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'The Sopranos' returns with the end in sight -- and that just makes everything juicier
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/8/6 | Tim Goodman

Posted on 03/08/2006 8:15:49 AM PST by SmithL

After a full 21 months in cobwebs, "The Sopranos" returns to HBO on Sunday with a viscerally stunning reminder: It's the best series on television, end of story.

The only series competing at the same creative height as "The Sopranos" are HBO stablemates "The Wire" and "Deadwood," but what creator David Chase has set in motion this season for his mob-and-family epic makes debating this trifecta a hollow exercise. Based on the first four episodes of Season 6, what we're witnessing here is the making of a magnificent bonfire of assured creativity, as Chase burns through episodes to the end of this landmark television series.

Knowing that the series will wrap-up (12 episodes this season, eight more beginning in January) helps forgive a nearly two-year layoff that's not only unheard of but would be completely unacceptable for an inferior series. And yet, within the first few minutes -- and then with an exclamation point at the end -- the first episode jump-starts your brain into remembering how truly great "The Sopranos" really is. From the intricate structure to the nuanced characters to the detail Chase captures in their emotions, there's so much to grab onto here.

(If you haven't already been watching HBO's rerunning of Season 5, then you should hit the Web site soon and recap episodes, because events move quickly after the opening.)

When we last saw Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) running through the snow as the feds nabbed Johnny Sack (Vincent Curatola), television's best drawn anti-hero was trying to put his life back together again. As Season 6 begins, Tony is off his anti-depressants and noticeably more upbeat after a tumultuous year in which he narrowly avoided a turf war, killed his cousin Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi) and ... most famously, Adrianna

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: glassteat; sopranos
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I became a Sopranos fan a little over a month ago, and I have been catching up ever since. Rome is still my favorite series, though.
1 posted on 03/08/2006 8:15:52 AM PST by SmithL
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To: SmithL
Brigade/Brigado.

I am married to a Russian lady, and a Russian physician mentioned that if I liked the Sopranos I would love Brigade. He loaned me the 6 CD set. This is the Russian version of Sopranos, 50 minute each series about organized crime. Except this series differs as it shows the whole evolution from street gangs to corporate crime and finally into politics. Also, if you are familiar with international cinema, especially Russian, you'll note that these movies are a more accurate portrayal of the good and bad events, without the political correctness and dramatization found in our crime series. Very interesting though, sure to get you addicted after viewing episode 1, and plan on spending all day in front to the tube.
2 posted on 03/08/2006 8:27:45 AM PST by GarySpFc (de oppresso liber)
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To: SmithL
My favorite storyline was when they whacked big pussy or whacked Adrianna.

Do they ever say how big pussy got his nickname? I thought I've seen every episode but I don't think it was ever told.
3 posted on 03/08/2006 8:31:58 AM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99 (Liberals are the feces that is produced when shame eats too much stupidity!)
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To: SmithL
Dese guys? Except for the one in the middle, that's my son.

Image hosting by Photobucket

4 posted on 03/08/2006 8:43:03 AM PST by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Sgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: SmithL
I watched a little bit of the Sopranos once.IMO,it can't hold a candle to The Godfather or Goodfellas.
5 posted on 03/08/2006 8:58:37 AM PST by Gay State Conservative
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To: SmithL
After a full 21 months in cobwebs, "The Sopranos" returns to HBO on Sunday with a viscerally stunning reminder: It's the best series on television, end of story.

I don't agree. Sopranos was excellent through its third season. Then I think it began being very self conscious, more about 'itself' than about the characters and stories. Lots of shoehorning literary references so that people have something to talk about at the water cooler monday morning. Still, it's an ok show - I just wish it didn't lose its shine.

On the other hand, 'The Shield' is at the end of its fifth season and hasn't lost a bit of its shine. It's not self conscious at all, and as compelling as it ever was. That's the best show on tv. :-)

6 posted on 03/08/2006 9:05:07 AM PST by HitmanLV (Listen to my demos for Savage Nation contest: http://www.geocities.com/mr_vinnie_vegas/index.html)
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To: SmithL
After a full 21 months in cobwebs, "The Sopranos" returns to HBO on Sunday with a viscerally stunning reminder: It's the best series on television, end of story.

I don't agree. Sopranos was excellent through its third season. Then I think it began being very self conscious, more about 'itself' than about the characters and stories. Lots of shoehorning literary references so that people have something to talk about at the water cooler monday morning. Still, it's an ok show - I just wish it didn't lose its shine.

On the other hand, 'The Shield' is at the end of its fifth season and hasn't lost a bit of its shine. It's not self conscious at all, and as compelling as it ever was. That's the best show on tv. :-)

7 posted on 03/08/2006 9:05:34 AM PST by HitmanLV (Listen to my demos for Savage Nation contest: http://www.geocities.com/mr_vinnie_vegas/index.html)
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To: HitmanLV

There is no series which has ever had better writing than the Sopranos. It is superb.


8 posted on 03/08/2006 9:09:21 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit

Check out Boston Legal for excellent writing. btw, can't wait for Soprano's!


9 posted on 03/08/2006 9:11:05 AM PST by bonfire
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To: SmithL

I love love it. Can't wait for Sunday.


10 posted on 03/08/2006 9:11:21 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Graybeard58

He didn't pull that, I hope.
; )


11 posted on 03/08/2006 9:13:12 AM PST by SmithL (Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit
The Shield
Wiseguy
The Odd Couple
Crime Story

All immediately come to mind as tv programs who have as good, or better, writing than The Sopranos.
12 posted on 03/08/2006 9:14:58 AM PST by HitmanLV (Listen to my demos for Savage Nation contest: http://www.geocities.com/mr_vinnie_vegas/index.html)
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To: SmithL

Nah, he knows that old trick. I taught it to him when he was little.

More pics of the Sopranos and my son Steve (F.R. member "smaagee") can be found here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282017/posts


13 posted on 03/08/2006 9:16:56 AM PST by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Sgt. Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: SmithL

Can't wait!! I've been watching the reruns every night from season 4. Tonights Soprano episode is the one where Meadow's boyfriend catches the mob guy "getting it on" with another guy.


14 posted on 03/08/2006 9:20:42 AM PST by mslee
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To: Big Guy and Rusty 99
Do they ever say how big pussy got his nickname? I thought I've seen every episode but I don't think it was ever told.

I think it was because he started out as a cat burglar. IIRC

15 posted on 03/08/2006 9:33:37 AM PST by NeoCaveman (The shark has been jumped)
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To: HitmanLV

LoL while I liked Wise Guy and Crime Story neither came close to the Sopranos in any sense. Clearly neither had the staying power either.

Odd Couple was ok but not even as good as Seinfeld or WKRP or even The 70s Show for that matter.


16 posted on 03/08/2006 9:34:31 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Public Enemy #1, the RATmedia.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit
I dunno about that. We were just talking about quality of the writing, and not the whole package.

I think Odd Couple was the last great sitcom and better than Seinfeld and WKRP, though both were great shows with great writing, also. The OC's writing is much better than 70s show, though that's not a bad show either.

Just a matter of personal taste.

And don't forget The Shield. :-)
17 posted on 03/08/2006 9:37:44 AM PST by HitmanLV (Listen to my demos for Savage Nation contest: http://www.geocities.com/mr_vinnie_vegas/index.html)
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To: dubyaismypresident

Yes, I remember that now.

My favorite part of his whacking was the fact that there was an honor thing. He says not in the face. I know they dumped pussy's body off the side of the boat, but did they shoot him in the face?


18 posted on 03/08/2006 9:50:47 AM PST by Big Guy and Rusty 99 (Liberals are the feces that is produced when shame eats too much stupidity!)
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To: dubyaismypresident

Correct


19 posted on 03/08/2006 12:27:48 PM PST by Xenophobic Alien (At a higher altitude with flag unfurled We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed of world)
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To: StarFan

ping!


20 posted on 03/08/2006 9:47:26 PM PST by nutmeg (NEVER trust democRATs with our national security)
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