Homage to the Godfather
I’m sure some folks have figured this out - but after reading Doc Searls review of the final Sopranos episode, I think it’s time for me to put my version of this tremendous finale - in perspective.
The Sopranos changed TV. We owe them a debt of thanks for that. Lots of people watched the Sopranos, mostly smart people, people who had given up on TV. These sorts of people have also given up on music, films and mainstream culture in general - as it bends over backwards to the beer drinking, coach potatoe set.
But the Sopranos changed all that. And THAT’s been studied, copied, etc. as well. And made maintream.
So how do you end a legend? How do you bring to a close something which will never end - the innovation, creativity and uniqueness that we all yearn for in entertainment?
We want to be surprised, educated, impressed. We want to get turned on, passified, relaxed. At least I do!
I look forward to watching TV so I can STOP working. So my mind can be transfixed on something other than this chess game we call our industry.
So how do you entertain nowadays? By pissing people off! And it sure worked with the Sopranos finale! And along the way - they played on our sensitivities to mob hits and families protecting each other.
Who can forget a young Sophia Coppola getting accidentally murdered by an assassin on the steps of the Opera House in Godfather III? It was the ultimate sacrifice that every mafia chieftain has to make.
And who will forget in Godfather I - a young Al Pacino nervously going into the bathroom to retrieve the gun which ‘makes his nut’ and avenges his father?
Both of these inbred sensibilties and memories were played like fine violins in the Sopranos finale. My mind was racing, my heart pounding, my stomach turning. The timing, the effect, the thrill was incredble!
And the cut to black even more titillating
What’s gonna happen next? A movie?
There’s no way they’re turning their backs on this one - they’re simply changing the playing field. It might take 1-5-10 years - but Tony will be back. Meadow will be a prosecutor, AJ a club owner, Carmella a succesful housing developer.
Tony - hmmm - lets see, he gets into fake phonecards, insurance scams and Internet phishing. Tony is the every bad man, the guy who gets away with it, bullies his way through life - but in a nice guy kind of way.
I agree with Doc that Tony’s end is our clean break. But the effect of leaving people hanging and paying homage to the Godfather is something that I will never forget - and that means it was a very successful episode.
Thanks for the memories!