Are there no "The Sopranos" fans here?

[babylonsister]

Oooh, I got caught right back up in it last week. That's some good TV!

[liberalnurse]

1. Count me in on the dependency.....

I think there is going to be a power struggle for control of the Soprano family while Tony is recovering. There was that short chubby guy who said, " he thinks he could be the head of the Family if, God forbid, Tony has a heart attack or gets cancer".

[MaineDem]

2. I thought that was a terrific opening

I can't wait for the next episode. I have to give credit to the writers who are able to draw us all in like they do.

[truebrit71]

3. I predict a "dream-sequence" episode for this week..

..the old reliable fall-back for a lazy writer..

I REALLY don't get how everyone thinks this is such a well-written show...

When it first came out I was a huge fan, but the long, drawn out breaks between seasons has really worn the fascination out for me. None of the characters are likable, and I am amazed that the Feds haven't been able to nail Tony and/or his crew for all of the law-breaking and killing that's been going on..

12 episodes this year, and then we have to wait until 2007 for the final 8?

Fugedaboutit...

(I'll still watch it though, just to see Tony finally get clipped)

[dr.strangelove]

4. Really?

I thought last nihgt's episode was a great example of what a well written show it is. Tony's "dream" was great, showing all his fears in one sequence.

I love the writing and the acting. I agree that it is difficult to deal with the long wait between seasons, but a good thing is worth waiting for. I loved the first 2 of this season.

[truebrit71]

5. Actually I have to disagree with myself...

..last night's episode was quite good...and not as dreadful as I'd feared...

[babylonsister]

6. Was it a dream or purgatory?

Tony is in Purgatory - not a dream
When I had my annual summit with "Sopranos" creator David Chase a few weeks ago, I complimented him on having the onions to put a major dream sequence like this so early in the season, considering how many fans complain about the dreams.

"I, frankly, would not call those (episode two scenes) dreams," he said, which sent me scurrying back to watch my DVD over and over again, until (with some help from my wife) I got it.

Here Tony's stuck in Orange County, quite possibly the most personality-free corner of the world, with no way to leave (a k a Purgatory). On one end of town is a shining beacon (Heaven), on the other, a raging forest fire (Hell). Over and over, he stops to assess the worth of his own life, asking, "Who am I? Where am I going?"

Then he steals the identity (sin) of Kevin Finnerty -- a heating salesman who lives in one of the hottest states of the union (Arizona) -- checks into another hotel, and falls down a red staircase, at which point he learns he has Alzheimer's (eternal damnation). And while Carmela's busy in the real world telling him he's not going to Hell, Tony's in Purgatory debating whether to tell his wife this is exactly the fate he has in store.

It may be hair-splitting to call this something other than a dream, but Tony's misadventures in Costa Mesa were much more linear and coherent than his regular dreams have ever been. There were important details scribbled in the margins (the bartender joking, "Around here, it's dead," or the "Are sin, disease and death real?" commercial on the TV), but there was an actual story here instead of Tony bouncing from one surreal tableau to another.

http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/sepinwall/index.ssf?/b...

[Pithlet]

7. I don't think it was a dream.

At least not the kind of dream one has while sleeping. I think it was his brain coping with his coma, and interpreting the things going on around him that were filtering through. I think the purgatory theme, and the doctor dx him with Alzheimer's were all his subconscious fears directing the action. I think the fact that he's a regular Joe is a manifestation of his secret desire, alluded to in another sequence, of making it outside of the Life. It was definitely different than the dream sequences of past episodes.

It's really interesting how differently people interpreted this episode. I think it's a testament to the excellent writing of the show. A lot of people panned this episode, but I thought it was great. It was chilling how dead on the show was about the experiences in the hospital. It really brought back a lo of memories for me.

[babylonsister]

8. Speaking of that coma, do you know if it's doctor-induced?

Seems weird to me that he's in a coma from a shot to the belly.
I thought the episode was great, and confirmed to me what an excellent actress Edie Falco is.
I'm looking forward to tonight's episode! And you're right about the different interpretations; some people thought it was boring while others were riveted.

[Pithlet]

9. I think it was.

I remember one of the doctors saying they put him in a medically induced coma to prevent seizures.

I can't wait for tonight's episode, either.

[dr.strangelove]

10. It was induced

Sunday's was a great show. I love Silv dressing and acting like the Don. He was incredible.

[mduffy31]

12. It was

I am a nurse and when I was watching it, one of the drugs that they were yelling was one that would put you into an induced coma. We have used it many times where I work.

[mduffy31]

11. When the Sopranos go off the air

...it will be like coming down off of heroin. I am addicted hard.