[IMG:L]Arriving on the scene with a big bang, The Sopranos most certainly intends to depart with nothing short of an explosion. HBO’s red carpet premiere for The Sopranos final season proved to be a most magical and surreal day. The recent NYC festivities took place at the elegant Radio City Music Hall; the main event included a salutary closing ceremony and a special screening of the first two episodes from the highly anticipated final season. Curiosity peaked at an all-time high as roused attendees desperately contemplated and speculated who would be bumped off next, and how the infamous show would greet its final fate.
Having made its nationwide debut in 1999, The Sopranos is based on the intricate web of intrigue experienced by a suburban, rough-around-the-edges Italian-American family involved in “waste management”–and their inextricable ties with the Mafia–for “better” or for worse, for some members. The searing cult show entered American households and, almost immediately, became a hit phenomenon–spreading its wings internationally, with creators and actors picking up a daunting array of honors along the way–from Emmys to Golden Globes, from the DGAs to the WGAs, from the SAGs to Peabody Awards. Eight notorious years later, fans have attested to the mobsters’ craft of murdering, extorting, lying, and cheating. The critically acclaimed TV show turned violence into a neo-art form, thus making the crime-drama an deep-seated part of American–couch potato–popular culture. By nights, avid Sopranos fans were tuning-in, and by mornings they’d be swapping ‘offing’ theories at the water cooler. Unfortunately, even a mighty show cannot cheat death and, ultimately, it’s now faced with staring at its own tragic mortality.
[IMG:R]The sun shone brightly upon the past and present Soprano familia members who arrived one by one, decked out in dazzling outfits, polished suits and perfect coiffures. Excitement was met with tears, as the “Mafioso” reunited for their final red carpet premiere to reminisce, commemorate and celebrate the end of a groundbreaking dramatic series. Guest stars included: Aidan Quinn, Susan Lucci, and Daniel Baldwin; however, nothing beat the arrivals of whacked favorite characters Adriana, Big Pussy and Tony Blundetto [Drea De Matteo, Vincent Pastore and Steve Buscemi, respectively], who congregated for one final time in the name of the ‘family’. Their fluid entrance was met by flashing paparazzi, excited reporters and frenzied fans from the sidelines. Although the show’s creative “godfather”–real life series creator, executive producer, chief writer–David Chase and its on-screen mob boss, James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) slipped right on by the clamoring press, others were happy to offer confessions and opinions on the carpet.
With the series’ imminent completion, the consensus among the majority of players was that they would “most miss the genius writing and their friends from the show.” When asked how the show has changed their lives, Sharon Angela, Frank Vincent, Vincent Pastore, Ray Abruzzo, and Dan Grimaldi concurred that The Sopranos “raised their level of recognition, gave them fame, helped them gain creative respect, and fueled their careers.” Pastore was proud to admit his delight in being called by his “nickname when walking up and down the street.” Rightfully so, their greatest fear was giving up the “steady paycheck and job.”
[IMG:L]If given the opportunity to change anything about their characters on the show, Abruzzo joked, “I would have had my character whack Tony and take over.” For obvious reasons, Pastore along with other past characters wished they “didn’t get killed off the show.” The most interesting comments were elicited from two of the show’s key females. Just before being whisked away, Edie Falco admitted that she wished her “character had shorter fingernails” because she’s “had to glue them on everyday since the first day of the show.” Lorraine Bracco confessed her reluctance to part with her character’s therapist chair. “I want my Dr. Melfi chair desperately. It’s very comfortable and I heard through the grapevine the Smithsonian wants it!”
Certainly, life can never be too dull for the life of any Sopranos character. After all, partaking in such a prominent and influential show will evoke debates, criticisms, or disapproval from foes, and fans alike. The ever-glowing Annabella Sciorra admitted to a scolding by a random fan who flatly commented, “I can’t believe you fucked Tony Soprano. We love Carmela–and everyone is going to hate you!” It appears as though Tony’s firm therapist, Dr. Melfi [Lorraine Bracco], may be have been right when suggesting that once the show wraps, “I think all of us cast members need a little group therapy.”
[IMG:R]Following the glamour strut, everyone assembled inside of Radio City Music Hall to commence with the farewell ceremony. Every character, dead or alive, was introduced to join David Chase on the enormous stage–saving the core family members, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Robert Iler, Michael Imperioli, Aida Turturro, Edie Falco and James Gandolfini for the very last. Offering a little taste of Tony-esque humor, Gandolfini admitted that “the ceremony is a little long-winded, but if you don’t like it, too bad!” He also took the opportunity to praise Chase and thank him for his “humor, humanity, and courage,” adding, “he [Chase] had the collar work ethic, and he brought a lot of blue-collar people together to make something quite exceptional.” However, it was Falco’s clever subsequent one-liner, “I stand by my husband” that stole the show and evoked a unanimous sound of laughter and applause.
Everyone returned to their respective seats, the lights dimmed and another farewell presentation began. It was an extended video montage paying homage to the massive production crew, featuring each member posing for a mug shot. Hundreds of mug shots later, the anxiously awaited concluding season’s first two episodes finally unspooled.
For those of you who were disappointed by the lack of action and violence in the last season, rest assured, and brace yourselves: you’re in for a classic–and merciless–Sopranos comeback! Although the first episode will start slow, by the end of the second, it will be quite apparent that the show will neither bow out quietly, nor succumb to a dull exit. This final season promises to be packed wall-to-wall with dramatic, jaw-dropping, and riveting scenes confirming that in its final hours, the show will get ugly!
[IMG:L]In the first episode, Tony and Carmela will be taking an upstate trip to join his sister Janice and Bobby Bacala at a beautiful lake house in a picturesque setting. Although a visual cliché, this is the calm before the storm. Anticipate a happy and peaceful retreat to end up in a bloody mess. Without giving away too much, this critical episode will be a sore reminder of Tony’s malicious influence and supreme power to manipulate others.
The second episode will be focused on updating hungry viewers with the development of other characters’ storylines. Christopher’s progression with the movie venture, A.J.’s newfound manhood, Johnny Sack’s decreased health in prison, and images of dead characters will be haunting Sopranos family members. Savagery, intrigue and murder will be resumed, resulting in a heartbreaking farewell to another key character!
Overall, in the screened footage, there was a sense of urgency and hastened pace in the first two episodes that indicated a ticking-clock on a major deadline to resolve the unanswered questions and complicated storylines. Violence, drama, and humor will be witnessed in the final demise of The Sopranos, as the Bada Bing!–with its go-go girls–prepares to close-up shop, and as mournful audiences simultaneously prepare to bid a final adieu to a long-time companion, The Sopranos, and the main source of Sunday night entertainment for the past eight years.
The gripping countdown begins April 8th, 2007, ‘coincidentally’ on Easter weekend, noted as being “a classic Sopranos move!”
