By David Willis BBC News, Los Angeles

James Gandolfini made the role of Tony Soprano his own In pictures: Cast say farewell

The final episode of the highly popular Mafia drama series, The Sopranos, has been aired in the US.

The award-winning series, which has run for eight years on cable channel HBO, centres on the life of a dysfunctional mob family in New Jersey.

Millions had been expected to watch to learn the fate of the top mobster and main character, Tony Soprano.

As the series came to an end after eight years and 86 episodes, the question was: "What happens to Tony?"

Irony and satire

It has been described as the richest achievement in the history of TV, likened both to a Shakespearean drama and a Greek tragedy - the tale of Tony Soprano and the Mafia crime family he controls.

Tony Soprano has got a depth to him that we've rarely seen in mobsters Paul Chitlik Hollywood screenwriter

Hollywood screenwriter Paul Chitlik says the character is a person audiences love to hate.

"Inside ourselves we know we should not be liking this person - he is a killer.

"On the other hand, he has got a depth to him that we've rarely seen in mobsters so we want to see what's going to happen to him, just like we want to see what's going to happen to our Uncle Ralph."

With its complex characters, social satire and rich irony, The Sopranos was always about more than the mob.

By portraying Tony and his associates as everyday citizens, many believe it held a mirror to modern society.

The Sopranos has been both a cultural and a ratings sensation - essential viewing for millions of fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

For many here, Sunday nights will never be quite the same.

Did you watch the finale? What will you do without Tony Soprano? Was it the best ever series? What was so special about the Sopranos?

Your comments:

The finale of the Sopranos was perhaps the biggest TV anti-climax of all time. It certainly was not a fitting end to 8 years of compelling viewing. Phil
Phil Morel, Redmond, USA

I saw the last ever episode with friends in an Italian restaurant - all very pleasant. I thought the build up to the last moments of the show was very well done - we were all on the edge of our seats at the time. Goodbye Tony & co, we'll all miss you!
Niall Maguire, George Town, Grand Cayman

The Sopranos speaks to the condition of the human heart - we love and care for someone we should "hate". It gives us all hope that no matter what we do, we still will be loved even when not worthy.
Abby Lentz, Austin, Texas United States

The finale was true to the series itself. It was not all tied up in a bow and neatly put away. It was a fitting end to the series which was never about resolution, but a story of the evil that exists in these character's lives. It is frankly more amazing that the main criticism of the last episode is its lack of resolution. This wasn't Seinfeld folks.
Dave, Seattle, Wa

The last episode is full of suspense but it seemed like a long hour waiting for something to happen. Clever writing but an unusual ending to say the least.
Stephanie, Denver USA

I did watch the final episode. I thought it was a great ending, very much in the tradition of the show. This was a great series. I'll look forward to the movie. It will happen and it will be a blockbuster.
Michael Thomas, Jackson, Mississippi