One of the tensest scenes I’ve ever watched, and what really happened? Carmela walks in, sits down and starts looking at the menu. AJ walks in and flops down. A man walks through the door and sits at the counter. Meadow can’t parallel park her car to save her life. A couple more guys walk in and look at the jukebox. Meadow still can’t park her car. The guy at the counter walks into the bathroom. A basket of onion rings arrives at the table and the family starts popping them into their mouths. Last thing Tony sees is his daughter Meadow walking through the door. That infernal Journey song, “Don’t Stop Believing,” And then, darkness and silence. And it wasn’t the cable, because finally, the credits roll.
Like Proust, like a baseball game, like life itself, the Sopranos gave us the hum and the mundanities of daily life punctuated with episodes of tragedy, horror, grief and pathos. And laughter, let’s not forget the laughter. You gotta focus on the good times, right?
If Meadow had walked in and taken her seat next to her father, the hit man might never have had his opportunity. As it is, he had a clean shot. Or not. We just don’t know. Unlike Proust or a baseball game, but just like life, you’ll never really know.
Unlike the FBI guys, I’ll never win or lose my bet.
RIP, T.
Vox Pop Sudari 