From left to right: Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante, James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts star in HBO’s hit television series, “The Sopranos” (Year 3). (Photo by HBO//Getty Images.)
This week marked the 12-year anniversary of the finale for the HBO series The Sopranos. For me, it was the greatest television drama of all-time. I’ve watched along the 85 episodes prior to the ending episode which was named “Made in America”
Many today still debate the final scene which ended abrupt when the television screen turned black and the music suddenly stopped. . Was Tony Soprano executed by the guy in the diner who was wearing the Member’s Only jacket? Or did Tony live to see another day as the mafia family boss?
There was another debate leading up to the ending too. The show’s creator, David Chase, asked permission to use the Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin‘” for the final act. But Steve Perry was hesitant for fear that the imagery would forever change the meaning of the band’s 1981 anthem.
After HBO relented and gave Steve the plot synopsis he finally agreed for the songs to be used. Only 3 days before the finale would air!
Watch the finale here…