from Jonathan Klotz
| Published
It’s a cliché to say when looking back at a major event that “no one knew what impact it would have”, but when we talk about The Sopranosthis cliché is not true at all. The impact of mob boss Tony Soprano walking into Dr. Melfi’s office landed with the force of an atomic bomb, and by the end of the pilot, television would never be the same. But what no one could have predicted was that 25 years later, the series that coined the term “prestige TV” and introduced the world to a new type of anti-hero would be more popular than ever.
The timeless appeal of the Sopranos
From the iconic opening shots of New Jersey set in ‘Woke up this morning’ to the infamous series finale, The Sopranos is the quintessential mob series, a perfect crime series, and one of the best character-driven dramas ever made. But in 2024 it’s how James Gandolfini portrayed a tough alpha male character who struggles to take care of his mental health and is deeply ashamed of anyone finding out he’s been in therapy, which helps keep him relevant today. Millennials now approaching their own midlife crisis can look back on the series and appreciate Tony’s struggles in a whole new light.
The younger generations celebrated The Sopranos throughout the year through the use of memes, and the series seems to have a screenshot or iconic moment perfect for every occasion, including Gen Z embracing Carmella Soprano in a way no one did while the show was on the air. The Mob Wives aesthetic, a celebration of over-the-top fashion and, most importantly, attitude, has its roots in Edie Falco’s Carmella and Drea De Matteo’s Adriana. There was even a hit rewatch podcast hosted by Michael Imperoli and Steve Schirpa, Talking Sopranoswhich featured many of the show’s stars, including regulars such as Lorraine Bracco (Dr. Melfi) and Stephen Van Zandt (Silvio) to Steve Buscemi and even Ariel Kelly, she was Tracy, the Bada-Bing dancer introduced in the Season 3 episode “University.
More people have streamed The Sopranos on Max than I watched it when it first aired on HBO. The real reason, beyond memes, TikTok trends, or nostalgia-filled podcasts, is that it was well-written, well-acted, and the result of the unique vision of a talented creator: David Chase.
The Mad Genius of David Chase
HBO recognized the importance of David Chase to The Sopranos with the recent release of Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos of Max, a two-part documentary that is a must-see for fans of the series. Starting with Chase’s childhood and personal life, to audition footage and then, for the first time, footage of Chase speaking at James Gandolfini’s funeral. It’s short at just two episodes, but the inclusion of archival interviews with the likes of Gandolfini and Nancy Marchand (Livia Soprano), with fresh insights from Imperiolo, Lorraine Bracco, Stephen Van Zandt and Edie Falco, makes it a worthwhile investment.
Emphasis of Smart guy is the insight into The Sopranos Season 1, including “College,” the episode that set the tone for the rest of the series by establishing Tony as both a loving father and a ruthless crime boss, and how it forced audiences to reconcile their feelings of sympathy for a man capable of choking another to death .
The price of being on a show as successful and dark as it is The Sopranos is a theme that David Chase returns to again and again in regards to James Gandolfini. Playing Tony Soprano was difficult for the star, who, according to the show’s creator, took the character back home with him and ended up suffering as a result. These parts of Smart guy it can be hard for fans to listen to, but they are still an integral part of what makes the show an all-time classic and why even today it is impossible to make a crime series or even a prestige drama and not be compared The Sopranos.
One of the greatest shows in history
without The Sopranosthere never would have been Breaking Bad, Crazy men creator Matt Werner worked under David Chase as a writer for The Sopranos and even other dark antihero-focused dramas including The shield, save me, House of cardsand Sons of Anarchywould never have been lit before Tony Soprano’s explosive popularity. Years after its shocking end, its influence was also felt at HBO Boardwalk Empireand then a decade after the finale it reverberated everywhere Peaky Blinders to today, with Sylvester Stallone Tulsa Kingthe latest look at The Sopranos formula.
Even other dramas owe a debt to New Jersey mobsters, including the critically acclaimed Inheritancewhose Roy family has more in common with the Sopranos than they would admit. Still, it shows just how far ahead of its time the mob drama was. Before yes The Sopranoscable series were more titillating than thought-provoking, and despite Bada Bing, David Chase infused his series with nuanced, multi-faceted characters who all had something to say about the human experience.
It’s the level of high-stakes writing and Shakespearean themes directed against New Jersey’s blue-collar neighborhoods and mob appeal that made The Sopranos a bigger hit in 2024 than in 1999. Even The Many Saints of Newarka poorly received prequel featuring James Gandolfini’s son as a young Tony couldn’t hurt the legacy of the original show. Now there are such shows on the air, but there is no better one and there never will be.
