I don't get a vote, but if I did I'd vote for Hillary in 2008.

If you want to know why, watch this...

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My favourite movies and television shows stick with me. Days after I've seen it, I'm still thinking about it. That's a sure sign I enjoyed myself. Once something I've seen bounces around in my head for a while, I'm a happy guy.

On Saturday night I watched The Sopranos series finale again. It's been eight days now since I first saw it, and I'm still thinking about it, formulating theories and gaining new perspective. It's been one hell of a journey.

Immediately after the episode originally aired, I wrote this. I initially felt screwed over, and then I warmed up to the ending. A couple of days later, I wrote this lengthy analysis in which I pronounced my love for the ending. I saw Tony and his family together, I had closure. Then, three days after I wrote that entry, I wrote this entry in which I wondered aloud if Tony was dead. That's a 180° turn on my part, further evidence of David Chase's genius.

After watching the episode again on Saturday, I'm certain Tony is dead. If you've been surfing around and reading analysis, you'll know why. Here's a great write up on the finale I strongly recommend you read, assuming you've seen the episode.

Tony Soprano, rest in peace. Now I have closure.

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I had found peace with The Sopranos finale. I had closure. Tony and his family would live on without me, and I was okay with that. Now, I'm wondering if Tony in fact perished in the finale.

Web sites like this are popping up all over the place. There's a growing belief that it wasn't the lady Tony saw before it all went black, but the beast who would take his life. Many suspect it was the guy wearing the "Members Only" jacket. He went in the bathroom before Meadow entered, and we all know what happens when shifty looking characters come out of the bathroom. The biggest clue, in my opinion, is the flashback to Tony's discussion with Bobby Bacala. "You probably don't even hear it when it happens," Bobby said.

And neither did we.

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I share an MP3 from my collection every Wednesday. You have seven days to grab this week's MP3. Please right-click your mouse and select "Save Link As..." or "Save target as..." so you can download it to your PC before playing.

Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Prior to Sunday night, I didn't think much of Journey's sappy power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'". The song wasn't in my collection, I had never gone out of my way to hear it and I would never share it as my weekly mp3.

Its prominence in the pivotal closing scene on The Sopranos changed everything for me. Now, when I hear the song, I can see every detail from that scene in my mind. The vibe is now purely positive, and I suspect I'll be a fan of this song forever as a result.

They say music is the soundtrack of our lives. For me, this is especially true. Songs take me back to a different time or place. I'll remember a song that reminds me of a special moment or a traumatic moment or a scene in a good movie or, in this case, my final moments with Tony. It's magic, and it's awesome.

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I intentionally waited a couple of days before writing this entry. Immediately following The Sopranos series finale on Sunday night I posted this entry which featured the song that played during the pivotal closing scene. In the comments, there was a discussion about the episode and I revealed some of my thoughts. Two days removed, I'm ready to go on the record.

Anger
When the episode cut to black suddenly, with Meadow walking in the door and the word "stop" heard in Jorney's "Don't Stop Believin'", I was ready for the credits to roll, but I wasn't happy about it. I was angry at David Chase, royally ticked that he would do this to us. There was no resolution, no closure, no sense of finality. It was total SNAFU and it will all continue to unravel, only I won't be able to watch. I was disappointed.

Acceptance
About twenty minutes later, I started to come around. To quote a comment I left on that entry at 10:17, "It's not what I was looking for, but it's probably what I needed." Part of what I liked about the Sopranos was that it didn't do things just to do things. It's a well acted, well written show and very difficult to predict. I never knew where we were headed, and I could accept that I'd never know.

Beauty
Two days later, I love the ending. I intend to watch that episode again in its entirety and I'll probably watch that closing scene a half dozen times on demand. Every shifty looking character in that diner had me on the edge of my seat. Every time Meadow hit the curb parking her car, my heart rate increased. This series had me riveted and that final scene was no different. The fact nothing happened is brilliant. Tony never paid for his chosen lifestyle. My boy Paulie Walnuts is still kicking. It is what it is, and why should it be anything else?

I've read theories as to what really happened in that diner. Some claim it's the Lady or the Tiger conclusion. Did Tony look up because he saw Meadow or did he see his killer? I have no doubt he saw Meadow. Tony, his wife and his two children were united for a typical family dinner out. Paulie Walnuts is probably breaking someone's gonads right now. I'm just sorry I can't hear the crack.

The Sopranos, it turns out, was never about mobsters and violence and organized crime. That's the family business, but this show was about Tony and his family. Tony's prime concern was keeping his family together and safe and at the end they're in tact and unified, for better or for worse. Perhaps that is closure...

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Here's Journey performing "Don't Stop Believin'".

Those who know, know. Those who don't, don't.

Don't stop.

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June 10th has been circled on my calendar for a while and now that date has arrived. Tonight I'll be watching the series finale of "The Sopranos".

Series finales can be tricky. Expectations are often pretty high and everyone's looking for some type of closure. The last time I said goodbye to a show I loved, it was "Six Feet Under" and their final 6:48 left me feeling totally fulfilled. Click that link to watch it.

I hope David Chase was up to the challenge. I hope I'm not left bitter and disappointed after tonight's episode. I hope it's great.

Everyone's waiting...

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For fun, I just read all the entries I wrote three years ago. What caught my eye was this entry about The Sopranos I wrote on June 6, 2004.

The Sopranos
Published June 6, 2004 @ 21:58 in Television

I just finished watching the season five finale of The Sopranos. Another brilliant episode of one of my favourite television programs and things are set up very nicely for their final season.

I know a lot of people who read this site haven't seen the finale yet and don't want me to spoil it for them so I'll just say a couple of lingering issues were tied up tonight. It was once again television that's far too good for tv.

What frustrates me the most is the length of time I now must wait before I can view another new episode. The delay between season 4 and 5 was well over a year and it looks like we're in for a similar delay before season 6. Hell, Michelle will be walking before I see Tony again. Marron!

Go ahead and read it again, I'll pause for effect. Three years ago I was writing about how there was one season to go on The Sopranos. I jokingly stated that Michelle would be walking by the time this was settled. At the time, she wasn't even born yet. And walking? She's practically driving.

They managed to wait a couple of years to air this final season, and then they broke this season up so we're only finishing it this week. That's three whole years between season finales.

I've been thoroughly enjoying the series for years, but the waits were long, brutal and inhumane. After Sunday I'll never have to face another two year wait. Tony Soprano will either be wearing cement shoes, in the witness relocation program or laying low in Woodbridge. I'm done waiting. Three more sleeps...

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Awesome Sopranos episode tonight... damn I'm going to miss this series.

Next Sunday at 9pm I'm unplugging all the phones and boarding up the windows. The end is here and there's no telling which way the wind is blowing.

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end.

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We were treated to another strong episode last night, which leaves us with two more in the series. I have no idea how this is going to end, but I'd bet it ends badly for Tony. I'll miss Tony, but not like I'll miss Peter Paul Gualtieri.

Peter Paul Gualtieri, or Paulie Walnuts as we know him, is my favourite character on The Sopranos. Ask Taryn how much I cherish every word he utters. That delivery, those words, that persona - it's perfect. It's a shame I only get to spend two more nights with the man, assuming he survives for the finale on June 10.

A fan put together a little "Best of Paulie Walnuts" video, which seems appropriate at this time. He's one hell of a good Waste Management Executive.

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The Sopranos is half way done their final season. It's the home stretch with but four episodes remaining. As a long time fan, I must say I've been disappointed thus far this season.

Everything that transpires seems to be a set-up or a red herring. There's little excitement, just build up to what better be one helluva final episode. The inactivity has gotten so bad, I give the episodes Dick and Jane type names after each airing.

These aren't really spoilers, but if you're sensitive about such things you might want to abort. There was "Tony Plays Monopoly", "Tony Watches a Movie", "Tony Goes Fishing" and last night's ep, "Tony Gambles on Sports and Loses". It's a whole lotta nothing from what used to be the best show on television.

There isn't much time. This had better end with a significant corpse, or two. I'm not a violent man, but if Tony, Christopher, Silvio and Paulie Walnuts are all breathing when this thing ends, I'm gonna be pissed.

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Next Sunday is the beginning of the end. Last March I wrote about the two year wait for new episodes of The Sopranos, but we only got 12 of the final 20. Next Sunday we start the last eight episodes of this fabulous series.

I recently ranked it #3 on my list of favourite television shows of all time. I've seen every episode that has aired, but many of you might need a refresher course before Sunday. If that's you, or if you just want to view a cool seven minute recap of the first six seasons, watch this.

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I don't watch a lot of television. I watch every Leaf game and any decent flicks that make their way to TMN, but not a lot of television proper. A couple of shows I do watch, "Rescue Me" and "Weeds", concluded their seasons this month leaving me with "Dexter", "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", "The Office" and my 90 minute block of toons on Sunday night. Yes, I even watch "American Dad" and I dig it.

There are a couple of shows I love that are currently on hiatus, so I hit Wikipedia to learn when I'd see them next. The final eight episodes of "The Sopranos" will air in March. That's a show that isn't afraid to make you wait because they know you will, cocky bastards. The sixth season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" will air sometime in 2007, but that's as specific as HBO will get.

Leaf games, documentaries, movies and the six shows I do watch will tide me over until then. It's always a good idea to survey the television landscape now and then.

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It's been over two years since I celebrated the return of Tony Soprano. In that entry, I had the audacity to complain that it had been over a full year since I last saw a new episode of "The Sopranos". In July of 2004, I got the bad news. HBO had confirmed we'd have to wait until 2006 to see another new episode.

Here we are in March 2006 and guess what's on TMN tonight? It couldn't come at a better time because I'm itching for some quality television. "Six Feet Under" is finito, as is "Arrested Development", "Curb Your Enthusiasm" wrapped up their season in the fall, as did "Rescue Me" and "Weeds", there's a definite void here that needs to be filled.

Here's the deal fellow fans. This season will run for twelve episodes, followed by an eight-month hiatus. Then, we'll see the final eight episodes putting the grand finale in March 2007.

Reviews of the first four episodes are outstanding. Col tempo la foglia di gelso diventa seta.

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Television shows seemed better when I was a kid. After school, I could become immersed in crap like "The Facts of Life", "Who's The Boss?", "Growing Pains" or "Silver Spoons". Then, there were old-school favourites like "The Dukes of Hazzard", "WKRP in Cincinnati", "Three's Company", "Night Court" and "The A-Team".

Over time, as one ages and matures, sit-coms lose their allure and formulaic dramas lose their zest. Shows you really, really like grow fewer and far between. Your newly defined list of your ten favourite television programs rarely changes.

Here is my current top ten:

1. The Simpsons
2. Six Feet Under
3. The Sopranos
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
5. Oz
6. Seinfeld
7. The Larry Sanders Show
8. Kids in the Hall
9. Arrested Development
10. The Family Guy

Agree or disagree, just keep in mind how completely subjective this practice is.

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David Chase has more to say than he can fit into 12 episodes. The result is a bonus eight pack for fans of "The Sopranos". In March we'll get a season of twelve and then the final eight in January 2007.

With "Six Feet Under" a couple of episodes from the grave, it's great to squeeze another eight out of Tony and the gang. Ba-da-bing!

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I miss Tony. It was just about a year ago Season Five of "The Sopranos" started airing but we won't see Season Six for another year.

Last night I tuned into the new Law & Order series, "Trial By Jury". It was okay, but nothing special. (Update: I'm being kind because I enjoy the first three Law & Order's...in actuality, I thought it was poorly acted, poorly constructed and entirely uninteresting.) I was probably only watching to say good bye to Lenny Briscoe, but while I was watching I kept thinking about how good "The Sopranos" is. You really appreciate a show like that when watching a typical network drama.

Where have you gone, Tony Soprano, our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you.

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My favourite television characters

1. Homer Jay Simpson (The Simpsons)
2. Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
3. Ryan O'Reily (Oz)
4. George Costanza (Seinfeld)
5. Mike Logan (Law & Order)

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I would like to thank the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for getting it right last night. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I agreed with their choices for both Best Drama and Best Comedy. The Sopranos won for Best Drama and Arrested Development won for Best Comedy.

As much as I enjoy Six Feet Under, The Sopranos is probably the best drama on tv today. As for Arrested Development, it is such a diamond in the rough. Just when I was about to give up on network television I discovered this show and it's hilarious. I'm a big fan of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, but I can't argue with where the Emmy went last night. It is without a doubt the best thing Fox has done since The Simpsons...and that's including When Animals Attack IV.

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My favourite television shows still being produced

1. The Simpsons
2. Six Feet Under
3. The Sopranos
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
5. Arrested Development

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Hot damn I'm going to have to wait a long time until the next new episode of The Sopranos. Season Five finished strong and I can't wait for the sixth and final season, but HBO has confirmed that won't be until some time in 2006.

Ouch. That really, really sucks.

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I just finished watching the season five finale of The Sopranos. Another brilliant episode of one of my favourite television programs and things are set up very nicely for their final season.

I know a lot of people who read this site haven't seen the finale yet and don't want me to spoil it for them so I'll just say a couple of lingering issues were tied up tonight. It was once again television that's far too good for tv.

What frustrates me the most is the length of time I now must wait before I can view another new episode. The delay between season 4 and 5 was well over a year and it looks like we're in for a similar delay before season 6. Hell, Michelle will be walking before I see Tony again. Marron!

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The long wait is finally over. It's been over a full year since I last saw a new episode of The Sopranos, but this coming Sunday at 21:00 EST I'll be sitting down for the first episode of season five.

The best part about TMN airing The Sopranos Sunday nights this season is the fact we Canucks will be seeing each episode at the same time it premieres in the United States. Last year when Tony offed Ralphie it was a definite highlight but not a surprise for this viewer. You see, season four aired Sunday nights in America and Tuesday nights in Canada. That meant I had to endure a full two days of avoiding any Sopranos-related news to ensure the events Tuesday night weren't spoiled. When Raphie was killed it was all over the mainstream media and impossible to miss. This upset me so much I wrote letters to TMN begging them to air new episodes of The Sopranos on the same night HBO was airing them to avoid the spoilage of one of my favourite shows. It seems TMN has finally come to their senses and I for one am overjoyed.

Last season seemed to be a set-up season. A great deal transpired, but other than the death of Ralphie there was little dramatic pay off. I anticipate a great deal of such pay off this season. I can't wait for Sunday.

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