Who killed Tony Soprano? Evaluating some popular theories.

So, who killed Tony Soprano? In this episode, we will examine some of the main theories such as the members only guy, which is where 3:00 comes into play. The theory that New York did it, which is where Rhiannon comes into play, as well as the thoery that New York colluded with New Jersey, which is where Paulie Walnuts and the red chair conspiracy come into play.
Throne theories: / @thronetheories9526

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

It was the onion rings. Expertly foreshadowed in Tonys conversation with The Shah of Iran

[@peppersaltman1805]

Onion rings kill many Americans every year

[@Frank_D]

My theory is that New York never actually called off the hit on Tony. Tony was too much of a problem to live, but Butchie realized that Phil was also bad for business, and he realized that if he told Tony that he'd call off the hit, Tony would take care of Phil for him, and that Tony would go back to being out in the open, thinking he was safe. He simply postponed the hit until Phil was out of the picture.

[@gloobark]

that's good!

[@jayjohnson6396]

For sure , butchie was a shady guy. He definitely was the one pulling the strings. He got Phil to start the war, turned on Phil than finished Tony and took over new york and jersey. Smart moves

[@scottandrews947]

@@jayjohnson6396 Yup and New York colluded with Paulie, Patsy, and, possibly, the Bareses. It's a toss-up who became the boss in New Jersey after these events though (possibly even all of them in some kind of committee setup, which has happened in real life a few times).

[@Jackzay90]

You guys are making it way too complicated. He choked on an onion ring.

[@Slayer_of_Demons]

The members only jacket is a coincidence but it was that guy. Also he didn't go into the bathroom to get the gun he just went in and came out so he could approach and kill Tony without walking straight towards his face 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@slthjawa5062]

Yeah. People are really dumb about that. Why would the gun be in the bathroom ?

[@aggrodkreg4321]

​@@slthjawa5062 Godfather reference. Michael Corleone went into the bathroom to get the gun hidden in the toilet for the hit against the mob guy and cop.

[@allenhearne9490]

I agree. Members Only just went to the bathroom to get a better angle for his shot.

[@slthjawa5062]

@@aggrodkreg4321 I understand that. But in the sopranos the reference goes as deep as the guy going to the bathroom. That's it. The guy would have the gun on him, he's not going to hide it in the bathroom because he watched the godfather. It makes no sense to think the gun is in the bathroom here

[@Slayer_of_Demons]

@@slthjawa5062 Yeah it definitely is a godfather reference and a callback to a previous scene, but it doesn't go so far as to planting the gun

[@user-hw9cj2nu5f]

Georgie killed Tony…..he was tired of getting his ass beat randomly

[@eloso_XIV]

In the Irishman it was explained you go to the bathroom because it gives you a chance to scope out the target and make sure no threat is in the bathroom

[@JihadiFemboy]

Noah punched his lights out, David Chase told this to me in a dream

[@WizardGoblinSlayer]

paulie definitely helped get tony hit, the dream where silvio says “our true enemy has yet to reveal himself” and then it shows tony and paulie playing chess i feel like when the original ending was in motion he might’ve had a bigger role in tonys death instead of just hints like the official ending

[@crxssaegrim]

3:30 He didn't hide the gun in the bathroom lol. He already had it on him, he just went to the bathroom to be able to hit tony from an angle he couldn't really react from.

[@michaelhall7230]

Isn’t that what this guy just said?

[@rsmith7994]

Occam’s Razor: The Members Only guy always gets an attack of nerves before carrying out a hit and went to the restroom just to take a wicked shit. 😂

[@crxssaegrim]

@@michaelhall7230 Not at all. 3:20

[@justpeachy4851]

I love the Lou DiMaggio theory. I love that episode, they were like the wise guy version of the Three Fates from mythology

[@FlexDonovan]

Every single time I've watched the series I have been overcome with the feeling the final scene is a dream sequence. It veered into the surrealist cinematography, more in common with the dream and fantasy shots we had seen previous than the more standard shots we saw throughout the rest of the series. I agree that it was meant to be left open to interpretation but my feeling has always been what we see at the end is Tony's day dream. A fantasy of getting to go out like *his favorite movie scene of all time* from the godfather rather than rotting away in a cell, which was established as an inevitability had he gotten through the war. His son, who he believed needed to toughen up, and his wife, who he resented, had to watch. His daughter, clearly his favorite, didn't.

[@jpVari]

it's 100% as valid an interpretation as him dying, as neither is said to be true in the show and are just our own views.

[@BBeowulf]

@@jpVariDavid Chase confirmed he died

[@robertchflynn]

he died...

[@waltlock8805]

@@BBeowulf That's just his opinion. Google "death of the author" to understand why. My personal interpretation is that we (the viewer) finally got whacked after riding along all those years.

[@theswagman1263]

meadow would've got a good view of Tony's brains being blown out as she came into the diner tho

[@kingdrosive4102]

Butch - Paulie - Patsy most likely had Tony killed. - Tony threatens Butch with a gun in his face after smashing coco’s teeth in (For good reason). Butch is now powerful at the end after Phil’s death, and certainly stills holds a grudge against Tony, especially knowing he’s weak now. - Tony almost kills Paulie on the same boat that they killed Pussy on, for telling Johnny Sacks about Jenny fat joke. Paulie knew what was going on, he’s not going to let that go, he’s a survivor with experience. He knows how Tony thinks. - Patsy knows Tony had his brother wacked for spreading rumors about him suffocating his mother at hospital, which was true but should have kept quiet. Patsy almost kills Tony with a sniper at his house, but just decides to piss in his pool. I suppose he’s just waiting for the perfect opportunity. -Conclusion: They most likely arraigned a meeting for Tony to be killed, and Paulie’s last scene at the meat place in front, his facial expression seems to show that he knows something is going to happen to Tony. Really just karma unfortunately.

[@cidiose]

I agree. To me the whole thing is about both NY and NJ agreeing to get rid of their bosses in exchange for peace.

[@deadpet78]

I also agree. That makes the most sense. Pauly was a survivor. Remember how he was so upset about Pussys betrayal but he was on him like white on rice to get his jewelry. Pauly cares most about Pauly. And Patsy would absolutely love to kill Tony for obvious reasons.

[@sdivine13]

Didnt know walking up with a revolver made him a sniper

[@kingdrosive4102]

@@sdivine13 😂Was hoping no one caught that..good catch

[@jeffbell9391]

Wasn't patsy brother who was killed , because he was with junior crew and Tony was cleaning up junior "friends ".

[@CacophonyOfDestruction]

The bell ringing right before it cuts to black always reminded me of Bobby Baccala’s death in that toy train store. Bells were ringing in that scene as well. Which I always thought was a nod at Bobby’s “You probably don’t even hear it when it happens” comment.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone posit this theory (keep in mind I haven’t yet watched the whole video): Tony’s blackouts came back. He’s right back to where he started in the pilot. He’s under pressure-Carlo’s gonna testify-and he wants one last meal with his family because he wants one last good memory before it all falls apart. Of course, I believe Tony got whacked. What Bobby said in the boat is a dead (no pun intended) giveaway.

[@sofiadelockhart]

I think it was Carmine Jnr. After a few days of having to employ A.J. he couldn't take anymore.

[@drexelspivey872]

Carmine jr was at the precipice of a huge crossroads, and because of this he realized a drop of blood is more than a pound of gold, and shot Tony.

[@pete86]

​@@drexelspivey872 He was very allegorical

[@akultisgod5538]

i think the whole point is that tony's life was so incredibly fucked up that he had created 1,000 ways to possibly die. we can sit here and pontificate for decades coming up with plausible perps and motives... but the bottom line is- we all know tony committed suicide because he never had the makings of a varsity athlete.

[@dirtdealer6813]

Rose found out he had Jackie Jr. killed. She has a psychotic episode walks in the restaurant and shoots Tony and then AJ before looking at Carmella and shooting herself.

[@UnseenHitman-1932]

She shoots Tony and AJ pulls a gun out of his pocket and shoots her, proving to be much more serious and professional than we thought. After that he joins the mafia.

[@dirtdealer6813]

@Unseen Hitman no way AJ is as helpless as they get. He pulls out the gun and accidentally shoots and kills Tony.

[@BaronSaturday66]

dark

[@UnseenHitman-1932]

@@dirtdealer6813 An the shot goes through Tony and hits Rose too.

[@assbutt6969]

he didnt have jackie killed it was ralphie

[@SuperHorseSense]

I always found it strange how the weirdness of the Members Only guy didn't tip off Tony that something was wrong, even though he was clearly in his line of sight. It's almost as if he accepted his fate instead of leaving the restaurant because something was off.

[@jamesmaxwell1940]

I mean, the whole premise of the scene is that he's letting his guard down because he thinks his "boss" status and the brokered peace is keeping him safe. It's totally consistent for him to notice the Member's Only guy acting off (as evidenced by the camera tracking him as he walks past Tony) only to brush it off and decide he wants to have a good time with his family. I don't think he accepted his fate, he just chose convenience over security in that moment and it cost him everything.

[@SuperHorseSense]

@@jamesmaxwell1940 Even when there's not a war going on, he still should have been more aware of his surroundings. He was the boss, and he had none of his crew with him. Someone could have tried to kill him for reasons completely unrelated to New York.

[@exe2517]

​@@SuperHorseSense A deleted video showed that up to this moment, Tony wasn't very careful. Remember when Tony finally visits Junior? He doesn't notice a nurse is asking him to move at first.

[@Luke.-cv9uv]

@@SuperHorseSense It's easy to say as a viewer. It's like the audience telling athletes how they should've played.

[@Krwler]

I’m confident that Tony was killed, on the orders of NY because of how Phil died - in front of his family and getting his head crushed. NY DID make a truce (two respected figures guaranteed their safety) but NY couldn’t let their former boss be disrespected like that’s. Phil and Tony’s lives were intertwined in the final season, after all: both were given a second chance, both blew it, and went home together.

[@cidiose]

To me the whole thing is about both NY and NJ agreeing to get rid of their bosses in exchange for peace.

[@johnmartinez4484]

Tony died in episode 1 of season 6. Junior killed him. Which explains the supernatural aspects of that season. He died and played out his worst fears. And it will be a forever loop. His son tries to kill himself , Carmela loves furio and his daughter is forever out of reach

[@Werdxp]

You forgot to add the 3'O Clock/Members guy theory is supported by the fact that on the wall there's a picture of a house reminiscent to the one Tony sees in his dream where a shadow woman (his mom?) walks down the stairs and also the coma, which represents hell in my opinion.

[@BlacksmithBets]

But Paulie had the 3 o clock experience not Tony so that comment shouldn’t be relevant to Tony.

[@grayfiander7769]

There was another man who wore a members only jacket: the soldier for New York who shot Silvio. You can only see it for a moment but it’s the same one as both Eugene and the man from the last scene.

[@craighembree3101]

NY killed Tony, probably with the knowledge and maybe even the help of what remained of the glorified crew in Jersey. Once Carlo's testimony convicted Tony, everybody--NY and NJ--would need to worry about Tony testifying. If Tony decided to give evidence, he could sink the whole thing, including NY. He had to go. And I don't think anybody, especially NY, trusted Tony to be old school, keep his mouth shut and do the time. Plus there were all the old animosities. All the NY guys hated Tony because of Phil and Coco and Fat Dom. And Billy Leotardo, whatever happened there. Little Carmine probably still resented how his father had respected Tony. Patsy hated Tony because of Philly. Paulie was aware Tony was thinking about killing him on the boat, probably also aware that Tony had killed both Ralphie and Christopher for unsanctioned reasons. And let Vito get tortured and killed. Vito and Ralphie were top earners but even that didn't save them. Besides, we know Paulie had schemed against Tony with NY in the past. The Barese crew had beefs against Tony, garbage routes they expected to get screwed out of, and other things. I assume at least some of the guys knew Tony had refused Eugene Pontecorvo's request to move. Not only did Tony have a ton of enemies, he was pretty much out of allies. Hesh no longer trusted him. Bobby was dead, Sil was in a coma. In the end, it wasn't so much a question of who wanted Tony dead as who, by that point, wanted him alive?

[@luishenriquetrotta6578]

That's exactly my take. Plus it's off the rules to kill a boss, as it was stated multiple times. NY couldn't have someone kill a boss and go unsanctioned

[@hau_den_lukas]

All yall are wrong! Tony never woke up from his coma and the series ends with a black screen when they pulled the plug from life support!! 💯💯💯

[@AlexMax2742]

Members Only guy killed Tony, and he was an outside mercenary hired by New York. Butchie made peace with Tony so New Jersey would take out Phil, but I doubt that changed his mind on Tony being a liability and needing to go. The jacket was an in-universe coincidence, though an obvious hint from the show-runners as to what was about to happen. Butchie's mind was already made up when he shook hands with Tony, and I doubt the way Phil was killed in front of his family had any effect on their decision-making. Paulie could have known about the change in management, but the only way we could know for sure is if the assassination happened because of knowledge only Paulie knew about, but by this point Tony had his guard down and NY didn't need his help to find him.

[@I.AM.JUPITER]

They all died at that table - only survivor was meadow

[@Gr8thxAlot]

I seem to remember Chase saying the original planned ending was Tony going to New York and never coming back, hinting NY kills Tony. The actual ending was just a more "cinematic" way of doing it. It's still ambiguous, but I'm sure it was "New York" in some way. NY had 1,000 reasons for doing it.

[@shabazzed]

it was vitos firefighter avenging his death

[@jetyler3400]

He didnt HIDE the gun in the bathroom. He has the gun. He uses the bathroom to casually change his angle of approach and ..maybe he took a piss too.

[@chrise8275]

The one thing about Paulie is that Tony Sirico agreed to take the role of his character never became a “Rat”. Which might just be him saying he didn’t want Paulie to be an FBI informant, but being a rat can also mean him switching sides.

[@raynmanshorts9275]

He did try to switch sides. Don't know if that would count if his rules included switching sides being a rat.

[@JacksonAfroman]

Paulie didn’t want to be a rat, so David Chase compromised, he made Paulie a snake instead.

[@SamBrickell]

I thought the answer was REALLY obvious: Noah finally decided to "punch his lights out".

[@johnmartinez4484]

And with every hell loop , the emotions of the pain that he feels never weakens. And the 3 o’clock thing that Christopher told him about was what ended the loop with him getting killed right in front of his family from that 3 o’clock bullet approach. I mean think about it closely. Tony would not have let that members only guy play him close like that. In life , he would have not let that play out for even a second. But in his own hell loop , there was nothing he could do about it. It was apart of the over all punishment he had to endure over and over again. So anyway , 2 dollars a pound

[@MrRiley-Is-Not-Amused]

Man I love these videos. Don't stop what you're doing Bully, this stuff is great.

[@PREEM513]

I don't think tony died. I think the show just ended. the straight to black was designed for fans to talk forever. David chase and his writers are genius.

[@zXPeterz14]

The original ending had him die in a more obvious way but they ended up making it more vague

[@PREEM513]

@@zXPeterz14 that’s cool if that’s true. Did David chase confirm that? Or is there a script ? According to the cast no one including everyone in the final scene said there was no script that indicates tony was killed. Can you share the resource? You just solve the internet’s mystery about this topic if that’s true.

[@zXPeterz14]

@@PREEM513 i cant find the article but from what id remember it would have been the opening scene in reverse, with tony leaving his house and heading into the city but he would have got hit on the way. The fbi mentioning danger in the tunnels was originally foreshadowing for it

[@realhillkell]

​@@PREEM513 honestly Tony being killed would be a way too merciful fate for him

[@exe2517]

Similar to David Lynch ending Twin Peaks on a cliffhanger and making some dialogues cryptic.

[@user-if4nx2jn8r]

I sorta get the sense from that scene where he turns down the promotion, even though he says he's avoiding the curse on the crew, that some of the fight has left Paulie at that point. I don't think he's going to go straight, but I think he might be content with where he is. A big theme of the show is how being the boss actually sucks in many ways, and I think he might've realized that as well.

[@battery781]

It was Johnny Cakes…when he found out Tony let the Shah of Iran whack Vito it sent him over the edge

[@chrise8275]

Who’s this “Three O’Clock” guy that keeps getting mentioned on the show? He must be with the Irish mob, I guess.

[@rufusblue8044]

Great content. Keep putting back into yourself like you are and you will do great

[@jh6025]

Great topic and video. Thank you.

[@HookEm21]

Remember that Tony did point a gun at Butchie and Butchie always thought Tony needed to go. Paulie flirted with Johnny Sack and definitely had some inner resentment with Tony and was scared on the boat in Florida. Patsy hates Tony for killing his brother and in the last episode, Tony poked the bear alittle about Patsys other son. Butchie flips Paulie & Patsy.

[@macwyll]

Just because the Members Only dude went to the bathroom, it doesn't mean he had a weapon hidden there. He went there to gain a tactical advantage to be able to approach Tony from his blind side. This guy got a bunch of camera time for his presence to not be significant and his mannerisms were very prominent. We were supposed to notice him for a reason. Medeau's fumbling with parking was also put front for a reason. She caused herself to be delayed in getting into Halsten's for a reason. Its all there for us to put together. Chase said it best, "it's all in front of you".

[@DannyWilliamH]

The Member's Only jacket represented wiseguys getting out of prison, those that went away for a long time in the 80s and early 90s that have to wear their old clothes at first. Eventually, they have to do work to get back in the game as the cold realoty is that your "family" isn't saving sht for a guy doing 15 years. You come out back on the bottom of the totem pole. The guy in the diner would then represent a guy fleshly out of jail doing a job to get back in the game. That it, be it true or not to Chase's desire. The flaw in that logic is Tony not knowing who he was. He'd have to have been an outlier back in the day from NYC or something, not a NJ local.

[@heroedeleyenda05]

I think the red chair is significant, but only as the writers nodding to the audience. Not as a practical instrument used by the characters. Red is often associated with crime in movies and tv. The red chair is the writers telling us who did it. To back this up, i can point to a video called "fashion in the sopranos" ... ...where they point out how, when chris hasnt fully committed to the mob, he wears a lot of blue, meanwhile when he is made, he starts wearing a lot of red to symbolize that he has chosen to commit to a life of crime. Again, im not saying that he consciouly chose to wear red, the red is just used vy the writers to illustrate a point

[@HxH2011DRA]

Can't wait for the link to your other channel! I do wonder why you decided to split the content to different channels tho

[@bullywhispers9544]

They are too different in terms of themes. It messes with the algorithm when determining who to show it to

[@conormcateer8305]

Tony dies from stress induced heart attack in hospital

[@Scott100W]

4:30 Just because the guy goes to the toilet before doesn't mean that he is collecting a planted gun, he could be plucking up courage in privacy or perhaps he just wanted to blindside Tony when approaching to attack him. Also from where the guy is sitting at the bar, AJ or Carmella could potentially get in the way, whereas there is clear line of sight from the toilet entrance.

[@ManahManah77]

Rhiannon did it because she got sick of the Fleetwood Mac jokes.

[@mike902]

Its not outside the realm of possibility that Tony died of a massive heart attack during the fade to black.

[@gessnermatt]

The guy who he told him that “he’d be stupid forever” after Tony cost him his job for a reason I can’t remember.

[@temmy9]

Remember what sheeran said in the Irishman...always go to the bathroom first.

[@pluckybellhop66]

It was the guy Paulie and Chris lost in the woods 😂

[@jerry85g7]

NY didn't like how the Phil hit went down. Paulie reached out and gave the ok on Tony.

[@eugenia523]

I quite agree with you, the ending was left intentionally ambiguous.

[@ryanmcnally3342]

I don’t think he left the gun in there. I believed he went in there hoping to catch Tony looking the other way

[@KHLB516]

“It’s all yours” had to do with Paulie handing off the Patsy to clip Phil

[@MetalGod999]

Here’s my theory about what happened to Tony Soprano: Tony’s death was arranged by Patsy Parisi. I don’t think Patsy was especially thrilled with seeing his son, Patrick Parisi, marrying Meadow Soprano. Plus, Patsy, despite his relatively easy-going demeanor, was sneaky clever, and a lot more cunning and crafty than anybody realized - including Tony. On top of it all, Patsy was sick and tired of Tony for passing him over for promotions over and over again. Oh, and one other thing: Patsy always blamed Tony for the death of Patsy’s twin brother, “Philly Spoons” Parisi. So there you go.

[@QFl7098]

About the guy being nervous it might just be cause he’s wacking a boss

[@zacharycayer3234]

Lil Carmine offers AJ a job and follows him from there. Rhiannon is moot

[@williamanchor2927]

Aprile’s would justifiably have beef with Tony. He was involved in or sanctioned the killings of: Jackie Jr Richie (Janice got there first) Adriana (Mother was an Aprile) Vito (Richie’s nephew, Phil just got there first)

[@BS-rv8sd]

I just noticed, Tony turns around and watches Paulie shake hands with NY

[@Zachor322]

I’d like to imagine a zombified Chris came back to kill Tony

[@sepphuber7434]

Obviously, the Vipers finally got him :(

[@edstueckle4856]

The opening of the first episode of the season lays out that Tony got whacked.

[@sufianabuahmad7781]

I personally go with Maureen van zandt theory , the show starts suddenly being introduced to Tony's life , and it ends for the audience not him. We were allowed a time in his life and that's it

[@FunkSoulBrother7]

Retards here can't accept an open ending like that.

[@I.AM.JUPITER]

Tony, AJ and Carm were all killed that night. If you want proof - go to the Chevy David chase superbowl video. Only meadow made it out alive that night.

[@BBeowulf]

How very pretentious of you. You’re wrong. David Chase confirmed he’s killed and they even had an alternate ending.

[@sufianabuahmad7781]

@@BBeowulf I don't think you understand what that word means.. But also , that's just like your opinion man.

[@bomaniigloo]

This is accurate..chase only said something about the killing after decades of pestering. We were allowed in his life and that journey ended.

[@blegh336]

Eyyyyy I'm fackin' first ova' here!

[@HxH2011DRA]

Lmfaoooooo

[@LifeInTheRedKim]

They’d have to get someone unknown to Tony. And wouldn’t that have to be a civilian (or WAY out of towner professional)

[@kennycrow7870]

Davey Scatino did it ! He walked in the restaurant and sat in the corner with his hat pulled down.

[@ScottyMania313]

I honestly felt that Tony lived in order to have the options of a future The Sopranos movie in the current time. R.I.P. James Gandolfini

[@veritasinvicta8128]

It was Patty Paresi with Paulie's participation.

[@buymybooks437]

It was Butchie.

[@mikeb.7183]

Butchie had to kill Tony because he greenlit Phill. Butchie also knew that once Tony was gone Jersey would just be a glorified crew with no leadership and what was left would not resist a take over. Smart move for Butchie.

[@waltlock8805]

Tony didn't get whacked. We did. Years of riding along with the crew and we finally met our end.

[@nathanherren6708]

The writers seemed to make it clear, Butchie pulled a power move and played both sides knowing that Tony and Phil were both weak at that point and causing a war. The only real guys left in Tonys crew were Patsy(who hated Tony) and Paulie who always had an affection towards NY, felt abandoned by Tony and didn’t want war either.At the restaurant Tony was facing the door and very alert, members only had to catch him off guard by flanking him, and the godfather nod was nice. It was good writing, which is rare nowadays.

[@Void7.4.14]

The way I always saw it, Patsy would never be able to put his grief behind em - especially once they were set to become more tied up as family family (I think they were already distant cousins but this would be a closer, more voluntary love tie), and while NY could step aside to let Tony take out Phil they almost certainly couldn't allow the public and humiliating ways way Phil was killed in front of his family to stand. Made em look bad and like they don't protect their own. Phil disappearing or simply being shot down with his guys was one thing, but the way it happened was too much. So I always assumed it was one or the other or them working together to get it done. I actually think the "Members Only Guy" may not have been the hitter at all either and was likely just another patron.

[@dend1]

Funhouse: " Our true enemy, has yet to reveal himself" Tony peers through the looking glass. He sees himself shooting Paulie at NY Penn Station. If it wasen’t Paulie directly, he definitely gave NY the ok to do it Oh, and Paulie didn’t want to lead due to his superstition. His final conversation with tony was really referring to his hesitation to replace him as head of family

[@Nothing-qq4hd]

Paulie said if they went after Phil there would be a line of cuzzerelies who would avenge phil.

[@chasemaynard6318]

On the thrones note, since your an analysis and theory focused channel(a killer one at that too), you should look into the books as there is so much more than the show. Honestly the books are a lot more like Sopranos with weird dream sequences, lots of character ambiguity, stuff like that. Sometimes I think about a David Chase ASOIAF, he would've gotten the trippy dreams and prophecies right at least

[@BBeowulf]

GoT is slop

[@bobbyfischerman4811]

There were 2 hitmen at Hosten’s, the 2nd one being the USA cap guy.

[@jamesmaxwell1940]

Regarding your point about the Member's Only jacket guy looking nervous: I don't buy this as evidence that he was not a Mafia killer. We can assume he wasn't a Sammy the Bull type, but also there's the real possibility someone like that would be recognized by Tony so they went with someone less experienced, possibly even a guy who's "making his bones" (though that seems like a huge risk in a high-profile hit against an enemy boss). Also, even if the Member's Only guy has pulled a hit or two in his time, it's totally natural for ANYBODY to be nervous right before attempting a murder of a boss. Sure, we see that he's not Anton Chigurh, but Michael Franzese has stated in his videos that Mafia guys are NOT "trained killers" because the Mafia does not prepare you or train you in any way for taking a human life. They just tell you who needs to die and maybe give you the tools to do it.

[@mathewkeen2356]

It doesn't have to be hidden there. U go to the bathroom to get the gun out, check it, make sure safety is off, bullet in the chamber etc. If he was known to Tony he would have to get to work right away. So all of that would be done b4 entering the restaurant. But he's not know so it's better to have the gun put away in a safe manner on his person until he's ready. You don't want to be sitting at the counter with a gun ready to fire, for safety reasons. And even if you are, you would still have to pull it. Which gives Toby a chance to react. Especially if you have to pull and turn off safety. Let alone chamber a round.

[@monumentallytoweringmagnum5886]

i always thought of the crazy joe execution in the irishmen when he went to the bathroom

[@jamiecotterill2475]

And the final episode ;you know, whatever happened there....

[@Jman-hx1fr]

Imagine the guy who sanctioned the hit on your twin becomes family through your kids marriage

[@HC-cb4yp]

He wouldn't give Carmela a divorce... She was morally stained while he was alive. If she fled, she'd get no money. Now she gets everything...

[@whatisbestinlife8112]

Some problems with your debunking of members only guy as hitman: First, Richie wearing a members only jacket is irrelevant . Not only is he dead but I'm not even sure his wearing that jacket wasn't before the whole big thing was made out of members only jackets and thus predates them becoming an actual symbol of something. I may be wrong here though as I don't remember the exact timeline of which scenes came first. Second, members only guy is not acting nervous. He never seemed to be to me, anyway. Never once saw that in his behavior. He clocks Tony several times but the thought of him as "acting nervous" never came up because, well, he's not. He's just evaluating the situation as a hitman would (if he's the hitman). Third, him going to the bathroom isn't to retrieve a weapon. It's simply to nonchalantly go to use the bathroom as a reason to move to come at Tony from a blind angle. Which ties into the previous point that him looking around wasn't nervousness but him evaluating the situation and seeing the blind angle of the bathroom to come at Tony from. Last, the jacket is no coincidence. Nothing in that last episode is. Much less the last season. They went for broke with their symbolism and references in the final season and something so iconic showing up randomly would have absolutely been noticed by the showrunners/writers/costumers and debated and decided upon its meaning. Anyway, I don't know if he's the hitman or even if Tony is definitively dead (I always think back to the actual lyric of the song playing as the ultimate potential veto over him getting whacked "Don't Stop Believing". Of course, that could be interpreted both ways considering how it's used to... well... actually stop the show on the exact word stop). And I always enjoy your vids. But your reasoning for MO guy as not being the potential hitman don't hold up.

[@jasongoldberg4474]

As I’ve interpreted it, the members only guy is either nervous or trying not to act nervous in each shot of him. Most notable to me is when he walks past Tony to the bathroom, he’s trying so hard not to look at Tony that he doesn’t know what to do with his head/neck, if you feel like doing so watch that again, I feel the actor did an incredible job and that chase likely coached him thoroughly and shot many times to get precisely what he wanted. Again, just my take.

[@AvengerofWarcraft]

I feel like Patsy and Butchie would most likely be the primary suspects. Patsy's twin brother got killed, and if Jason G's arrest got Carlo to flip (though being compared to Vito didn't help), it wouldn't be surprising if Jason P's next on the arrest list due to how intertwined they are. Also, his son Patrick dates Meadow, providing Patsy with both a motive (self-preservation; if Jason P gets arrested and Tony finds out, he might be tempted to use Patrick as leverage to not flip) and the means to know where he is (Patrick's dating Meadow, remember?). Of course, it could also be for either financial reasons (wife eyeing the chinaware) or being passed over for a promotion again (he would've taken over the Aprile crew were it not for Paulie relenting). Butchie would be suspect number two. While he did gave Tony the go-ahead to whack Phil, the fact that the latter died in front of his family miiiiiiiight just tempt him (or any other mobster, really) to send someone to kill Tony in turn. Butchie could've done it to appease the NY family (being Phil's second-in-command IIRC, he would be the acting boss following Phil's death and since Tony got him to agree to his demands, the other NY mobsters would think he let the head of a glorified crew walk over him). Also, in S6A, Butchie was on board to whack Tony to begin with, the only thing stopping that being Phil. By killing Tony, he finishes the job, exercises his power and authority AND wipes the slate clean to do business with NJ. Win-win. Also, I won't exclude the possibility both men threw their lot in. While Patsy could've been just as likely to throw his lot in with NY with the promise he'll get the DiMeo throne, a simpler reason would've been the risk of Tony himself flipping to the FBI. Kind of a crack theory, but as we know, Tony is nearly guaranteed to be indicted, especially with Carlo testifying against him. Also, one of the inspirations of Tony's character was Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo, an acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family before he became an informant for the FBI. Now, I'm not as savvy on how the US Justice system works, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember Harris saying that he'll write a letter recommending for a lighter sentencing since Tony helped him out with some counter-terrorism stuff. With Harris outing himself as an accessory to Phil's murder, wouldn't that letter, assuming he DID wrote it, be disregarded? Wouldn't that make Tony's deal for his collaboration against presumed terrorists for less time in the can null and void? If so, then more reasons for him to flip, try to take down NY, his own mob family and whatever associates with him in the can, consequences be damned. Again, it's just a theory but honestly, I feel like the ambiguity was deliberate considering Tony's path in life. We don't know (in theory) if he got whacked, arrested, died eating onions or had a nice dinner with his family. He'll never know if it'll be another day or his last, thus he will always have to watch his back.

[@theclassicliberal1915]

I think too many people focus on planting a gun in the bathroom. There’s no need to as you stated. if the members only jacket guy was there to kill Tony, it would make logical sense to go to the bathroom to have a better shot without Tony seeing the hit coming. If he stands up from the bar pulls out his firearm and walks up to Tony, it will be obvious and Tony will have time to react. but if he goes to the bathroom, has the gun in his hand in his jacket, he gets the kill with a little time to react. And if you notice the vehicle that has the slow down while meadow is running across the road is the exact same color and year model Ford explorer that Phil Litardo was killed in. Maybe it’s nothing but I noticed it immediately.

[@juliusplaesar3950]

I feel like there's a lot to be said of how these same themes are heavily represented in The Sopranos Pinball table. The table is as brutal as the show itself, a player can get snuffed out more rapidly than other boards. It feels like you're getting into something on its way out, as to score an extra ball solely via gutters you must lose at least 4 balls when by default you only get 3 per full credit. Like the spiral of doom of the show, per premise of pinball obviously the ball must fall to end play but the ball is often almost impossible to save, and when it gets sucked into the gutter from the top of the board at 579 mph you definitely never heard it coming.

[@charlie4339]

Almost 💯it was the members only guy but there’s no reason to plant a gun.

[@Mr_Oggie]

To me the ending was: Even before The Sopranos went off the air there was talk about doing theatrical release movies based on the series. But there was a lot of the same talk for other TV series as well... some got made, a lot of them didn't. The most logical conclusion to the Tony Soprano character is that he eventually gets killed by somebody - and it almost doesn't matter by who because by his persona, actions and how he lives his life, eventually somebody is going to take him out. This goes back to the first point and the "fade to black" ending: If no movie deal is reached then Tony dies in the diner: the fade to black signifies Tony's death - his lifestyle eventually caught up to him and any number of people for any number of reasons got their revenge. If they signed a deal to make movies for The Sopranos then nothing happened: the fade to black was simply the end of the TV series - the movie can pick up in the diner scene or even weeks or months later. And I think its that simple: they didn't want to paint themselves in to a corner with anything more. IE: if they had two guys burst in to the diner and shoot Tony and then the series ends with Tony starting to fade then if they make a movie they have to pretty much deal with that (who were those guys? will Tony get them? how did Tony survive?) and it becomes almost (or THE) main plot of the movie

[@lordofhell666]

I think the point of the cut to black is that Tony's story as the boss of the mob is over, one way or another. Maybe Tony was killed as vengeance for... well, any of the dozens of horrible things he did. Maybe he looked up and saw law enforcement coming to arrest him. Hell, maybe AJ's words make Tony think about how not worth it all the mob shit is and they flee to Italy. Not... very likely, but, hey, we don't know. But the point is: it's over. Maybe Tony gets arrested and beats the charges because all they have on him is Carlo's word and Tony was able to clean things up enough that they can't make it stick. But that doesn't really matter. With all that heat, the result is the same: it's over. Maybe he goes to prison for 10 years. Maybe for the rest of his life. But it doesn't really matter, the result is the same: it's over. Maybe someone shot him in the back of the head. Maybe he choked to death on his food. It doesn't really matter, the result is the same: it's over. So, whether Tony was killed, arrested, or just left Jersey entirely, it all means the same thing: the series, about Tony Soprano's life in the mob, is over.

[@xax888servo7]

I believe it was mog who shot him, but he didn't necessarily hide the gun in the bathroom, he already had the gun on him he simply went to the bathroom to bide his time and get a better shot.

[@blitzkrieg2928]

Noah punched his lights out obvs or FUUURIO

[@Absolute_Goblin]

Assuming it wasnt intended to be left open, I always thought it was Butchie and friends. Like they held grudges and then gave up Phil to lure Tony out and then kill 2 birds with 1 stone and move up while grabbing up more territory.

[@seanmillette4323]

Furio coming back to execute Tony, in front of Carmela, in order to "win" Carmela's heart doesn't make any sense at all. Especially when you factor in the rules of made men, etc.

[@masterofpuppets1249]

Nobody mentioned my theory. Patsy and Eugene were always together at the construction site. Both are connected. Patsy almost killed Tony but he was drunk and pissed his swimming pool. Eugene wore the Member's Only jacket, the same jacket wore by the guy who killed Tony at the end. I think it was those two who wanted Tonny death more than anyone else.

[@heroedeleyenda05]

3:22. He probably went in to as an excuse to be closer to tony, as well as be able to secretly chamber his gun. If he headed straight towards tony while cocking his gun, that gives tony a split second to react. Plus that puts him in tony's direct sight, add another split second and ypu have a full second. That would be enough time for Tony to shoot back even if by then tony already has 2 shots in him. By going to the restsoom, he 1) gets to shoot from closer up, 2) can have his gun chambered and ready to shoot, 3) can sneak Vito-style (from behind) giving tony 0 time to react. Tony didnt even see it coming, as bobby predicted (Bobby is well trained on the teachings of quasimodo)

[@Milanka69]

it was the fiber optic cable

[@CallMeCrazyCallMePoor]

Some good theories that slip through the cracks: Tony's execution keeps Meadow from living within the mob. Her faince and her profession threaten to make her an accomplice like her mother, but it's hard to see Meadow coexisting with the Mob after seeing her dad get shot. The last shot of the series is her perspective, moments before the gunshot. Tony doesn't die. As the song says, they "don't stop," but the kids are set in their ways and Tony blew his chance at self improvement, so the story ends as inconclusively as possible because nobody gets a happy ending. This requires ignoring Chase, but a story isn't restricted to the author's intent. Everyone at the table dies. They each eat a whole onion ring, Tony last. This is a homage to the coin in the mouth for the ferry man, and a quiet goodbye between Tony and the family members that have depended on him, but it could also mean the hitman shoots all of them. Tony's panic attacks return, to highlight his lack of progress. It was a New York hit. Most people know why that makes sense, but it would be the common consensus if they had used the original idea. Tony would have driven into the city, opposing the opening credits where he drives home, and gotten whacked on his way into an office. Again, you can choose whether or not Chase's comments mattter. Tony is dead at the start of the diner scene. The diner is filled with references to his life, like sports memorabilia on the wall, a happier couple than him and Carmella, and a happier family man than him. Once he sees his whole family, he's done. If AJ and Carmella did get killed, that could be why they make it inside, but Meadow doesn't join him. The show has to cut to black because Tony is the main character, and it can't show what happens when his story is over. Meadow heard Tony is in danger and is coming to warn him. She can't park because she's nervous and runs across the street through traffic. Personally, I don't like this one. She seems calm when she's parking and only runs to slip between the cars. The whole diner scene is Tony's hell, as described earlier in the series. He relives getting shot again and again, but never has the right thing to say to his family and never gets to speak to Meadow. The last act of divine interference in the series is ensuring that Meadow isn't in danger but does see her father die. Tony dies because of his faults. He notices everyone except his killer because he is more suspicious of a black guy in the restaurant and is waiting for his family. Once his family is with him, he thinks he can't be touched. We can't conclusively tell who is behind the last hit in the series because Tony has lost control. The Sopranos stop being privy to the inner workings of the Mafia, and so do we.

[@kingkole72]

Curious, why you assume the members only guy “hid the gun in the bathroom.” More likely he had it on him and coming out of the bathroom would have given him a better shot as he would have more time to aim at Tony before Tony noticed him.

[@Espinozaize]

4:28 How does it follow that the guy in the "Members Only Jacket" had a gun hidden in the toilet?? Of course it is a God Farther reference. Still is it not more much,much more likely, that whom ever this guy was. Had the gun on him. Yet got nervous before having to do the hit & thus had to go to the bathroom for real?? I mean he most probably had seen the Godfather movies, at this point. However being set up to kill the leader of a Glorified Crew. Perhaps that makes your bowels a little disturbed. Then he came back & shot Tony

[@bradley6676]

Doesn’t the 3 o’clock thing also reference back to Christopher’s “limbo” nightmare where Tony and Paulie are warned about 3 o’clock?

[@fishingbob8374]

Literally every interaction Tony has in the last episode is a potential killer. Some purposely, of course.