The Sopranos is a legacy show. It is a groundbreaking, iconic piece of art on film that inspired the evolution of the cable drama series. HBO was looking to develop substantial original content. Cue showrunner David Chase. The great success of this bingeworthy series? Humanizing Tony Soprano.
Seasons: 6 Episodes: 86
Where to Watch: HBO Max, HBO.com, Hulu, Amazon Prime
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE SOPRANOS YET, THE TIME HAS COME…
“The Sopranos,” which aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007, is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time.
For a series to reach icon status, the stars must align. There is a delicate balance between great storytelling, cinematography, casting, viewer interest, and opportunity. The stars certainly aligned for this show.
The Sopranos is iconic because it transcends the traditional mobster genre by developing three-dimensional, relatable characters. Humanizing Tony Soprano was the great success of this series.
The one-dimensional sociopathic mobster does not elicit sympathy from any audience. But make him whole, show him as a father, husband, son, and brother, and show his internal struggles, anxieties, pain, and love for animals…Â This is the emotional space where the audience becomes invested in Tony as a person.
THIS PIECE IS AN HOMAGE TO THE SOPRANOS BUT ALSO TO THE MAN HIMSELF: THE LATE, GREAT JAMES GANDOLFINI
This piece is an homage to The Sopranos but also to the man himself: the late, great James Gandolfini. Gandolfini brought Tony to life in such a transcendent way that we rooted for him no matter how bad his misdeeds were. It shows the level of actor he was. The lengths he went to to make Tony both loveable and hateable at the same time. Gandolfini was a once-in-a-lifetime actor and was taken from us too soon. But there is no doubt he made his mark on the world through Tony Soprano. James, this is for you…
THE SOPRANOS TRANSCENDS THE TRADITIONAL MOBSTER GENRE BY DEVELOPING THREE-DIMENSIONAL, RELATABLE CHARACTERS
Why You Should Watch: The Sopranos is not your typical gangster tale. It has twists and turns you do not expect, with excellent writing and casting.
The series received numerous awards, including 21 Primetime Emmy Awards and 5 Golden Globe Awards, solidifying its critical acclaim. It has influenced a generation of filmmakers and writers, inspiring shows such as Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Wire. Its unforgettable characters, iconic moments, and memorable quotes continue to resonate in popular culture.
By the end, you will feel like you are a member of the family.