Comments on: Sopranos Watch: This Thing of Ours http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/ culture blogging for the good of the planet Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:21:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: UnsaddyUserie http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-96030 UnsaddyUserie Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:46:04 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-96030 Just discovered a complete list of all marked down products at Amazon, sorted by category and % off, ranging from 50% off to 90% off (thanks Sonja for the effort). Actually I never thought Amazon would have articles with 90% off, but only in the category Electronics there are more than 3000 of them - look for yourself, the list is on http://bargains-hunter.blogspot.com/2008/02/looking-for-marked-down-prices.html or on http://digg.com/gadgets/Actually_I_never_thought_Amazon_would_have_articles_with_90 (which is a blog of a woman who specializes in finding good deals at Amazon, like Britain’s "Jeanie"). Just discovered a complete list of all marked down products at Amazon, sorted by category
and % off, ranging from 50% off to 90% off (thanks Sonja for the effort).

Actually I never thought Amazon would have articles with 90% off, but only in the category
Electronics there are more than 3000 of them - look for yourself, the list is on
http://bargains-hunter.blogspot.com/2008/02/looking-for-marked-down-prices.html
or on http://digg.com/gadgets/Actually_I_never_thought_Amazon_would_have_articles_with_90
(which is a blog of a woman who specializes in finding good deals at Amazon, like Britain’s “Jeanie”).

]]> By: Take A Peek · Articles http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5606 Take A Peek · Articles Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:33:55 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5606 [...] For instance, with THIS POST on the Sopranos’ highly-controversial finale and see what writer M.A. Peel concludes about what that final episode really mean in terms of Tony’s future…or lack of it. It’s one of yours truly’s favorite pieces on that controversial final episode of TV’s greatest drama. [...] [...] For instance, with THIS POST on the Sopranos’ highly-controversial finale and see what writer M.A. Peel concludes about what that final episode really mean in terms of Tony’s future…or lack of it. It’s one of yours truly’s favorite pieces on that controversial final episode of TV’s greatest drama. [...]

]]> By: Ralph DeMarco http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5602 Ralph DeMarco Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:00:47 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5602 I think it's just silly to think that Tony dies. And what's with this idea that the man at the counter was a hitman? Don't you think you might glance at John Gotti eating at a small diner with his kids. Don't forget, Tony gets ink, people know his face. If the counter guy was a hitman, he'd have walked in, shot Tony and walked out. Hitmen don't linger at the counter, and dash to the bathroom. Sorry folks, but Chase was playing with you. So what happens after that scene? Well, most likely Tony is indcited for that gun charge, and some sort of Rico case is made. That's the set up. I must toot my own horn and tell y'all that I predicted that Tony's crew would get to Phil before Tony gets whacked. And, I knew that Phil's crew didn't want to take down the Jersey Boss anyway, and a truce was made. Chase is telling us that, as much as he didn't like Tony, Phil deserved what he got. I think it’s just silly to think that Tony dies. And what’s with this idea that the man at the counter was a hitman? Don’t you think you might glance at John Gotti eating at a small diner with his kids. Don’t forget, Tony gets ink, people know his face. If the counter guy was a hitman, he’d have walked in, shot Tony and walked out. Hitmen don’t linger at the counter, and dash to the bathroom. Sorry folks, but Chase was playing with you. So what happens after that scene? Well, most likely Tony is indcited for that gun charge, and some sort of Rico case is made. That’s the set up. I must toot my own horn and tell y’all that I predicted that Tony’s crew would get to Phil before Tony gets whacked. And, I knew that Phil’s crew didn’t want to take down the Jersey Boss anyway, and a truce was made. Chase is telling us that, as much as he didn’t like Tony, Phil deserved what he got.

]]> By: Robert Stein http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5477 Robert Stein Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:44:03 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5477 As an old admirer of Chase's, I was reminded of what he did with the Rockford Files in the 1970s: http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2007/06/sopranos-end-start-here.html As an old admirer of Chase’s, I was reminded of what he did with the Rockford Files in the 1970s: http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2007/06/sopranos-end-start-here.html

]]> By: Frank Weaver http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5463 Frank Weaver Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:46:27 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5463 I am one of those viewers who felt it was an amazing episode, and the ending is carefully constructed to offer a summation of where the characters are at this point, and where they have been, and what tendency lies ahead. As for the onion rings scene, I feel it was very clear, this was their "church", the non-descript yet familiar, everyday, local establishment, and the onion ring the equivalent of the communion wafer, as the camera lingers on each one of them, in sequence one after the other, taking and recieving it as one whole, placed within the open mouth on tongue, no biting etc.. it wasn't carniverous - there are scenes showing them chowing down, that looks different - it was sensitive, a ritual being confirmed. My one real complaint if any is the ending I have read about with the Tivo reference. I say "read about" because in Europe as I am, I downloaded the show, as did thousands of other viewers. I didn't see anything but black screen before the credits. Secondly, if there was some sense of a TiVo reference, I feel that is a pity because in a decade that will be some archaic visual, dating the series, like seeing an old computer screen in a movie that is supposed to represent hi-tech and so on. Big mistake to suddenly date the series -or its initial audience. Also, for god's sake, Meadow, just park the car already...that was one scene too many.. I am one of those viewers who felt it was an amazing episode, and the ending is carefully constructed to offer a summation of where the characters are at this point, and where they have been, and what tendency lies ahead. As for the onion rings scene, I feel it was very clear, this was their “church”, the non-descript yet familiar, everyday, local establishment, and the onion ring the equivalent of the communion wafer, as the camera lingers on each one of them, in sequence one after the other, taking and recieving it as one whole, placed within the open mouth on tongue, no biting etc.. it wasn’t carniverous - there are scenes showing them chowing down, that looks different - it was sensitive, a ritual being confirmed.

My one real complaint if any is the ending I have read about with the Tivo reference. I say “read about” because in Europe as I am, I downloaded the show, as did thousands of other viewers. I didn’t see anything but black screen before the credits. Secondly, if there was some sense of a TiVo reference, I feel that is a pity because in a decade that will be some archaic visual, dating the series, like seeing an old computer screen in a movie that is supposed to represent hi-tech and so on. Big mistake to suddenly date the series -or its initial audience.

Also, for god’s sake, Meadow, just park the car already…that was one scene too many..

]]> By: Take A Peek » The Moderate Voice http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5457 Take A Peek » The Moderate Voice Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:00:26 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5457 [...] For instance, with read THIS POST on the Sopranos highly controversial finale and see what writer M.A. Peel concludes about what that final episode really mean in terms of Tony’s future…or lack of it. It’s one of yours truly’s favorite pieces on that controversial final episode of TV’s greatest drama. [...] [...] For instance, with read THIS POST on the Sopranos highly controversial finale and see what writer M.A. Peel concludes about what that final episode really mean in terms of Tony’s future…or lack of it. It’s one of yours truly’s favorite pieces on that controversial final episode of TV’s greatest drama. [...]

]]> By: Lance Mannion http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5449 Lance Mannion Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:24:30 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5449 I'm glad Chase left the ending ambiguous. It lets those of us who have to wait to catch it on DVD the pleasure of reading all about it without having it spoiled for us. No matter how many great posts like this one, and Chuck's and Dennis', I end up reading, I'm still going to have make up my mind for myself when I see it. I should write Chase a note thanking him for thinking of us poor non-HBO subscribers. But just from what I've read it sounds to me like there are more clues that Tony got hit than that he lives on. I’m glad Chase left the ending ambiguous. It lets those of us who have to wait to catch it on DVD the pleasure of reading all about it without having it spoiled for us. No matter how many great posts like this one, and Chuck’s and Dennis’, I end up reading, I’m still going to have make up my mind for myself when I see it. I should write Chase a note thanking him for thinking of us poor non-HBO subscribers.

But just from what I’ve read it sounds to me like there are more clues that Tony got hit than that he lives on.

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5445 Tom Watson Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:31:15 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5445 Hey, no copping out Mr. Alva! We all expect your next post, haste. Hey, no copping out Mr. Alva! We all expect your next post, haste.

]]> By: Tony Alva http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5443 Tony Alva Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:38:39 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5443 I don't think I'll ever write anything more for this blog. You guys are too intimidating. Ms. Peel, that was awesome! I don’t think I’ll ever write anything more for this blog. You guys are too intimidating. Ms. Peel, that was awesome!

]]> By: Tom Watson http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5424 Tom Watson Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:45:25 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5424 Ms. Peel - first off, great Sopranos series! Secondly, Chase has created a monster. He created Tony Soprano - that's his greatest work, and he never shies from showing Tony as a monster-killer of humanity. Redeeming touches are just those - they show how mundane monsters can be. I think Chase is incredibly proud of the monster he created (or recreated as revenge against some of the mopes who inhabited his adolescence). Ms. Peel - first off, great Sopranos series!

Secondly, Chase has created a monster. He created Tony Soprano - that’s his greatest work, and he never shies from showing Tony as a monster-killer of humanity. Redeeming touches are just those - they show how mundane monsters can be. I think Chase is incredibly proud of the monster he created (or recreated as revenge against some of the mopes who inhabited his adolescence).

]]> By: Chuck Tryon http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5393 Chuck Tryon Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:06:17 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/12/sopranos-watch-this-thing-of-ours/#comment-5393 I was planning to cite Alan Sepinwall's interview in my own defense of Chase a few entries below. I don't understand why people are so convinced that Chase wants to tick off his audience when in fact the series has been, as you suggest, about the joy of storytelling and interpretation, about our work as viewers to make sense of it all. I'm in the "over the shoulder" camp simply because there was no split-second shot of the assassin (and, yes, I know we're told the victim never sees it coming) or anything specific enough--for me--beyond the Godfather allusion to suggest that Tony got hit. Great reading of the final two scenes. I was planning to cite Alan Sepinwall’s interview in my own defense of Chase a few entries below. I don’t understand why people are so convinced that Chase wants to tick off his audience when in fact the series has been, as you suggest, about the joy of storytelling and interpretation, about our work as viewers to make sense of it all.

I’m in the “over the shoulder” camp simply because there was no split-second shot of the assassin (and, yes, I know we’re told the victim never sees it coming) or anything specific enough–for me–beyond the Godfather allusion to suggest that Tony got hit.

Great reading of the final two scenes.

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