The season - and likely the show - is over, and if this is the way we go out, I’m pretty satisfied. It’s a finale that resolves some central questions, but leaves us with a lot to talk about in the years to come. If the end of The Sopranos tells us anything, it’s that questions draw more attention than conclusions, and considering so much of the joy of the series is in its mystery, I’m glad we’re left with some things to ponder.
I thought I had figured the whole show out last week, but this week left me with some open questions. Still, if you follow the basic thematic template of the season, most of what happened does make sense, and is a perfect thematic wrap up to what we’ve seen over the course of the season.
Themes and complex ideas aside, the opening of this episode is pure filmic adrenaline, the real climax of the series and an absolutely exhilarating moment. We open in the clouds, music building, then slowly descend onto the water to reveal John and Shaun flying across the water. I really can’t say enough about how incredible that moment was, the entire opening sequence was complete joy and put a huge smile on my face.
From a narrative point of view, last episode was the darkness before this wonderful dawn. It was a test of faith and the three foremost believers, Kai, Butchie, and Cass, all passed the test, waiting for John and Shaun to return and being rewarded by the vindication of their faith. This obviously has some Jesus parallels, but unlike Jesus, there seems to be no limit on Shaun and John’s return, their absence was not about suffering themselves, it was more about helping those around them to fully come together and work as a family and community.
Everything is restored and for the first time in a while, the whole family is reunited. Shaun says that it’s time to move out of his grandparents’ house, to be with Butchie and John. At the beginning of the series, Mitch and Cissy were constantly insulting Butchie for his failure to be there for Shaun. This came out most heavily after he didn’t show for the surfing contest where Shaun was injured. Cissy and Mitch take it as a criticism that Shaun would want to leave, but I think it’s more a reflection of Butchie’s growth.
It’s also significant if you view Shaun as part of the healing trinity, with John and Zippy. Butchie claimed that it was only the presence of Shaun that kept Mitch and Cissy from spiraling off the deep end. He was there to heal them, and now that work is done. The rift with his mother is healed and he can move along. Throughout, Shaun has been a healing and unifying force. We see this in his behavior with his mother, always being affectionate and opening the door for her to take a larger role in his life. The character frequently seems passive, but he is instigating a lot with Tina, and that has helped to heal her.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Savannah
Thank you for an excellent and insightful take on the very satisfying finale. I loved it, and was equally exhilarated with the opening sequence as I was when Zip returned. I will need to own this season/series? on DVD so I can watch it again and again to be filled with hope. Milch is a genius, and I believe he accomplished exactly what he set out to do with this series.
2 - Sean
In the words of the immortal Crow T. Robot:
"A scene is always more exciting when you have no idea what the hell is going on!".
I guess I am just not as in touch with the universe as everyone else, but I leave the season finale feeling like a Rube that's been taken for a ride by Carnies.
Open narrative and a total lack of narrative are two different things.
Introducing new characters and stories while totally abandoning others mid-story?
How very profound.
To leave on a positive, I feel the show was interesting, and Ed O'Neil has shown himself to be just a brilliant performer.
The warmth and sympathy he brought to "Bill" was just wonderful.
3 - Dane Janeiro
The parade was one of the most brilliantly stages comedic sequences in television history. The obvious allusions to Christ entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday were brilliant!
4 - Anthony B
Amen, my brother
5 - Bob Batchelor
Great overview of the last episode! Thanks so much for posting. The beauty of Milch's work is his ability to create characters that are inherently interesting and compelling -- outside the confines of plot.
In your essay you've captured what so many reviewers/commentators have missed by providing the bigger picture and linking it together. Great point, too, about Milch's ability to bring out the best in the actors he relies on. Who knew Ed O'Neil had those chops?
6 - Cynthia
El Camino
I thought,at the time, and checked to be sure, and El Camino is "the road" or, if you will, The Way. And John says that Linc is the El Camino. He provides the way to reach others.
I am gonna be seriously disappointed if this show doesn't return.
7 - rusty
From the Double-Tongued Dictionary;
fourwall, v. to pay for the right to entertain at a theatre or on a stage. Subjects: English, United States, Entertainment, Jargon
8 - Trish from Memphis
I just read your blog and I totally agree...I think you are dead-on..I hope that they bring this show back..along with Deadwood and Carnivale...
9 - D.J.
Amazing summary. You had me look at this finale in an entirely different way which tied up some loose ends in my head. I need to watch this episode again!
10 - Lauren
Thanks so much for yet another brilliant write- up. I share your in your sentiments about how this show is easily the best piece of art yet to be created for television.
I really hope this isn't the end although I did read [off the record] that it will be canceled, which stinks. I would love to see more of John, the Yosts and the rest of this fantastic cast!
Thanks again for your fantastic analysis Patrick.
11 - Josh Lasser
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States.
12 - Eric Olsen
wow Patrick, what a sensational, deep survey you have provided of the series - I can't thank you enough. Though I am not as completely sold on the "product" as you are, we watched it faithfully, even compulsively and there were many moments of hilarity, insight, and even wonder. I probably prefer a little more bones in my stories -- the metaphors upon metaphors can hurt my head -- and piling narrative obliqueness with so much opaque dialog was perhaps too much of a good thing. But some of the performances was stunning -- particularly Ed O'Neill, Brian Van Holt, Greyson Fletcher, and Paul Ben Victor (cast list here).
Thanks again Patrick, you have performed a real service
13 - kevin
What about the "we are coming on 9/11/14" statement made by John during his discussion with Linc!? Anyone?
14 - Robert Pitera
Great review, and some wonderful insights - regardless of whether or not they are Milch's actual intent.
One correction though, that's not a 'stadium thing'; it's a very high frequency antenna array used by the Navy to intercept intelligence communications as well as locate their source. They pick up signals from ships and aircraft and then determine the location by triangulating with other arrays (The Navy runs 9 of them located throughout the world's coasts)
This particular one is located at the Naval Base in San Diego - I've actually seen it fairly close up and it's huge.
They call the array type a "Classic Bullseye" style because the array is circled around the listening post (located in the center).
I'm sure that brings a whole new meaning to the symbolism that John and the Chemist seem to go there for a purpose.
I hope this info helps you and other fans out.
15 - Rob
Very inciteful reading of this dense and beautiful show. I too beleive this may be the finest televsion since Twin Peaks and better than Milch's Deadwood.
I believe Patrick is right that God's message will be distributed by Stinkweed and his interpretation of the meaning of the stick figures. However, I beleive Cass' camera is not a metatextual reference, but rather the way in which John's message will be spread to the masses (the antenna array one wise reader pointed out that the Chemist was staring at). She will document whatever it is that the John, Shaun, Butchie and Mitch adventure will bring to the world.
I too thought "father" during the car dealer scene. Notice also that the deleer refers to John as the "Country". Perhaps merging that with the constant references to terrorism, 9/11 and the "towel heads" referred to by John might yield interesting results.
Re: 9/11/14 - obviously this could refere to 7 years down the line (perhaps as far as Milch planned- second coming?) or else the biblical reference to the "blood of Christ" and the suffering for humanity's sins.
I would, howeer, say it is safe to conclude that John is not Jesus as he is clearly not human and does not undergo the suffering a human does. And he would know how to communicate.
16 - Matt
This seems more like a fansite of the show rather than an impartial blog review of the series. Im sorry, but thats just my opinion. The show was universally hated by critics and viewers alike and I cant believe that 13 of the 14 comments all love the show. Obviously most of the negative ones were deleted. Probably like this one will be.
17 - Carlos
Did anybody see the game on the floor with the numbers 9 11 14?
18 - handyguy
I love this show, but I think overanalyzing it spoils it. And I can certainly understand why some viewers like Matt were alienated.
But I prefer to think of it like David Lynch, 2001, Antonioni, Andrei Tarkovsky, and yes, the final Sopranos episode. There may have been a specific meaning and interpretation intended by the filmmakers...but I'd rather not hear it. John from Cincinnati is beautiful as is. "Interpreted," especially poorly interpreted, it becomes far less interesting.
19 - Paul
@15 'I too thought "father" during the car dealer scene. Notice also that the deleer refers to John as the "Country". Perhaps merging that with the constant references to terrorism, 9/11 and the "towel heads" referred to by John might yield interesting results.'
I felt the "country" reference was shorthand for "country boy" or someone unsophisticated. The dealers additional comments about "high performance", etc. bear that out for me. He also seemed to be commenting on the lack of sophistication in other of John's ilk. From that, I'd take it that the dealer is part of the Father's crew rather than a recent recipient of "the message". There's also his quote regarding "mother/son handjobs" - not sure that would be part of a healing message!
Thanks for the great summary.
20 - jas
Patrick's review is right on and informative. I think the camera is the modern day Bible. She is to film and post on the internet. This will capture the teachings and message. She is "writing" the next Bible.
21 - Mary K. Williams
to Matt (#16)
Where do you get "universally hated by critics and viewers alike"
I'm sure it wasn't loved universally either - but it does have a good following.
And comments are never deleted if they disagree with the post - ONLY if they are abusive. (No personal attacks allowed, etc...)
22 - Mary K. Williams
Oh, and Patrick - this was good. You covered so much, I don't know how you did it.
About the car salesman - yeah it took me a few minutes to realize he was speaking like John. Then when he said for the second time (to John) "Hey, I took you offline" - I realized what that really meant. It was his turn to give the message.
I like how the stick figure (turned into Stinkweed's logo) was made of of a "zero and ones" - as in the 0s and 1s (binary?) from Cass's camera - meaning both the imagine she unwittingly filmed of John with the stick figure behind him on black sheet - and the technology that produced the images.
This is definitely the kind of show you need to sit around in a bathtub to figure out (like in Animal House)
23 - handyguy
Sorry to be the one to break the news, but HBO announced the cancellation of John from Cincinnati today. :(
24 - JLM
WHAT ABOUT ONE OF THE LAST HIDDEN COMMENTS, IN THE FINAL NARRATIVE THAT SAID, LINC IS JOHN. ??? I MUST WATCH AGAIN, BUT DIDNT ANYONE HEAR THAT?
25 - PPR
Love this show, dont cancel