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From the beginning the Sopranos was a hit (no pun!) and it managed to maintain this momentum all the way through. It was a fascinating mixture of ordinary life, happy families, mundane existence and murder and violence. One moment we could be sympathizing with a character for having had an unhappy childhood or for feeling betrayed or let down by a loved one and in the very next moment we could be watching in disbelief as they unleash the most shocking violence on someone eg the character Furio who fell in love with Carmela but who was also the most ruthless operator Tony had at his disposal.

I haven't seen the Sopranos final episode yet. I'll be watching it tonight after I've written this so this is more like my reaction to the ending of the Sopranos in general rather than to the final episode specifically. The consensus from reports of those who have seen the final episode is that the ending is inconclusive, leaving scenarios open to speculation as well as the possibility of a Soprano movie. Before going on to give my reaction to the ending of the series I'd first like to say that I think a Sopranos movie would probably be a bad idea. Alternatively it could be the best idea ever. A Sopranos movie would instantly be compared alongside The Godfather and to be a success would have to be better. We already know so much about the Sopranos that it is hard to see what new places a movie could take them to. If the movie were just a cashing in exercise it would be a terrible way to end.

The most shocking thing about the violence in the Sopranos was that it was presented to us in a way that showed us our own moral ambivalence at its worst. I'm sure it was easy for lots of people to identify with the Sopranos professional neighbours who would have dinner parties where they would discuss whacking', as if it were some type of acceptable business technique. Then there is Artie Bucco the chef, Tony's childhood friend, who is a wannabe gangster who is afraid of violence! Strangely, I found that the most disagreeable thing that Tony did came towards the end of the final series when we see him organizing the illegal and unsafe dumping of asbestos.

Personally I liked the Sopranos because it was not straight forward. Over the course of the whole saga I developed a liking for everyone in it despite the fact that most of the main characters in it were murderers, thieves and liars!

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