The Sopranos: Season 2

With season 2, The Sopranos takes the formula they successfully developed in season 1 and really notches it up. While the foundation of fun characters is great, fundamentally I think the improvement has to do with a slight toning down of the comic element (it's still there, just slightly muted), and a concentration on the mob aspects at slight expense of Tony's maternal and psychiatric relationships. It's not to say that any major elements changed, the writers merely tuned up the balance. The mob stuff is great this time around. First of all, we have a lot more violence. It actually feels pretty real. This underscores a fundamental aspect of the show, in that we are made to become very fond of a bunch of "cold hearted killers." I'm not personally sure that this is unrealistic because everyone's the hero in their own story. In any case, there are some great episodes here. I particularly enjoyed "Commendatori" in which Tony, Chris, and Pauli go to Napoli for a little pow-pow with some old country gangsters. Having spent some time in Naples, this is extremely well handled, showing off that ancient city's blend of violence, seediness, and beauty. "D-Girl," is another really fun episode. This is predominantly a Christopher show, and in the first season his subplots were dull, but maybe it's just living in Hollywood, or perhaps that I know Jon Favreau myself (he's a friend of a friend), but I found it sexy and amusing. A few new characters spice things up. I'm not that big a fan of Tony's sister Janice, but Richie Aprile is awesome. Channeling a very short Al Pacino, he's quite a character. This couple follow in Tony's Ma's tradition of stirring up trouble, both serious and comic. It all gets a little twisted -- particularly his mafioso-style bedroom fetish. Particularly in the first half of the season, there isn't much for Dr. Melfi to do, and during the second she arcs in a way I didn't find realistic. Family life and relationships are still paramount, but juicing up the crime intensity a bit, I felt improved the balance, moving things closer to the modern HBO style of great writing, great action, and shock.

Living in Japan, I don't get to watch new episodes as they air, so I have to buy the DVD's if I want to keep up, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if your willing to overlook the hefty price for an entire season. The episodes are letter-box enhanced for 16:9 TV's and have 5.1 sound. I don't know if this is standard in the States with the new HDTV technology, but they are very well done in terms of picture quality and sound. there are also a handfull of episodes that include directors commentary. Not very common for a TV series. The episodes ranged from tragic to hysterical and only get better as they go. While the first season focused more on Tony and his mom, the second season spreads it roots a bit and introduces a lot of new characters like Tony's sister Janice and her psycho boyfriend and Tony's semi-nemesis Richie. The Janice/ Richie subplot was definitely one of my favorites of the series. The last two episodes of the season were executed perfectly. No let-down's. To me, the strength of the series is the believability and likeability of all the characters. Livia is... was highly dysfunctional, but god she's funny to watch. I wish she had been as prominant a character in the second season as in the first, but given Nancy Marchand's health problems it must have been necessary to diminish her part. I haven't seen any episodes from the third season but she'll be sorely missed. For the most part I think TV is mindless drivel. There are a few rays of hope here and there, but they're squeezed in between mindless, smarmy, reality-based stranded Island shows that make me want to yak. Thank God HBO had the cojones to make a show like this one. While the networks were scrambling to find the next "Survivor" HBO continued to produce good shows with quality direction, telling great stories with talented actors. The Sopranos is more than a mere TV show. It's a piece of U.S. mythology. It holds it's own with any of the gangster films of my lifetime with the exception of Godfather 1 & 2 (I think Tony would agree).

I didn't think the second season could be as good as the first. I was wrong. From the very beginning, it takes off where the first season lets off and runs with the plot, deepening my understanding of the main characters, and adding a few new ones, such as Tony's sister, who at first seems like a New Age flake and then grows in complexity to have a major role in the plot. Each of the characters face challenges, and how they deal with them are natural expressions of their personalities. Carmela's attraction to another man is an example of this. So are the delusions of grandeur of two of Christopher's sidekicks that eventually leads to violence. This keeps the story real and the people understandable, if not always sympathetic. Another new character, Ritchie, comes across as a cruel and sadistic bad guy. The fact that he's romancing Tony's sister complicates matters. Family is important too as Tony's mother is still on the scene. And his relationship with his wife and children are very real as well as complex. Even Tony's therapist starts showing cracks in her personality. And in a very fine acting job, one of the men Tony trusts becomes an informer. The writing and cinematography are wonderful and the tension never lets up, resulting in a violent surprise in the next-to-last episode. It's all so good that I have to forgive the times when a few words of dialog were indistinct or the author resorts to dream and fantasy sequences to move the plot along. I couldn't stop watching it however, and think that DVDs are the best way to watch the series. This way, I don't have to wait a whole week to see the next episode. All I have to do is stay up late. I recommend this second year series completely. It had a rough act to follow after the success of the first year. And it succeeded completely.

Excellent series.

Though few dramatic climaxes can match or surpass the choking moment of fear in "Down Neck" as A.J. Soprano reveals his father's secret or the amazing and spectacular hospital scene in "I Dream of Jeanne Cusamano" that left us wondering whether matriarch Livia Soprano was suffering from a stroke or really relishing in the aftermath of her murderous plot against her son, the second season of HBOs fantastic groundbreaking Mob epic "The Sopranos" has its own surprises in store. Perhaps the continuing success of the series, with its current 22 Emmy nominations, may yet convince James Gandolfini to stick it out as Tony Soprano for the fifth season and beyond, as the fate of the series beyond its possible culmination after the fourth season is now being discussed. With the unconfirmed reports of AOL Time Warner pitching $20M at series creator David Chase for his continuation on for a fifth year, we can only hope that the company's offer will similarly sweeten Gandolfini, who was been public about his anger over the show's violence and his desire to end it after the upcoming fourth season. What is left in store? Will Uncle Junior go to trial? Will he finally testify that Tony was the acting boss during his reign so that the Feds can get to Johnny Sac and eventually the NY families? Will imprisoned Gemayo, superior to original boss Guacomo "Jackie" Aprile, finally be released and challenge Tony's power? Will A.J. show further signs of following in his father's footsteps? And will Paulie abandon the Soprano family for Johnny Sac and NY? The answers are only 39 weeks away, as the series starts again from the beginning this Sunday on HBO. This second DVD set is worth every cent. I haven't met a person yet who hasn't loved the Sopranos, from the deep psychological problems of mob boss Tony Soprano as unraveled by his psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco, Goodfellas Oscar-nominee), to the Shakespearean and Greek tragedy undertones. Definitely pre-order this.

Just thought I'd put my two cents in. I'm a big fan of the series, I enjoyed the first season a bit better -- to be honest, however the second season is very well written and nearly as well executed as the first. I think that people who degrade the ratings on here for superficial stuff like -- not receiving their order on time (what the hell does that have to do with the quality of the product?) or because someone gets bored with a single character in the show -- I say again, what's that got to do with the quality of the product?....anyway please don't review anything other than the product itself, its annoying. 4 out of 5 stars for a well-acted, very compelling and well executed (though not as great as season one's) storyline. I will admit though -- I hope Chris' character developes more in season three (I only saw about 3 eps of Season 3 -- was busy buying a new home and going to school! LOL).. Anyway...the Sopranos are the best series ever run on TV in my opinion (with Band of Brothers a VERY close second). ....I wonder if the fact that I live in Jersey and also am half Italian has anything to do with...;) later.

Since the quality of the show has been talked about at great length, for this review, I'm just going to focus on the technical aspects of the DVD's. VIDEO: Wow. The video quality is flat out excellent. Presented in anamorphic widescreen, colors are vivid, detail level is high and besides an expected amount of grain, the picture is crystal clean. Unlike the DVD's of the first season, aliasing is kept to a minimum. The only bad news about the transfer is that there is a noticeable amount of over edge-enhancement and blacks are some times a little off. Overall though, the video quality surpasses most current DVD releases of major motion pictures. AUDIO: Again excellent. While the Dolby 5.1 track won't compare with one of a big budget action movie, the dialogue comes in perfectly. Since the show is dialogue driven, this is obviously quite important. Despite the heavy use of background music and scenes taking place in large public places, dialogue is never drowned out. EXTRAS Each episode contains a clips of "previously on" and "next on" as well as a brief plot summary. There are also 4 commentary tracks. They provide some interesting insight into the making of the episodes but besides that, aren't all that special (still better then nothing). There are also two brief featurettes. Menus are well laid out (essential identical to the ones on the first season DVD's). Even at the MSRP for this set is an excellent deal.

This was another superior season of the series. Basically the final two episodes are the strongest of the set -- but the rest of the season builds up to a sensational pay-off. Tony Soprano (as excellently played by James Gandolfini) -- he is a ruthless and often cruel businessman, but he is also a decent family man (He has genuine love for his wife and children) and lives by a "code of honor". Is he to be admired or vilified? Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand -- too good for words). She's a manipulator, but is her only sin that she loves her children TOO much? Her final scene is touching and bittersweet. I felt she was a tragic figure, not a villain. The acting in this series is SO good, its difficult to imagine certain members of the cast AREN'T their characters! (specifically Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, and Aida Turturro). Edie Falco (Carmela) -- also a terrific actress with a great role. The quality of these DVDs (as well as the first season) is top-notch. I was most impressed with the 5.1 surround sound. Its one of the best stereo-surround soundtracks I've heard on a DVD (possibly because it was recorded with home viewing in mind?). As with the first set -- HIGHLY recommended.

Classical TV of an Epic Shakespearean proportion. Part Greek Tragedy, part Comedy but all intense and sometimes gruesome drama

Looks practically new, very small wear around the edges.

I am a big fan of mob movies and tv shows,and this was one of the best.The writing was so good,and the show was perfectly cast.I especially enjoyed the late Nancy Marchand as Tony's evil mother,Livia Soprano.I was able to find this at a rock bottom price here on Amazon,and the discs were in great shape for being used.I will definitely be buying more seasons from Amazon.Very happy.

I'm halfway through and is proving well worth the price. I've seen the series on tv but am loving re-visiting it

loved it