I came to season 6 with a certain amount of trepidation following what had quite a roundly great five seasons of the Sopranos thus far. I'd seen it before when it was first broadcast and I knew that it was in two chunks (both about the same length as the previous seasons – so not sure why they are all classed as one season) but could not remember why (although I'm guessing the writer's strike). The reason for my caution was that somewhere I had inherited the idea that this final season was not particularly good and that it all should have finished in the fifth season. I've seen it myself of course but my memory also seemed to be conspiring to tell me that the majority of this first half was made up of Tony's coma dream and that I hadn't enjoyed it first time round.
All of this is sort of why I decided to watch the whole show again, because my memory was tricking me in many ways – not least of which being that the first half of season 6 is actually very good. The story continues on from the tensions at the end of the fifth season between the New York and Jersey crews, which grows now that Johnny Sacks is in jail awaiting trial and Phil is acting boss of New York. This side of it works well because it keeps the pressure on in terms of narrative. Junior's decline is perhaps a bit simple and the shooting of Tony doesn't really fit particularly well as an idea – OK it is used well but still it seems rushed. The coma is shorter than I remember and this time it means more to me and works better (perhaps with me looking back having already finished the show). The theme of Tony not knowing who he is fits perfectly with season 5 where we didn't seem to know who he was either in terms of the many faces he puts up. Likewise his choices between business and family (creepily represented by cousin Tony) suggest that this idea of two families is not as evenly balanced as has been suggested thus far – again this is me seeing this in the light of future events with Christopher.
Outside of the coma, there is unrest in both families. The Vito thread is as tragic as it is important as a catalyst in the narrative – we feel for him as much as dislike him but when his end comes it is hard to watch (although this time it was softened for me by my girlfriend rightly observing that Phil literally "comes out of the closet" to hand Vito his fate – which I missed both times). The side plots are perhaps why people do not like this season as much, because they do feel a little fragmented with Paulie, Carmela and AJ all having personal issues to deal with. Paulie seems the most out of place although it does provide us with some insight into his character in terms of his violence and his ability to bear a selfish grudge and lash out at those who he perceives as doing better than him. Christopher's movie sub-plot is OK but more of a curio than anything else. Carmela's Paris trip only takes up one episode but it does serve as a good contrast with the New Jersey material. AJ's thread should really be stronger and more engaging but it is hard to feel for him because he is portrayed as an irritant – which he is but somehow the show manages to have lots of "unlikeable" characters who we like watching and get into but it seems to struggle with AJ. All these bits do weaken the show a bit here because this season doesn't quite manage to have as much insight and subtle character development as before, even if it is still good in what it does, Gandolfini continues to deliver the role that will define his career. His material is great and he totally convinces as a man driven almost wholly by selfish motives but yet unable to see himself for who he is – whether it is his conflicting statements between how he acts and what he says or just petty things like how quickly he withdraws help to Carmela over nothing, only to give it when it suits his needs. He is a great character and he nails it again and again. Falco is great in support again even if her material is not as good as it has been in the previous few seasons. Imperioli cannot make Chris' constantly reoccurring drug addiction into a strong thread but he performs well. Iler is worth mentioning this season because I don't think he is up to the demands put on him – his character is more important than ever in this season but he doesn't quite make it happen. Turturro's Janice is well delivered again and she does a great job of translating her mother into her character in more than just words. Support from Sirico, Van Zandt, Schirripa, Gannascoli, Bracco and others continues to be of a high calibre.
Overall season 6 part 1 is not the best of the show but it is not far from the bar. Bits of it don't work as well as other bits but as a whole it continues to be a very enjoyable and engaging show, with the strong central mob narrative built on well with complexity in the characters and side plots. If anything it is testament to the strength and quality of the series as a whole that one season that isn't perfect stands out as being slightly inferior while managing to still be this good.
All of this is sort of why I decided to watch the whole show again, because my memory was tricking me in many ways – not least of which being that the first half of season 6 is actually very good. The story continues on from the tensions at the end of the fifth season between the New York and Jersey crews, which grows now that Johnny Sacks is in jail awaiting trial and Phil is acting boss of New York. This side of it works well because it keeps the pressure on in terms of narrative. Junior's decline is perhaps a bit simple and the shooting of Tony doesn't really fit particularly well as an idea – OK it is used well but still it seems rushed. The coma is shorter than I remember and this time it means more to me and works better (perhaps with me looking back having already finished the show). The theme of Tony not knowing who he is fits perfectly with season 5 where we didn't seem to know who he was either in terms of the many faces he puts up. Likewise his choices between business and family (creepily represented by cousin Tony) suggest that this idea of two families is not as evenly balanced as has been suggested thus far – again this is me seeing this in the light of future events with Christopher.
Outside of the coma, there is unrest in both families. The Vito thread is as tragic as it is important as a catalyst in the narrative – we feel for him as much as dislike him but when his end comes it is hard to watch (although this time it was softened for me by my girlfriend rightly observing that Phil literally "comes out of the closet" to hand Vito his fate – which I missed both times). The side plots are perhaps why people do not like this season as much, because they do feel a little fragmented with Paulie, Carmela and AJ all having personal issues to deal with. Paulie seems the most out of place although it does provide us with some insight into his character in terms of his violence and his ability to bear a selfish grudge and lash out at those who he perceives as doing better than him. Christopher's movie sub-plot is OK but more of a curio than anything else. Carmela's Paris trip only takes up one episode but it does serve as a good contrast with the New Jersey material. AJ's thread should really be stronger and more engaging but it is hard to feel for him because he is portrayed as an irritant – which he is but somehow the show manages to have lots of "unlikeable" characters who we like watching and get into but it seems to struggle with AJ. All these bits do weaken the show a bit here because this season doesn't quite manage to have as much insight and subtle character development as before, even if it is still good in what it does, Gandolfini continues to deliver the role that will define his career. His material is great and he totally convinces as a man driven almost wholly by selfish motives but yet unable to see himself for who he is – whether it is his conflicting statements between how he acts and what he says or just petty things like how quickly he withdraws help to Carmela over nothing, only to give it when it suits his needs. He is a great character and he nails it again and again. Falco is great in support again even if her material is not as good as it has been in the previous few seasons. Imperioli cannot make Chris' constantly reoccurring drug addiction into a strong thread but he performs well. Iler is worth mentioning this season because I don't think he is up to the demands put on him – his character is more important than ever in this season but he doesn't quite make it happen. Turturro's Janice is well delivered again and she does a great job of translating her mother into her character in more than just words. Support from Sirico, Van Zandt, Schirripa, Gannascoli, Bracco and others continues to be of a high calibre.
Overall season 6 part 1 is not the best of the show but it is not far from the bar. Bits of it don't work as well as other bits but as a whole it continues to be a very enjoyable and engaging show, with the strong central mob narrative built on well with complexity in the characters and side plots. If anything it is testament to the strength and quality of the series as a whole that one season that isn't perfect stands out as being slightly inferior while managing to still be this good.