Television Finally Watched the Sopranos

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

For years the Sopranos has been pretty high on my list of shows that I hadn’t seen but wanted to check out. It’s perpetually thrown around in the conversation concerning GOAT tv drama, along with the likes of Breaking Bad, the Wire and a few others, but I just never got around to trying to find the time for it.

Well, that finally changed in mid-November as my wife and I started watching it, with us finishing season 6 last week. And I have to say, it exceeded my expectations. I’d put it right up with the Wire and Better Call Saul as my personal “holy trinity” of GOAT drama tv shows. The characters are all so memorable and both well written and acted. Tony especially is such a miserable piece of shit but at the same time extremely charismatic such that I simultaneously loved and hated him. Horrible husband, horrible father, horrible friend, yet you still route for him constantly.

What a great show. 10/10

 

[Other]

What's your holy trinity of GOAT comedy tv?

asking for a friend

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

What's your holy trinity of GOAT comedy tv?

asking for a friend

Beavis and Butthead
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Trailer Park Boys

Am tempted to swap out TPB with either prime Simpsons or South Park.

 

[Oblivian]

People say it doesn't hold up with time, but I disagree. I thought Breaking Bad was the show that goes downhill a bit with each watch.

 

[ufcfan4]

I’ve been really wanting to do a rewatch. I basically missed it in the original run, heard the controversy about the finale, figured it would be a good time to get caught up.

So the last time I watch it was probably late 07 into 08. I’ve watched a bunch of episodes again, over the years, but never went through the whole series a second time.

The show was excellent, for the reasons you pointed out, so one small aspect I will focus on is the show did a fantastic job of introducing new absolutely detestable big antagonist characters for a season or two.

Whether it was Dave Proval as Richie Aprile in season 2 or Joey Pants as Ralph Cifaretto or Frank Vincent as Leotardo, the show has some fantastic heel performances.

 

[ufcfan4]

People say it doesn't hold up with time, but I disagree. I thought Breaking Bad was the show that goes downhill a bit with each watch.

Yeah I’m surprised some people feel that way. I think it’s one of the best drama series ever on TV. And, unlike many series, it stayed good for the duration. Yes, season 6 is not quite as great as what came before, but it is still damn good.

Plus, I actually think the sopranos built well to the finish and had a good series finale. It’s just a bummer that the fade to black is all anyone remembers when they think about the finale. Key example of a controversial, polarizing moment overshadowing a good episode.

 

[GoodBadHBK]

Yeah I’m surprised some people feel that way. I think it’s one of the best drama series ever on TV. And, unlike many series, it stayed good for the duration. Yes, season 6 is not quite as great as what came before, but it is still damn good.

Plus, I actually think the sopranos built well to the finish and had a good series finale. It’s just a bummer that the fade to black is all anyone remembers when they think about the finale. Key example of a controversial, polarizing moment overshadowing a good episode.

If you link the fade to black to when they discuss what happens after you die and he says everything just goes black, with that pov I believe it's the perfect ending.

"No one sees it coming"

 

[Other]

Beavis and Butthead
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Trailer Park Boys

Am tempted to swap out TPB with either prime Simpsons or South Park.

Prime Simpsons is unmatched. My list of shows is only after prime 90's Simpsons humor like this...



That will always be funny to me.

 

[Possum Jenkins]

Prime Simpsons is unmatched. My list of shows is only after prime 90's Simpsons humor like this...



That will always be funny to me.

Prime Simpsons are still the GOAT

Even 25 years of crap don't mar those genius first 10 years

 

[Slobodan]

Pauly and Christopher were the GOAT comedic duo

Pine Barrens is the best episode lol

 

[whocares]

"He could technically not have penisary contact with her volvo"

Amongst other things, the Sopranos is one of the greatest comedies of all time. Even universally despised AJ delivers quite a bit of subtle humor throughout the show, you start picking up on this after the 38th rewatch

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Pauly and Christopher and the GOAT comedic duo

Pine Barrens is the best episode lol

“He killed 16 Czechoslovakians! He was an interior decorator!”

“Jesus… his house looked like shit”

 

[ufcfan4]

Pauly and Christopher and the GOAT comedic duo

Pine Barrens is the best episode lol

Their dynamic was priceless.

As for bears, I say get rid of ‘em all. They had their time now we have ours. That’s why the dinosaurs are extinct.

I thought it was a meteor.

They’re all meat-eaters.

METEOR! METEOR!

Take it easy!

 

[Hog-train]

Sopranos was literally the first movie quality TV drama on TV.

 

[Hog-train]

Pauly and Christopher and the GOAT comedic duo

Pine Barrens is the best episode lol

Who is that in your av? lol

 

[HHJ]

Johnny Sack was the GOAT new yorker hahahha

 

[Osculater]

Who is that in your av? lol

Shiori Tamura

 

[My Spot]

Overrated show but Patsy namedropping Ralph Bunche is one of the GOAT TV moments.

 

[rivera]

Fantastic show, I also just recently finally watched it 2 years ago. Season 3 was my favorite.

I think Wire is clearly better, and I would personally place Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul both above it… but it’s right there. I actually think most of the final season was a massive drag - but the last several episodes were some of the strongest of the show.

It’s already mentioned in this thread but the three main antagonists were so well done. Richie, Ralph and Phil stole every scene they were in.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

I’ve been really wanting to do a rewatch. I basically missed it in the original run, heard the controversy about the finale, figured it would be a good time to get caught up.

So the last time I watch it was probably late 07 into 08. I’ve watched a bunch of episodes again, over the years, but never went through the whole series a second time.

The show was excellent, for the reasons you pointed out, so one small aspect I will focus on is the show did a fantastic job of introducing new absolutely detestable big antagonist characters for a season or two.

Whether it was Dave Proval as Richie Aprile in season 2 or Joey Pants as Ralph Cifaretto or Frank Vincent as Leotardo, the show has some fantastic heel performances.

Fantastic show, I also just recently finally watched it 2 years ago. Season 3 was my favorite.

I think Wire is clearly better, and I would personally place Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul both above it… but it’s right there. I actually think most of the final season was a massive drag - but the last several episodes were some of the strongest of the show.

It’s already mentioned in this thread but the three main antagonists were so well done. Richie, Ralph and Phil stole every scene they were in.

You know, if I have one complaint about the show it’s that they never made it clear if Phil ever served time in prison, and if he did, then we were definitely left wondering for how long.