*****SPOILER ALERT — If you haven’t seen the Sopranos finale, don’t read*****
It has been almost three full days now. A staggering ~70 hour thought process to analyze my opinion of the series finale of The Sopranos; my favorite television show of all-time. I have watched the episode three times, and the final scene six times. I think I finally know my opinion, and it is best described as, I didn’t not like it.

Creator David Chase ended the show on his own terms, just like he conducted the other 85 episodes. I’ll admit it, when that screen went black, I was shocked. It left Steve Perry hanging at ‘Don’t Stoppppppp…’ and for a brief second, I did think the cable overloaded or something, but then realized Chase had pulled it off. He solely left ~11 million visitors, not counting DVR or On-Demand procrastinators, left with our jaws drop and our heads spinning.

Immediate outrage poured into HBO.com, causing the site to actually crash, a first-time feat for the pay only channel. Chase offered no comment other than to the NJ-Newark Herald (His hometown paper and setting of his masterpiece show),”It was never my intention to please anyone or mess with people’s heads. I’m here to entertain the audience. You saw the show, take from it what you will.”

The joke seems to be that we’ve been trained by mob movies that the ending will prove a chaotic disorder of warring mafia factions ultimately resulting in tragedy or triumph. Chase offered realism in an entertainment world where realism often is subject to critical chagrin. Anyone who knows me is aware that I look often first toward realism in terms of plot and character development in any movie or show (Which is why I hate being stuck watching Lost). Chase gave the violence fans their high with Phil’s hit, and convenient neutral drived SUV just happening to crush his skull, in frontal view of weak stomached adolescents. Over the top, but necessary given the ending.

Chase illustrated in the sensational final scene, the endless loop of Tony’s life. Always having to look over his shoulder, even at something as simple as meeting his family for some onion rings. Sunday night I was sure every single person in that diner had malicious intent, on subsequent viewings, they look like innocent civilians stopping in for a bite to eat. With one of the greatest songs ever written blaring, AJ said, ‘We have to focus on the good times.’ With Tony’s impending arrest looming, or possible death — Chase wanted us to not solely focus on this scene, but rather the good times we’ve all had watching this groundbreaking show.

My only problem lies with the immediate blackoff. Why? Why not just have Meadow come in, sit down, exhale, smile, say something like, ‘It’s nice to relax for a minute’, and then pan out with Journey rockin and our favorite TV family settling in for a normal dinner?? Why the black off? To let us wonder as to if that guy that went in the bathroom right before came out and offed T? To hide the fact that Meadow got hurt? I really don’t get it. I know there is a motive, because I know Chase wouldn’t do it just so viewers could interpret their own results, there is a purpose. There is rumors of the real ending being on the season DVD when its released, a follow episode showing multiple endings, and the much rumored talk of a motion picture down the line. The blackoff just wasn’t necessary, and I’ll admit, a disappointing very end to the show.

We were put in the world of Tony as he signed off one last time. A world we really hadn’t ever seen. Hearing the bell of the diner signaling the door opening and having to look up to see if the person walking in was there to kill you. A world that us average schmoes can only imagine. A world that we finally realize Tony has to live in for the rest of his life. A worthy ending to a show that grew up along with myself. Thank you Mr. Chase, for your show, and successful finale.

Bring on the movie!

Oh, and 27 more days until HP’s movie

And only 37 days until the Deathly Hallows! W()()()t