Stand by your man?
THE BEST picture I have EVER seen on a series cover. What drama! It shows how serious the makers of 'Sopranos' were about the programme to put such thought into a picture. It even show Tony's beloved ducks in the distance.

Superb television
I didn't bother watching the Sopranos when it was first on TV, but someone gave me the first series as a gift, and I've been working my way through them since.

Series 5 is actually one of my favourites. I was quite baffled to come on here and find several one star reviews, complaining about various things like the lack of sense of humour.

The show is definitely dark, but there is plenty of amusing parts. For example, Janice (not one of my favourite characters) turning over a new leaf after going to anger management classes, and Tony's subsequent baiting of her.

There is some great drama, and some very unexpected moments. Can't wait to get Series 6!

In summary - top quality TV, and a must buy.

sorry but one star... and i usually love sopranos
This is definitely the series where the sopranos lost their way completely. It didn't just take a step toward the quirky and obscure, it jumped in with all arms, legs and kitchen sink.. there is no other way to put it, it was just plain weird and boring at that. If the franchise had back to back series of that style and standard it would die right there, no doubt.

As an avid fan myself i know you are gonna buy anyway. you know you are gonna buy anyway, but i advise for you to set those expectations to low to avoid disappointment. Series 5 is way below expectations.

Now series 6... is another story...

Could have ended here
Season 5 is outstanding. It would have made a great ending to the entire series if it ended with the season 5 final scene - all we had was a long shot of Tony Soprano running through a snowy field avoiding the Feds after they arrested his colleague.

Anyhoo, in this season it is without question Gandolfini's finest hour. He gives a performance which portrays not only the ruthlessness and thuggery of Tony Soprano but also the maturity, thoughtfulness, humour and depth of a caring husband/ father.

Tony manages to bed quite a few women. Anyone remember his attempt with Dr Melfi "Thinking of you, Your Prince of Tide". Tony manages to flirt endlessly with Carmella, Adrianna, Adrianna's FBI friend, and a countless number of others.

Steve Buscemi (Tony Blundera) is a revelation. Christopher manages to lose the plot again, but then pulls his socks up. AJ gets his face super-glued to carpet (Insert Wood) and Meadow is studying the Law.

Season 5 will receive no humanitarian awards, though, this is brutal gangsterism and intimidation of innocents, after all. 10/10.

Weakest Season of Sopranos
The first few series of Sopranos are good, but the fifth season is truly weak, and seriously bleak. There is nothing wrong with bleak tv, film or music per se, but this type of bleak outlook is formed by repetitive actions that are unhuman, unreasonable and uninspirng. With Ralph Cifaretto now gone, an element of tension has been removed, and Tony's cousin, Tony Blundetto, recently released from prison, is not an interesting character at all.

There are very few moments of happiness in this series, and even the small elements of humour that once characterised this show, have now been removed. Instead, this season illustrates the dark core of american capitalism, where the high costs of living, accesories and luxuries weigh heavily on much of the mafia family, who continue to resort to violence in order to keep up this facade of 'living'. Although the aim of the Sopranos is not to present inspiration, the sheer lack of any character's inspirational quality means that there is very little to gain from this season.

Through this season, the whole of the Sopranos agenda becomes more apparent. The Sopranos are the 'bad guys', trying to live the 'good' consumerist life, but doing it in a 'bad' way. For the audience, the FBI and CIA are the real good guys, trying to 'help' society by capturing these criminals, while we are supposed to have mixed feelings because our attatchment to the family.

But are the government forces any better than the mafia? They aim to bring tax money into the government, but since most US families receive little in return for these taxes (i.e. lack of public services),the mafia's reluctance to declare and pay everything actually makes them anything but mugs. Since when are the invaders of Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq the good guys? Why should anyone fund these oil-inspired military killing trips?

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