Internet Geek Girl

It’s an hour before the final episode of my favorite show. Probably my favorite show of all time (so far). I’m drinking red wine and watching last week’s episode on demand.

Tony and family have been important to me. I’ve hosted many Sopranos parties (complete with amazing wine, antipast and lasagna). I don’t mess around. I own the calendar, T-Shirts, the coasters, the DVDs, frig magnets, the ringtone, and the Trivia Game. I’m a true-blue fan. And shaking James Gandolfini’s hand earlier this year in Asbury park was seriously fabulous. Who knows why certain movies and TV shows affect us? OK – for this one, it’s easy. I’m 100% Italian from North Jersey and my grandfather, father and brother are all named Anthony. While our family is quite different and otherwise employed, there were plenty of cultural and psychological similarities that cracked me up. Not to mention the mangling of axioms. Those are the best. Tonight’s episode will include a scene in Holsten’s in Bloomfield, NJ. It’s 2 blocks from where I grew up (in Glen Ridge, NJ) and it was the first place I had a real job (not including babysitting). I only worked there for 4 days though. That’s another story. Well….it’s the end of era and I know I will be sad. But alas, I’ve got my DVDs, and I’m sure HBO will find some other entertaining show for me on Sunday nights. God bless HBO.

Let me tell you a couple of few things:

PREDICTION TIME
The internet is overflowing with blogs and sites collecting predictions on how this show will end. I’ve spent a good portion of this week talking to friends and family about what we think will happen. Because I think it’s important to take a stand, I will make a prediction. But, I’ll probably be wrong. I ususally am when it comes to things like this. I never win bets. So – I won’t be risking any $$. The truth is, David Chase has given us a layered, complicated piece of art that could go a variety of ways. My good friend Joe predicted the importance of the gun Bobby gave Tony. My colleague and fab affiliate Mikey rightly pointed out that Tony has nothing left so it’s death or Witness Protection. (He favors witness protection). My Dad doesn’t think Tony will flip and correctly summarized the state of Tony’s crew – “he’s got stugots.” Gerry and Cathy (on their way over for dinner now) favor the death of Tony. We’ll soon find out!

OK – Placing My Bet
Alright – If I must, here is my prediction. I don’t think Tony will die. There’s enough money at stake that perhaps all involved want to keep the option of a movie on the table (cynical I know). I do think the last scene will be in Holsten’s, and I think Carm, Tony and Pauly will be there. I think they will be saying goodbye and I think Tony and Carm will head east and hop on the GSP. I think something bad is going to happen to AJ or Meadow (but not devasting). I think (and hope) that Phil is killed. That .. youknowwhat! I think that Tony flip (but not rat out Pauly) and will end up getting his paper in a robe in his driveway, somewhere in Arizona.. a la Henry Hill. Someone else will take over in Jersey. Someone always does.

Well – I gotta go stir the gravy and put out the olives and mozzarella.

I’ll be back after the show airs. Puffy eyed I’m sure.

Ciao mia amici!