The Sopranos: Season 2 Review

By Colin Hart

Grade:A+

Season two of The Sopranos could be called a “Nothing Happens” season.Coming hot off the heels of season one’s action-packed success, the looser and more freewheeling pace may have initially appeared to betray its fanbase.Yet that’s not the case at all. In fact, The Sopranos was becoming more intricate and complex — examining its characters’ lives with flaring intensity.

However, the “Nothing Happens” moniker sticks. One of the best episodes of the season, “House Arrest,” is a somewhat self-aware ode to the idea of a plotless mob show.Elsewhere, various inconsequential standalones keep the season chugging along — Chrissy goes to Hollywood, the gang heads to Italy, Tony organizes an executive poker game, etc. Yet everything remains interesting and compelling due to the strong writing, top-rate acting and subtle psychological nuance.

Above all, however…