SUNDAY’S fifth-season finale of “The Sopra nos” averaged 11 million viewers on HBO – down about 1.5 million viewers from the show’s fourth-season finale, which aired in December 2002.

Still, Sunday’s finale was up about 1 million viewers over the show’s season average (12 episodes).

In the season finale, Tony (James Gandolfini) personally whacked his wayward cousin, Tony B. (Steve Buscemi) – while Tony’s rival, Johnny Sack (Vince Curatola), was arrested by the FBI after being ratted out by one of his thugs.

Christopher (Michael Imperioli) remained in hiding – fearing for his life – while Carmella (Edie Falco) continued planning for the dream house she’s building with her father. The sixth, and presumably final, season of “The Sopranos” isn’t expected to return until mid-2005.

Series creator David Chase is notorious for taking an extremely long time between seasons of “The Sopranos” before bringing the show back.