The Sopranos--Looking back in retrospect

Mind Eroded · #1 10-16-2008, 02:13 PM

Now that the show has been over for more than a year, it's interesting to see how people feel about the series overall. In my opinion, it was one of the greatest action/drama series in T.V. history, and the absence of the show has left a certain kind of void in my life, as nothing currently on T.V. can match up to the compelling writing and acting performances(IMO, of course).
Now, I may be a sucker for mafia movies, but i think the Sopranos will stand the test of time, i'm even watching the heavily edited re-runs on A&E just to get a desperate Sopranos fix.
With that said, I find the earlier seasons alot less artsy and philosophical, which I think was a good thing for the show, even though I still appreciated the direction the series took in the later seasons.

Any TB Sopranos nuts out there?

dave64o · #2 10-16-2008, 02:16 PM

I still enjoy the re-runs, though I'm not sure I'd say I'm feeling a "certain kind of void in my life" since the series ended.

Great series and it should hold up well as time goes on.

Asa Samuel · #3 10-16-2008, 02:36 PM

I have only seen the last series, and missed quite a few episodes but i really want to get all of them because i loved the episodes i saw.

Phantopeth · #4 10-16-2008, 02:38 PM

I've been considering renting the DVDs and starting at Season 1. I haven't done that in a few years now. Great show. Although I did just get HBO, and they have an On Demand channel... hmmmm...

EricF · #5 10-16-2008, 02:52 PM

It was an excellent show in all ways, and changed the face of TV dramas. Being on HBO, they had much more space between the lines than network TV allowed in terms of content and language. I miss that show.

20db pad · #6 10-16-2008, 02:59 PM

I'm in the middle of a big Sopranos "renaissance" right now. Looking back, it was well written, the acting was strong, and the cinematography was brilliant. Plus, the symbolism used throughout the series will be fodder for discussion for years.

MakiSupaStar · #7 10-16-2008, 03:01 PM

I've never seen it all from start to finish. It's on my list of things to do.

progrmr · #8 10-16-2008, 03:02 PM

It was a great show, but I've found several others that I enjoy too - most notably "The Shield" on FX...of course, this is the last season so I'm not sure what I'll do after that!

I think A&E just stopped running re-runs of the sopranos...been watching those for a long time.

20db pad · #9 10-16-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by progrmr

I think A&E just stopped running re-runs of the sopranos...been watching those for a long time.

It's still on A&E - they're just starting season six now. I just finished watching the "Members Only" episode.

jonathan_matos5 · #10 10-16-2008, 03:13 PM

is not "retrospect" the act of looking back? this title is re: redundant.

Mind Eroded · #11 10-16-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

is not "retrospect" the act of looking back? this title is re: redundant.

You are right. Now i feel dumb

Mind Eroded · #12 10-16-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20db pad

It's still on A&E - they're just starting season six now. I just finished watching the "Members Only" episode.

I caught that today as well. I realized that was the last time Tony and Uncle Junior ever talked or saw each other (until the last episode, where junior does not even recognize Tony).

The build-up to Junior's mental demise was foreshadowed in the entire previous season with the old guy steadily loosing his mental competence(like when Tony asks Junior for advice one last time during the situation with Tony B. killing Billy Leotardo, and Junior not being able to even comprehend the situation.) I think Uncle Junior's fate was one of the sadder ones of the show, going from being boss of the family in the 1st season, and slowly transforming and degenerating into an incompetent ,senile old man throughout the progression of the series.

Also, it was sad to see Raymond Curto go this episode, since he was one of the last remaining original capos from the 1st season,even though he was a rat, nobody ever suspected anything and he took that secret to his grave.

steamthief · #13 10-16-2008, 08:23 PM

It sure beat True Blood.

oldrocker · #14 10-16-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mind Eroded

.. In my opinion, it was one of the greatest action/drama series in T.V. history, ...

Maybe the early episodes, but later on it seemed like a soap opera to me

TheDarkReaver · #15 10-16-2008, 08:32 PM

My flatmate in my first year of uni had a few box sets. We used to watch them when we were stoned. I think we got through 3 series. It was pretty good from what I (barely) remember.

RS · #16 10-18-2008, 02:56 PM

Great show...with the worst ending ever.

EagleMoon · #17 10-18-2008, 05:20 PM

I'm in the midst of watching it now. Just started 4th season. I'm enjoying it a lot though I think it's a bit depressing. Reminds me too much of my own home life.

iamlowsound · #18 10-18-2008, 05:50 PM

Best series ending ever.

lowsound

RS · #19 10-18-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Best series ending ever.

lowsound

How so?

reens · #20 10-18-2008, 06:20 PM

I watched every episode on dvd. All 86 episodes. Some better, some great, but overall, an amazing experience. Watching without commercials, at leisure, couple of episodes a week -- you really get a sense of how they build all these long narrative arcs and characters.

But watch too many too quickly and it really starts to seep in to yr subsconscious -- I've had a lot of nasty, bloody dreams as a result ;-)

no seriously, it messes with your mind a bit.

But, so many highlights: the Tony out-of-body experience after getting shot, the cinematic quality to a lot of the scenes, the scene where Sal cops a lot of blood to the face while a guy at the table is killed (all in time delay), and of course the ending: just the right note of normality and paranoia.