'The Sopranos', Never Disrespect the Bing Options

[Zoe]

First things first; there is no Mafia, secondly (and perhaps more importantly) respect the Bing.

Follow these rules and we'll get along just fine.

Oh and don't forget, 'One' is better than 'Two'.

'The Sopranos' is fast becoming my favourite show of all time, due to its amazing scripts, impeccable dialogue and unbelievably high production values. Every episode is like a film both in style and substance.

The performances are extraordinary across the board, but particularly from pacifist James Gandolfini (and his big old beard).

Him and those ducks!

So favourite characters, season, episode, scene?

I'm a Christopher girl myself, but it's all about Tony really. His wry smile, cheeky asides, stoicism, passion and occasional bouts of sociopathic rage.

I think my favourite episode is the Steve Buscemi directed 'Pine Barrens'.

[Chris and Paulie just botched a hit on a Russian gangster, and are lost in the woods. Tony is on the phone, but it's a bad line]
Tony: Listen to me, this guy was a Russian green beret. He was in the ministry of the interior or something. He single-handedly killed 16 Chechen rebels. Be fucking careful.
Paulie: All right.
[Hangs up]
Christopher: What did he say?
Paulie: He said the guy killed 16 Czechoslovakians, and he was an interior decorator.
Christopher: Interior decorator? His apartment looked like shit.



Look at Paulie's hair!

[ipse dixit]

I started getting into it last year when I lived with someone who had a few boxsets. Unfortunately I had to start with season 2 cos his old housemate had nicked season 1, and then...well...I moved out so I've not seen that much.

That's not a very encouraging second post for the thread is it? Sorry.

[maian]

A fantastic episode, had me in stitches all the way through.

Favourite character would have to be either Tony (cos he really does make the show) or Paulie, he's just so great and violent, you never quite know when he's going to blow and kill everyone around him.

Favourite episode is a tough one but I'd have to go for the episode where Ralph got killed and hacked up by Tony and Christopher, really good episode and it happened at exactly the right time in the show, it just felt that the show had been building up to Ralph getting killed and it nailed it.

As I said it's a tough call.

[Zoe]

Ralph was a very, very hard character to watch. Props to Joe Pantoliano for a truly horrific performance, I could barely look at him.

Strangely enough the episode where he kills Tracee was the only one I'd seen before starting this mass watch of the past two weeks and becoming a touch obsessed. It had certainly stuck in my mind.

Though the most brutal scene in the whole show has to be the golf club to the head. A fairly minor scene, but Jesus H Christ. I've got a strong stomach and I can still see that skull caving in.

[maian]

I think a special mention should be made for the many pieces of whimsy (as mentioned in other threads) that are in the show, my particular favourite being in the last episode of the first series where Tony has food poisoning and realises the truth about Big Pussy being an informant.

[Zoe]

Whimsy's right.



Also loving the Brando in 'On the Waterfront' look Tony works in the dream sequence.



And the Big Mouth Billy Bass call back during season three was inspired.

This picture is irrelevant to this discussion, but I found it earlier and I love Chris and Ade.



I haven't seen series 5 yet, but I know what's coming and I'm sad!

*waits impatiently for box set*

[Kris]

I really used to dislike Janice as a character, but the episode where she kills Richie.... whoa!

[Zoe]

I really used to dislike Janice as a character, but the episode where she kills Richie.... whoa!

See, that was the episode that made me like her - I absolutely loved the look on Richie's face. I mean yes, it was extreme, but you can't go around laying hands on your woman - at least not till the ring's on the finger.

Now though, I can't stand her, after the way she manipulated Bobby and his kids - whatta bi-at-ch.

[superfurryandy]

Favourite ep is all of 'em, but especially the penultimate ep of S5 - one of the greatest hours of TV ever.

Favourite character is Silvio - you think he's just the right hand man, but every now and then he turns nasty.

[Zoe]

Favourite ep is all of 'em, but especially the penultimate ep of S5 - one of the greatest hours of TV ever.

Can't wait for the box set, I've been spoiled for the past few weeks. But now I've watched them all *sniffs*

The artwork for is great.



Good news it it sounds like at least 7 series, which is reassuring.

[Kris]

Now though, I can't stand her, after the way she manipulated Bobby and his kids - whatta bi-at-ch.

Agreed.

Also, the episode where Christopher finds out Ade has been talking to the FBI I almost thought that they were going to run away!.... that was also a good'un!

[Zoe]

Wow, the season five poster (same artwork as the boxset) is fantastic.



If only I was a teenager..I suppose I could get it and frame it?

[spacegurl]

I used to love the Sopranos, such a brilliant drama. Sadly though I missed most of the last series, i just let it pass me by, only catching a few episodes or parts of them. It's a shame because it's one of the best shows at C4's dispossal and it's rarely ever repeated (instead they broadcast countless episodes of 'Friends').

[toneloc]

Wow, hadn't seen the artwork for S5 yet, that's pretty cool.
Funniest scene of the whole series has to be when Flynn, Meadow's boyfriend rocks up to the construction site and sees the fat guy ( i forget his name) getting head from another worker - had me in stitches...

[Jinx]

One day I shall own all the Sopranos. One day. When I have some money. Oh yes.