The Sopranos - anyone else think it's a very good TV show?

[perceptionreality]

I missed a gem, I think - when it was on in the UK I did not watch television. The characterisation is very good and keeps you watching in spite of the violence. I've just watched to the end of season 4 on dvd.

What occured to me was that Dr Melfi doesn't really help Tony at all because during his sessions with her he sits there feeling like a victim and ends up justifying his evil lifestyle, calling himself a 'soldier'.

Anyway, the cast is excellent imo.

I think it was probably one of the best written television shows I have ever seen...and the late nineties/early millennium saw a LOT of brilliantly written TV.

The portrait of Tony Soprano really is a master class in character writing. I absolutely adored The Sorpanos. Really, really did. I have yet to watch the last series but I think I might have a marathon and watch it all from the beginning as a complete piece.

Love the soundtrack too.

It's my most favourite thing ever on tv. I loved it and am enjoying watching again on Sky Atlantic. Agree totally with bettybat, Tony is an incredible character, completely flawed, but completely gripping.

Yes! I had the box set for Xmas '10 and watched it nearly every night with dp til it was finished.

Have you seen the 'Pine Barrens' episode yet?

Some of the episodes (inc. that one) were written by the guy who plays Christopher.

God yes, I loved Pine Barrens. Christopher was my favourite character. And Adrienne.

It cracks me up when they're in the car and Paulie rips up the carpets for warmth and they're arguing about food.

Paulie - "you got fuckin' TicTacs and I'm starving over here?!"

You have just given me a good idea.I am off work and bored ATM.Tomorrow I may have an all day Sopranosfest and watch them one after the other.[DD1's name came from the series,I watched it whilst pregnant with her].

Yes! That episode was so funny - they never did find out what happened to the Russian guy did they? I thought it was implied that he escaped and took their car?

Tony is awful but his character has a lot of depth - I always find the dream sequences interesting and thought provoking, and of course we can never believe he's 100% evil as he's a keen animal lover.

I don't think he's evil....he's just so complex. He was appalled at that guy beating the pregnant stripper to death - the guy that burnt his racing horse and stables, the guy that was engaged to his sister.

Janice. Janice is just as brilliant. When she stole that Russian woman's fake leg...just brilliant. She's so vindictive and mean and capable of much more manipulation and badness than Tony ever was, I reckon.

Before I read this, Im enjoying the replays on Sky Atlantic so much, there arent any spoilers in this thread are they?

Its the best series Ive ever seen. The doctor isnt helping him and he's told her as much enough times.

Ive been so good, I havent bought the boxed set. I just want to enjoy.

Ok, Im going to read the thread now!

It was the most watchable, high quality drama series ever, I think. Every episode was shot like a movie, but we get the ongoing pleasure of a continuous series, with all that character development. I loved it.

One of my other favourite episodes was just on, Christopher's drug intervention. Pauly was a picture of sympathy. Just genius.

Yes I would say Tony is arguably, less of a misogynist than the other mob members, who think nothing of knocking their wives and girlfriends about. Tony appears to care in some way about all the women he has relationships with and feels guilty about Gloria Trillo's suicide.

Oh yes Janice, who tries hard to come across as the caring, sharing, hippy type but is clearly a nasty piece of work!

I rewatched up to episode 6 of series one today.Livia is a masterpiece IMO.The queen of manipulation,passive aggression and the real power behind the throne.She reminds me of my grandmother in many ways.The only characters I never really warmed to were Tony's kids-they just seemed spoilt and entitled to me.

I remember lending my Sopranos DVDs to a friend.She was quite horrified that I'd enjoyed them so much because 'they are so violent and you are such a nice person'.

The only series I've enjoyed as much since,was 'The Wire'.I'm planning on rewatching that with the subtitles on,as I think I missed a lot the first time around,especially after reading the book.

Took us 2 years, but we have now watched every episode on dvd.

amazing TV.

I tried with The Wire and have been told that subtitles are they only way to go! Im not going there though until The Sopranos has finished. I think theres two more series after this one. Im dreading it ending.

Tony reminds me so much of someone I was involved with without the violence same family set up and everything. I often wonder if he used to sit at home with his pipe and slippers watching it, cringing.

I get what you are saying about him feeling guilty about Gloria but, he did practically throttle her leading up to her suicide!!

Im enjoying watching his marriage fall appart and I love the way theyve used the same dc and you can see how they are changing as time goes on.

Im dreading whats going to become of Adriana she's my favourite.

That's true! Maybe that's why he felt guilty? Tony tends to up the violence if he's not getting what he wants, basically. Paulie, I really despise especially for killing an old lady - there is no low to which he won't stoop.

Which one is in Bruce Springsteens band?

I cant stand Paulie, he seems such a sneak. A real mummys boy arent they all?

Im dreading Tony getting hold of the Russian girl!! I love the woman with the false leg

I love the whole thing so much. Im surprised its taken Carmella so long to see the light. She is a fabulous actress.

I have to admit, I would shag Tony

Silv is from the E Street band. And it's his real life wife as well

I wonder how that came about?

Steve Van Zandt of the E-Street Band who plays Silvio was spotted by David Chase while inducting some band I can't remember into the Rock n Roll hall of fame. David Chase got him to audition and the rest is history.

I've just watched the episode where the Tony who is out of jail on parole has got his massage therapy qualification and was going to open his own shop doing in and has thrown the whole thing away and gone back to work for Tony Soprano -- so frustrating!