Did Tony Die in "The Sopranos" Finale? David Chase Finally Clears Up the Mystery
Aug 27, 2014
by Sadie Gennis


"The Sopranos" has been celebrated for its ambiguous series finale, which left the fate of mob boss Tony Soprano unknown. But now creator David Chase has taken all of the mystery out of the revolutionary episode.

When Chase was asked if Tony's dead in an interview with Vox, he begrudgingly responded, "No. No he isn't." Other than mentioning that the infamous cut to black scene was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's poem, Dream Within a Dream, that's all the information Chase divulged about Tony's fate.



Though it must have been frustrating for Chase to only be asked this simple question rather than about many of the more interesting aspects of "The Sopranos" for years on end, we're glad he didn't go into more detail and wish he'd maintained his oath of silence completely.

Ambiguity in television is OK and "The Sopranos" was the poster child for this type of destabilizing storytelling.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Sopranos-Finale-Did-Tony-Die-David-Chase-1086293.aspx

Did Chase ruin (http://www.salon.com/2014/08/27/david_chase_on_the_sopranos_ending_tony_soprano_isnt_dead/) “The Sopranos’” ending (http://www.vulture.com/2014/08/david-chase-statement-response-to-tony-soprano-didnt-die.html)?

Did Chase ruin (http://www.salon.com/2014/08/27/david_chase_on_the_sopranos_ending_tony_soprano_isnt_dead/) “The Sopranos’” ending (http://www.vulture.com/2014/08/david-chase-statement-response-to-tony-soprano-didnt-die.html)?

I just read this. If he's being serious, then he ruined the ending. I always believed that Tony died. There was a discussion between Tony and another cast member (can't remember who) is an earlier episode where they talk about what it would feel like to get whacked. One of them says that they think they wouldn't know it or feel anything-everything would just go black. I saw the ending as David Chase's way of killing Tony.

David also said at the time, if you watched all the episodes the answer is clearly there.......so I ask to very serious viewers of the series only, Don't respond OT.....

In the opening episode of season 6A titled "For Members Only" referring to a 70's jacket still worn by a mob member who gets turned down by Tony to get out of the mob, the mobsters wife threatens tony's life several times in the episode, in the end the man kills himself due to tony's denial and that he was working for the fed.

Turn to the final credits in final episode titled "Made In America" season 6B.....David Chase went out of his way in the closing credits to single one man out on a two line credit stating "Man at counter in For Member's Only Jacket" while all other diner patrons were credited as Man #1 at counter, Man #2 at counter, etc.

Clearly Tony could have met his demise by a relative of the wife from season 6A who could have easily inherited his late in-laws precious 70's jacket.

It's all in the credits....check for yourself, there is no plausable reason for this and David Chase took great importance in the titles of each episode of "The Sopranos".

Creating the greatest irony of them all, Tony didn't meet his demise due to an enemy or mob war, but from his own undoing from a wife of a dead member of his own inner circle!

Watch "For Members Only" episode season 6A followed by series conclusion "Made In America" season 6b, hear the threats and read final episode credits, it's all true and there.

http://www.vulture.com/2014/08/david-chase-statement-response-to-tony-soprano-didnt-die.html

That’s why Matt Zoller Seitz wasn’t buying the Vox article (http://www.vox.com/2014/8/27/6006139/did-tony-die-at-the-end-of-the-sopranos) earlier today claiming that “The Sopranos” creator did indeed give a definitive answer: "The point is, since 2007 Chase has never straightforwardly explained precisely what he meant to do with the end of 'The Sopranos,' despite having been asked about it in interviews and public appearances," says Seitz. "There have been moments where he seemed to be on the verge of spelling it out for us. He always caught himself and pulled back. But that never stopped people from seizing on certain words or phrases in order to crow, 'See, I toldja! Tony died! David Chase said so!’"
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#sEUjjgZj0c0S6RqI.99

Well so much for listening or reading all the facts I presented in my respond post (also not the thread starter) but didn't know other members are allowed to ask others to stop or demand from posting in a thread! LOL

Again for serious fans who read threads before responding.....one last time!

My factual post found above (POST #4) has nothing to do with "Tony's fate" but Davids' quote of "The answer is found in watching all the episodes" now I ask again after reading my post,

Why did a diner patron credit in the final episode "Made In America" Season 6B Finale read as "Man in For Members Only Jacket" as mentioned in crucial first episode titled "For Members Only" Season 6A?

Since we can demand things from posters, I ask (not demand) for responses from only educated viewers that own complete series DVD's and can offer their own perspective answer.

Now for some fun (thought that was purpose of sitcoms site) LOL

First person who can answer this bit of trivia is qualified to sincerely give an opinion on above.........answer to the following if not posted will be given in 10 days in this thread.

Question: In the final season 6B episode titled "Kennedy & Hiedi" where Christopher meets his demise, what is the reason for the episode title?

Finally.....I don't bother to read links in threads that lead to other sites, to me that is not a post, adds nothing to ones' own thinking, just a cut & paste......

one final note.....There was never going to be any type of "Sopranos" movie, reunion, NOTHING and then the unspeakable and heart breaking tragedy happened that the brillant, caring man James was taken from the world and his family, hence that is when the character of "Tony Soprano" truly was gone. A terrible ironic ending for so many wondering what happened to his most and never to be duplicated TV character. I'm sure his dear cherished friend David Chase who's only major work since "The Sopranos" was working with his friend again on the underrated movie "Not Fade Away" clearly looks at his creative work differently since his dear friends untimely death.

Does anyone here have anything truly educated to write or are these writings a total waste of time?

http://whatculture.com/tv/5-reasons-why-tony-soprano-is-dead.php

7 years later and the debate about what actually happened at the end of the Sopranos continues.

David Chase Clarifies his Comments on Tony Soprano's Fate
by Teresa Jue
Sept 4, 2014


Last week, fans went through interchanging cycles of rage and relief when "The Sopranos" creator David Chase seemed to have told Vox that Tony Soprano was alive at the end of the series.

But Chase’s representative later issued a statement: “As David Chase has said numerous times on the record, ‘Whether Tony Soprano is alive or dead is not the point.’ To continue to search for this answer is fruitless. The final scene of The Sopranos raises a spiritual question that has no right or wrong answer.”





In an interview published Thursday on The Daily Beast, Chase offered more clarification and context.

“This has taught me, for good and all, not to befriend any journalist. I got too friendly with her. And I kept saying to her, ‘You know, this can’t be good that you and I talk to each other and have lunch and coffee. Something’s wrong here,’ and she’d say, ‘No, no, no.’ And she meant that—she wasn’t setting me up,” Chase said.

“It seems like, poor Dave, there’s no way he can win. I don’t recall that conversation. I’m sure it happened, but I don’t recall it, and if I did say that, I believe I was probably thinking about something else…”

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/04/david-chase-clarifies-his-comments-on-tony-sopranos-fate/

Tony's fate was purposely left unknown at the end of The Sopranos's series finale. I have heard of TV series getting cancelled on a cliffhanger, but a TV series concluding on a cliffhanger which will never, ever be resolved? That's bizarre.