I know where the time goes and what really happens in the last scene of “The Sopranos.” My knowledge of both is intertwined. Occasionally some event takes place to remind us of the passage of time.

Just recently, various media outlets reminded us that both “The Sopranos” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” began airing in 1999…25 years ago! I was fortunate enough to have worked on both those productions. While SVU is still going strong, The Sopranos stunned the world with its last episode on June 10, 2007. But I will delve into that later in this column.

Researchers have recently discovered the part of the brain that gives us the feelings and emotions associated with the sense of time.

Neurologists have utilized a specialized MRI to scan the brain to find the areas that process the sense of time. The supplementary motor area (SMA) controls motor actions. The insular cortex is the area in the brain that interprets those motor actions and processes them to deliver our sense of the passage of time.

When we hear a song from many years ago or watch an interview with Mariska Hargitay talking about working on SVU for 25 seasons, the SMS triggers the insular cortex to provide us with the sense of time passing. So, when we hear a retro radio station playing an “oldie” like Judy Collins 1969 haunting version of “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” the answer is neurologists. 

Now it is “time” to share my knowledge about what really happens in the last scene of The Sopranos.

As an actor, I was auditioned for many episodes of The Sopranos. The casting agency was Walken-Jaffe. Georgianne Walken auditioned me many times trying to find a part for me on the show. Eventually the word got out that the show was ending. They began shooting the last episode which would be called “Made In America” which of course had a double meaning since Tony Soprano, played by Jim Gandolfini, was a “made man” and head of a mob family.

Unexpectedly, I got a call from Georgianne asking me if I could rush to her office. I dropped everything and took a subway uptown. Entering her office, everything was boxed up and in disarray. She told me they were trying to find someone who would be in the last scene of the show. She told me there was no dialogue for the role, but the producer, David Chase was looking for a “type.”

She had me pretend to walk into an ice cream shop and look around the room. On action, she videoed me doing it a few times and told me thanks for coming. Unfortunately, I was not selected.

On the night of June 10, 2007, seemingly everybody tuned in to see the final episode. Hard to believe it was seventeen years ago as we watched the scene unfold. The drama built as Tony waited for his wife and kids to arrive. A few men entered the restaurant as the song by Journey “Don’t stop believin’” played. As his daughter arrived, the screen suddenly went dark! Everybody watching had the same panic attack…the cable box is broken! Time Warner and HBO were flooded with phone calls. In my apartment I could hear neighbors shouting and cursing. It turns out that was how the producers decided to end the show…. leaving us without closure. 

Well, I got closure while working years later as a police captain on the remake of “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.” Jimmy Gandolfini portrayed the mayor. After a grueling 13 hour day, I was sitting offstage on a folding chair. As he started to walk past me I mistakenly uttered, “How ya doing Tony?” He stopped, patted my shoulder and with a grin said, “My name is Jimmy. That guy is dead.”

Suddenly I realized that three people knew the real ending to The Sopranos. Jimmy Gandolfini, David Chase and me!” And now so do all of my readers. It’s about time!

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.