The Sopranos

[Hegemonicretribution]

Yes I am well behind the times, but I didn't watch television at all for almost all the time I have been on the board, and I have only recently caught up on those shows that people said I was missing out on.

Two of my housemates love this show, the cookbook has been a key source of meal ideas all year, and there is a portrait of Tony S hanging in our 'spare' room.

What can I say about this show except that it is the sort of thing that could tempt me back into the world of television. The characters are fantastic...in season one I thought Melfi was one of the best female characters I had ever seen and I still have a crush on her, but "What you gonna do?" I actually thought that she was going to act as a psychic consigliere to Tony, and I was mildly disappointed that this didn't happen but it was probably for the best :D

Once that distraction passed I realised just how great every character truly was. Each one is marvelously crafted, and the plot makes use of this without ever resorting to gimicks.

I have just started season 5, so no spoilers please.....or at least none that are too obvious.

But I would love to hear what other people think about this show. I did a forum search and there didn't appear to be a topic on it, which seemed strange. So apologies if there is one, and if not, here it is.

[Vanguard1917]

Once that distraction passed I realised just how great every character truly was. Each one is marvelously crafted, and the plot makes use of this without ever resorting to gimicks.

Definitely. The way that the characters are built is one of the main stregnths of the show.

One of my favourite scenes and with one of my favourite TV characters ever singing his heart out (from season 3)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvZJat4CuY4&feature=related

[Vendetta]

It's a good show (awesome show), but there's too many fat mafioso and not enough Irish mobsters. :cool:

[ComradeOm]

Well if you were going to be tempted back to television then you can't do much better than the Sopranos. Probably the best piece of drama ever crafted for television. For me its the just the sheer quality of the writing that shines with every quip and line. Even the banal idle chatter just sparkles - see one of my favourite scenes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxyVgnwMsY)

But then we are living through (or at least just exited) a golden age for television dramas. HBO has been at the forefront of this with classics such as Oz, the Sopranos, and the Wire really redefining quality tv. Anyone who spouts off about the 'idiot box' really has to see at least one of those

[Hegemonicretribution]

I am still not sure that it rescues the medium entirely, but at least it demonstrates a way to become justified and respectable.

I am currently listening to a soprano's playlist, which has some brilliant tracks on it. I truly think that the Soprano's is ageless. That said I am glad I hung back a little bit, because the conception of DVDs as groundbreaking technology is absolutely brilliant now.

OK then all, what about your favourite characters? I think this is perhaps the hardest qustion you could ask someone, but I am tempted to say Silvio (by half through season 5) I have to say some of the others have fallen from grace, but I still love them all.

Favourite episode is probably the second one in season one, or maybe number eight. Definitely in the top three is the end of season 4. The one with the dinner party at Columbia with Meadow? Followed by Sill and Paulie clashing, and Paulie's lowest moment.....Actually I think that was the best moment in television's history. Fact :p

[Vanguard1917]

Even the banal idle chatter just sparkles - see one of my favourite scenes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxyVgnwMsY)

:lol:

Reminds me a bit of Paulie Walnuts' take on snakes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y_B24N6kDM).

[ComradeOm]

Paulie is pure gold. Witness his run in with the Russian interior decorator... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4OakqPbUj0)

[Vanguard1917]

Paulie is pure gold. Witness his run in with the Russian interior decorator... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4OakqPbUj0)

Lol that's a classic one. I love how he literally almost kills Tony just by talking his regular crap (season six - hospital visit).

[brigadista]

when you are finished watch the wire...

[Hegemonicretribution]

when you are finished watch the wire...
My house mates have been trying to since day one. I have seen a couple of episodes, but I was having so much fun with this that I though I would hold off...only a couple more to go in season 5 now :thumbup1:

I love when they visit the old country and (with reference to Paulie) something is said like, "And you thought the Germans were classless pieces of shit" He truly is one of the worst human beings ever, and yet one of the best characters. I always felt sorry for him when you see him at hime. Like in the one where he has a picture of Tony S and Pie O My hanging in his living room. His life seems so tragic....and then he goes out and acts all Paulie-like.

[brigadista]

sorry but the sopranos puts me to sleep

[optimist]

the wire is as good as sopranos,i just finish season 5, the last one.it's like watching a documentary ,so realistic.i also recommend the carnival also a hbo show.