What is it about the Sopranos series that viewers love?

[moores8907]

As members of the chaselounge we admit to being fans of the Soprano series, but what is it about the series that makes us become fans of it?

What is it that we love about the series?
Is it the characters that are in the program and if so why? What is it about these characters that we love?
e.g. Do we love Tony because we understand and feel for him as he has to endures the strain of having to look after his mother (who is a pain in the arse) his wife and children, his sister and his mob family.

Is it the plot/storyline which the series is laid out in? The not knowing of what is about to happen or how Tony will react to a certain situation.

Is it the directing of the whole series which captures our imagination?

Or is it something else? Let me know..

[Garth]

For me it was Tony's dynamic personality. One second he would be charming, funny middle-aged family guy, then the next he would be a pot of rage boiling over. Watching Gandolfini switch flawlessly between this and then also have scenes in-between of sadness, depression, or joy.

After that it was the moral grey area that the show encapsulated. It had guts. As television watchers we aren't usually put in a situation where we are rooting for cold-hearted killers. Much less situations where just is not served and the wicked are not punished in the way we are taught by other TV and movies. I think that evokes a stark realism in many of us, because we know it is true in real life.

[leon44444]

To start of the Soprano series is hands down the greatest TV series, program to every exist and as far as I’m concerned the greatest that we ever be (just thought I’d clarify that: icon_smile: )

The thing that encapsulated me as a viewer of the series was how it was able to mix in humour, family values, and respect as well as providing murder, betrayal, and marital affairs. In essence you watched an understood the life of a mob boss and we all know to a certain extent how brutal and murderous that life can be through previous programs and documentaries on previous non fictional gangsters. On the other hand though we are able to delve into the other side of a gangsters private life e.g. Tony. We get to see how he interacts with his family and friends, and how in some ways he is a kind hearted soul, (in some cases anyway, ignoring Artie's restaurant burning down). I admit however that we are at times brought back down to earth when we see how brutal Tony can be i.e. killing Christopher but we accept that this due to his role and the power that he has within the series he has to make these harsh decisions.

Overall the series explains how there are two differing sides to people as there are numerous occasions when characters show their good and bad sides, and David Chase leaves it up to the viewer to decide which side of the character we will gravitate to and ultimately love.

[p.ollerenshaw]

I watch the Soprano series, as its a long running series that allows you to become in a strange sort of way part of the family. Every character takes you along their personal journey through different aspects of life e.g love, death, rage and compassion, also every character is an outstanding actor that is totally believable in both mannerisms and style.

The only problem as far as im concerned with the series is that the journey of their life parallels most aspects within own own life, although not as severe.

Strangely I also seem to admire Tony Soprano throughout the series even though he is violent, deceitful and adulteress. Tony as a person has never been able to find his true inner being because of his family upbringing and his instincts are to follow which is inherent in him. There is however another side of him that wants to be this loving caring family man. Hence his frequent visits to the psychologist which on the face of it doesn't seem to help this complex character.

The series evokes a sense of happiness, as i am able to watch actors in their prime who perform in such a enduring way. Also the script is so compelling that i would gladly sit at home for a week watching the series and not get bored at all.

[BobbyBacala]

For me, The Sopranos has a little bit of everything. There's comedy, drama, brutal killings for those who like that sort of thing... even romance (though rather unstable in the form of Tony/Carmella, Christopher/Ade). It is quite possibly the most entertaining show ever created.

It's difficult not to be left wanting more. Even after the series finale, you are left feeling like you want to see more... not in a negative way, it's satisfying, but so good that you want more to come.

You sympathize with the characters and then you feel disgust toward them. You love the same characters that you probably hate in real life. We can live vicariously through them during the good times and see what it's like to get whatever you want, but then when things get rough it's nice to sit back and know that it's only a TV show.

There are just so many layers to the series and I could probably go on and on about everyone. It truly is a brilliant series and one that I feel everyone must watch at least once in their lives.