A Midnight Train Going Anywhere

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE SOPRANOS FINALE, DO NOT READ THIS BLOG!!!
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All week, I've heard countless theories on how The Sopranos was going to end.

Everybody and their pet schnauzer had an idea, and, frankly, I got fucking tired of hearing about it.

That said, the ending couldn't have been more perfect.

I didn't know whether Tony would live or die, and frankly I didn't have a preference. I just didn't want the ending to be lame or predictable.

This was neither.

NOBODY saw this coming.

The build up was awesome. Carlo flips -- is Tony going to get indicted? Will the New York underboss go back on his word? Would some past character return for revenge? Will someone in his blood-family get clipped?

Then, perfectly, in the company of his family -- the underlying theme of the entire series -- the climax begins to build as Steve Perry starts to croon my favorite Journey song.

(Just a small town girl, livin' in a LONE-ly world.....)

The strange guy at the counter. What's he gonna do? He goes into the bathroom -- the Godfather-ending scenario being setup?

(A singer in a smokey room.......)

Meadow arrives. She has trouble parking the car. She's delayed. The Bronx Tale ending being setup. Sonny!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!

Camera cuts from shot to shot. The blood pressure shooting toward the sky.

(STRANGERS, WAITING, UP AND DOWN THE BOULIVARD....)

Meadow enters... Your heart's bearing a mile a minute

(DON'T STOP BELIEVIN... HOLD ON TO THAT FEEEEEEEE-LIN)

The door chime sounds..... you stopped to breathe.

Here's the payoff.......

FADE TO MOTHERFUCKING BLACK!!!!

BRILLIANT!

Ask the Joker. I let out a jubilant cry as if David Wright took Mariano Rivera yard.

Well done, Mr. Chase!

I am still shaking from the adrenaline.

David Chase is a genius.

For the first time in my life, I am loving a case of blue balls.

Whether there is ever a Sopranos movie or not, this was the perfect ending to one of the greatest television programs ever made.

Salu'te!