Final Sopranos predictions

I haven’t blogged too much about the Sopranos over the years, but it’s been one of the few shows that both the Official Blog Wife and I watch religiously. In eager anticipation of the show’s series finale tonight, and blog efforts to predict the show’s denouement, here’s what I think will happen: 1) No one ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

I haven't blogged too much about the Sopranos over the years, but it's been one of the few shows that both the Official Blog Wife and I watch religiously. In eager anticipation of the show's series finale tonight, and blog efforts to predict the show's denouement, here's what I think will happen: 1) No one in Tony's immediate family dies; 2) No one else in Tony's crew will die either; 3) Melfi takes Tony back (I found that part of last week's show unconvincing); 4) Regardless of how/whether Tony's feud with Phil Leotardo is resolved, the show will end with Tony still in charge, bereft of any competent underling to take over, depressed at the prospect of having to soldier on in charge, acutely aware that his eventual death will likely not be a peaceful one (this search for a successor has been at the heart of this last season, and for the past few seasons if you think about it); 5) Despite his best efforts, James Gandolfini will never find a role that makes people forget either Tony Sorprano or this song. Readers are encouraged to offer their own predictions/postmortems. POST-EPISODE UPDATE: Wrong on Melfi, but I think the rest of it holds up pretty well.

I haven’t blogged too much about the Sopranos over the years, but it’s been one of the few shows that both the Official Blog Wife and I watch religiously. In eager anticipation of the show’s series finale tonight, and blog efforts to predict the show’s denouement, here’s what I think will happen:

1) No one in Tony’s immediate family dies; 2) No one else in Tony’s crew will die either; 3) Melfi takes Tony back (I found that part of last week’s show unconvincing); 4) Regardless of how/whether Tony’s feud with Phil Leotardo is resolved, the show will end with Tony still in charge, bereft of any competent underling to take over, depressed at the prospect of having to soldier on in charge, acutely aware that his eventual death will likely not be a peaceful one (this search for a successor has been at the heart of this last season, and for the past few seasons if you think about it); 5) Despite his best efforts, James Gandolfini will never find a role that makes people forget either Tony Sorprano or this song.

Readers are encouraged to offer their own predictions/postmortems. POST-EPISODE UPDATE: Wrong on Melfi, but I think the rest of it holds up pretty well.

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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