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Sopranos -- quibbles?
Posted on 2/24/22 at 3:13 pm
Posted on 2/24/22 at 3:13 pm
I've watched the Sopranos, front to back, at least 4-5 times. It's my favorite show of all time, by far. Dark, funny, thrilling, ground-breaking. Kinda made me want to hang out with some of these people, as goofy as that sounds. I feel the same way listening to the two guys doing the Sopranos podcast (actors who played Bobby and Christopher)...
Having said that, and because I'm a miserable negative piece of shite...what's your least favorite aspects of the Sopranos? Are there entire episodes that you can do without?
For me:
1) Most AJ subplots. Such a bitch. I think we're meant to have contempt for him, and he's supposed to reflect normal angsty teenager drama with his mob boss daddy backdrop...so maybe on that front it is essential to the series and works as desired. Still, he's a bitch.
2) Dream sequences. Probably also essential given the "psychology/shrink" nature of the show. But That whole another-person-in-vegas episode went on far too long. Not one of my favorites.
3) The FBI sequence to open (I forget which season). There they meld the spy music with "every breath you take." Clever mash up, but spent too much time on it especially for a season opener. Doesn't have the Sopranos Vibe.
4) Tony becoming a degenerate gambler in one episode in the final season. It just seemed out of character. I think that's the point I think they were running out of ideas. For one I think if it was a problem it would have gone on longer than that, and I think Tony's too smart to fall into that trap.
I don't find the Sopranos to be as "perfectly constructed" as, say Breaking Bad. But I find it imminently more enjoyable on multiple re-watches. I also think the ending is perfect.
Having said that, and because I'm a miserable negative piece of shite...what's your least favorite aspects of the Sopranos? Are there entire episodes that you can do without?
For me:
1) Most AJ subplots. Such a bitch. I think we're meant to have contempt for him, and he's supposed to reflect normal angsty teenager drama with his mob boss daddy backdrop...so maybe on that front it is essential to the series and works as desired. Still, he's a bitch.
2) Dream sequences. Probably also essential given the "psychology/shrink" nature of the show. But That whole another-person-in-vegas episode went on far too long. Not one of my favorites.
3) The FBI sequence to open (I forget which season). There they meld the spy music with "every breath you take." Clever mash up, but spent too much time on it especially for a season opener. Doesn't have the Sopranos Vibe.
4) Tony becoming a degenerate gambler in one episode in the final season. It just seemed out of character. I think that's the point I think they were running out of ideas. For one I think if it was a problem it would have gone on longer than that, and I think Tony's too smart to fall into that trap.
I don't find the Sopranos to be as "perfectly constructed" as, say Breaking Bad. But I find it imminently more enjoyable on multiple re-watches. I also think the ending is perfect.
14
Posted on 2/24/22 at 3:16 pm to Grievous Angel
dream episodes for sure!!
Posted on 2/24/22 at 3:24 pm to Grievous Angel
I don't mind the occasional dream sequence but the Tony as a traveling business man I was not a fan of. Although, I've never rewatched the last 2 seasons.
I heard someone on a podcast when Many Saints came out said he was on his 5th rewatch and that AJ was now his favorite character. I can't see it myself but he said watching it from AJs pov made him his favorite character.
I heard someone on a podcast when Many Saints came out said he was on his 5th rewatch and that AJ was now his favorite character. I can't see it myself but he said watching it from AJs pov made him his favorite character.
Posted on 2/24/22 at 3:39 pm to Grievous Angel
All of the aforementioned components of the show, while you might not like them, are necessary for the show.
1) AJ was a spoiled rich kid, who would forever live in his father's shadow and be followed by the name. The show is a little dated (and its NJ) so AJ's wardrobe and taste in things are obviously going to be cringe.
2) The dream sequences is what set this apart from just being a drama about the mafia. You get in Tony's psyche and see that he's nothing special and has the same problems psychologically as anyone could have. The monotony of everyday life is the same for Tony as the normal father or person. It takes the glamor out of "mob boss."
3) The FBI wire tap thing was necessary but I agree it went way too long.
4) the gambling was always there but more amplified to show him sinking into his darker self and vices. He drinks more, eats more, gambles more. It also ties into the theme of the universe rewarding people for things (such as his gambling luck doing a complete 180 since he killed Christopher).
I find the OP interesting, but besides the FBI thing I really don't have any quibbles with the show. I find the supernatural element awesome. The unanswered questions.
My only main quibble is from a real world perspective we should have seen interaction with all the 5 families and NJ. IRL all the families had crews in North Jersey plus the Philly family. The show couldn't have possibly carried this much content without going off the rails so I get why they kept it small, but they really were more of a crew of the Lupertazzi family.
Time for a rewatch.
1) AJ was a spoiled rich kid, who would forever live in his father's shadow and be followed by the name. The show is a little dated (and its NJ) so AJ's wardrobe and taste in things are obviously going to be cringe.
2) The dream sequences is what set this apart from just being a drama about the mafia. You get in Tony's psyche and see that he's nothing special and has the same problems psychologically as anyone could have. The monotony of everyday life is the same for Tony as the normal father or person. It takes the glamor out of "mob boss."
3) The FBI wire tap thing was necessary but I agree it went way too long.
4) the gambling was always there but more amplified to show him sinking into his darker self and vices. He drinks more, eats more, gambles more. It also ties into the theme of the universe rewarding people for things (such as his gambling luck doing a complete 180 since he killed Christopher).
I find the OP interesting, but besides the FBI thing I really don't have any quibbles with the show. I find the supernatural element awesome. The unanswered questions.
My only main quibble is from a real world perspective we should have seen interaction with all the 5 families and NJ. IRL all the families had crews in North Jersey plus the Philly family. The show couldn't have possibly carried this much content without going off the rails so I get why they kept it small, but they really were more of a crew of the Lupertazzi family.
Time for a rewatch.
Posted on 2/24/22 at 6:20 pm to Grievous Angel
quote:
Perfectly constructed
quote:
Breaking Bad
No
Posted on 2/24/22 at 6:57 pm to Grievous Angel
My only quibble is for a few seasons there it got pretty repetitive with having an old but important family member/friend show up having never been mentioned before that would inevitably get killed.
Posted on 2/24/22 at 7:56 pm to TIGERSTORM
quote:
Tony as a traveling business man
This was the only bad part for me. As someone else mentioned, AJ was actually just a spoiled rich kid so you weren't really supposed to like him. Just another angle of actual real world problems for Tony. To make him a heir apparent of Tony would have gone against the fundamental idea of the show; gangsters having real life problems like everyone else. It was the anti-Godfather.
Posted on 2/24/22 at 8:46 pm to BorrisMart
Tangent on the dream thing, but has anyone ever had a coherent dream involving people from real life like they do on TV?
I can't say I ever had. I have pretty vivid dreams, but pretty much never involving conversations with people I know. At least not that I remember.
I can't say I ever had. I have pretty vivid dreams, but pretty much never involving conversations with people I know. At least not that I remember.
Posted on 2/24/22 at 8:57 pm to PowerTool
Yes. A lot of dreams w/ people i know.
Posted on 2/24/22 at 9:24 pm to PowerTool
quote:
Tangent on the dream thing, but has anyone ever had a coherent dream involving people from real life like they do on TV?
I don't think I've ever dreamed directly of someone I don't know. Its always rambled jumbled stuff from weird things I've seen or thought about recently.
I get why people don't like Tony's dreams but the show did a great job of incorporating little things from real life (well Tony's real life in the show) and inserting them randomly in his dreams to make little sense.
I took the coma as his life had he been a traveling salesmen/selling patio furniture on Route 90 or whatever and using his mental skills to ascend some corporate ladder to a degree.
This post was edited on 2/24/22 at 9:25 pm
Posted on 2/24/22 at 9:50 pm to BorrisMart
Two storylines I didn't care for:
1. Vito gayness
2. Christopher's movie
1. Vito gayness
2. Christopher's movie
Posted on 2/24/22 at 10:14 pm to Marciano1
Vito's gayness was a good storyline but they took it a little far with the JohnnyCakes shite. But now that you brought it up, I know the MTV Board breaks balls but I go way back and its an honor to be joined by men.
I loved the Cleaver storyline. I think they thought about making an actual spin off movie of it. They have a fake behind the scenes shoot that was some bonus scene or something that was funny. But I also felt it was necessary to give Little Carmine more screen time to segue later into either how dumb he was, or how shrewd he was at making people think he was dumb and helping get rid of Phil and Tony.
I loved the Cleaver storyline. I think they thought about making an actual spin off movie of it.
They have a fake behind the scenes shoot that was some bonus scene or something that was funny. But I also felt it was necessary to give Little Carmine more screen time to segue later into either how dumb he was, or how shrewd he was at making people think he was dumb and helping get rid of Phil and Tony.Posted on 2/24/22 at 10:39 pm to BorrisMart
Bobby was the worst character
Posted on 2/24/22 at 10:43 pm to Grievous Angel
I highly recommend the PODA BING PODCAST
I just finished a rewatch alongside the pod and it brought to my attention many details I didn’t even realize. Some of the points in the pod are a bit far fetched but that makes it fun
Some episodes I did the pod first and others I did the opposite
I just finished a rewatch alongside the pod and it brought to my attention many details I didn’t even realize. Some of the points in the pod are a bit far fetched but that makes it fun
Some episodes I did the pod first and others I did the opposite
Posted on 2/24/22 at 10:59 pm to Grievous Angel
I have a quibble that they would just randomly bring in new random characters without much explanation.
Best example of this is when after Tony kills Christopher and he’s laying in his bed. Sil, paulie, Benny, Bobby come into his room to see him and there’s another guy with them that we have never seen before
Best example of this is when after Tony kills Christopher and he’s laying in his bed. Sil, paulie, Benny, Bobby come into his room to see him and there’s another guy with them that we have never seen before
Posted on 2/25/22 at 8:12 am to Grievous Angel
I agree with pretty much all of your points except for the FBI s2 opening sequence. I liked it.
Posted on 2/25/22 at 9:04 am to Funky Tide 8
quote:
except for the FBI s2 opening sequence. I liked it.
Are you talking about Season 3 Episode 1 Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood? That's the one where the FBI spends so much to get into the basement and plant a bug in a lamp only to have Meadow take to to college. The episode ends with the FBI listening to inane college girl bullshite gossip. I liked it because it had its own style and once again was a great Sopranos example of real life problems affecting every day life whether you were a gangster or FBI agent.
Posted on 2/25/22 at 9:08 am to Grievous Angel
quote:
But That whole another-person-in-vegas episode went on far too long. Not one of my favorites.
Hated that episode
Posted on 2/25/22 at 10:07 am to rebelrouser
quote:
Are you talking about Season 3 Episode 1 Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood? That's the one where the FBI spends so much to get into the basement and plant a bug in a lamp only to have Meadow take to to college. The episode ends with the FBI listening to inane college girl bullshite gossip. I liked it because it had its own style and once again was a great Sopranos example of real life problems affecting every day life whether you were a gangster or FBI agent.
I must be talking about that one.
Posted on 2/25/22 at 10:10 am to TimmyTigah
quote:
Sil, paulie, Benny, Bobby come into his room to see him and there’s another guy with them that we have never seen before
I might be giving chase too much credit but a large part of the last season is that Tony has killed or ran off anyone competent. All he is left in the end is Sil in coma and Paulie who only looks out for himself. Everyone else is vampire with no loyalty
Basically Tony was a horrible boss
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