When it came to premium network programming in the late ’90s and 2000s, there was nothing like The Sopranos on HBO. The scintillating, six-season drama followed the character of Tony Soprano (played by the late but great James Gandolfini) as he not only climbed higher in the DiMeo crime family but also dealt with escalating problems in his own family. While he was able to deal with most of his inner issues thanks to the help of his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (brought to life by actress Lorraine Bracco), keeping steady in his position as the official street boss of the family was another problem entirely. Coming from other rival families who wanted to take the number one spot, in addition to those close to him who objected to some of his careless ways whilst doing business, this overwhelming tension ultimately culminated in the last episode of this hit TV show.

The ambiguity surrounding the closing moments still has fans talking about the show 17 years later. There’s no doubt Tony would be proud of this feat — especially if he knew his death was coming. As with any other entry of The Sopranos, a number of smaller events found in “Made In America” (the title of the last episode) foreshadowed the type of conclusion that awaited the audience. In terms of violence, we had the assassination of Tony’s biggest enemy, Phil Leotardo. In terms of mystery, there was the eerie cat that stared at both Paulie and the painting of Christopher. While Tony says that it just showed up during the storm, fans of the show thought it was either Christopher Moltisanti (Tony’s young cousin) or his girlfriend Adriana La Cerva, reincarnated.

Release Date January 10, 1999 Seasons 6 Studio HBO

The Cut to Black Ending Is Fitting For Tony

Confusion is at play here as well, with Junior in the care home not understanding a word of what Tony has to say regarding the mafia or the whereabouts concerning the cache of money that was intended for Janice’s children (Tony’s sister). Finally, the feeling of resolution comes about with Tony’s daughter Meadow and her boyfriend, Patrick Parisi. Not only is she about to have a great job at a law firm, but the two are engaged. Violence, mystery, confusion, and resolution all have a hand in the impending diner scene — and those are the same blueprint ingredients that Tony Soprano needed to thrive — no matter what actually happened after the cut to black.

The tabletop jukebox playing Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. The nameless couple enjoying each other’s company. The coach with his little league team. The man by the bar that was suspiciously eyeing Tony. Meadow’s trouble with the parking spot. In just a matter of seconds, these consecutive shots both relax the viewer and push them to the edge of their seat.

The tease of violence, the mysterious red herrings, the confusion about what’s actually taking place, and the resolution of the whole thing is right at our fingertips. While this specific sequence was the only one where audiences weren’t actually sure if he would remain alive at the end, the combination of the cut to black with these four powerful story elements contributed to Tony Soprano’s spiritual survival.

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Tony Soprano Lives On Through Fans

Quietly letting himself become such an easy target — and all for a casual family outing — was Tony’s way of showing to the world that he wasn’t afraid of death. The on-screen mystery and confusion coupled with the off-screen violent resolution was the perfect recipe for Tony’s ego. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back in 2021, The Sopranos creator David Chase confirmed that killing Tony was always the plan at the end of the series — even though the small diner setting and the cut to black weren’t included in those schematics until two years before the finale (2005).

While there was a real-life restaurant that inspired Holsten’s, Chase never explains where the cut to black part of it originated from. Could it be that the Tony Soprano character was so vivid in his mind that the character’s importance topped everything else? Whoever the opposing sides might have been in regard to how the finale was created, the boss of the fictional DiMeo crime family of North Jersey seemed to have won the argument.

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A quick Google search shows that theoretical discussions about Tony Soprano’s death are even being typed up to this day, 17 long years after “Made In America” originally aired. Whether you happen to be one of the most dedicated fans of the crime drama on HBO or just a casual watcher who is just sick and tired of the constant debate, one thing is for certain. The cut to black (and all the little details surrounding that moment) have not only stretched the longevity of The Sopranos as a whole but also James Gandolfini’s epic character work long after his untimely death. If you want to check out The Sopranos for yourself and witness this highly talked about finale, the entire series is available on Max.