be a movie or a spin off to keep me entertained in the future.

michele, las vegas, nv

Absolutely perfect. Chase is a genious. I, like most fans I grabbed my remote to see if something went wrong with the cable. Then I realized how perfect. Make your own ending and think and talk about it for a long time.
Salute..

Chip Goldin, Lake Arrowhead, Ca.

I've watched the show since it's beginning. And I can't remember when this was a "thinking" man's show? There was clever writing, great acting, good story lines, and plenty of sex and violence for any red blooded man to feast on from week to week.

There are many "artsy" comments written that attempt to dissect and interpret David Chase's intent. Many applauding fans that claim it was brilliant, likening it to real life and the only way it could have ended.

This show was nothing like real life. What it was, was a GREAT hour-long vacation from reality every Sunday. A nice escape that introduced us to a popular theme in American culture. It always fed us our Sunday ration of violence and finality.

Shame on David Chase for playing mind games with the majority of this shows loyal fans. It wasn't his show, it was the fans show... and as the dust settles, history will show that more than not believe we were cheated out of a deserved conclusion to these many, loyal years.

cnyviking, Mattydale, USA

Perfect!

Morgana, Monterey, California

The Sopranos was, and will always be, the best program ever made for television. I believe, as some other commenters do, that Tony was whacked at the end. But David Chase left just enough doubt in everyone's mind as to what really happened that he left room for a movie in the future if he chooses to make one. Like any great showman, David Chase has left us begging for more.

Marie H., Gainesville,

Idiotic ending, if you can even call it an ending. Hey Laila, the Sopranos don't continue because THEY AREN'T REAL. I think the writers were on strike for the final season an the actors just winged. In the end, even the cameraman was bored and just turned off the camera. Yawn...

Tom Martucci, Nyack, NY

That was Stupid! I hated the ending! I can't believe that I fell for all the hype! I would not pay for a ticket if they made a movie especially if it meant that I'd have to listen to A.J. bitch about the middle east.

JKN, Gilbert, AZ

A better ending would have been to just leave it as it was before the last episode, Tony on his bed with machine gun.

Or perhaps the hitman comes out of the bathroom shoots A.J., Carm, and Meadow , leaving Tony unscathed. Then the gunman could go on a rampage killing off all the other peripheral characters that wasted so much of our time as filler throughout the seasons. I hope a spechouse falls on Carms head, I hope AJ accidentally shoots himself in the head and dies, I hope Meadow is blown up in a terrorist plot, I hope Janice has heart failure. I hope the Buccos get food poisoning from their own food and die. Even Uncle Jr. he can go too, unneeded elements to an already bloated cast. Edit out all those boring filler plot points and you probably have 2 seasons of great crime drama.

aasd, asd, asd

At first I was dissapointed with the ending but when I thought about it, I realized it was absolutely brilliant. One point - Remember when Tony walked into the Diner? He was wearing a leather jacket when he visited Junior but when he walked into the Diner he saw himself sitting in the Diner with a different shirt on. Was he seeing himself? Was he walking out of his old life into his new lifin the witness protection program? It was extremely interesting and a brilliant ending.

Rebecca, Amory, MS

Did anyone really think they were going to kill off Tony with all the talk about a Sopranos movie?

Julie T., Denver, CO

Chase created a series that he could no longer control, and found its ending beyond his creative power. When a writer is intimidated by his characters, he becomes afraid to confront them. This seems to be the result of the subculture popularity of the people in the series. Chase couldn't bring himself to take responsibility for the fate of his major leads. So he takes the ultimate writer's copout, and leaves the ending up the viewer. He kills off Chris (for shock effect), Bobby (a second tier lead), and Phil (the only remaining threat to his main character), but cannot bring himself to resolve any of the other pending story lines.

Junior, Sylvio, Paulie, Janice, Malfi, AJ, Meadow, Carmella, and Tony have none of their stories definitively changed in the final episodes. It seems Chase was afraid to confront any of his characters, even to allow his weakest one, AJ, to make a life changing decision. No, it wasn't genious that guided the finale of the Sopranos, it was timidity.

Larry, Oceanside, California

A perfect ending to a perfect series. Anyone looking for closure has missed the entire subplot of the show. The world is open-ended, despite the violent ends of many of the characters. Everyone evolved in this series, even Tony, no matter how minute. Wrapping up this series in a neat little package would have been the biggest disgrace to Chase and company.

Larry C, Northport, New York

the ending sucked..i hate been left out in the cold

tom, saint louis, mo

TONY IS DEAD. if you noticed that meadow was running into the diner she had a displaced look. She wasn't running cause she was late. She heard the gunshots and came running in. We dont hear the gunshots cause we were seeing tony's point of view. You never see it coming. TONY WAS WHACKED.

Eric, tucson, az.

For everyone whining about the ending, I offer this: You wouldn't know subtlety if it hit you between the eyes (which, by the way, rhymes with Tony DIES).

Rich, Ithaca, NY

I thought the first 70% of the episodes were the best but the last 30% were boring, boring, boring. It was so bad I thought they had changed writers for the last 30%.
It got so bad I switched off a lot of the latter episodes. after the first half hour.

Vince, Detroit, Michigan

I was suspicious when I noticed that the upcoming series finale was only going to be a regular hour long episode. I knew they would never be able to wrap things up. And then when I watch half the show given over to one of Tony Soprano's irritating brats (Anthony Jr.), I knew we were going to get cheated.

But let's not forget this is HBO. Look how they ended OZ.

Caesar Warrington, Philadelphia, PA

I am not sure that I am seeing the tremendous genius in this. David Chase, ,et al spent the past six or so years sucking fans into the world that they created and coveted. I for one wanted more, not out of gluttony, but rather because I thought I (and my fan brethren) deserved to know a bit more about the fate of the cast of characters. Unlike Six Feet Under who created a masterpiece in finale's taking you all the way to each character's impending last moment on this earth. I am not saying that it should have been formulaic, but I am not seeing the genius in this one yet; maybe I will though. Until then, I will be left wondering the ways the show could've ended,

Andy, Providence, RI

ac, providence, ri

Perfect Ending.
Tony won. With Phil's demise, the war was over, regardless what other bad blood there might have been between the families. This is because wars are bad for business for all the families. After the family head is gone, there is no point in the war, and the family who refuses to then make peace would become the enemy of all the other families. Such a recalcitrant's businesses would be wrecked, destroying it.
Tony's not dumb. He made the peace, most likely through an intermediary from one of the other families.
The show can credibly be continued.

Harrold, Orange County, CA

I had the same reaction most people had at the moment the thing ended - I was pissed off! After I woke up Monday morning I recognized the ending for how brilliant it actually was. This show was always centered around Tony - largely from his point of view - and that's how it ended when he was whacked - lights out! In one of the earliest episodes in the season (out on the boat) Bobbie said something like " you never hear the one that gets you." That was prescient for how the series ended. Although the camera was not seeing the view out of Tony's eyes I believe it was showing his consciousness. His last conscious thought was the jangling noise of the door opening (and I presume the image of Meadow walking in the door ) as the hit man took him out from the side. The silence was that you never hear the one that gets you.

Chris, Hillsdale, NJ

I was screaming at the TV at the end that we had been robbed. 24 hours later after reading all of the comments and watching the repeat show I think David Chase is a genius. Way to go! We all reacted just the way he wanted us to. Loved the ending and plan to buy the complete DVD set when it is available. Someone at the Satin Dolls said she had wasted 9 years of her life - David Chase has made my 9 years here in NJ tolerable. KCE from NJ via CO

K Carol, Bedminster, NJ

The final episode was ok. When the screen turned black that repesented all of us getting whacked. Remember what Tony told Bobby about getting killed.

Jim Coffey, Bayville, New Jersey

I get it!!!!! What brilliance by Chase! Chase has left his enraptured viewers with the terrible burden (we as jury) of having to determine Tony Sopranos' fate ourselves.

There are two ways to interpret the finale: Tony looks up to see Meadow joining the family at the table; or Tony looks up to face his assassin.

P.S. Don't stop believing that we will not revisit the Sopranos some time in the future.

Maureen McCole, Staten Island, NY, USA

I thought the finale actually worked well. The only way to "end" the story meant Tony dying or off to jail. This is more like life. One chapter ends another begins... Overall I was not blown away by the last season, but for a last episode... simply put it works. The ending at least provokes thought and was as the show usually was unpredictable. Either way it was something we've never seen before and for that reason alone I liked it.

Scott, Gettysburg, PA

The finale sucked. So many things left unanswered. The finale was the worst episode of all. If it returns, I surely will not waste my time watching it.

Doug, Creston, B.C

Coming to the end of an era, the story line could have been a little more revealing. Ok, it was nice to see somebody have the balls, albiet a little off, to try something sudden. It was nice to see Tony stretch the whole acting bit by being scared.

That said, the ending,poised with FBI, the family together had some sense of finality and regret where Tony was happy to see his family. Almost thinking that it would never end. The stress accompanied with a figure such as Tony's would be exhausting to say the least.

Good Luck, I don't think the other shows created on HBO will come close to the niche programming offered prior.

K.C. Christensen, Salt Lake City, Utah

If the blank screen was Tony getting shot then why didn't we get to watch it happen and why didn't we even get a chance to see who set him up and his family's reactions?I've been watching from the start and i feel ripped off.

Mike, Youngstown, OH

The Sopranos, true to its quirky form, went out "Bada Bing," not "Bada Bang!" Thank you, David Chase, the cast, and all involved with The Sopranos for eight seasons of unparallel TV entertainment! I, personally, will NEVER fuhgettaboutit!

Beverly Martin, Topsham, USA / Maine

what was that????????

Kristin, syracuse,

No he was not as you put it "whacked". The ending was left like that to leave it open. You forget that the others sitting at his table would have warned him.

No Tony did not die. Meadow is probably pregnant and life is going to go on. If they wanted to kill him off they would have.

We need to continue this series. Period, this is one of the best series out there.

kennedy, leonardtown, USA

The Sopranos series has been uneven over the years, and after kicking off to a great start the final season seemed off-kilter; that said, the final episode was tension-filled and thought-provoking. I think the final episode makes sense if you keep in mind the Sopranos' basic ingredient: the modern family. All through the series Tony Soprano was torn by guilt that his children either would or wouldn't follow in his footsteps, and the series ends affirming that his children will not be swallowed up by the violence he himself has wrought. The Sopranos contribution to TV was that finally watching TV could be as satisfying as a good novel. Seeing beloved characters meet their demises this season was unusual, and I think their deaths could rightly have filled several more episodes of this great series. The most significant and curious thing about the final season was its funereal tone, it seemed like Tony might just give up being Boss out of pure exhaustion and depression. A great show!

Brian, San Francisco, CA

Are you kidding? This was a BRILLIANT ending! This was a character driven show. The Mob story was secondary..a ruse, a ploy to attract viewers & make it more appealing. It is about the life of David Chase. It is very, very personal (read the Vanity Fair article). In that brief ending it encapsulated everything about the way Tony & family lives....and will keep on living, which is in a state of denial & building paranoia. That he will constantly have to keep moving forward like nothing is out of the ordinary & yet keep looking backwards, over his shoulder. Tony was a head case & a mindF&*^k & so was this ending. Bravo! David Chase did the opposite of selling out, he stayed true to his characters. We, as the audience, were used, abused & smacked around to great effect. When dealing with Tony Soprano & family, whadya expect!?? Just awesome.

lbaxter, stamford, ct

What a cop out to end a great series, but it left the door open to The Sopranos return. Just expected more of the final episode than to see the Sopranos munching on onion rings. Shame on the writers for not ending this series with a "BANG"!

Carol, branford,

Best TV show ever. Thanks cast!

Wow...what a ride.

We will miss you.

m, Louisville, Kentucky

Well I think it was a wonderful ending. People keep concentrating on a finale- but we have to realize that the finale was for us not for the "Soprano" family. Soprano family continues- so there shouldn't be some specific ending to it all. It gave us a brief summary where everyone's life is heading, and Tony's life continues to be what it is...unresolved,mysterious,exciting and emotional. I think the writters did an excellent job leaving thier fans the way they always did every sunday....wanting more. I will truly miss the show.

Laila, St.Louis,Mo.,

the perfect ending for the sopranos! it left people wondering and can even be viewed as a "choose your own ending". maybe he lived, maybe he didnt.... you decide.

personally i think he died. if you think wayyyy back, some of the peopel in the diner were in old episodes, even old seasons. the trucker, the guy sitting at the diner bar by himself, the hodd rats who walked in, and even the boy scouts were all somehow involved in old episodes. couple that with the all important flashbacks the past few weeks and it all makes sense to me. i had to watch it twice to really get it, but now i do... BRILLIANT.

SMK, somerset, NJ

Brilliant....courageous....beautiful....profoundly appropriate. A 'tabula rosa' which affords each individual viewer the opportunity to construct their own perfect ending. The perfect ending in today's interactive world.

Jack, Newark, DE

just like any HBO show that end!!!! It ends just like if next week was going to happen... watch the OZ, deadwood and six feet under. Just like HBO!

john scheffler, pittsburg,

No need to question the ending, When Bobbie and Tony were on the lake bobby said when you get killed it probably just all turns to black.

Tony was shot in the head and killed, no other explanation makes any sense and this conclusion makes perfect sense. Dont be a Chase hater, think about it, it brilliant, Tony is dead, over and out. No need to view the bloody corpse or have another funeral scene.

Also the ketchup scene, Anticipation, never getting the Ketchup and the anticipation is always better than the realization.

Frank Marciano, Hoboken, NJ

James Joyce would have been proud of those who created the ending of the Sopranos saga. It was worthy of "The Dubliners" short stories or "Portrai of an Artist as a Young Man".

We were priviledged to witness an eight year "slice of life" of the Soprano family universe. Then, it was left to each of us to interpret what comes after our field of vision ends. I hope that "la familia" and Tony have buona fortuna in their undisclosed future.

The only thing missing in the final episode for me would have been ducks flying into the pool as Tony swept the back area of the house!

I'm sure millions of viewers thought their cable service failed prior to being brought back to reality with the appearance of the "silent" final crawl.

Dr. Edward Herschaft, Las Vegas, USA/Nevada

I'm glad its over . The show has been awful since Adriana got killed . The last episode was was an even bigger let-down than Godfather III , and I truly didnt think that was possible . I defy anyone that reads this to provide me with one person who cares about anything that A.J Soprano did or said for this entire series . I cried when Tony saved him , knowing that we'd have to sit through more of his whining and bad acting ( not to mention that atrocios facial hair ) . To leave the ending "open" or to have to " come to our own conclusions " at the end of a show that lasted 8 years (?) was insulting and just plain rude . We have all been played for suckers . HBO and David Chase were masterful in promoting this last episode ( and the previous season ) . They should both be sued for misrepresentation ( " The waiting is over " ? ) , and stealing money from fans who ( once ) held this show dear to thier hearts . Who wants to but my first season on dvd , I'm embarassed to own

Joey, Austin, TX

I am stunned that all my friends think the ending was disappointing. I thought it was brilliant...and perfect. But the funny thing is that my friends all think the ending was that life goes on as usual for the Sopranos. I was the only one who thought that Tony (and maybe his family) were whacked. The show went to black without any sound....as if someone is dead. I feel frustrated because I don't have anyone to talk to about the ending, as I am the only one that saw the final scene as a death scene!

Elaine, Coeur d'Alene, ID

Salve amigos. Definitely, a very Confusing ending, like the whole series... Duh . People that say that it was horrible, o madonn" I can't believe that after all these years you guys don't understand how a life like Tony's has been. Unpredictable as it could have been. You never NNNNever know what's up. Chase... You are a genius...Perfecto I would like to add that some of the guys and gals that wrote that they think that he got wacked in that last moment, and didn't see it coming, you are very perceptive, and I thought that too, but, you never know....maybe we will see Tony in the future having a trial and telling the jury "Find ME Guilty", jajaja or in a witness protection plan, or anything. Who cares. That's the beauty of it. A great storyteller always leaves us wanting more......think about it....Buona Fortuna...Arrivederci.....

Jaime, Chicago, Ill

To me the Sopranos ended perfectly (after I figured out that my cable connection wasn't on the blink). This has never been a plot driven show. It is all about the characters and the twists and turns of their world. Tony's world is closing in on him with or without a whacking at the end; the feds are tightening the noose; his "family" is dead or comatose or senile. His real family is nuts. In the end this became just another episode, nothing special, all the same threats still hanging there. Phil dies, but there'll be another "Phil." The war goes on

In the end nothing in Tony's world is real; everybody and everything is made up of lies including the show itself. Perfect.

Drew, Sacramento, US CA

Yeah, yeah, Tony gets whacked, it's a subjective shot, it's the end. But in real life, how any Mafia bosses sit around in cheap diners with their family. Now THAT's rubbish. Never mind, it was a cultural phenomenon but in many ways it was the usual old glorification of violence of a million movies beforehand. Just another way to waste time, hav something to discuss at dinner parties and, oh yes, lanch a billion M.A.s in Media Studies.

unch, Paris, France

Yeah, well, it says it all! Those people were not REAL! How come Carmela, Meadow and A.J. never worried that much about the disappearance of so many close associates and family members? Did they really believe they'd all gone into the witness protection program? In the framework of what trial? And what about Tony living in his mother's house for so long with that glass front door and no henchmen bodyguard in sight? Nono, in terms of likely story, I find Harry Potter more believable. I would have LIKED to see him get his comeuppance. He was horrible. And then nothing happens to him. Come to think of it, that's beginning to sound pretty real after all. Anyway, I couldn't stomach the violence. If it wasn't meant to turn us off Tony, then it was pointless, which is even worse. Some elements of dramatic narrative can never be circumscribed without becoming loose ends, and that's exactrly what happens.

elizabeth schumann, Paris, France

I dont understand how a show so popular all over the world could just end like this. You see people with the "soprans" hats shirts jackets and now its over. How unfair is that? Me and my family never missed an episode we are always there at least a half an hour before the show with our popcorn and favorite spots on the couch.... I am really going to miss it.

Gina, Bellingham Ma, Ma

I thought it was an excellent ending - if you were expecting it to be wrapped up into a nice neat package, then you are watching the wrong show.

I'm glad Phil got what was coming to him and relieved that Tony didn't - I'm positive he didn't get shot, Chase was playing with us in the last scene, showing us what it's like to be worrying about every person coming in to the Diner, and building tension with Meadow's dodgy parking, making us think she was going to miss something big happening.

It really was the only way the show could end - was it going to tie up every loose end for everyone? Of course not, that would be impossible - and the beauty of this show is that it is constantly evolving, you can't just finish every arc.

I'm wondering now if The Sopranos will return - my guess would be that it would not as that is almost too conventional these days, either way I salute David Chase et and wonder if a better television drama will be broadcast in my lifetime.

Alan, Sydney, Australia

BOOOOOOOOOOOO! I paid for H.B.O purely for the Sopranos. They will not get another $10.00 from me when they release the actual finale on the big screen. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Kevin, Oceanside, CA

i would say that exactly what it would be like to be shot in the head.

J. James, Chapel Hill, NC

It was a brilliant ending to a brilliant series. Just as the series was ambiguous and full of unresolved tensions, so was this last episode -- a fitting end that is no neat conclusive end. Life goes on. Whaddya gonna do?

Sirius B., Yarmouth, MA USA

im sorry to say it was anouther "seinfelt "ending the show was so disapointing it surely wasnt a "mash "finally the only show that even come close was " everyone loves raymond "i followed the sopranos from season 1 and i could hardly sleep and i coundnt stop talking about it for weeks i could only belive you in TV land all know what your doing because the rest of us who whatch the show last night didnt .......

Don , barrie , canada

I loved it, the huge tension buildup, then the suddening blackening of the screen and the uncharacteristic silence during the rolling of the credits was extremely emotionally effective. That being said, I HATE the fact that the show is over! We are so lucky to have easy access to DVD's! I intend to start from season 1 and do it all again. Bring on the movie!! Or David, have a change of heart and add a few more seasons!

Suzanne Bibbo, Wesley Chapel, FL

Did anyone notice the big jump, when Tony first walks into the restaurant, that it seems he sees himself sitting there?

jason, tacoma,

The final moment wasn't ambiguous at all. You just have to think about how it ends and, if you account for a number of overlooked details--i.e., the elongated moment with the blank screen before credits roll, and especially the sudden cessation of the music mid-song--you'll see that there's nothing ambiguous about the ending.

Tony is whacked. It happens at the very end--but we see it from Tony's point of view, which is the sudden nullity of instant death from a gunshot wound to the head.

Joe Johnston, Chicago, IL

i think the ending was perfectly fine, save for the fact that -- for a brief moment -- i believed my satellite misbehaved. i'm glad tony wasn't "whacked" -- that would have been predestrian.

karen, columbus, OH

I hope a zillion people read this. I watched every show ( some twice or three times ) during their long run. They started off with a bang ( pun intended ), and delivered some great programs. The finale however, after all those years was terrible! I mean come on, what a stupid way to end such a great series.

If they are truly done, and not planning any future shows ( which I recommend against ), they should have left more meat on the plate. Asking the audience to figure out things for themselves is banal and beyond professional writing. I agree with many of you who stated that they just "ran out of ideas". Besides, what the hell did we care about Anthony Jr.'s whining for half of the finale? They spent half of their last hour with meaningless concentration on the two kids. Who the hell cares about them?

I was born and raised in Soprano country ( North Jersey ), and I would rather have seen Anthony Jr. and his squeeze blown up, then fade to Tony watching some ducks.

Hap, Grants Pass, OR

When the screen went black thats when Tony got wacked.He nevered heard it coming.

tfeeney, Syracuse,New York,

A reasonable ending. Almost any other way of handling it would have seem hackneyed or trite. I'm glad the writers didn't resort to cheesy tactics like a surprise whacking or a folksy slow pan-out from the family eating dinner. I'm sure people who aren't used to challenging or thoughtful TV are disappointed that we didn't have a neat conclusion to the series. Fortunately for them, they've got their inane network sitcoms to numb the pain.

Christopher, New York, NY

Made me sorry I ever watched it. It was an awful ending. I could of wrote a better one myself!! After all the years I was an avid fan~Seems like they put no effort into the ending at all. I wont watch anything of David Chase again.

Neva, Lynbrook, Ny

horrible. i have seen every episode and this just sets up a movie or another season or something. not a series ending.

Geoffrey Burr, Parker, CO

All I can say is the envelope is light. David Chase owed us better then to leave us with a Question mark, unsatisfied. Maybe I'm a person who has a suspicious nature. It looks like David Chase might be trying to sell us another season. People waited for years to see the Sopranos come to its final conclusion. Instead all they got was an ending which left them in an abyss. I was hoping for a definitive end which would let us know whether Tony Soprano would be hit or not. What was the use of watching all these years. It will be a long time before I will watch any show that David Chase has his hand in. As far as I am concerned you could have ended the show when the red cat was gazing at Paulie Walnuts. All that suspense was built up just to rip off the loyal fans at the last minute.

David Meisel, bklyn, new york

I think it was a brilliant ending because it made you have to stop and think. I think that Tony is dead. It calls back to the episode where he and Bobby are in the boat talking about hits and Tony says how you would probably never see it coming, the world would just go black. Since the show is more or less from his perspective (or at least he is the central character) it would make sense they would choose to do it this way. I didn't like the ending until I figured it out -and then it only made me like it even more!

leigh, portland, or

I get it!!!! Chase is brilliant! He leaves his enraptured viewers with the terrible burden (we as jury) of determining Tony Sopranos' fate.

I believe there were two interpretations of the finale: Tony looking up at the end as Meadow joined the family at the restaurant; or Tony looking up and facing his assassin.

Don't stop believing, folks, that we will never revisit the Soprano clan some time in the future!

Maureen McCole, Staten Island, NY, USA

A great ending - maybe - after eight years.

Was the suspicious looking character in the diner getting ready to finish Tony off? Anybody who has seen the Godfather will KNOW that he has gone into the lavatory to collect his firearm!

As long as he takes A.J. as well as Tony.

Meadow's lack of parking skills meant she was running late. Will this save her? Will she foresake her law career to become the new boss and seek revenge?

Let's hope so.

Sopranos fans needn't worry. The series was so popular that dollars alone will ensure further episodes. Maybe a feature length episode every once in a while.

Kevin Allen, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey

Standard Sopranos, rather brilliant if you ask me. We never, NEVER quite know where this show will end up. If the cast doesn't find meaningful employment after this, they could well be back.

Michael, Hooksett, NH

Nothing in Tony's life was resolved -- it was always about how he was trapped between possibilities-- so this ending works. Leaving him wondering if the feds will prosecute or cut a deal, or where that bullet with his name on it will come from is the only real way to end the series. Those questions dominated his life for the eight years we knew him, and kept fans coming back for more. Ciao!

Terry, Bellevue, WA

The finale was disappointing. I got the feeling that writers didn't know how to end the story. It was worse than the ending where the person wakes up and finds the story was all a dream. It showed a lack of creativity. It was nothing, which I guess is what the writers thought would be a good ending. They were wrong.

Anita C, San Marcos, TX

What a cop out to end a great series, but it left the door open to The Sopranos return. Just expected more of the final episode than to see the Sopranos munching on onion rings. Shame on the writers for not ending this series with a "BANG"!

Carol, branford, US CT