"I think the writer's strike hurt TSCC in so many unmeasurable ways that you can only say what if. However, it is my firm belief that definitely would have had a much better chance at building and retaining an audience. The show had"

"Personally, I like the "logical surprise," which is difficult to pull off.

For example, Richie's arc in the Sopranos ended with his being shot by his wife, Janice, who was also Tony's sister.

Richie is portrayed as a mean, selfish, vulgar mobster, someone who would beat up an innocent guy just for kicks. We develop the impression that he marries Janice in part to improve his stature in the Sopranos organization.

Janice is portrayed as intensely immersed in women's issues, a la the women's lib movement in the 1960s. And she is shown to be a little nuts, with a short fuse too. During their courtship, Richie conceals his coarse nature and acts like a gentleman.

Some time after they get married, Richie hits Janice after he has a tough day. They get into an argument about dinner and he hits her in the mouth. Janice runs upstairs, gets a gun, and shoots Richie dead in the kitchen.

This was a shocker, but it was perfectly in character, perfectly logical. What a beautifully crafted arc with the most intuitively understandable end. A "logical surprise." After getting over the shock of it, I thought to myself, "Gee, that's really the only way it could have ended, a logical outcome for both Janice and Richie."

Now, that's what I call good writing"

"Dr.'s Post"