by Charlie Gardner.
Just before the turn of the century, a new series hit screens and took popular culture by storm when David Chase’s take on Italian-American life and his lead’s mafia work-life balance made its debut.
What followed ultimately took the television industry by storm, paving the way for many other television icons in the years since.
The Concept
The Sopranos centres around Tony Soprano, a captain of a New Jersey crime family that holds notoriety in the local area, as they make daily efforts to strengthen their hold on their territory.
Tony, played by the imposing James Gandolfini, presents as a controlling and intimidating (both physically and emotionally) individual, who is loyally followed by his crew yet feared by his rivals in the industry. Viewers watch as he tackles balancing a family life with his criminal one, all while battling anxiety and other mental shortcomings and insecurities that stem from his dysfunctional life, past and present.
Tony, suffering from psychosomatic symptoms of his anxiety, is referred to therapist Jennifer Melfi – played by Goodfellas’ Lorraine Bracco – who serves as more than simple exposition in giving the lead character further turmoil over committing to something seen as taboo within his circle.
Influence and Reception
Whether you’ve seen it or not, the influence that The Sopranos has had on the television industry has had lasting effects, leaving its mark upon many heavy-hitters over the past couple of decades.
Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan stated in 2013, following the surprising death of James Gandolfini, that the infamous Walter White couldn’t have existed without Tony Soprano; two incredibly flawed, immoral, dark protagonists who still draw empathy from the audience despite their wicked schemes.
Even in modern series like Ozark, where family man Marty Byrde’s criminal enterprise darkens his domestic life, the trope still has its effect. Series like Mad Men also followed suit in moral ambiguity, with creator Matthew Weiner learning his trade at the writers’ table for The Sopranos.
Retrospective Review and Closing Remarks
The Sopranos certainly isn’t the first time a story had audiences rooting for the bad guy, but it is undoubtedly a trend-setter in the television concept of deep psychoanalysis within a darker character’s mind.
One of the reasons for the show’s success is the way the writing isn’t afraid to break societal taboos around the pressures of stereotypical masculinity and how it clashes with how the lead characters think and act.
Not just that, though, as every character has such deep flaws, insecurities and psychological intricacies that make the world feel alive and real. This is what The Sopranos has been able to contribute to the televised world, and why its impact has been so long-lasting within popular culture to this day.
