“The Sopranos” celebrates 25th anniversary

This year marked the 25th anniversary since the debut of one of the most significant series in television history: The Sopranos. On January 10, 1999, the world was introduced to Tony Soprano, and audiences discovered the answer to an intriguing question: What happens when a mobster seeks therapy?

While the premise may appear straightforward, The Sopranos has evolved into an iconic series that revolutionized the creation and consumption of television, simultaneously holding up an uncomfortable mirror to American society at the turn of the 21st century. The influence of The Sopranos is evident in subsequent memorable series like The Wire, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, and even Game of Thrones.

To commemorate the moment, HBO is sharing 25-second recaps of each episode on TikTok, and Gen Z is currently discovering the series. Moreover, the show’s popularity among younger generations has sparked a new fashion trend known as the “mob wife aesthetic”, embodying the style associated with the wives of mobsters.

Rejected by NBC, the TV series was picked-up by HBO

David Chase, the creator of the show, explained he wrote the script in a period that had limitations of telling real stories and the need to avoid offending anyone, emphasizing simplicity. When he made the bold decision to step away from the conventional world of classic soap operas and embark on a truly creative endeavour, he was well aware of the slim chances of having his script accepted. His initial attempt at NBC resulted in a resounding rejection. However, an alternative presented itself, one that seemed much more viable – HBO.

During the early days of HBO, the network had yet to establish its own series, with “Oz” being the sole exception. The audacity exhibited by HBO decision-makers could be attributed to the fact that HBO was not a typical television network. As viewers had to pay an extra fee for their cable subscription to access HBO, the network had the luxury of not airing commercials. This freedom from commercial pressures allowed HBO to focus on producing groundbreaking content without concern for appeasing advertisers.

Reflecting on his experience, Chase remarked, “I had the best job in Hollywood. I had total creative freedom. This is precisely why it turned out to be such a remarkable series. They allowed us to trust our instincts.”

The Sopranos changed the way we look at characters

The Sopranos revolutionized television by introducing a wildly different approach to storytelling, breaking away from conventional norms. Despite the existence of notable mob movies like The Godfather and those by Martin Scorsese, The Sopranos carved its own path with several distinctive elements.

Firstly, the central character, Tony Soprano, is not merely a stereotypical mobster; he is a complex individual juggling his personal and family issues alongside his involvement in organized crime. The show uniquely portrays Tony’s concern for his family, interactions with his wife, and the challenges of parenting. This multidimensional portrayal was a departure from the one-dimensional mobster stereotypes commonly seen in previous portrayals.

Crucially, The Sopranos broke new ground by presenting a main character who was undeniably negative. Tony Soprano is depicted as a dangerous mobster, engaging in threatening, violent, and even murderous acts. This was a groundbreaking departure from the typical positive or morally ambiguous protagonists prevalent in television at the time. The pivotal scene where Tony brutally kills a former mobster in the witness protection program marked a turning point, challenging traditional expectations.

Contrary to the anticipated negative impact on viewership, this bold narrative choice had the opposite effect. Audiences became more intrigued, fascinated, and invested in the series. The show’s success demonstrated that viewers were ready for more complex, morally ambiguous characters, challenging the conventional wisdom of television management.

The Sopranos brought mental health and toxic masculinity into the spotlight

Despite The Sopranos being replete with shootings, beatings, gory scenes, and brutal murders, some of the most captivating moments occur within the confines of Tony Soprano’s sessions with his psychologist, Dr. Melfi. In these scenes, the audience is granted an intimate glimpse into Tony’s psyche, unravelling his fears, traumas, frustrations, desires, and secrets.

Tony’s entry into therapy, triggered by a panic attack, was revolutionary in itself, as it showcased vulnerability in a mobster-centric series. However, it’s the therapy sessions that truly push the boundaries, offering viewers a front-row seat to the psychologist’s analytical insights.

The character of Tony encapsulates toxic masculinity, lamenting the perceived absence of “real men” who did not express their feelings. Beyond portraying the significance of therapy and mental health, The Sopranos innovatively explores toxic masculinity. The show provocatively reveals that beneath the veneer of tough, violent men, there are insecure individuals grappling with their own vulnerabilities, resembling insecure teenagers. This nuanced exploration of characters and their insecurities was groundbreaking in the realm of serials at the time, challenging stereotypes and offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of masculinity.

The series changed the way stories are told on the small screen

Many critics argue that “the second golden age of television” commenced with The Sopranos in 1999, fundamentally transforming the storytelling landscape on the small screen. This shift is significant for those who appreciate art in its purest form, considering that, at the time, the pinnacle of storytelling was often associated with motion pictures.

Television, for the most part, had been focused on consumerism, delivering easily mass-produced products for casual consumption at home. With the exception of soap operas, there were few series that truly prioritized weaving episodes together to create a long-term, multi-season narrative. Most series tended to follow crime-of-the-week or monster-of-the-week themes or episodic comedies that lacked a continuous narrative thread, functioning more like the equivalent of fast food.

The Sopranos, however, shattered these conventions with its storytelling and exploration of profound themes, setting a new standard for television.