Top 30 Best Episodes of The Sopranos
This is a listing of my favorite episodes of the Sopranos series, respectively.
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- DirectorNick GomezStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony encourages an unwanted son-in-law to divorce, Carmela learns another secret of Tony's, Meadow experiments with speed to study for the SATs, and Chris and Brendan find out the price of disrespecting Junior.Primary Story: So Chris and Brendan return the hijacked truck but Junior still isn't happy as he hasn't punished anyone yet. Mikey keeps encouraging him to take action and Junior ends up agreeing with him. But man, "Take it easy! We're not making a Western here!" was a great comeback.
Additionally, Meadow and Hunter ask Chris and Brendan for speed just so they can stay awake and study for the SAT exams. Brendan has a nice remark here, "Kids, ya think ya can protect 'em, well you can't!" This holds a strong moral complexity as it's a reference to how kids will always find a way to get what they want. Though hesitant at first, Chris is convinced by Adriana to give them some as it's preferable to acquire the drugs from them as opposed to street dealers from Jefferson Ave, who as Chris puts it, would have "robbed them, raped them, and left them on the side of the road." ends up giving them a little but wants to avoid getting in trouble with Tony for doing this. And after Eventually, at the end of the episode, after Livia ends up giving her piece of advice to Junior, the old yet deadly puppet-master ends up agreeing with her mentality; so he decides to dish out the punishment; a mock execution for Chris laid down by Russian gangsters and a real one for Brendan via Mikey Palmice's swift and extremely climactic punishment.
Secondary Story: A Hasidic Jewish fellow approaches Tony for a quick job; pretty much beating up on his son-in-law Ariel until he agrees to a divorce. The interrogation doesn't go too well as he's a hard one to crack and he references Masada, the site of a long siege between a small number of Jews and the legions of Roman soldiers which eventually ended in the mass suicide of these same Jews who chose death over enslavement, and then Ariel goes on to say, "Where are the Romans now..." and Tony's comeback is one of the best... "You're lookin' at 'em a$$hole..." That was some beautiful writing there.
Tertiary Story: Jackie Aprile, Sr. is in the hospital and his condition worsens as Tony discusses the cancer diagnosis with his psychiatrist, Jennifer Melfi. He also deliberates whether or not he's seen as a "Frankenstein" figure... someone who lacks emotions and feelings.
Music: Best music in the end of the episode. "All Through the Night" intercut with vicious brutality and scenes whilst depicting the gentle nature of Meadow's choir performance makes this the most memorable scene in the series.
Characters: Brendan Filone is and always will be my #1 most favorite character in The Sopranos due to the method in which he is executed. Brendan was Christopher Moltisanti's friend and partner in crime as we witnessed in the previous episode entitled "46 Long." Due to his addiction to drugs and his overall unplanned hijacking gone awry, he is silenced for his actions, sending a message to the rest of Tony Soprano's crew.
This scene is perfectly depicted in "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" and is the most important climax in the entire first season. Brendan was shot to death in his bathtub, clean through the eye, by Junior's trigger man, Mikey Palmice. The method of execution is known as the "Moe Greene Special", a specific form of Mafia killing based on Moe Greene, who also happens to be my favorite character from The Godfather trilogy.
The scene is also my most favorite in the history of The Sopranos, since Brendan's method of demise is unparalleled throughout the series. The scene was so memorable in its Godfather-like ending that it shall always remain a part of me; always my favorite moment in television/film history.
The sheer brutality and ferocity is heightened in this instant, where a lullaby plays in the background as Brendan smokes his final cigarette. Mikey Palmice walks in, startles Brendan, and says "Hijack! Bye Jack!" before silencing him with a glock aimed at his eye; a message job. As the montage buildup of the musical choir "All Through the Night" sounds in the background, Filone looks up and fear strikes his face; his dreams shattered in that instant! He dies in that terrifying moment as the bullet pierces his eye, redefining a bloodbath! The blood fills the tub as Filone remains still, no longer quivering. However, through death, he is immortalized forevermore, a fragment of magnificent brilliance defined.
Brendan will always be my favorite character in the history of film and television, forevermore. I love Brendan Filone.
Overall: Hands down the best episode of the series as it incorporates my favorite character being killed in the most memorable fashion, a very brutal and swift punishment coated with tender lullaby accents and warrants the perfect ending and writing overall as a concept and genuinely brilliant reference to The Godfather. - DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony is getting fed up with his mother. Brendan Filone acts against Tony's wishes. Salvatore and Paulie try to track down A.J.'s teacher's stolen car.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoBrendan's death leaves Chris fearing for his life, and Anthony's discovery of what his father really does leaves him confused.
- DirectorHenry BronchteinStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoChris awakens from his coma with a message from the afterlife for Tony and Paulie. Carmela, meanwhile, wants Tony to get a "cut", specifically a vasectomy.
- DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRebellion by some of the lower soldiers ends in bloodshed, while Carmela starts intimidating her neighbors to help Meadow's chances at Georgetown.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoGloria grows increasingly demanding until Tony realizes who she is, and Jackie Jr. ends up in very serious trouble when Chris realizes who he is.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony makes a request to Johnny Sack on behalf of his cousin, and Adriana makes a request to the FBI, followed by one to Chris.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoPhil takes out his revenge on Vito, while Tony grows frustrated with Anthony Jr's lack of ambition or work ethic.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony fails to reason with Phil as more problems increase with Anthony Jr as his depression worsens.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoA tragedy rocks the family, and Tony takes a solo trip to Las Vegas when the grieving gets too hard to handle.
- 1999–200749mTV-MA8.6 (8.6K)TV EpisodeDirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoThe FBI begins closing in on the DiMeo family. Tony and Carmela are angry over all the attention Italians get from the authorities, while Chris fumes that he's not getting enough attention.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony starts cleaning house, while Artie feels torn between keeping the peace in his household, and getting even with Tony for destroying his restaurant.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony gets sick from food poisoning and blames Artie's restaurant. Pussy, meanwhile, reaches the end of the line.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoGene Pontecorvo makes a final break from the mob life, while Junior's paranoid delusions could be the end of Tony.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliAn uncomfortable party leads Tony and Carmela to a partial reconciliation, while cousin Tony gets an offer he decides not to refuse.
- DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoA car crash puts Tony and Adriana in a compromising position, and Cousin Tony tries to keep Chris from getting the wrong impression and the wrong information.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRalphie issues his final decision on the fate of Jackie Jr., Anthony Jr., faces military school after getting expelled, Paulie and Ralphie have a financial conflict while the FBI assigns Adriana a new "friend."
- DirectorJack BenderStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony and Carmela try a therapy session together and ends it angrily. Artie, meanwhile, tries to move in on Adriana. Bobby 'Bacala' Sr. comes out of retirement for one last job much to his son's objection after it ends tragically.
- DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoWhile Silvio has the flu, Chris and Paulie run his collections for him, which results in the pair getting lost in the woods and nearly freezing to death while Tony's affair with Gloria goes sour as does Meadow's relationship with Jackie Jr.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoDr. Melfi is attacked and when the authorities lets her down, she considers asking Tony to help. Janice has a dispute with Svetlana. Ralphie gets passed over for a promotion and Jackie Jr. gets involved in the family's crime activities.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony continues putting the squeeze on David, while Richie discusses the possibility with Junior of removing some competition while 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero continues to be an informant.
- 1999–20071h 1mTV-MA9.3 (9.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRichie and Janice get engaged, but Richie's violent temper finally takes him too far. Tony, meanwhile, breaks up with Irina, much to her dismay.
- DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoThe allegiance of those closest to Tony is put to the test. A case of mistaken identity has serious ramifications.
- DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony realizes that he must take care of family messes himself in order to keep the peace within his own clan.
- DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliCarmela and Tony go away to Bobby's cabin upstate New York for Tony's birthday up where a fight emerges between Tony and Bobby over Janice. Meanwhile A.J. is throwing a party at the Soprano home.