The Sopranos - Season 6, Part 2 (2007)

Birthday Present...Great Gift

My father was so excited to get this video for his birthday. My mother purchased the first five seasons but could not find season 6 for less than $85.00. I found it on Amazon much cheaper and it was brand new! The item shipped quickly and was received within days of my order. I have just ordered another item from Amazon and I will continue to use Amazon for Holiday and Birthday Purchases. So far I have always received top quality merchandise from Amazon. November 11, 2008

Good Show, Lousy Packaging

5-star show with 3-star packaging. Extras include "The Music of the Sopranos" and "Making of Cleaver"? Really. Gimme a freakin' break! That and putting two episodes on an entire DVD is, to paraphrase a poor song, "They Hardly Work for the Money".

Other than that, a good TV show. As PT Barnum said, "Always leave 'em wanting more!" And this show did just that. Way better than a lot of other excellent series have ended. October 7, 2008

Great final season

I held off for a while on buying this season. The sticker price is a bit high considering its only 8 episodes. Every 2 episodes I had to get up and switch the DVD out. I got it used and still feel i over paid only considering how many episodes came in this *cough* season. Regardless it was a great season far better then 6 part 1. The ending was ruined for me because I never saw this on TV so being such a hit everyone talked about it. Even so I was still disappointed to see the series ended. As a fan its worth getting if you can justify the price. October 4, 2008

A satisfying end to a fantastic series

The final season of The Sopranos is a satisfying end to a fantastic television series that has captured my interest for nearly a decade. This show was the reason I subscribed to HBO and Sunday nights at 9 pm were a sacred hour when this show was on. While I am well aware of the criticism that the series finale drew for its abrupt end; it certainly is not a bad episode and it is much better after a second viewing. The season as a whole contained many gripping story arcs and once again the writing is top notch. Over the years I have developed a liking towards many of the characters; therefore, it was sad for me to see this show conclude and see the demise of many characters I have grown to like. I equate the first half of the show as a farewell tour that sets up the plot for the riveting second half which crosses the Rubicon in terms of war between the two families. The last five episodes of this show are among the best in the series' history but the true gem of the bunch is the penultimate episode The Blue Comet. I equate that episode to DEFCOM 1 as an absolute state of emergency ensues for the Soprano crime family. I was on the edge of my seat during much of that episode due to the fact that I didn't know what would happen next. I recommend purchasing this series on DVD simply it has a lot of replay value. I have watched this show countless times in comparison to just about everything else in my DVD library. I have found that re-watching this season on DVD to be more enjoyable to watching it when it aired in the spring of 2007. This is due to the fact that I can pick up on elements that I overlooked the first time I watched it. All of this said, I probably don't even have to recommend purchasing this season because chances are if you are a true fan of the show you probably own the previous seasons of the show and will buy this one anyway. Owning this show on DVD is much better than watching the abridged edition which airs on A&E. Watching the syndicated version is about as satisfying as drinking a can of Natty Light with a fine meal. Without sounding like a hired gun for HBO the only other shows that can hold a candle to the great writing on this show are The Wire, Six Feet Under, and The Shield which is on FX. I also recommend those three shows but The Wire certainly can hold its own and even best the Sopranos in some ways. Even though I am a big fan of The Wire, I enjoy the character development of The Sopranos more so and it is essential to view this season to see how things end for Tony Soprano and other characters we have grown to either love or hate.

Season 6 Part 2 Grade: A - (92%)
DVD special features: B - (82%) Although the main menu has a slick interface.
September 28, 2008

59 bux well spent

The first TV series since Seinfeld and Married With Children that I waited for. Checked the schedule. And waited for. Didn't see it originally on HBO, so I waited for my local cable to schedule it. Watched every episode until about the last 9 and then...bada bing....nothing. I chased it around the remote [formerly known as the "dial"] for weeks. Ok. Ok.
Not in the least bit disappointed. I think those final shows were among the best.
I think of The Sopranos as a combination Soap Opera/Crime Series. To my knowledge, that was never even done in the movies.
I'va had reservations about what I surmise [based upon 621 viewings of "Goodfellas"] to be flaws in writing and concept: (1) Why would a "Boss" (a 5 o'clock News celebrity) drive up in his own car, looking exactly like himself, using his real name, to a Pschologist's office where he's expected to pour his guts out? (2) Why would he openly display the discord in his own home, to his "Crew"? Why would he even *think* Divorce in his world? (3) Why would his Daughter be allowed to roam unprotected through a rough section of town in her Social Worker Intern role? (4) How would "Cleaver" have even gotten past the conference stage? Also, I don't understand all the footage inside toilets; other bits of business which make the viewer want to look away.
Not all of the above criticisms are really reflected in the final nine, though.
The DVD quality is awesome. And if I say it's awesome, considering my ancient entertainment system, it's gotta be. The viewer obviously has the chance with this boxed-set to watch the show muninterrupted by the commercials (more violent than the show), and so it takes on a more *movie* feel.
Each Disc has one running commentary, with a total of five voices. The voice of "Uncle Junior" is the most impressive. A very insightful, and moving dialogue. He's not particulary emotive, but his calm and cool technique only enhances the detail.
I was disappointed that Lorraine Bracco did not have a Commentary. (Gotta check the other packages). "Dr. Melfi", like "Junior", is a very soft-spoken character, an interesting counterpoint to the often explosive behavior of the other principals.
I'm not comfortable with how the Dr. and The Boss ended. Ultimately, she was to blame for not doing better research on a situation that could only work against her...and society. She basically slams the door on Tony...he replaces the torn out recipe page from the magazine in the waiting room...and leaves.
Not to be overcritical of this amazing series, but I wish that a small romance would have developped with them. Although, on a deeper level, it was a "telepathic" romance. She expressed to *her* Advisor that, yes, in the beginning, she was taken by Tony's masculinity. The fan can decide if that feeling grew even sronger.
Features include the above-mentioned Commentaries, plus a "mock" Documentary on the making of "Cleaver", and the making of the music soundtrack to the show (David Gray's comments about the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello are brilliant and can make their fans swell with pride).
September 2, 2008

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