Rewatching A Classic: The Sopranos (1 Viewer)

[jbutler]

I didn't catch the Sopranos in its initial run. I would see an episode here and there, but at that time I didn't have much patience for television. It debuted in 1997 when television was typically garbage.

But eventually I came back to it and ended up watching I think the first two and a half seasons. I liked it, but it didn't blow me away in the way it seemed to hit everyone else.

For whatever reason, it occurred to me to watch the first episode a few days ago and I've now worked my way through about half the first season and it is absolutely killing. I love it. I've always heard people compare it in quality to the Wire and Breaking Bad and I'm pretty quickly coming around to that way of thinking.

Anyone else rewatched it or watched it for the first time recently? It's pretty astonishing how well it holds up nearly 20 years later.

 

[gopherblue]

Cripes...it's been 20 years?!? Sh!t I'm old.

 

[Lars]

I've never seen it and have been thinking about giving it a chance once winter sets in.

 

[detroitdad]

I've never seen it and have been thinking about giving it a chance once winter sets in.

Same here

 

[Tommy]

I watched most of it when it was on. The ketchup episode was funny. The episode where Christopher shot the kid in the foot at the bakery was good. (They were all good) Was a play on when he got shot in the foot as Spider in Goodfellas.

I was just watching some episodes on YouTube last Sunday. Probably should start from the beginning and watch it all the way through.

 

[Joe Harris]

I didn't watch them all until after the last season was finished, but I had seen a few episodes of the earlier seasons while it ran. It really is a great show..one where the writing and acting come together seamlessly.

I know this is the off topic section but I can't resist..
My first set of chips was the 10g 6-stripe "Sopranos" chip. They've been used in 100s of games by now. Haven't put them into play in a while, but I don't know if I can sell them. Even though they're far outclassed by my growing Protege set.

 

[spikeithard]

I got half way through the first season back in 2011 but then I got busy with other things and let it fall off the agenda. Would like to get back into it again

 

[BGinGA]

I basically never missed an episode during the initial showing. Wife had never seen it, so we watched the entire run together last year over the course of a few weeks. Still stellar programming, imo. She liked it too, although not crazy about the final episode.

 

[DarPodo]

Amazing show. I have re-watched the series 3 times or so, and it still holds up today. I think my favorite thing about the series is

 

[jbutler]

Amazing show. I have re-watched the series 3 times or so, and it still holds up today. I think my favorite thing about the series is

I know enough about the show to know how good this is...

 

[Mr Tree]

Amazing show. I have re-watched the series 3 times or so, and it still holds up today. I think my favorite thing about the series is

I see what you did there!

 

[spikeithard]

Amazing show. I have re-watched the series 3 times or so, and it still holds up today. I think my favorite thing about the series is

 

[B.C.]

Certainly in my top 10 all time. Probably watched it complete 2-3 times. Almost certainly the show which kicked off the greatest era of scripted drama in TV history.

 

[spikeithard]

was it not #2 behind seinfeld as the greatest show of all time? I have 'googled' that yet but from memory I think I am right.

 

[gopherblue]

I hated Seinfeld then and I hate Seinfeld now. Seriously, if I had a group of friends that whiny and pathetic, I'd be the guy that got on the LIRR and went postal.


...not that there's anything right with that.

 

[jbutler]

Finished season 2 last night and it's still going strong. Are any seasons believed to be particularly weak or strong or is it pretty consistent throughout? I would say season 1 and 2 are pretty much equal in quality imo.

So far my favorite episodes are the one where Tony takes Meadow to visit colleges, the season 1 finale, and the one where

Spoiler

Janice shoots Richie Aprile

 

[guinness]

I bought all the seasons of Sopranos on DVD (lol) after the last episode ran and we basically binged. I liked all the seasons although some argue Season 4 to be the worst but the reality is that its a lot of story and less action/dying. I think you will like it and not fall into the web of believing it sucks due to less violence. If memory serves, I think season 6 was great outside of 1/2. 5 is good for action after a calming 4. 3 had a disjoint due to writer changes but I wouldn't say its great or bad. As with all things Tony, there will always be dynamite episodes in every season. I think I want to fire them up again now.

 

[jbutler]

Halfway through Season 3 at this point (more time to watch than usual as I've been sick in bed) and I am still liking it quite a bit. A couple really fantastic episodes in 3, but I'm a bit worried that the Ralphie storyline is retreading the old ground already covered in the Mikey storyline from season 1. Can't say at this point obv.

 

[manamongkids]

Is AJ Soprano the worst actor in the history of actors? Literally was on one of the best shows of all time and essentially never acted again

 

[bergs]

Is AJ Soprano the worst actor in the history of actors? Literally was on one of the best shows of all time and essentially never acted again

The only part of the show I was meh about was any story line involving AJ. He was only there really to highlight the trials and tribulations Tony had being a father to a misfit that didn't live up to his expectations. When AJ shoots Tony in Season 7, it was the only interesting storyline he had. That, and when he changed sex.

(NOT SPOILERS. I made them up)