My Last Sopranos Post . . . Until January

So, Tony and families have left us for the year, but it was not so much an ending but a build up. When we ended, we were left with the Soprano family (personal not professional although those lines are not so neat) virtually all together with the exception of Meadow. I was reminded of the masterful scene at the end of GF II where Coppola cuts between Michael, all alone having whacked Fredo, and the gathering of the family nearly 20 years earlier for Vito's birthday with the boys, Mamma Corleone, Tom Hagen, Connie and her new boyfriend, and Sal Tessio all present. (Brando was supposed to appear but ultimately wanted too much money.) The dichotomy was striking between the two scenes and all the attendees who were no longer with us. I have a feeling that when The Sopranos finally runs its course early next year, the end won't be much happier than Michael being alone on Lake Tahoe.

But last night--although no "oh my god" moments, there were some pretty good ones.

--Tony's having Sil finally take care of the building inspector to get Carm's mind of Adrianna. Did Carm play Tony? I don't think so, but you never know.

--The patheticness of AJ's bribing the 3 goons to leave. It was so sad, and it yet it worked. (And nice use of the 40 Year Old Virgin! ("Kelly Clarkson!").)

--Tony's reaction to Carmella's not being too thrilled that AJ's current interest is Puerto Rican . . . Dominican with "At Least she's Catholic."

--Carmine, Jr. He is truly a moron, but his attempted mediation was priceless.

--As much as Tony and Phil tried to reconcile at the end, I sense this is short lived. Perhaps because Phil is. War is coming, and someone major in Tony's family is going to be hit. (The obvious implication is that it is Christopher.) Nice job by Agent Harris, by the way, with his tip.

--Finally, a great performance by nurse Hathaway. (Does she come from the John Ritter (may he rest in piece)/Tony Danza school where they can only play characters of their own name or something pretty darn close to it. ("Mr. Ritter, do you think you can handle Jack Tripper?") She may be Christopher's destruction on numerous levels, and he really is a mess. Of course, so is she. Even if she is a Hanukkah Person.

So we wait, at least not for two years this time, because something is going to blow next January. (And we also watch Deadwood and Entourage in the meantime. In the immortal word of Johnny Drama, "Victory"!)