End of an era

I've been dreading this day ever since the show premiered more than eight years ago on January 10, 1999, and now it's finally here. For those living under a rock, "The Sopranos" series finale airs this Sunday at 9pm.

This is one of the greatest television events in our generation's lifetime. Outside of "The Wire," which to me is the only show that can stand toe-to-toe with David Chase's masterpiece, "The Sopranos" has unquestionably been the best show on television since its inception.

I've been with the show since day one, and have loved every fucking second of it. Well, maybe not every second. Though I'm firmly entrenched in the "David Chase can do no wrong and I wouldn't mind an entire season of dream episodes" camp, even I have to admit there have been moments that have tested my patience - Furio and Carmela, anything with Artie, and A.J. being the biggest pussy of all time.

But in this two-part sixth season, arguably the greatest of the series' run, Chase has redefined television. Each episode has been so richly detailed and wrought with emotion (not that previous seasons hadn't), and I've never found myself as personally invested in the show before, especially after Tony was shot last year.

This past Sunday I was literally on the edge of my seat through the most tension-filled hour of television I can ever recall, wondering if Tony would make it through. Bobby's demise, while sad, wasn't quite as shocking as seeing Silvio's bullet-ridden body slumped in the front seat of his car. For so-called fans of the show who complain about nothing ever happening and it not being violent enough, I'd say David Chase probably has your attention now, motherfuckers.

So how the fuck is this thing gonna end? I rewatched the pilot episode last night, and it culminates with Tony bemoaning the loss of the ducks that had taken up residence in his pool and ultimately realizing that the reason he'd been having panic attacks was the fear that he would lose his family. Well they're all still here, but who knows who may bite the proverbial (or literal) bullet on Sunday? My gut feeling is that Tony makes it through, though I've read spoilers that indicate this may not be true. Fortunately, I've got a pretty good feeling that Phil Leotardo is probably going to receive some poetic justice from someone he stepped over the line with a while back, and hopefully little bitch-ass Butchie receives multiple curbings from many different angles.

Ultimately though, I do hope Tony lives. As much of an antihero as he is, we've followed him through 85 episodes, and as bad as losing this show is (seriously, what the fuck am I gonna watch now?), losing Tony Soprano would be a fate worse than death.