The Sopranos icon James Gandolfini shared a four-word response to the mob show's final episode when it was first aired.
The crime drama, which ran for six seasons from 1999 to 2007, was a huge success for HBO, won numerous awards and made its cast members household names.
A new documentary called Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos has looked at the show's creator David Chase, how The Sopranos was created, the experiences the writers drew upon, and key moments with some of the actors.
The series finale episode, Made in America, ended with Tony Soprano surviving the mob war with rival Mafioso Phil Leotardo, enabling him to rebuild his crew. The finale saw the Soprano family meet at a diner as Tony and Carmela's daughter Meadow was late thanks to trouble parking.
As Journey's Don't Stop Believin' plays in the diner, Tony repeatedly glances up as people come into the diner before the screen suddenly cuts to black and the music stops. Whether Tony Soprano survives or is killed is never revealed.
Lorraine Bracco, who played Dr Jennifer Melfi, remembered when she and James Gandolfini watched the finale together for the first time. She said: "I was with Jim and Jim said 'That's it? That's it? " Bracco added: "He couldn't believe it.", reports the Mirror.
When the interviewer asked: "So Jim didn't know? ", Lorraine shook her head and replied "Nope".
Lorraine explained Jim's reaction: "I think he was in shock, like everybody else".
Lorraine's admission is quite telling as James Gandolfini hadn't been known to reveal his thoughts on the contentious conclusion of the series publicly. However, other stars from The Sopranos harboured a more understanding attitude towards the show's wrap-up.
Michael Imperioli said: "It was so sudden and strange. Really took everybody by surprise."
Similarly, Drea de Matteo, the actress behind Adriana, expressed her take on the finale with unmistakable candour, stating: "I'm thinking of myself, this is David. This is f****** David. This is exactly how he wanted to end the show. He doesn't want anyone to know what's going on right now."
Drawing parallels to the lyric "The movie never ends, it goes on and on and on" from Don't Stop Believin', creator David Chase offered insights into the enduring nature of the show's world, remarking, "You may not go on," says Chase, "but the universe is going to go on, the movie's going to keep going."
The episode titled "Made in America" has etched its place in history as one of television's best finales and still sparks debate among fans and critics alike. The two-part docuseries premiered on Sky Documentaries on Sunday, September 8, and remains accessible for streaming.
This documentary features a host of interviews with cast members and producers set within a meticulous recreation of Dr. Melfi's psychiatrist office. In a role reversal, Gibney gets under the skin of David Chase, delving deep into the genesis of "The Sopranos," his unique storytelling methods, and the intricate weave between his personal journey and the intricacies that define several of his characters.
Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos offers an exclusive peek into the writers' room, tracing the journey from the revolutionary pilot episode to the contentious final one. It explores how a series centred around a complex mob boss evolved into a cultural landmark, a cherished fan favourite, and a game-changer for television.
The documentary features interviews with writer and producer Robin Green, former HBO Entertainment president Carolyn Strauss, and Sopranos actors Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, Lorraine Bracco, Steven Van Zandt, and Edie Falco. It also includes archival interviews with late actors Nancy Marchand, James Gandolfini, and Tony Sirico.
