Review of The Sopranos: Season 2

The Sopranos Season 2 Review

Grade: A+

Season 1 of The Sopranos was an iconic debut that changed television history forever. So, what comes next? How can you possibly follow up perfection? For series creator David Chase, the answer was simple: stay true to your vision. The Sopranos season 2 continues rather than copies what came before, avoiding the pratfalls of predictability while expanding its groundbreaking innovations and artistic inclinations. A triumph of assured writing and top-rate acting, The Sopranos doesn’t skip a beat.

And as if to affirm that the series is well aware of its own greatness, the confident season 2 premiere opens with a breathtaking montage that leaves little room for doubt: a poetic passage of time set to the entirety of Frank Sinatra’s “It Was a Very Good Year,” an elegant look at the changes — or lack thereof — that have taken place since we left off.

It’s a bold and ambitious way to announce the series’ return, yet it only goes to show that nothing ever changes in the world of The Sopranos. The rest of season 2 adopts an intricate and understated approach that turns the focus inward, examining the daily lives of the characters with flaring intensity. Consequently, the series becomes even more nuanced and complex as a result, which leads to something a little unexpected: The Sopranos becomes the funniest show on television.

Nowhere is the series’ marriage of drama and comedy more evident than in these 13 episodes. Every bit of dialogue is hilarious, and it’s not a stretch to say that The Sopranos season 2 is just as funny as the best of Seinfeld, South Park and The Simpsons. At the very least, it’s just as satirical, which also makes it endlessly rewatchable. It doesn’t matter what the characters are doing because we’re happy to watch them do anything — even nothing.

And while it may appear that The Sopranos is indeed a mob show about nothing, we still get all the poignant introspection and postmodern ambiguity that made the show such a cerebral thrill in the first place. When combined with the inconsequentialities of everyday life, the humor is what shines through, and these killers are more like ourselves than we realize.

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Through actor James Gandolfini’s all-encompassing performance, we continue to learn more about the real Tony Soprano, whose toxic influence and connections to family are inseparable. As fun as it is to watch his daily violence, he becomes even more destructive to everyone around him, both directly and indirectly. Tony tests the definition of “antihero” at every turn, but his dialogue is so funny and demeanor so charismatic that we still root for him to succeed.

Just like last year, the season adds up to more than the sum of its parts. For large stretches, The Sopranos season 2 is a relaxed slice-of-life satire that will have you laughing your ass off. You can turn on any random episode and just pick up from there — a comforting comedy in spite of all the murder and violence.

Nevertheless, the year builds to an unexpected and unparalleled climax, which masterfully brings all the disparate plot threads together in a way that previously didn’t seem possible. Because of its unpredictable structure and amiable atmosphere, season 2 remains The Sopranos‘ most rewatchable chapter — the most fun for characters and audience alike. As a singular work of art, it stands as another impressively-woven tapestry from series creator David Chase; another masterpiece that is as unique as it is unforgettable.

STRAY ROUNDS

• Season 2 contains two A+ episodes, both of which feature at the very end of the season (“The Knight in White Satin Armor” and “Funhouse“). Other than season 6, this is the only time a Sopranos season concludes with two perfect masterpieces in a row.

• The low point of the season is “D-Girl,” which occurs midseason. However, it’s still an average episode (Grade: B) despite being one of the “worst” Sopranos episodes of all time.

• The final six episodes of the season are all graded A- or better, which emphasizes season two’s remarkable consistency.

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