Checking in with thanks to attorneymsd -- you treated me gently this time, I didn't have to look up so many of your well-chosen words. (But, you, ah made some observations of your own in passing which, as they say before the DVD commentaries, do not reflect the views of Luca or any of his subsidiaries.)

I bring certain enthusiams to this party, but there is certainly a wealth of writing talent, advanced education, and professional experience brought to these boards before which I can only bow in humble supplication. Outta my league. It's a pleasure to even get invited, ya know?

I think we'll be doing a LOT of talking for awhile after the final episode, but I certainly here thank rundeep, attorneymsd, and everyone who have added immeasurably to my experience with "The Sopranos" by contributing to these boards. rundeep in particular made sure to "get the ball rolling" on this year's boards, lead discussions, and contribute great insights along the way.

But that we have attracted poetry experts, attorneys, members of the psychology professions, and others here is testament to the value of the show and the depth of talent here.

As for "The Sopranos," I would offer this. If you like the movies and certain TV productions, you come to realize that there are a select group of them in your life that turn out to be IMPORTANT in your life. You never forget them. This is perhaps more usually an affliction of youth -- movies perhaps "grab" us better when we're young, and our emotions and fantasies and hormones are in their most intense state.

Still, "The Sopranos" has surprised me by reawakening almost that same kind of thrill, at a much later age. It is philosophical and worthy of analysis, but it is also massively entertaining and exciting as only the best told stories can be.

The first decade of the 21st century is close to over. I'd be hard-pressed to think of a more grand entertainment memory I'll have of it than "The Sopranos."

But we're not quite done with it yet. Or more to the point: it is not quite done with us.