The Sopranos - Family Values

Final Thoughts: Season 4

Visitor Opinions:

Site Host's Finale Review: The season finale was amazing! I loved it. It was classic Sopranos at it best. Edie Falco deserves an Oscar for this episode. I thought that the whole story with the beach house was great. It was a through back to First and Second seasons where we would have these cool minor story lines that would tie into the main plot lines and would start and end in the same episode. The shooting under the bridge was awesome too, once again classic Sopranos style. We are left hanging with a ton of open plot lines but since it looks like next season will be the last one, I will be optimistic and hope that everything will be resolved. Hmmm, well may be I am being too optimistic… But this finale was way better then the last one, that's for sure!

I am so depressed about Tony and Carmela. I never thought it would happen. And now I feel just like the kids do!

Season 4 may not be the best season of the series (Seasons 1 and 2 were better), but it was still an amazing accomplishment. Remember: this show is supposed to be gritty and realistic, a reflection of the lives of a set of people like us who happen to have unique business dealings. Considering that, the lives of these characters should have ups and downs, sometimes that last for a year or more, just like real life.

And that's what we've seen. There is a gathering storm around Tony and his two families, a dark feeling that lines are being crossed and there's no way back. It began toward the end of Season 3 and grew to a torrent in Season 4. We are far removed from the victorious, "upbeat" Tony of Seasons 1 and 2. Instead, we are seeing Tony and his families behaving more and more like cornered animals, with vicious results. There was a pervasive sense of distrust in almost every character this past season, growing worse every episode. There were few real powder keg event to boil over such distrust in most characters during the season. A few that occurred: the death of Pie-O-My, the drug-addled Christopher beating Adrianna, the meeting with Carmine and Paulie, the victory of Junior at trial, drunk Tony insulting Carmela in front of Furio, the shutdown of the hit on Carmine, and Irina's phone call. Some were resolved this season, some not. Those that were NOT resolved are the biggest ones, because they involve every character, from Tony to AJ to Carmine to Dr. Melfi.

Almost every key character this season is or has been at the darkest point we've seen them through the whole series, most prominently Tony. Paulie, Carmela, Christopher, Johnny Sack, Bobby Bacala, Artie Bucco, Meadow, Furio, and so on were all pretty poorly off for most, if not all of the season. Sure, we still have unresolved storylines from Season 3 (the Russian is a key one), but we ALSO have unresolved storylines from Seasons 1 and 2, most prominently the oft-contentious relationship between Tony and Junior, and the continuing attachment to Irina. With the now free Uncle Junior more than likely ready to reclaim his position as boss (Tony IS only acting boss, remember), and Irina's detonating phone call, Tony is now being pressed from all sides. Tony now stands at the center of a fight in his own family, likely power rumbles in his own business family, and potential war with New York's Johnny Sack down the road.

I feel that part of the dislike for this season has been the immense discomfort people can sometimes feel watching a good thing fall apart. I don't mean the show... I mean the lives of the characters. What this season gave us was a dark counterpoint to the end of Season 1 and the start of Season 2, and the biggest threads, the darkest ones that hold the lives of many characters in the balance, grew to consume the lives of Tony and his families. I believe that this season was meant to affect us, to disturb us, to set us up for the big fights Tony and families will be fighting for their own survival in Season 5.
Thanks for your time. Chris.

I was both pleased and disappointed with Season 4 of our beloved show. The thing I was looking forward to most out of the 4th season was how the botched Russian killing would play out. I couldn't wait to find out if he lived or died out there, and how it would disrupt Tony's relations with the Russians, and with Chris and Paulie. Sadly, This was never addressed. Pine Barrens is one of my top ranked episodes in the 4 season history, but to have such a strong dramatic plot line develop in one episode then let it die kind of annoys me. Maybe they will get to it for a season 5 climax. I hope so.

However, I feel that season 4 was a strong one, despite many people's cries for more violence and sex. I think the writers did exactly what they needed. Unfortunately, people, not every single day in the mafia yields a violent death or a mass orgy, there are always other things happening, and I feel the writers did a fine job of keeping us happy while addressing more at home issues. However "boring" the storylines were for the blood-related family, it was important to address the crumbling marriage of Tony and Carmela. It's been a long time coming, and it was addressed, acted, written and incorporated beautifully into season 4. They said at the premiere that season 4 would focus more on their marriage, and they did in fine fashion. Emmy's to both Edie Falco and James Gandolfini for their "Whitecaps" performances. This is their best. Iam incredibly happy with season 4.

I think everyone else's disappointment in season 4 will be forgotten once season 5 (the last?) rolls around. It stands to be awesome, and I can't wait.
review by Phuser.

I have been reading your site for quite some time, and have been a huge Soprano fan since the beinning. Because of this, I thought it was necessary to e-mail you my thoughts for this season, and try to silence some of the critics out there. It's true that this season finale was not as good as the first two, but that all depends on what context you look at it from. It's not supposed to have a lot of killing in it, because it's SUPPOSED to focus on Tony' and Carmella's seperation, which despite what some people think, is a HUGE development. This development alone will lead to Tony to unbelievable stress next season, and will set up some of the very important pieces of the Sopranos' big picture. Keep in mind that next season is the last, and David Chase is trying to build a foundation for the Series Finale, which will have to be huge, and it will be. Chris is out of Rehab. He's clean. But I doubt thats the end of it. It was too cut and dry, so I expect to see him either have a relapse, or something will happen with Adriana next season. At some point, the family will have to find out she is working for the feds. If you look closely, the drummer of the rock band playing in Adrina's club in the second episode of the season was the Russian, Valery. I'm sure of it. Chase is just toying with us right now, and will shut that door next season when Paulie gets killed. It's a huge development, and I agree with him holding off until the final season to play that card. Uncle Junior beat his trial, which is also big happenings, because his house arrest has been played up so big for 2 years. My only question is, will we see Larry Barese get back in the picture? I hope so, cause he was one of my favorites, and Albert is semi-retarded in my opinion. Something big will happen with the kids next season. Either AJ will get involved, or some tragic accident will befall him or Meadow, adding to Tony's stress level. As far as Ralphie goes, who gives a shit? Its old news. They didnt make a big deal out of Richie Aprile's disappearance the next season. Nor did they make a great big deal out of Pussy's. Once you're gone, you're gone. Ralphie's gone, so forget about him. Unless Tony has some bad dream where all his old friends haunt him. Pussy, Ralphie, Jackie Jr., Jackie Sr., maybe Mikey Palmice. In closing, all I can say, is that I trust that the producers have a grea plan, and I'm willing to have patience to see what it is. Theyre not going to disappoint us, so stop being critics, and just enjoy he damn show for what it is. The best show television has ever seen.
reivew by Tony Elbows.

I thought they did a great job this season. I wasn't turned off by the drug use or the stereotypes of the mob girls as I've heard some complaints. I think it was all Sopranos and I was delighted with the show. If anything upset me was the total loss of Katherine Narducci. In season three she had confronted Tony about "messing up" Artie with this restaurant take over or what not. Then she did that joke with the Fed comment to Tony and the guys. She has guts and is a fun character. I wish they would have shown some conflict with her, Tony and Artie. -- or with Carmela. It would have been a lot of fun and I was very disappointed by her no show, or considerable lack of appearance.
reivew by Laura.

Ok I have been reading all the final thoughts on Season 4. First thing I wanted to say was the Russian is never coming back. EVERYBODY get over it. I thought this season was pretty good over all. The Season Finale was amazing though. I really felt like I was there. It leaves so many possibilities for next season. Just because a ton of people weren't whacked doesn't mean the writing was sub-par. The dialogue was still incredible in season 4.
review by Timothy.

Man, I've been hooked on this show since day one and coming to this site for quite some time now and I think its time I finally tell it how it is! The first two seasons were amazing, with the second being the best. Last year, they opened a ton of doors that are yet to be closed, but at least things went down last year. Of this whole season, there were two very good episodes. When Ralph got whacked, which was by far the best one and the episode where Chris checks into rehab which was just flat out hilarious. However, this has to be the worst season finale yet, even worse then last years which sucked. But at least somebody died, that being Jackie Jr. They dropped the whole "Whack Carmine" angle which was really stupid. So Tony's getting a divorce? Big F*ckin Deal ! Junior beat his case, cmon. These were good storylines but not good en! ough to be the lead storylines for a great finale. There was no real shocker or cliffhanger, as usual. I think they could have done many things with this episode to save the entire season from being a waste, here's a few examples ...

1 - The Russian has a tie up with the one legged chick. He finds out Paulie and Chris work for Tony Soprano. In an exchange of bullets he leaves Paulie wounded and Paulie falls into a coma. Christopher blows his brains out and kills him. Paulie is in the hospital in a coma, only to die in the first episode next season.

2 - Christopher comes out totally clean, as he did only to end up beating Adrianna to death after finding out she is with the FBI. [ I love Adrianna but she's in for it ]. In the last scene, Tony finds out that Adrianna was with the FBI and Chris killed her. We are left thinking about what Tony will do with Chris this time.

3 - Paulie confronts Johnny Sack about being sold out. Tony proceeds to tell his three main henchmen [Silvio, Paulie and Chris] about taking out Carmine as a favor for Johnny. Paulie sees this as a chance to get revenge on Johnny and lets Carmine know whats gonna happen leading to his own demise. Tony and Johnny Sack visit Paulie and Tony sees the Napoleon picture. Tony and Johnny make the hit. Johnny Sack jumps ship, starting a war between the two sides, with him on the NJ side.

4 - It turns out that Ralph never lit the fire at the Stable, being he never actually said he did. It just didnt matter that much to him because of his sons condition, so he bugged out and said "It was a F*ckin Horse." And reasonably so. I'm an animal lover myself, but thats his son for Christ sakes. Paulie did it, to get back at Ralph for the phone call to his mother. Perhaps this can fit in somewhere with the scenario above. But this time, Tony and Christopher do him in by shooting his kneecaps first and his arms too, then tie him up. They proceed to tie him up with rope and ducktape and place the picture on top of him as he's laid down. They pour gasoline on it and light a match. Paulie is burned to death, along with his picture. Next season, Tony calls Dr. Melfi and sheds a tear for someone he's killed for the first time in his life. Not for Paulie, for Ralph.

5 - Scenes of Furio are shown in Italy telling his father he is seriously thinking of killing Tony Soprano. His father tells him to follow his heart. In the end, we see Furio getting off a plane at Newark Airport, arriving in New Jersey. Next season starts out with Tony receiving anonymous death threats, letters ... etc ... Perhaps even a whacking of Artie or Patsy, leaving their mutilated body with a note of some sort, to let us know he means business. It turns out Furio is more concerned with taking out Tony now than actually ending up with Carmella.

Cmon, David Chase is supposed to be a genius. With the way this show is going, we will never see the Russian, hear about the rape, Tony will never see the picture, we will never find out the truth about the fire and Furio will be forgotten just like so many others in the past two seasons. My point is, you cant open a million doors and not close any! They could have done something wild with Gloria Trillo as well. In our season finale, no doors were shut whatsoever. And for the few of you who say "You dont need Sex and Violence" this show is sill as good as it was, watch Season Two! The Award Winning Season! They revert too much to comedy now and not enough on great storylines. I've been sticking up for this show for so long but after tonights finale, I'm all but convinced that the glory days of this show are long gone. One bad season is one thing, but two bad seasons in a row and two horrible finales, thats a bit much.

Hey, give me a little feedback on my scenarios.
review by Nick.

C'mon true Soprano fans (I'm talking to you Silky). Are we ever gonna weigh in on this? We've got to band together and put down this coup of ignorant so called "fans". It's true that this season probably ranks fourth out of the four seasons, but that still makes it the fourth best season in television history. This year was full of riveting events and emotional rollercoasters. All I hear about on this page is "more sex and violence, more sex and violence". If sex and violence is all you want, go to your local video store and rent any variety of the hundreds of horrible action movies that Hollywood has produced over the last twenty years. Not stooping to that level is what sets The Sopranos apart. I'd like to take a moment and address Nick and his scenarios:

1 - I agree that the Russian should come back, but not in the way you explain. I trust that it will be much less clichéd.

2 - I'm not even going to dignify this scenario. Christopher would never beat Adrianna to death. Enough said.

3 - Even Paulie Walnuts has more brains than it would take for some moron to try this stunt. If Johnny Sack switched sides, he wouldn't last two days.

4 - Okay, now I'm beginning to wonder if we have been watching the same show on Sunday nights. I don't think Ralphie started the fire either, but Tony and Chris would not torture Paulie if they were forced to kill him. Remember the Pussy hit?

5 - Is Furio communicating with his father through a Quiji board or is Furio just as delusional as you? Because it seems to me that Furio's father died. More evidence that maybe you are watching a different show. And why would Furio toy with Tony? He has always been a no nonsense kind of goomba. If he was going to kill Tony, he would kill him, period.

You're right about one thing. David Chase is a genius, and you're not. Leave the writing up to the award winners. The show has always taken great pains in conveying a sense of realism. It's just not realistic for every tiny story line to be neatly tied in. For example, isn't it possible that the stable fire really was an accident? I guess what I'm trying to say is that The Sopranos is the best television show of all time and I trust that David Chase is going to deliver and we won't be disappointed. Whether or not that includes the Russian or the rapist, who knows, but I trust his judgment.
review by Patrick.

I just wanted to say that I thought this season was the worst season of Sopranos.There was not near as much action as there was in past episodes.They need to quit focusing on Tonys family and focus more on The FAMILY(mob family).
thanx Chris.

I am one of many upset and slightly annoyed viewers of this entire season. Aside from Episode #43 'The Weight' and Episode #48 'Whoever Did This' there really were no 'Stand-Out' episodes. Aside from Edie Falco's performance the finale was an utter disappointment. For the first 12 episodes we had outstanding story lines developed that the finale left unresolved, such as: Adrianna vs the FBI, Ralphie's disappearance, Paulie's dealings with Johnny Sack +more. While a few were resolved in the finale (Junior's mistrial, Chris' Recovery +others) other more interesting sub-plots were ignored and may not be re-visited (Witness from Season #3 the missing Russian, and AJ being banned to Military School sub-plots... neither resurfaced). We are saddled now with believing Tony will leave Carmella. No one thinks this will happen, unless perhaps the producers now know that one of these key cast members possibly may not return for Season #5. Overall, I would say the producers overall 'theme' of Season #4 was to project the series storyline with less nudity and graphic violence, due in part perhaps to harsh criticism of the series by certain 'groups'. I for one hope this trend is changed for Season #5.
review by Capo Chuck.

i give the final episode a serious 9. wow!!!
review by Bea

This season finally sucked!!! What's the cliff hanger? There was less sex and fewer wackings in this season then one episode of seasons before. I hope the writers do not let the viewer down next season, especially if it is to the last of the Sopranos.
review by MAD.

The fascinating aspect to this year's series is the increasing and complex pressures being brought to bear on Tony. This is really the basis for all the plot threads that people are complaining are going nowhere. First, you've got the economic problems. Look where Tony is after this season. Whatever you think of Ralph, he was smart enough to bring big bucks into the family. He's now dead. Christopher, Tony's right hand man and another big source of revenue, is in drug rehab. The only way Paulie brings money to Tony is by whacking his mother's friend and stealing her life savings. Expenses are rising. Junior's trial is expensive. Carmella's siphoning money into investments. There's the house on the shore.
Emotionally, Tony's losing his close top people - Ralph is gone, Christopher and Paulie have their own big problems, Junior's getting senile. Carmella wants a separation/divorce ( a biggie).
The FBI is closing in, creating more and greater difficulties in communication across the organization and an inability to act in a violent fashion.
Amazingly, Tony doesn't have panic attacks anymore with pressures that go way beyond what he saw in the first two seasons.
Presumably next year we'll see Tony's reaction to these impossiblepressures. Whether various plot threads go by the wayside is irrelevant.
review by Jtas.

The end of season 4 marks a big change in my life. For the first time I am not looking forward to a Soprano's season premier. In the beginning and thru much of season 3 the show was regarded by most as highly entertaining and by some as an accurate representative of a very special and extraordinary class of people. Yes, the show was exciting and inspiring because it obviously reflected a lifestyle that some of us could relate to. It was not a Hollywood production meant to razzle and dazzle, it was real. No matter if you live in LA you could appreciate an incredibly pristine reflection of street life in the northeast. I could assure you, I felt that I actually knew the characters on the show in the first seasons. I'm from the northeast and I'm Italian. The show was good. However, season 4, while some may find it enticing, unarguably has sailed a course 180 degrees clear of the previous seasons. The intelligent, serious viewer was teased the entire season with dead-end plots. Whereas previously the veteran Sopranos fan was used to being rewarded for observing the most minute of details, this season was literally tortured with useless storylines. Besides all that which is obvious to most, I haven't heard much from anyone regarding my observation of the shows characters becoming less lifelike and realistic. The shows realism has declined so much that gangsters can probably no longer relate. I know that as an Italian American, I no longer can. Those who know me can tell you that I have actually been known to say that the Sopranos is better than "The Godfather", better than "Goodfella's", better than any Italian gangster movie; well, not season 4. I am sad to say that a show to which I sincerely proclaimed allegiance has fallen from that pedestal in my life and is rarely even a topic of conversation; and if it is, me and any of my friends will tell you, "don't even won't to talk about it"; yeah, its that bad.
review by Jimmy from the Poconos.

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