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DVD : The Sopranos - The Complete Fifth Season

Rating: - More than just a mafia show...
Wow, what a season! I was pretty late to jump the bandwagon of the critically acclaimed The Sopranos. I don't know, I have heard wonderful things about it but never got around to watching it. Over the course of the last few months, I actually watched all 5 seasons and I have to admit, this show is every bit as excellent as people say it is. I mean, I'm a fan of The Godfather series as much as the guy beside me, but this show, while sharing similar values to The Godfather is in a league of it's own.

What stands out about this show? The amazing thing is, I believe asking this same question to the legions of The Sopranos fans would yield different answers and I think that's why this show is one of HBO's gems. The show itself is layered but personally, what sticks in my mind is the richness of characters here. They're not your typical family, but somehow, it plays with the idea that it COULD be. The problems plaguing the families while unexpected, are very real. The relationship between parents and their children, between husbands and wifes, even between the mob families make for a very interesting turn of events. And the glue that holds them together (or sometimes tears them apart) is Tony Soprano. A man, with an intimidating presence yet has a soft side that anyone ever sees. How he's a master at handling the "business" but seems to falter when it comes to managing a home is something many people can relate to. His wife, his 2 kids and the people in the mob weave a web around him which makes for an intricate storyline that leaves you in awe.

The story is written superbly. Of course, some episodes are better than others...it's not always at it's best, but when it shines, it's almost perfect. I have to comment about the last few episodes of Season 5. They were amazing! What a high tension, emotional and gripping finale it was. Certainly a high point among ALL seasons of The Sopranos. Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo deliver powerful performances, certainly worthy of the Emmy nominations they garnered. To be honest, after 4 seasons...you come to expect pretty much anything but this still blew me away.

The acting from the rest of the cast are top notch. From reading news that these guys actually get arrested for crimes like bar brawls and drug addiction, you seem to wonder if they really are acting. Well, whatever the case...they deliver performances that are every bit as good as our main man, James Gandolfini, who after 5 seasons still goes strong with his legendary role of Tony Soprano that has earned him numerous Emmy's and other miscellaneous awards. That itself speaks volumes about his acting.

Finally, while this show certainly has it's ups and downs, what it represents and tries to depict so well, will go down as one of TV's greatest shows. This is a quality series that would sit well with repeat viewings. Definitely a must-have!

Rating: - Great season in a great series!!!
Season 5 is one of the best seasons of the series. Anything and everything happens in this season which includes the biggest surprise of the series!!! It sets the tones for many different possiblities for season 6. The Sopranos just keeps getting better and better.

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Rating: - The Sopranos, Season 5: All Due Respect deserved.
The fifth season of The Sopranos was arguably the best since Season 1, with a few long running subplots from previous seasons resolved and new characters and problems added to mix, often in shockingly dramatic fashion. Here are capsules for each of the episodes in this fantastic season:

Episode 1 - "The Two Tonys" - As per last season's brilliant finale, "Whitecaps", Tony and Carmela are still on the outs. Carmela needs help dealing with AJ's attitude and also with a lumbering bear (metaphor alert) that is fond of their backyard but she refuses to ask Tony for assistance. Tony is working on taking his relationship with Dr. Melfi in a "new direction". Meanwhile, the NJ and NY families are excited that the "Class of '04" is being released from prison - Angelo Garepe and Phil Leotardo to NY and Feech La Manna and later Tony's cousin Tony Blundetto for NJ. Unfortunately, NY boss Carmine Sr. suffers a stroke and dampens the proceedings. A dense and involving first ep that also features a funny subplot between Paulie and Christopher.

Episode 2 - "The Rat Pack" - Jack Masserone is suddenly very chatty with Tony, and Tony wonders why. The painting that Masserone gave him may be a psychological giveaway. The FBI is turning the screws to Adriana, who almost gives away her secret at ladies night, but later finds a way to make it useful for her. Carmine Sr. passes away, and his son Carmine Jr. and consiglieri Johnny Sack look to be headed to war; Tony wants no part of it. Everyone rejoices as Tony B is released from prison, but what he wants now that he's out is to go straight. And Tony's not happy about it.

Episode 3 - "Where's Johnny?" - Johnny Sack strikes first to consolidate control of NY quickly by whacking soldier Lorraine Calluzzo, and Tony's still trying to stay neutral, waiting to pick up "crumbs from the fallout". Feech and Paulie aren't exactly getting along on the home front. Junior keeps busting Tony's chops but it's not intentional; his condition is getting much worse. A very poignant emotional end to this one.

Episode 4 - "All Happy Families" - Feech is causing all sorts of problems for Tony, who remembers Richie Aprile and decides Feech has to go. He comes up with a clever method of dispatching him. Carmine Jr. wants to retaliate for the hit on Lorraine Calluzzo. A.J. has a crazy night out in Manhattan and an exaperated and resentful Carmela sends him to live with Tony - much to Tony's chagrin.

Episode 5 - "Irregular Around the Margins" - A great episode, alternatingly very funny and very dramatic in typical Sopranos style. Adriana and Tony are caught in a awkward position and though nothing happened, everyone's talking. Christopher can't take it and is going bonkers. Tony may have to do something drastic about his hotheaded nephew until Tony B comes up with a plan that saves face (and possibly a lot more) for everyone.

Episode 6 - "Sentimental Education" - Tony B gets an unexpected offer in his quest to go straight, with disastrous results. Carmela's loneliness manifest itself in attraction for A.J.'s counselor Mr. Wegler, and she does something daring that she comes to regret very quickly. Will the rest of her life always be clouded because she was married to Tony Soprano?

Episode 7 - "In Camelot" - Tony goes to visit his father's grave and runs into Fran Felstein, Johnny's old goomah. She appears to be a "classy broad" at first but appearances can be deceiving, and she conjures up some painful memories. Tony and Phil Leotardo have a little "misunderstanding" about profit distribution. Chris tries to help out his writer buddy JT Dolan, fresh from rehab, but Dolan may have another problem - gambling. And his problems just got a whole lot worse.

Episode 8 - "Marco Polo" - Tony reluctantly agrees to pay for some damage to Phil's car, and sends her to Pussy's old body shop (now being run by his wife Angie). But Phil isn't too thrilled with the repair job. Carmela wants a surprise 75th birthday bash for her father, who learns of the party from Uncle Junior and throws a fit when he learns Tony isn't coming. Tony does come at Carmela's request and the two share a "friendly moment" in the swimming pool after hours. How much did it mean to either of them? Tony B gets involved in the NY struggle in a big way, disobeying direct orders, by whacking NY soldier Joey Peeps for some extra "freelancing" cash. All hell is about to break loose...

Episode 9 - "Unidentified Black Males" - Johnny Sack suspects who hit Joey, and so does Tony. When he confronts his cousin, it doesn't go well. But he still protects him, over his feelings of guilt on the night Tony B got pinched and Tony didn't show. Carmela is angered that the romp in the pool apparently meant nothing to Tony and moves to "agressively pursue" divorce proceedings and her share. Tony gets Meadow's boyfriend Finn a job at the construction site, and he learns a dangerous secret about capo Vito Spatafore. Finn and Meadow, after much arguing, have some good news to announce - they're getting engaged. And Finn just literally saved his behind for the forseeable future. A great one.

Episode 10 - "Cold Cuts" - Johnny Sack is acting up because he knows Tony is protecting his cousin, and Tony isn't too pleased. Janice gets arrested on top of all this, and Tony orders her to get her anger issues under control. Tony B and Christopher have had a strained relationship but get some bonding done while digging up some old friends on their Uncle Pat's upstate farm.

Episode 11 - "The Test Dream" - In this brilliant, twisty surreal nightmare, Tony B's prison buddy Angelo Garepe is whacked by Phil Leotardo in revenge for Joey Peeps, and everyone is on edge. Tony's goomah Valentina accidentally burns herself, and Tony checks into the Plaza for a good night's sleep. Instead, he has a recurrung dream about his old gym teacher, subconciously asking whether he's ready to "do what needs to be done" by associates past and present. He awakes to some bad news - Tony B has killed Billy Leotardo, Phil's brother, in vengeance; Phil is in the hospital. And New Jersey is now fully screwed.

Episode 12 - "Long Term Parking" - A body was found washed ashore and the feds think Adriana is involved; the perp was a drug dealer at her club and surveillance video shows her acting strangely. They pick her up and she desperately convinces them she might be able to get Christopher to flip. Christopher doesn't take it so well, and Adriana finally gets an overdue vacation. Meanwhile, Johnny Sack finally becomes Don of NY as Carmine Jr. bows out, and both he and Phil want Tony B on a platter. Tony isn't serving up anything...yet. A heartbreaking but inevitable ep, and Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo absolutely shine in their blistering final scenes together.

Episode 13 - "All Due Respect" - Carmela and Tony finally get back together via a mutual "compromise". Tony B has been in hiding but Tony knows where he is and he isn't saying. Christopher is becoming a target and good soldier Benny gets a stern beating by NY. The Jersey crews are getting nervous; they all think Tony is being too protective of his cousin at their expense. Their right, and Tony knows it, but he can't give up his cousin so easily. Soon he overcomes his guilt and makes his fateful decision, on his own terms. Johnny Sack and Phil aren't too pleased, but who cares? Tony once again has earned all due respect from his own crew and that's all that matters. But how much has it cost him? As we end Season 5, the feds hit Johnny Sack with Tony right there at his house; he escapes to the safety of his home, with Carmela waiting for him. A perfect ending to a wonderfully executed season.

The DVD edition has several standout commentary tracks, most notably acclaimed director Mike Figgis, who guest-directed "Cold Cuts" and offers an outsider and fan perspective in his thoughts. Drea de Matteo also offers a laid back track on "Long Term Parking" that's not too insightful but pretty honest and informative about her views on her role throughout the show. Overall, Season 5 once again raises the bar for TV in general and "The Sopranos" as a whole, and Season 6 is so far doing the same. So if you haven't already bought this set and everything that came before, what are you waiting for?

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Rating: - The Sopranos: Season Five
"The Sopranos" season five came back after another unusually long hiatus, and just like going into season four was once again worth the wait. The fifth season of "The Sopranos" was its strongest one since the first season, and Emmy voters finally gave this outstanding series a long overdue honor. "The Sopranos" finally won its first Emmy as Best Drama Series (it was about time!) after losing its first four times (first to "The Practice" and the next three times to "The West Wing"). And while James Gandolfini and Edie Falco failed to take home Emmys this time out, two other actors got some well-deserved Emmy recognition. Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo won Emmys for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for their roles as Christopher and Adriana. Imperioli and de Matteo have always done great work on the show throughout its entire run, but both stars did some of their best acting during season five, and I was thrilled when they won. "The Sopranos" also won again for Best Writing in a Drama Series for the fourth time in the show's history, having previously won in this category for seasons one, three, and four. The show received 20 Emmy nominations for season five, which brings its total Emmy nominations for its first five season to 89. That's quite impressive. Some of the great storylines from the fifth season include: the estrangement between Tony and Carmela (who split up at the end of season four) and their attempt at reconciliation later on; the FBI putting the pressure on Adriana; Tony's relationship with his cousin Tony B. (well played by Steve Buscemi, who directed the great season three episode "Pine Barrens"); and Tony's strange dream where all the people that were close to him that got whacked in the previous four seasons show up. Viewing "The Sopranos" season five is a great way to gear up for the sixth season, which finally returned after a nearly 2 year hiatus. And I'm sure season six will have it's share of truly memorable moments. This is one of the best TV shows of all-time.

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Rating: - The Sopranos - The Fifth Season
A MUST SEE! A GREAT GIFT FOR ANY SOPRANO'S FAN.

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