How did The Sopranos really end?

We’ve had nearly 15 years to debate the ending of The Sopranos since the finale aired in June 2007. Now, however, creator David Chase has explained exactly what happened after that fateful cut to black in the final moments of the HBO show. Finally, fans have a clear-cut answer when it comes to Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) fate.

In the finale, Tony goes out to a diner with his family. He’s surrounded by a few folks also grabbing a bite, but there’s a sketchy-looking character in the back. As his daughter, Meadow, is about to walk in, Tony looks up. Suddenly, the screen cuts to black. Fans have spent the last decade and a half wondering what that meant, exactly — but the speculation ends today.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Chase explained the vision behind the finale and Tony’s fate.

“Because the scene I had in my mind was not that scene. Nor did I think of cutting to black,” Chase said. “I had a scene in which Tony comes back from a meeting in New York in his car. At the beginning of every show, he came from New York into New Jersey, and the last scene could be him coming from New Jersey back into New York for a meeting at which he was going to be killed.”

So, yes, Tony was killed. That was Chase’s plan as he began brainstorming the final episode, and it’s what happens after the episode cuts to black. Chase continued to explain the inspiration behind the episode.

“But I think I had this notion—I was driving on Ocean Park Boulevard near the airport and I saw a little restaurant,” Chase continued. “It was kind of like a shack that served breakfast. And for some reason I thought, ‘Tony should get it in a place like that.’ Why? I don’t know. That was, like, two years before.”

And get it he did. Chase also stated that he was a little annoyed by all the talk about Tony’s death.

“They wanted to know that Tony was killed,” Chase said. “They wanted to see him go face-down in linguini, you know? And I just thought, ‘God, you watched this guy for seven years and I know he’s a criminal. But don’t tell me you don’t love him in some way, don’t tell me you’re not on his side in some way. And now you want to see him killed? You want justice done? You’re a criminal after watching this shit for seven years.’”