why people who don't watch the show take the time to log on to bitch about it and complain to Salon writers for writing about it. If you haven't watched the show, you have no idea of the nuances of the plot lines nor the context of the action. But most of all, you cannot possibly appreciate the brilliance of James Gandolfini's portrayal of Tony Soprano- he brings it, and how. JG has imbued Tony not only with the cold calculatedness of a mob boss, but the tender vulnerability of a man who loves his family, the seductive allure of a functioning voluptuary, the explosive fury of an unloved son, the frustration of an uneducated man striving for knowledge of himself,the instinctive cunning of a born survivor, and the aching regret of an essentially blue collar schmoe who would rather have been born the son of a bricklayer.(as was JG)

James Gandolfini, and James Gandolfini alone, is the reason we love Tony and regret right along with him that his father was not a bricklayer. Things would have been so different, but then we wouldn't have The Sopranos.

So if you don't watch the show, stop reading the frickin' articles about it, and for God's sake, stop treating us to your holier-than-thou, childishly judgemental comments.

yes I do, but only because of a general bent toward compassion. She can't help being rich and spoiled, unprepared for the harsh realities of life. At the same time, I could care less if she learns and grows from her experience. Her emotional, physical, or intellectual state is of no concern to me. What I do care about is the fact that legions of empty headed little girls are thinking to themselves right about now: "hmmm, it's not hot to drive drunk".

Look at it this way, Paris. This is the only good thing you have ever done for the general welfare of the community.

when you have had a chance to think about it.

* Spoiler Alert*

Ah, AJ. With his denoument, Chase has told us what he thinks of US. Chase thinks if someone in power throws us a bone, we'll hold our noses and tolerate the corruption. As a general rule, he's right, isn't he? We all hoped AJ would do something dramatic and for the good,(I did, anyway) considering his newfound awareness of the world around him. Well, what have WE done lately to stop the horrors? We are aware of it, aren't we?They keep stabbing us in the back, we get mad, they give us some palatable legislation or investigative hearings, we fuhgeddaboudit. We think we are doing good things by driving hybrid cars or giving to charities or working on campaigns. WHAT HAVE WE REALLY ACCOMPLISHED??

A. Big. Fat. Nothing.

Life goes on.

I am now convinced Tony was whacked, as well. There is no other explanation for the black out, the way the music ended abruptly.

Thing is, WE saw it coming. Was your heart about to jump out of your chest the whole restaurant scene, as mine was? I just knew we were about to see blood splatters. In that moment, the black out just seemed an anti-climax. Now, it seems inevetible but still profoundly sad.

but here is another. Oh God, It just hit me.

Tony is gone.

In every possible way.

he sees himself sitting at the table, alone. The scene cuts quickly to him choosing a song on the table-top juke-box.

Carm looks nervous.

AJ is oblivious.

Meadow is late because she can't parallel park.

Journey is playing:

"Just a small town girl, livin in a lonely world

She took the midnight train goin anywhere

Just a city boy, born and raised in south detroit

He took the midnight train goin anywhere

A singer in a smokey room

A smell of wine and cheap perfume

For a smile they can share the night

It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Streetlight people, living just to find emotion

Hiding, somewhere in the night

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

(chorus)

Dont stop believin

Hold on to the feelin

Streetlight people"

and under that "any way you want it"

IOW, interpret however you like.

Was the cat a reincarnation of Ade or Christofuh?

I was stunned and confused, but naturally I immediately began trying to justify it to my 25 yr. old son, who was pissed beyond belief. Even when I posited that the abrupt black screen meant Tony had been whacked, he still wouldn't get over it. (Did you notice the guy at the counter was "Nick LEOTARDO" in the credits?)

Within a short while, it hit me that the ending was brilliant, the only way to end such an abiguous show. And that Journey song! So Tony, whose taste in music has always been thus. (pay attention to when he himself chooses the music-predictable and goofy)

This morning, I'm laughing my ass off. David Chase has succeeded in turning millions of Sopranos fans into two warring factions.