The Sopranos’ ending famously polarized the fan base, but creator David Chase’s original idea for the final scene would’ve been more fitting. It’s almost impossible to come up with a satisfying ending to a long-running TV show, especially a show that’s as acclaimed and popular asThe Sopranos. SinceThe Sopranosended in season 6, the finale has been widely debated.
The series finale — season 6, episode 21, “Made in America” — has been retroactively recognized as one ofThe Sopranos’ greatest episodes. The episode itself is an action-packed climax to Tony’s gang war with Phil Leotardo’s crew, it gives Tony touching final moments with Paulie and Uncle Junior, and it leaves Meadow and A.J. in a good place.
But the final scene of the episode has become notorious as one of the most divisive endings in TV history. Some critics and audiences have appreciated the genius ofThe Sopranos’ cut-to-black ending, but a lot of people felt short-changed by the ambiguity of it. Chase initially had a different ending in mind, and it sounds great.
The Sopranos' Finale Is Infamous For Its Ambiguity
In the final scene ofThe Sopranos, the family gathers at a restaurant for a long-anticipated dinner. As Tony waits for his family andJourney’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”plays on the jukebox, he looks around the room at a few suspicious characters. And then, just as Meadow comes in and Tony looks up, the screen abruptly cuts to black.
The Sopranosis streaming on HBO Max.
This scene is notorious for its ambiguity. A lot of viewers were expecting to see Tony get whacked, but the finale cut to black just when it seemed like something was about to happen. This was, of course, intentional by Chase. The cut-to-black has been interpreted as Tony’s untimely demise, but the show deliberately refuses to confirm it.
Since the show ended, Chase has discussedthe original ending he had in mind forThe Sopranos. This original ending would’ve seen Tony driving to New York for a meeting with Johnny Sack before a sudden cut-to-black. It would’ve been a reverse of the montage that plays over the opening credits, where Tony drives from New York back to New Jersey.
This would’ve maintained the ambiguity of the ending we got. It would still carry the message that Tony has to constantly look over his shoulder and that, one day, he’ll likely get gunned down before he knows it. But it would’ve bookendedThe Sopranosby reversing the montage we’d seen at the beginning of every episode. It would’ve felt a bit more like closure.
