Enough Already!

Enough already, over the course of the past three episodes of the Sopranos it has become abundantly clear that the show just isn’t the same without James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. Sometime prior to the third or fourth season there was a demand on his part for more money as his recurring role, and speculation as to whether the show would continue on without him.

Episodes two and three of season six has Tony laid up in a hospital, not breathing on his own in a coma. Unfortunately the show has gone absolutely nowhere since Corrado “Junior” Soprano shot his nephew. Sure there may have been some power struggles among the lower ranks, but nothing has been done to promote a story line other than Tony struggling for his life, which takes up about one tenth of the show.

He has been wondering around not really knowing who he is, with recent events which occurred in his real life mixing with his dream world. There is all sorts of symbolism which are represented in this world, like a Finity Family reunion representing the afterlife, or his (well, Mr. Finity’s briefcase) representing his real life. Perhpas even the name "Finity" representing a finite amount of time Tony has left before his "associates" get tired of him and plot to clip him?

Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano) may be a fine actress, Steve Van Zandt, and Michael Imperioli work great in supporting roles, but even their combined strength simply can’t carry the show much further. It was a struggle getting through these two episodes because crying and bickering will only carry a show so far. Pining over some ones eventual collapse or recovery just doesn’t make for good television, especially given the history of quality the Sopranos has displayed.

Get Tony out of the hospital and get the show moving along. Simply put – it cant last any longer without him as the main lead.