The Sopranos Podcast

Merry Christmas everyone! This week, Chris, Paul, & Jordan keep in the spirit of the holidays by dissecting the exciting season three episode "He Is Risen", centered around Thanksgiving. The rivalry between Tony & Ralphie is the talk of North Jersey and something has to give. Things escalate even further when Johnny Sack "sticks his beak in" to try and settle the beef. While this is happening, Meadow and Jackie Jr. seem to be fanning the flames of attraction. Amidst all this, we also get an unexpected character death, a great Junior scene, and the debut of several fascinating new characters. How does Thanksgiving play out in a show where all the characters are longing for something they don't currently have? And what is the deal with the attractive and sophisticated Gloria Trillo from Globe Motors? All this and more, just as soon as we throw a grape at a narcoleptic...

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* We experienced a few technical issues during the recording of this episode. Please excuse any disruptions to our audio quality. Since this recording we have upgraded our equipment to avoid future issues.

Chris, Paul, & Jordan are past the halfway point of Season Three, and have a blast breaking down the dynamic "Second Opinion". In this hour, Christopher deals with cruel hazing amidst his "probationary period", Tony uses his gangster cunning to perform a heroic act for Junior, and Carmela is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about her life when she gets a "second opinion" of her own from an old mentor of Dr. Melfi's. Some truly marvelous acting here from Edie Falco, amidst an episode that runs a wide gamut of emotions and propels us into the back half of this excellent season. PLUS! Lots (and lots) of talk about "Big Mouth Billy Bass"! All this coming up right after we smack a bee offa you hat!

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* We experienced a few technical issues during the recording of this episode. Please excuse any disruptions to our audio quality. Since this recording we have upgraded our equipment to avoid future issues.

Lily is back on the show this week to discuss the controversial episode "University" with Chris, Paul, & Jordan! We discuss the sharp nuance and vivid brutality of this script which masterfully tells parallel stories of two young women in two very different circumstances. It's a rough hour, but an impactful one. Ralph Cifaretto, played by the brilliant Joe Pantoliano, finally gives us a peek behind the curtain into who he really is, while Meadow juggles a difficult situation between Noah and her roommate Kaitlyn. Also, difficult questions are asked this week about women, their role in the Sopranos universe, and where the line is betwee women and livestock in the minds of the men in this show.  Plus! An engaging conversation about the cultural backlash this third season faced, with angry customers calling to cancel their HBO subscriptions. Was it warranted? Do the show creators have a problem with their treatment of women? We get into it! All this and so much more!

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Chris, Paul, & Jordan share a lot of spirited, laughter filled minutes together breaking down "Another Toothpick", one of Season Three's more wild and hectic hours. In this episode we meet two new characters in Bobby Baccilieri Sr. and Mustang Sally, Junior struggles with an unfortunate diagnosis and some rabid superstition centered around the "Rule of Three", and after a tumultuous therapy session, Tony goes on an interesting and self-reflective journey when he is pulled over by the straight-laced Officer Leon. PLUS - The Bucco marriage is collapsing. Artie's midlife crisis (complete with earring) gets him into a drunken scrap with Christopher! All this and MORE just as soon as we have hair like Casey Kasem...

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Chris, Paul & Jordan welcome Lily back to the podcast to help break down "Employee Of The Month" one of the most impactful, intense, and beautiful episodes in the Sopranos canon. In this hour Melfi is victimized by a terrible act of sexual violence, and Lorraine Bracco gives a tour de force performance as the story unfolds. Our hosts discuss how this episode does a masterful job of depicting this delicate and brutal subject matter with dignity, but without watering down its horror, all the while still managing to give us the top level acting, writing, directing, and design that made this show the best of all time. Also - some great conversation about Ralphie getting passed over, Johnny Sack moving to Jersey, and the Russians getting a "leg up" on Janice. 

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Huge episode for Christopher Moltisanti! He finally becomes a Made Man! Chris, Paul, & Jordan break it down, along with the rest of the Season Three classic "Fortunate Son". This hour of television sees AJ become a star football player, Jackie Jr. becoming a wheelman, crucial flashbacks to a traumatic day in Tony's life, and Christopher learns that being a "made man" aint all it's cracked up to be. Great Melfi scenes, great mob action, and great family drama - this episode delivers it all! It all points to a sad and stark reality for the world of The Sopranos, and that is: There really are no "Fortunate Sons" in this lifestyle. This is not a universe that is kind or nurturing to its young men. PLUS, the Meadow, Noah, and Tony situation escalates! All this and more, just as soon as we disrespect the pizza parlor!

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Goodbye Little Livia. With "Proshai Livushka" The Sopranos says goodbye to actress Nancy Marchand, who passed away in between seasons two and three, with a very unpleasant but powerful hour of television. Chris, Paul, and Jordan break it all down including a discussion about the 1931 film "The Public Enemy", a discussion about Livia's legacy as relates to her family and the world of the show as a whole, and they discuss why, although masterfully told, this episode is not one any of us are looking forward to revisiting anytime soon. PLUS! A discussion about very real ghosts on the show, and the first appearance of Ralph Cifaretto, played by Joe Pantoliano! What does his short appearance here portend for Tony and the rest of the season? All this great stuff and we promise there will be none of that "California bullshit"!

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We're back! Season Three of The Sopranos is off to the races! Chris, Paul, & Jordan share many laughs breaking down the most unique season premiere we've seen so far!  In this episode we break down why "Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood" might play better in a modern "binge watch" format than it does on week to week viewing. We catch up with the "Bing" family, see what everyone has been up to since the end of Season Two, and we discuss how the show managed to humanize our "Fed" characters while spotlighting the futility and hilarity of their mission. Also: Patsy Parisi puts his grief behind him. Will Tony's swimming pool ever be the same? All this and MORE, just as soon as we tie our shoes and have a bite of bracciole! 

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We're back for the second half of our Season 2 retrospective! This time the conversation centers around the women and the elderly characters of season 2, particularly Livia, Junior, Dr. Melfi, and Carmela. Plus, we finish off our "Top 3" categories with our favorite moments, favorite characters / performances, and favorite episodes. We close out season two of our podcast with a lot of laughter, fond reminiscence, and we talk about what we are most looking forward to in Season 3 - Spoiler free of course. 

We will be on a short hiatus to close out the summer, but we will be back THIS FALL for Season 3!!

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There's no "Sophomore Slump" for The Sopranos! David Chase and company have given us another groundbreaking season of television and we can't wait to talk about it. Chris, Paul, Jordan and Lily have a laughter filled conversation as we discuss Season 2 as a whole, Tony being cast as "brother", what Janice and Richie brought to the show, the tragedy of "Big Pussy", and Meadow growing up and finally leaving the nest. We also continue our tradition of bringing you some "Top 3" Categories including our favorite quotes, our favorite food moments, and our favorite music cues. PLUS: A heartfelt discussion about what it has meant to the hosts of The Sopranos Podcast to be able to come together and talk about this great show all year. Also lots (and lots) of food talk.

Part 2 to follow!

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