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SWEEPS DAY FOUR!! First of The Final Six!! THE SOPRANOS 6.16!!

Published at:  Apr 29, 2007 3:05:39 AM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

I am – Hercules!!


* Tony has cooled toward Bobby, Christophuh and Paulie, three of his four closest associates.
* Tony’s gambling debts continue to mount.
* The Feds seem to discover a new Anthony Soprano misdeed every week.
* The New York mob is in an accelerating cycle of flux and turmoil.

Tonight, will Tony be able to keep his sopressata out of rival mob boss Phil Leotardo’s cousin, Marie Spatafore?

By the way. If you ever want to see a 29-year-old Elizabeth Bracco (not to be confused with sister Lorraine, who plays Tony’s psychoanalyst) in a miraculously hilarious chunk of big-screen entertainment, Netflix yourself a copy of Jim Jarmusch’s "Mystery Train". Bracco plays Dee Dee, the girl sharing the room with a freaked-out Nicoletta Braschi and maybe the Ghost of Elvis. The movie co-stars Steve Buscemi, Joe Strummer, a masterful Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and the voice of Samuel L. Jackson.

Digression ends. HBO says:

Tony hits an unlucky stretch; AJ makes a life-changing decision; Vito's widow Marie (Elizabeth Bracco) turns to Tony for help with her troubled son. Written by Matthew Weiner; directed by Tim Van Patten.


After tonight, only five episodes left. The next three:

6.17 - MAY 6 - "Walk Like A Man" - AJ (Robert Iler) struggles with depression; Kelli's (Cara Buono) dad (Dennis Paladino) is the unwitting catalyst of a new feud between Christopher (Michael Imperioli) and Paulie (Tony Sirico). Written and directed by Terence Winter.

6.18 - MAY 13 - "Kennedy and Heidi" - An asbestos-disposal impasse raises tensions between Jersey and New York; Tony (James Gandolfini) has a revelation; Paulie gets upstaged. Written by Matthew Weiner and David Chase; directed by Alan Taylor.

6.18 - MAY 20 - "The Second Coming" - Phil (Frank Vincent) turns down Tony's offer of compromise; AJ despairs about the world and his future; Tony takes umbrage over an affront to Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler). Written by Terence Winter; directed by Tim Van Patten.

9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.









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    Readers Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 12:43:04 AM CDT

    FIRST of the final six?

    by jabbayoda

    I'd like to see the unclothed affront of Meadow.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 1:21:26 AM CDT

    I knew it! Paulie's a cylon!

    by kasch

    Should've known when they started hearing "All Along the Watchtower" on the boat...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 1:28:20 AM CDT

    would Phil Leotardo make a good Cylon?

    by boomers_lips

    i think he would. He takes crap from no one. Just look what he did to that guy go asked for a smidgen of his steak.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 3:57:24 AM CDT

    When will Finn get raped?!?!

    by northridge

    Because that skinny little white bitch needs to get sodomize.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 4:36:12 AM CDT

    bacci40

    by badmrwonka

    remember the stuff about Tony's dad telling him never to gamble? it was Ton's first glimpse of violence, the butcher that got his finger cut off because of gambling debts, and that led to his panic attacks, etc. it's a big plot point, I'm sure it will turn into something bigger fairly soon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 4:37:10 AM CDT

    btw

    by badmrwonka

    I didn't mean to write "Ton" in place of "Tony"...that would be just shy of referring to "Bobby DeNiro and Marty Scorcese" on the douche-o-meter...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 8:40:46 AM CDT

    BadMrWonka

    by immortal_fish

    Yabbut, for all the reasons you mentioned, it still doesn't fit. Tony hasn't been shown doing any major gambling. Perhaps it has more to do with covering the gambling debt of others. That would make more sense given Tony's arc.I'd hate to see the writers come up with something too convenient and out of character just to take him down at the end of the final season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 9:27:47 AM CDT

    nah

    by badmrwonka

    I don't think it's going to be the end of him, I just think it's being used to represent a few things. first off, you're right, he never used to gamble all that much, but getting on a losing streak and trying to make it back is a good and plausible way to start gambling more. second, because his early memories were off people getting beat up or maimed because of gambling debts, and his dad sat him down and said, don't EVER gamble, and now Tony is doing just that, I think it represents the idea of Tony becoming increasingly uncomfortable in his role as boss, and even in the family as a whole. thirdly, I think it will probably provide us with a good source of tension with Tony and Carmela (she finds out he's lost money and is mad, it affects her spec house, etc.) bottom line, I don't think it's too far-fetched, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with it tonight.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 9:39:50 AM CDT

    When does the Wire

    by ijustlikemovies

    come back? Enough of Tony already. I bet he takes over the NYC mob by the end of the season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 9:58:13 AM CDT

    Johnnycakes=Cylon

    by uss cygnus

    It was so obvious.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 10:03:29 AM CDT

    Re: Like Movies

    by dancetothebeatofthelivingdead

    Yeah, but he'll take it by force. The way I would end it, Phil takes out Christopher, Tony Goes bat shit, has Phil's whole crew whacked, Little Carmine retaliates by icing Paulie or Silvio, Carmine gets taken out, Tony gets New York, but he's left in his own stinking pile of shit that he created. Fucking Micheal Corleone style.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 12:35:42 PM CDT

    Mystery Train

    by catman

    Uhhm, Herc? It's the Voice of Tom Waits in that flick. Not Samuel L. Jackson. Get yer facts right.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 1:52:52 PM CDT

    Hi, Goodnight!

    by grandmufftarkin

    Mystery train was excellent...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 2:39:44 PM CDT

    Will tony sleep with the fishes

    by emeraldboy

    or end up in sing sing?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 2:41:19 PM CDT

    or will tony

    by emeraldboy

    get caught out like al capone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 2:49:47 PM CDT

    I have a strange feeling....

    by emeraldboy

    that in the end tony will go legit and turn the tables on his own family and set up them up to be busted by the Feds. In other words he will destroy his own family to save himself, carmela, aj and Meadow. But just when he thinks he is out of the woods, someone that he thought was loyal kills him and Carmela. He hands everything over to Aj and meadow who run things properly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 3:34:53 PM CDT

    Tony will lose in the end..when..

    by cobrakai

    In the all valley karate championship..seemingly out of nowhere...Silvio pops him the babalush with a crane kick.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 5:31:24 PM CDT

    Yep

    by b arthur

    It will be Tony's selfishness that is his undoing. Carmella's going to get popped, nobody is expecting it. Somehow this will lead to him fucking over his crew. AJ kills himself, meadow wont talk to him... Junior rakes in the big bucks at the home.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 6:22:33 PM CDT

    In Season six part one

    by emeraldboy

    While tony was in his coma, carmela brought cakes to the hospital. Look at the way Paulie looked at her and spoke about her, with venomous contempt. He hates her and I wouldnt be suprised if he does order her to be whacked, this causes tony to lash out. In the end, tony discovers who ordered his wifes murder. Paulie discover that the cancer has spread and at some point, ends up in hospiral. Tony pays him a visit. Paulie is asleep and tony makes sure he stays that way.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 7:20:38 PM CDT

    It's so clear what is going to happen

    by itchy

    Tony, feeling squeezed between the Feds and the NYC troubles, gets out of dodge to figure out his next move. He ends up in New England, and meets Johnny Cakes, and they end up banging. Tony ditches his old life to become a flamboyant anqtiques dealer, and lives happily ever after.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 8:43:54 PM CDT

    ill take $100 K

    by rdsxfan8

    on somethign unexpected happening at the end of this season!!!!

    and if I win vitos wife gets to move and than some

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 8:57:42 PM CDT

    PREDICTION

    by cvb784

    The series finale passes, and nothing happens. But critics and fans hail the story telling and character development as "unparalleled".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 9:32:51 PM CDT

    another winner

    by indiephantom

    that ep was boss.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 10:04:41 PM CDT

    Any ideas on why Blanca broke up with AJ?

    by james_o'nasty

    Over Carm's spec house selling? What say you?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 10:42:14 PM CDT

    I noticed the hand-held look, too.

    by indiephantom

    Very different in visual style.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 10:48:47 PM CDT

    I gotta admit

    by shakes

    I loved the episode. My eyes were glued to the set the whole time. But I've got to wonder, what the hell was the point with the Jewish guy's wife dying? I'm just lost there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 2007 11:47:21 PM CDT

    Muslim dudes and tough love for Vito Jr.

    by gqtaste

    They werent' playing around w/ little Vito. And they mention again the two Muslim dudes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:06:34 AM CDT

    this gambling thing...

    by yassoo

    ...sorry, but it came out of nowhere. sure, tony's always worried about money, but he never seemed to have a gambling problem. not in his character, since the series began. i've loved the eps this season, but this week seemed kinda forced. this whole thing with hech's wife -- ok, i get the symbolism, but if she wasnt poisoned, why would she die? this seems like convenient and/or lazy writing somehow. 5 eps left, people. i'm all for charcater and plot development, and i never dis the show, but things need to get going a bit.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:23:55 AM CDT

    "im sorry for your loss"

    by nopix

    Is what Tony said to Hesh. Before this scene it was Carmela and Tony's conversation about impending doom and about how this was actually about loss of money. Tony gave Hesh his money, but that scene showed how there are bigger things to lose in life than money. And their friendship is kind of shitty right now. Tony wasn't very consoling.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:26:14 AM CDT

    And it's fine for Tony to deal with a gambling problem.

    by nopix

    Remember in season 3 when his father said to never ever gamble? Also, this episode was called "Chasing It". As in that special feeling you get when you win big on luck. It get's you high on life and makes you feel like a big shot---Tony ALWAYS feels like a big shot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:43:45 AM CDT

    tony gambling + carmela's spec house money

    by badmrwonka

    called it! (said in the voice of "nailed it", all high pitched and Jon Stewart-ey, not macho and stupid like a guy from Entourage.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:54:57 AM CDT

    I guess this is a "setup" episode

    by frodofraggins

    Not a particularly strong episode, but it had its moments. The gambling thing seems far fetched to me for some reason. And the wife's death seemed VERY contrived. Maybe I was just expecting some serious action and a major character to die this week. I was definitely expecting things to move forward in the Christopher, Paulie or Bobby front. Apparently next week deals with AJ, meh.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 2:08:47 AM CDT

    How it ends: Tony ratting on the terrorists...

    by executor

    It seems like they're pretty heavy handed and random with the terrorist stuff lately. The FBI telling Tony they're more worried about terrorists, and if Tony hears anything, tell them. The two terrorists guys that Chris dealt with that Tony happened to see crossing the street in tonight's episode.
    Seems like that's where they're headed for the finale...Tony will get busted, but the mob is old news and they'll make a deal with Tony in exchange for info on the terrorists. Thoughts?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 2:38:13 AM CDT

    I dont know...

    by b arthur

    While the terrorist thing might be an interesting plotline the writers have also opened up multiple avenues for the show to end. But then again that really has been their trademark since season 4 - opening plotlines that they never close. What ever happened to the russian? Vito being gay could have opened a whole bunch of interesting plotlines, but we get a story about his kid shitting in a shower? The dicorce? Dr. Melfi was once a threat... Carmella summed it up this episode where she said Tony was afraid to even get the paper. But will they ever actually use one of these plotlines to create any real conflict? Instead it looks like we will be getting much of the last season devoted to AJ, who IMO has been a worthless and uninteresting character. In fact, how they portray all the children in the show has been very unconnected with reality. Tony's kids are way to damn normal for having a murderer for a father. And because Vito Jr.'s dad was gay, he's going to go Goth? It doesnt get more cliche than that really. Hey I love the Sopranos but the show has really been weak since season 2 or 3.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 3:03:08 AM CDT

    Anybody Notice...

    by imfixingtodie

    That one of the muslim guys crossing the street looked an awful lot like Tony's dad?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 4:11:35 AM CDT

    Sympathy for Tony waning..

    by buffywrestling

    Man, was he a dick this week. Of course it is his pattern, blaming other people and wallowing in self pity. I pretty much knew if Carm sold the house, he would make it all about him, how he allowed her to go into business for herself but I never thought he would go as far as ask for the money for it, like she was one of the guys that Tony sharks money to. And he became so resentful about paying back his own loan, he seemed to be gloating that Hess's wife had died, like he had it coming because he dared to ask for some of his money back, when Tony himself was strapped. Melfi cutting him off if he doesn't straighten up was probably the best thing that happened to him this week, considering how out of control he was being.

    Another thing I noticed regarding the muslims, was that they were standing and greeting one another outside of their own "club", like Tony does with his guys. Maybe the gang war that some are expecting to happen with New York, is going to happen with these guys instead.–

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 7:47:19 AM CDT

    I can't believe people are saying thsi was good...

    by scorchy

    This was the worst episode of the Sopranos I've EVER seen. The characters all acted completely out of character, they invented plotlines (Tony gambling? What?!?!?!) that make no sense, they have a subplot about the shower crapper that has little merit on anything...it sucked, and it sucked hard.

    My roommates and I - one of whom might be the biggest Sopranos diehard in this country - watched the proceedings with digust. On the heels of last week's mediocre fare, this was just plain bad.

    ...and I've been watching Entourage for the first time ever. If this is as good as that show gets, then I don't know why people loved it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 8:15:39 AM CDT

    Poop in shower

    by fireclown

    The point here is that Tony is willing to send this kid to a camp where he will likely have the snot kicked out of him. That he has that much control on the lives of his people, and that he is willing to do it pretty much for financial reasons. 18K vs 100K. And this is with his background of abuse.

    I'd love it if they ended it with VIto Jr escaping and killing Tony over this.

    Or it could end Goodfellas style: Tony turning in the Taliban (I remember Christophus fiancee mentioning that they ran a camp for troubled kids, Madrassa style) and enters the witness protection program. And gets to live the rest of his life "like a shcnook".

    Even with the contrivances, I love this show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 8:18:38 AM CDT

    FIRST OFF-

    by cocolopez

    We've seen Tony gambling plenty of times- on horses and in casinos. Secondly- did anyone pay any attention to Melfi saying "is it the money or the high of winning?" If the people complaining about Tony being "out of character" have been paying attention- Tony's discontent with his lifestyle, the people around him, and his future prospects has soared to new heights in these first four episodes. He sees his luck spiraling down- and his sudden gambling "charge" is his way of trying to fight that- to get a high out of winning again- to feel lucky. He gets frustrated however when he realizes he's chasing rainbows. The handheld shots last night emphasized the spiraling- his world is falling apart and he's running out of options. Brilliant episode. Sharp writing. The acting is getting better and better leading up to the final episode.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 9:58:17 AM CDT

    Gambling problem out of nowhere!

    by riskebiz

    6 plus seasons and not even a hint of a gambling problem and this episode Tony is a full fledge addict? I didn't much like this episode. Or the last one. Or the one before that. With 5 episodes left, I hope they get it in gear and end on a high note. It hasn't been that good since Adrianna got whacked. In fact, it's gotten worse. Hope it turns around.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 10:16:42 AM CDT

    Unresolved Plotlines

    by bobparr

    THE RUSSIAN IS DEAD...THE RUSSIAN IS DEAD...THE RUSSIAN IS DEAD! Please stop bringing up this one episode as a reason why nothiing is ever resolved. David Chase said he never intnended to bring the Russian back and he always believed he was dead. The Russian's purpose was to show what kind of fuckup Paulie was and the beginning of Christopher leap-frogging him in rank. Half the people complained about Juinor's episode last week but everyone would have complained if he never came back. He was my favorite character on the show and his arc is resolved. He's a semi-comatosed, institutionalized, lonely old man. It was good to see some of the residual affects of Vito's murder. I just think it sucks that the final showdown will be with Phil Leotardo. Johnny Sac was a much more interesting character.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 10:54:51 AM CDT

    Blues Song?

    by tanks1

    Does anyone know the name of that "Blues" song that played during this episode?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 11:16:02 AM CDT

    The Gambling problem...

    by space oddity

    has always been with Tony. Nearly every episode we see Tony playing Poker at Satriale's, betting vast sums of money on races, taking constant mini-vacations to Casinos, and not to mention that in Season 2 we got introduced to the "Degenerate Gambler" model in Robert Patrick's character who lost his business, child's college money, and family because of Tony's gambling connections. The reason the gambling sub-plot is so important right now is that it is the least productive part of Tony's expensive lifestyle and with Vito's absence his income has dropped probably by about a quarter. Most true stories in American crime end not with a hail of gunfire but poor money management of criminals too tired by a life of crime to keep up with their own tax scams and illegal activities. See: Al Capone.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 11:19:44 AM CDT

    And Tony straight-up killed Hesch's wife...

    by space oddity

    ... it just had to be him. Anyway, if I was Hesh I would be weary of Tony's possible involvement. Basically it looks like we've got a gallery of would-be assassins just aching to put holes in the BIG T.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:18:06 PM CDT

    heres how it ends

    by b arthur

    Its obvious the writers are trying to show just how wacked out Tony's life has become. Everything is stressful, has no joy and paranoia abounds. So come the final episode, Tony will just simply have a panic attack / heart attack / stroke and die. This will leave plenty of unresolved plotlines to make the writers happy. It is circular with the first season and seems like an appropriate ending. I just don't like the fact the writers are taking this easy route. MArk my words, nothing will happen on this show up until the very final 1/3 of the last episode.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:21:50 PM CDT

    I just love how many red herrings

    by itchy

    Chase is putting out there, trying to confuse everyone trying to "guess" the outcome. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but last night's episode was the first time Tony has mentioned going to see "Slava" since the Pine Barrens episode. Maybe their setting us up for the ultimate fan ending - Tony gets whacked by Slava for Paulie and Christopher's failed attempt to kill his comrade in the woods. How perfect would that be ?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:52:04 PM CDT

    Her death just seemed

    by space oddity

    quite unnatural, and Tony's visit was chillingly brief, light, and smug. If Tony didn't do it I think he might have been just implying that he did or wouldn't have cared if he did. The money was just to rub it in his face. Tony referred to Hesch as Shylock, and as brazenly non-PC as it is, I think Tony was turning the tables on what he viewed as unfair monetary demands, which in reality Hesch would probably have just dropped if asked. I'm just saying, Hesch now has a major loss and reason for suspicion and that spells motive.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 12:58:58 PM CDT

    Tony has always been a Sociopath

    by edryder

    It aint a new thing.The surprise in this TB is whats surprising.The only pattern I see this year is:Tony is totaly alone,he has No ONE close to him at all.He shits on everyone around him no matter how "far back" they go..he has NO FRIENDS.He knows exactly what to say to his wife that will hurt the most.On top of it ,he built ALL of it.Total self destructive sociopath

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:03:08 PM CDT

    Profile of a Sociopath

    by edryder

    Glibness and Superficial Charm


    Manipulative and Conning
    They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.


    Grandiose Sense of Self
    Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."


    Pathological Lying
    Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.


    Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
    A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.


    Shallow Emotions
    When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.


    Incapacity for Love


    Need for Stimulation
    Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.


    Callousness/Lack of Empathy
    Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.


    Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
    Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.


    Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
    Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.


    Irresponsibility/Unreliability
    Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.


    Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
    Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.


    Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
    Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.


    Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
    Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:11:38 PM CDT

    Poop in the shower, just like this episode

    by faust_8

    With 5 episodes left, let's expand on plot lines and introduce more. Tony has a gambling problem out of no where. I'd rather step on my shit in the shower.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:12:01 PM CDT

    weak episode

    by rupee88

    The first 3 eps this year were excellent, but this one just misfired...poor script.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:18:25 PM CDT

    It was obvious why Blanca broke up with AJ

    by rupee88

    They've shown many times that she was disappointed in AJ and the lifestyle he could give her. She clearly broke up with him because she didn't think he could give her the big house and fancy car that she wanted, and didn't care about "love".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 1:41:31 PM CDT

    Not so great

    by _maltheus_

    Yeah, I wasn't feeling this one either. I get that Tony is spiraling out of control, but they should have built up this gambling thing gradually instead of just beating us over our heads with it for one episode. I don't really care about AJ's relationship, nor do I think it ultimately matters why she dumped him. I'm not sure what to make with the death of Hesch's wife. Tony never really had a connection to the terrorists, so that plot is pointless. It's just, I don't get the sense of where we're going. I feel like everything is going to explode at some point and we'll just have some random conclusion to the series rather than a culmination of the story.
    Tony is obviously the focus of this show, but this season seems overly focused on him. Everyone else comes across as extras in the background, with perhaps one character in the front, hanging with Tony each ep (Christopher, then Bobby, then Paulie, then Junior, now Hesch). I've always preferred it more as an ensemble show. This season seems to be more about fostering a paranoid atmosphere, rather than telling a story. This could be good, but only if the finale is unbelievably spectacular. If it isn't, then they'll have wasted all this time on a cheap gimmick instead of giving us the stories that would allow us to depart with a sense of closure. I guess we'll see.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 2:55:54 PM CDT

    I laughed...

    by northridge

    when I saw Puerto Rican flags fluttering from AJ's SUV. Maybe after Blanca blew him off, he decided to pull a Kramer on them...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 3:49:14 PM CDT

    come ON people...

    by badmrwonka

    you need to remember how much time passes in a given episode, n terms of the reality of the show. this episode took place over weeks, maybe over a month. that's plenty of time for someone who gambles regularly, but not problematically, to run into trouble with it. especially if they are having other problems in their life, and hit a big losing streak. and the loan from Hesh was a while back, the last few episodes have shown Tony betting more, and semi-joking about how he's on a losing streak. you're talking about MONTHS within the reality of the show's timeline that this has been building up.imagine a guy that's a social drinker, parties hard sometimes, but not a big deal. then his life starts taking a turn for the worse, lots of stress, etc. and within a couple months, he starts to become a problem drinker as a type of escape. that wouldn't be out of the ordinary at all, a large number of alcoholics start that way. gambling can be an addiction just like alcohol and drugs, hence Christopher's unsettling looks in this episode.you know, when even Soprano's fans aren't willing to pay enough attention to what's going on to appreciate the overall arc, it's a sad day. "Tony's a degenerate gambler out of nowhere!" sigh...you're not going to enjoy this show, and it's ending, if you can't keep track of all the storylines. go watch Deal or No Deal if you can't pay attention more than an hour.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 2007 4:30:59 PM CDT

    Odd

    by sevenrivera

    I thought it was a C episode. Average. Not awesome, but not terrible. And a C for Sopranos is better than most shows are capable of on their best day, so I'm not here to complain. I'm just curious about the significance of Hesh's wife dying? It was just an unexpected and strange scene and I'm not sure what to make of it. Or what to make of Tony's reaction. Did she die of natural causes? Un-natural causes? Did Tony have a break through with Carm and Melfi in those conversations with them that made him realize that he needed to stop chasing it, so paying back Hesh was his way of showing that he's past that stuff now (and the dead wife was just a coincidence)? I'm just confused and not in a good way, it was unsettling and awkward from the death forward. Curious how it will be addressed next week (if at all).

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  • Apr 30, 2007 4:48:25 PM CDT

    Show will end with a whimper, not a 'BANG!'

    by uberman

    The show seems to be about family, and this family will be faced with the harsh reality of Tonys lifestyle. I predict that he will have to choose one or the other, and will choose his family by ratting out the mob family. As for who gets wacked, I say Christopher is going down.

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  • Apr 30, 2007 7:57:12 PM CDT

    It was a great episode...

    by lucasblows

    ...I don't know what you people expect? Tony is coming apart and no one is safe. Not Christopher. Not Paulie. Not Bobby or Hesh. No one. The show will end with a bang. That was the whole point to the finale of Season 6 part 1. That was the "ending" the actual finale will not have. The ending with Tony and his family at Christmas handing out gifts. That's the bullshit happy ending it CAN'T have. Be prepared for bloodshed.

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  • May 01, 2007 12:25:59 AM CDT

    I figures it out

    by b arthur

    Tony will commit a murder or some heinous act that affects his real family. This could be the adrianna thing. They distance themselves, permanently as Carmella has turned out to be more business savvy than Tony realizes. This coincides with the perfect storm from New York, as somehow Tony indebts himself to Leotardo. With each of his former friends he must go to for support. Hesch for money, Paulie for a sense of history, christopher for the future, bobby as a brother... each one turns him down in some way. He is truly alone and kills himself. Thats the series ending I am postulating after this latest episode.

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  • May 01, 2007 4:51:55 AM CDT

    All the tension and menace of a popcorn fart.

    by lezbo milk

    I mean come on. What has happended to this show post season 4? There has been some interesting character study stuff going on (as good as any show I would say)...but the level of tension, the feeling of a barely controlled lurking menace, the nearly electrical intensity the show used to have, is all gone. Vanished. I'll tell you, pick any episode from season 5 of The Shield and it would have more chops than the entire last two seasons of the Soppranos put together. The massive anxiety, tension, menace and vehemence between Vic and Kavanaugh...the razors edge they ride, where you feel at any second or every show it could just fucking explode into total carnage an complete fucking chaos....that's the kind of nasty fucking dread the Sopranos used to have, and it made the show leap from good to exceptional. It has lost it. Now it's just a really good character study, trapped in a toothless and boring show.

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  • May 01, 2007 10:02:26 AM CDT

    Bacci40, isn't it obvious?

    by james_o'nasty

    Obviously you missed something in their relationship... At Christmas they were happy, they had their first fight in the first episode back, obviously... then in this obvious episode, there was that scene outside where she kept giving Carm the evil eye with the spec house... but she did seem obviously happy with the ring at dinner... And obviously she got away from Hector for a night. She realized how hard it would be to pay bills on a pizza place's manager's salary... Obviously, I agree with your theory.

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  • May 01, 2007 10:56:33 AM CDT

    kevin finnerty

    by yassoo

    will be back, somehow. i liked tony as kevin.

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  • May 01, 2007 11:01:10 AM CDT

    Gambling "Problem"

    by thunderbolt ross

    It wasn't to show he had a problem, it was to show he was having some bad luck, and him scrambling to try and fix it ... by digging himself deeper. And yes they've always shown him gambling, so they made an episode about how he gets when he's not so lucky. There's nothing more to it, it's not going to be some huge part of his ultimate fate.

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  • May 01, 2007 6:48:55 PM CDT

    Lezbo Milk

    by lucasblows

    If it's such a boring toothless show, STOP WATCHING. I don't understand how people come in here and bitch and cry about how good a show used to be. If a show stops entertaining you STOP WATCHING. Especially if it hasn't been good since season four like you claim. My God, how could you sit through two seasons of something that clearly doesn't interest you anymore? Buffy had a musical episode, it sucked and I STOPPED WATCHING. Alias had a retarded Zombie/Giant Red Ball season finale that blew and I STOPPED WATCHING. I didn't bitch and cry and post my inner most disappointment.

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  • May 01, 2007 10:14:44 PM CDT

    What's the point

    by thunderbolt ross

    Of bitching and crying about bitching and crying?

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  • May 03, 2007 12:49:51 AM CDT

    test

    by docpazuzu

    test

    test

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  • May 03, 2007 1:39:55 AM CDT

    I don't know about all that. I'm really going to

    by gqtaste

    miss this masterpiece when it's over. It's my favorite show of all time! I can admit that season 1 throu 4 were better. Fuck, the first three seasons were brillant! I'll never be able to listen to that Van Morrison song w/o thinking about Tony B gettin' his.

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