Letters to the Editor
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"Its all a big nothing"
Ironic that Livia Soprano would be the one to sum up this series. Certainly the first two seasons were magnificent, but it nose-dived after that. From season 3 onward its been trite, predictable and familair. Six Feet Under was a much richer series and OZ in its heyday ran circles around the best The Sopranos had to offer. We keep hearing about the great writing. Great writing is more than some smarmy, smart-ass dialogue gussied up with immaculate art direction. This season (as in past seasons) have had themes and stories simply evaporate or suddenly wrap up with no apparent meaning. Vito's homosexuality was played for smirks. the storyline was a dead end and went on far too long. Go back and rewatch The Krays. You'll see just how vicious and monstrous a gay mobster can be.
The biggest failing of this series is the cuteness. Chase is so afraid we won't adore his beloved creations he's defanged them. The slick one-liners, the silly outfits, the arch mannerisms...the show has become a series of tics and affectations. Underneath it all none of them are likeable characters, but I feel like we're being force-fed them as cute and loveable despite their actions.
After the series ends (and I think the final show will be much like last night's so David Chase can revive things as a movie or movies), and time has passed, I think people will look at this show and...well quote Livia..."Its all a big nothing."