Letters to the Editor
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The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity
For sure Dr. Melfi is "the best" who lacks "all conviction". The only regular character who truly knows right from wrong has never really confronted Tony about the blood on his hands. Will she finally tell him, "Tony, you're in the mafia" and then meet the fate of the "Cleaver" writer? The hilarity is that both Melfi and A.J.'s new therapist ignore the obvious point that the root of A.J.'s problem is in a sociopathic killer for a father. Things can't end well for Jennifer Melfi. I'm not sure about Meadow. She may do ok for herself.
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AJ as John Walker Lindh
Anyone else see AJ at this point as a John Walker Lindh type? Wouldn't Islamic fundamentalism lift him out of his funk, give him a purpose, a basis on which to reject the materialism of his surroundings, and most importantly, a father figure? Not to mention lots of new reading material. The rejection by his girlfriend could easily be converted to misogyny. And hell, he's suicidal anyway. They say any of us, at some point in our lives, could be vulnerable to joining a cult. I'd say AJ is there now. And meanwhile, Chris' Al Qaeda friends are out there somewhere, although how they would gain access to and influence AJ within the next two episodes I have no idea.
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Who are your 4 favoirte season 1 - 6 Sopranos show characters and why ?
In addition to discussing or debating this current Sopranos episode, can amy readers also elaborate on who your 4 personal favorite Sopranos show characters are and the reaosn why for each one named (now that the show is almost over).
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Coco's real intentions
Has anyone considered the possibility that Coco's harassment of Meadow was a deliberate strategy to provoke Tony to act against Phil's family and provoke Phil to begin a war? Phil has insisted he no longer wants the responsibilities of management since his heart attack. Butch has been advising for a hit for some time. Could Butch be planning without Phil being fully aware of his intentions. The last scene suggested that Phil changed his decision after consulting with Butch.
Skeptics consider what lead to Sonny Corleone's demise.
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The Second Coming
Sopranos season 6 is as dramatic and thoughtful as anything ever aired on television. I'm reminded of the climax of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks series. What might have been a pedestrian murder mystery with odd characters grew into a masterpiece. Throughout that series, Lynch combined dream imagery with unusual character development to reach a surprisingly poignant climax. When Laura Palmer’s murderer was revealed to be her father Leland , possessed by the evil Bob in spirit, we felt Leland’s torment. Only in physical death and Bob's departure from his body did Leland's suffering end, as he is welcomed by his daughter into the afterlife. I haven’t seen it since it first aired, but I remember it still.
David Chase has used some of the same techniques throughout The Sopranos. Tony has had revealing visions throughout the series, but the use of this technique came clearly into focus this season. While in a coma, Tony has an extended vision of an alternate life as Kevin Finnerty. Finnerty may well be Tony’s future, but more on that later.
Several Salon letter writers have referred to AJ’s rebirth, and there have been many references to “the son rising” in the previous episode. The Christian symbolism really came to the fore last night, as the episode's title makes clear, when AJ was essentially born again, baptized, through his suicide attempt. Tony witnesses the rebirth, making the father and son relationship the dominant storyline.
How the show ends ultimately depends on Chase’s opinion of Tony. I’m not certain Chase views Tony as a sociopath. Gandolfini does not. During his appearance on “Inside the Actors’ Studio," Gandolfini mentions that Tony kills when he has good reason. A sociopath will find reasons to commit violence when there are none. This is not who Tony is inn Gandolfini's view. Where Chase stands on this isn’t clear, which is part of the show's genius.
I can't help but think of Seinfeld's series conclusion. Clearly, Jerry Seinfeld came to loath his characters and that the show’s audience sympathized with them a little too much. His answer was to send them all off to prison. If Chase really does see Tony as a sociopath, he will end up dead or locked up. He may bring members of his own family with him. On the other hand, Chase has left several hints of alternate endings.
Tony’s comatose visions as Kevin Finnerty the traveling salesman could foreshadow life in the witness protection program, as many letter writers have acknowledged. A soprano is a singer, so does Tony “sing” in order to save his family? It seems out of the question, but if he were backed into a corner and saw no way to protect his wife, son, or daughter, it is a real possibility. The incident with the thug bothering Meadow is another instance of foreshadowing this conclusion.
Entering into witness protection carries huge risk and a betrayal of his friends and his own lifestyle, but Tony may be willing to sacrifice himself for AJ and Meadow. Tony’s surprising affection toward AJ foretells this possibility. AJ has been reborn, and like any newborn he must learn to cope in the world. With his rebirth, Tony no longer sees him as a loser, despite saying he felt ashamed to Dr. Melfi. Tony’s comment didn’t seem sincere, as if he was telling Melfi what she expected. He is ashamed of himself for bringing so much agony to his son.
That AJ took action not only shook his world but Tony’s as well. Tony may secretely believe AJs attempt is a sign of misplaced strength. If AJ were really the vacant being he has appeared to be throughout the series, he wouldn’t be capable of suicide. Feeling this in such a visceral way, Tony’s relationship with AJ is transformed in an instant.
It’s interesting that many of Tony and AJ's greatest bonding moments have involved pizza, and he entered the psychiatric hospital with a large thin crust in hand. The final scene showed Tony putting his arm around AJ as they walked down the hall. When have we ever seen that much of a bond and that much affection between the two? It makes you wonder if there was a suicide attempt in Tony’s past, or if he had such strong suicidal thoughts that he really feels what AJ is feeling. If yes, then this is a significant breakthrough in Tony’s character. If yes, then Tony is NOT a sociopath, certainly not any longer if it was ever true.
So, what do we make of Christopher’s death? Last week I said it wasn't clear that Tony’s killing of Christopher was murder. I still believe that. In Tony’s face I didn’t see malice, but rather that hardened look we saw when Tony killed his cousin; I saw duty. Tony did what he had to do. He stopped Chris’ immediate suffering, handled his biggest business liability, and killed the surrogate son to make emotional room for his actual son. I think the immediate motivation was the first one; the others came to Tony only later.
Finally, how will this series end?
Predictions are likely to be wrong, but that’s half the fun. I’ve been saying to my wife it is inevitable that Tony ends up dead, and that the only question is who does he take with him? But now I am making a complete turn. I’m going to say that Tony flips, in the face of his crew’s weakness against Phil and the imminent danger this puts his family in.
Now that I have committed, it just doesn’t seem like the right way to end the series. Maybe that means it’s a perfect ending.
But, what the hell ever happened to the Russian in the woods?