Kaisha

I have just watched the final episode of this year in Series 6 and feel that there has been quite a big build up to the final episode next year but has left me at the half way point bit deflated. I love the Sopranos and will be sad when it does end but this series has had its ups which haven't reached the level of previous series but the downs have been more obvious and evident. My worst was Tony in hospital when he was having the dreams, this just seemed to take up valuable time and not really go anywhere.I must admit that it has been easier to follow recently then some of the older episodes which i couldn't quite get round some of the characters. Christopher has been an excellent role and agree with some as to which direction he is going, I think he will have quite a impact on the story line next year and imagine he will be taken out. The lady shrink hasn't been too involved this series, if there was one episode which disappointed me and was hoping to see Tony seek revenge was when she was raped by the fast food worker. I kept saying to the screen tell him what happened, but her professionalism and human kindness took over unfortunately because that would have been a good scene. Anyway if you are a fan then stick with it and lets see what next year brings.

Leaving a two-year gap between Season Five and Six was already "cruel" enough; dividing the last series in two chunks, released a year apart, borders on sadism. Okay, so the decision to split the final season in two meant the show would end a year later than planned, which is nearly always a good thing, but on the other hand Kaisha is almost too optimistic for a Sopranos episode, a fact that implies only one logical consequence: the last nine episodes will be the most relentless in the program's history, and the prospect of waiting a whole year for those nine (at the time the season originally aired, of course) can't have been too reassuring. But then the show has never been famous for providing instant comfort, has it?

The title Kaisha comes from the name of the woman Christopher is currently having an extramarital affair with, or at least that's what he's been telling everyone: in reality, his mistress happens to be Julianna Skiff (Julianna Margulies), a woman Tony had been trying to get into bed with, and letting him know the truth wouldn't be a good thing, considering the recent turn of events - Vito's murder has practically been interpreted as an act of war on Phil Leotardo's behalf.

"Fortunately" enough, Tony doesn't need to worry that much about retaliation: the news that Phil is in a hospital bed because of a heart attack are probably the best piece of information he's received in a while. In addition, AJ seems to have found something to live for, or rather someone: a slightly older girl named Blanca, who upsets Carmela on account of being black and having a three-year old son, but is treated very well by Tony as he thinks she might be able to straighten up Anthony for a change.

If you don't consider the Phil situation, this episode exudes happiness, a rare thing to find in the series and a sure sign of events lining up for a truly dark evolution in Season Six, Part Two. As a matter of fact, these past twelve episodes have already been more foreboding than ever, with so many elements (Johnny Sack's incarceration, the rivalry between Tony and Phil, Christopher's return to drug addiction, Uncle Junior's insanity) indicating the definitive end of the series won't be a pretty one, and the apparently cheerful note on which Kaisha closes makes it even harder, though absolutely worth it, to wait for that end to take place.

More violence appears on the horizon between the NY and NJ families, whilst Chris substance abuse continues.

This is a very strong episode with powerful character moments.

There has been some tense build up to confrontation between the two mob families in the past few seasons and this episode handles it in a typically ironic Sopranos way. Tony and Phil have memorable scenes that link well to previous episodes. I love how their confrontation unfolds, particularly the hospital scene and how it subverts expectations.

The funniest scene by far is Carmine's attempt at mediation between the two disgruntled parties. He is a great comedy caricature that reminds me of numerous office managers I have had the pleasure of working with over the years.

The ghost of 'Long Term Parking' hangs like a cloud over this episode and the scenes involving both Chris and Carmela are cleverly fuelled with underlying feelings relating to an absent character. Some moments such as Tony's spec house u-turn are very funny, but much of it is quite dark and creates a sense of impending dread.

As ever the "regularness" of life drives much of what happens and those looking for the excitement and spectacle of a mid-season finale might be left disappointed. For me it's all about characters and they remain very compelling.

I am probably part of the few or many who think this season has gone way too soft for this show. The show has accomplished a lot but I think the show has not delivered the hype they created prior to this season. The long breaks, between seasons, and the action and excitement the show once provided has disappeared. This finale was disappointing, in a way, the fact that its Christmas in this show, kinda makes it lose its power, feels outdated, but again strictly in the action sense, I think this show was not that good, and it didn't hint for something to come in the next season. For that reason I gave this episode a 7/10, but still worth watching to be caught up with everything. I hope for better episodes, but I keep getting disappointed. Thanks for reading. ciao

Each season is about a certain theme in our Americana. The show is about the supposed American Dream in our society. They all succeed but look at the price. Season #1 is about Man's struggle with his Mother. Season #2 is about Man's struggle with his siblings. Season #3 is about Man's struggle with his kids. Season #5 is about Man's struggle with his friends. AND finally Season #6 is about Man's struggle with Money and Society. If you watch every episode of each season, every scene of every episode is about the THEME of each season. Season #6 is the best of them all. It's shot from a very voyeuristic level. Each character losses something very valuable to them. BUT they each choose to STAY IN THE LIFE and keep on doing what they love. The great addiction for these people. THE LIFE is like heroine for them. Tony is trying to struggle from the addiction. But he's good at what he does. This is a man who doesn't fear life. He faces everything head on in his conscious mind. That is why the center of the show is his relationship with Melfi.

So much happens in the last episode of Season #6. It tells you so much. This is a very abstract show. Everything is very subtle and there is no melodrama at all. Watch again season 6. This show is brilliant. I'm shocked how good it is. If only every film or TV show was like this.