The controversial finale of The Sopranos continues to divide opinion 17 years after it ended. Not only did fans react with surprise and confusion to how the hit crime drama ended, but the show’s star had her own questions after watching it for the first time.
Speaking in HBO’s new documentary, Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos, actress Lorraine Bracco recalled how lead actor James Gandolfini reacted when he first watched the series finale. According to Bracco, Gandolfini was not informed of the fate of his gangster character Tony Soprano before watching the final episode. As Bracco watched the show’s final standing ovation with Gandolfini, she recalled what Gandolfini said as the screen cut to black. “I was with Jim,” she said. “Jim said, ‘That’s it? That’s it?’ He couldn’t believe it.” Bracco, who played Dr. Jennifer Melfi on the show, added that Gandolfini wasn’t upset by his reaction, stating, “I think he was just as shocked as everyone else.”
Anyone who watched The Sopranos remembers the final scene where Tony is talking to his family in a diner with the song “Don’t Stop Believin'” playing in the background. As the doorbell rings, the Jersey gangster looks up and the screen cuts to black, providing one of the most ambiguous and controversial endings in television history. Along with Gandolfini’s reaction, other cast members were stunned, including Drea de Matteo, who played Adriana La Cerva on the series. “Hey, did my TV just break?” she said. “And I thought to myself, This is David. This is f**king David. This is exactly how he wanted to end the show. He didn’t want anyone to know what was going on right now.”
The Cliffhanger Ending Still Leaves Fans Wondering About Tony Sopranos Even though it’s been nearly two decades since The Sopranos ended, creator David Chase still has fans wondering about the suspenseful conclusion to his Emmy-winning show. Chase told Wise Guy that his inspiration for the ending came from a lyric by the rock band Journey and a line from an earlier season when A.J. Soprano (Robert Iler) speculates that black represents death.
The ending doesn’t do much to tarnish The Sopranos’ legacy, as it’s still considered one of the greatest television shows in recent memory. The long-running series won 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes over its six seasons and later spawned a prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark. The Sopranos also celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, with Max unveiling a special collection to celebrate the show, including never-before-seen footage and deleted scenes.
Although Gandolfini achieved cult status through his role as the titular Soprano, the role took a lasting toll on him. Gandolfini attempted to leave The Sopranos several times and suffered from substance abuse amid the pressures of being the show’s lead host. Gandolfini died in Rome in 2013 of a heart attack, aged 51.
