The Sopranos - Family Values

Review: Season 5 Premier

Site Host's Review:
     I must tell you, the more I think about the first episode of the season the more I like it. It was very well written and as good as any episode from season 3. The dynamic between Chris and Paulie is just as fresh as it ever was, and I loved how the writers poked fun at us, the audience, by bringing up the one story line that they know everyone misses, and that just disappeared in the Pine Barron woods with the Russian. We still do not have a closure on it, but at least we know it's on the back of the writer's minds.
     I really enjoyed the bear story. I don't know if I am reading into it, but the parallel between the bear and Tony, where it is so obvious who is more dangerous to Carmela and the house, was very smartly written and acted out.
     The plot line about Carmine's stroke can also develop into something exciting, unless they kill it like many others good ideas in season 4. As far as all these old-timers coming back, I also think it will help the show recover.
     So, as I am sure you can see, I am being very cautious about this. I feel like I will scare off all the good things that might come this season. It was a good and solid first episode with so many new story lines that have a potential. On the other hand, we all remember the 4th season� I give the 5th season premier an 8 out of 10.

Please let me know what you thought about the episode and my review. TheSopranosFV@yahoo.com

Visotor's Reviews:

As a huge fan of the Sopranos I must state my disappointment with the first two episodes of this season. It is BORING!!! I hope the writers and producers of this show read this and act accordingly. I must state that this OPINION is shared by many of my friends and colleagues. Get it together guys and bring us back to the good old days of mayhem and double cross. We waited sixteen months for "GARBAGE". Please get it together. Review by John E. B.

I used to love the show, but so far this season. You guys really SUCK!!! The story lines have been terrible. I understand that you wanted to tone things down a bit, because of all the bad publicity you were getting from the "Italian" community, but you have toned it down to boring. If it continues that way, forget it, I'm switching channels and allot of my friends that watch it, are saying the same thing. There is no action, no drama. And where are the kids, Medow and Tony, Jr. you never see them anymore. Start a new storyline with Carmela dating someone, and of course Tony threatening the guy to leave Carmela alone. Have Tony and the guy get into a fight, then later the man disappears from the face of the earth. Leaving Carmela with thoughts of maybe turning Tony in. Make it more exciting. Have Tony and his psychiatrist start getting it on! What are you waiting for. You know they want each other. I can give you plenty of ideas. Contact me if you want them. Review by Leonor R.

Hello! Love you and your SITE! I've had it for a favourite for a while. Alright. You asked for what we thought about the Season Premier. I liked your Tony/Bear thing. I never ever thought about it. I focused more on the Malfi/Anthony relationship. How I loved the dream Jennifer had! It is so true. As women we are arracted to the "bad guy" the "big spender"...And her shrink told he that. But he also reminded her that Tony is not use to rejection. Sociopath I believe he said! When Tony went back to the office, women all over the world were saying, "Don't do it Tony, Don't do it." But then...he did. He went back to his old ways. Which of course drove him to the panic attacks to begin with! To me, Tony will NEVER be cured. We want him to mature. But he can't. Living life like that will only get him in jail or killed. So I am interested to see where this season goes! Review by Kim.

I really dug the fifth season premiere. Season 3 seemed a little half-assed, but I think that was mostly due to Nancy Marchand (buon anima) dying so early in the writing process. Season 4 was really cool and disturbing: it kind of had a Twin Peaks, David Lynch vibe to it (like the geriatric hitmen, the friendly goat, and the intense emotional battles between tony and carmela). But Season 4 was a little too much like a normal soap opera. I consider The Sopranos a soap opera in the way that I consider Twin Peaks a soap opera: they are both incredible. But The Sopranos had always been a different beast, one where the juxtaposition of mob intrigue and family rules. Season 4 was a little light on the mob stuff. Not the violence (I can do without it) but the CIA like game of being in the mob, and all the personal repercussions that come along. Season 5 was the first premier I really got psyched about since Season 2. I think it could eventually be better than season 2, if they start to lay the groundwork for a conclusion. I don't want the Sopranos to go on for more than 6 seasons. There has to be a time to end it. Thanks for the Website, Blue Nicky

Just in passing, the bear story comes right from New Jersey headlines. In northwest NJ (nowhere near Newark) there is an over population of black bears and the local news is full of "should we wack more bears" stories. Just this evening NJN showed a tearful women who could not defend herself from the bears bacause she's in a wheelchair. So I wouldn't read too much into the bear story. Bears raiding garbage cans is current news in the Garden State. Review Paul B.

I have to agree with you on the rating of the premier. I think it answered a lot of question that were left over form the fifith, but left some still open. The situation between Tony and Carm is pretty much up in the air, you have no idea which way this story could go. Apart of me is waiting for them to get back together, but the other half is waiting for the explosion of anger frm either one of them. What happen with the Furio thing? Did tony go after him or what? There was some mention that he had tried getting ahold of him. You kind of feel bad for AJ. The writers did a good job with him and the troubles that he goes thorugh regarding the seperation. The lack of respect that he has for his mother now that Tony is not there?
I am also very curious about what is going to happen with the guys that are getting out of jail now. are they coming abck into the family or what?
Overall it left me wanting more. And the is exactly what they are supposed to do. Review by William R.

I thought the 5th season opener was great. Boy AJ sure turned into a little girl when that bear came around. There was another underlining aspect of the episode I liked. It seems to me like Chris is rising. Did you notice how in the bar after Paulie and Chris had their little tantrum everybody was like, "Paulie why did you do that??" I thought that was great. Also did you watch the re-cap from last season???? They spent a good 2 minutes on how Junior might have had Alzheimer's. I wonder if he will be slipping into that this season. Anyway I cant wait to see what goes down this season. It should be great. Review by Tim B.

I thought it was great of course as i am a huuuuge fan of the sopranos. The bear situation though at first i wasnt sure about because i didnt even know there were bears in new jersey haha. but then after reading your view on it as far as who is more dangerous Tony or the bear....then i saw what they meant by that so yeah i think it was very good to put in the comparison!. I was kinda preoccupied on the part he was talking to carmela about an immigrant. Was he referring to Furio? Then i heard him say something like "if certain people see him, he's a dead man" not in those exact words but close...but do you think he will kill furio? Review by Heather A.

I'm a fan of your site. I just want to make one thing clear to everyone who checks out your site: "I WANT FURIO BACK!!!!!!!!!" I loved the brewing romance between him and Carmela. Plus, he's a total FOX!!! Review by Fran.

Bobby and Janice are married? What? When? What's with Meadow driving a beat up, filthy Mustang? Where was the restaurant supposed to be where Paulie and Chris murder the waiter? Paulie says: "They don't know us down here". Atlantic City? Tony has a contract out in Italy on Furio? That's just for starters. The jokes about the Pine Barrens episode were well placed. The opening shots with the Emmy Lou Harris song were brilliant. Review by Skip H.

JAMES GANDOLFINI IS TONY SOPRANO,EDIE FALCO IS CARMELLA WHAT MORE CAN I SAY, THEY ARE THE SOPRANOS AND I LOVE THE SOPRANO SHOW. THE ONLY THING I CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THE PRODUCERS OF THE BEST SHOW ON TV GET RID OF BIG PUSSY AND RALPHIE? THIS IS LIKE CUTTING OFF YOUR OWN RIGHT ARM. YOU KNOW TONY HAS SOME SERIOUS MENTAL ISSUES, USE THEM TO BRING BIG PUSSY BACK. TONY KEEPS DREAMING ABOUT THOSE TALKING FISH, MAKE IT ONE OF HIS NIGHTMARES, THE FACT THAT THEY KILLED BIG PUSSY. WE THE PEOPLE WANT HIM BACK. ALSO WHY DID TONY NEVER DEAL WITH THE PUNK THAT RAPED DR. MALPHY......COME ON THESE THINGS WOULD SPICE THE SHOW UP A BIT........PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO THE PRODUCERS OF THE SOPRANOS... MANY HAVE AGREED THAT WE WANT THIS. Review by TOM S.

I fully agree with your assessment that the episode laid the groundwork for what could be a great season. Carmine's stroke evokes last season's plot to knock him off, and speculation as to who would rule the whole outfit should he meet his demise. Lots of interesting options there... I was a little disappointed with the Tony/Dr. Melfi development. I see that relationship as bearing the most fruit when she acts as his therapist. There are a million other women for Tony to bed down with. By the way, I enjoy your site immensely. I check in often. Review by J.

First of all, did anyone else see Federico on the Buzz HBO Exclusive!? He was on there takling about the show! But nothing about coming back. Speaking of coming back, did you notice when Carmela and Tony were arguing in the kitchen and that line: "You fell in love with an immigrant!" Jealousy? I think so ladies! And plus, he was talking about killing him if he saw him too. He think that's Furio and Carmela was having an affair? I think. But she said it was only coffee. You see the way he was asking Benny who called adn who came by. I though the bear symbolized Tony. Not to be funny or anything, but he didn't come back. AJ was acting all bad, until he saw the bear! "MOMMY!" That was funny! Maybe Tony paid someone to put the bear out there so he'd have an excuse to come back? See how he tried to pay the guy? Maybe? But the bear did go in the neighbors' yard next door.
And oh, I hope I'm not the only one who noticed, but did you see the "chemistry" between Carmela and Benny? Maybe I'm over reacting a bit, or the camera was too close, but there was a little "spark!". Maybe? You think? Yeah Benny has a girlfriend, but so does the rest of the crew and they're screwing around. Carmela needs a young man in her life (besides AJ). I think so. And that Melfi and Tony thing? That rushed in too quick for the show. That's what I think.
And Paulie and Christoper? When they killed the guy! The first person to get killed was the restaurant owner! That's a way to start of the show ()! And last, the stroke of Carmine Lupertazzi. Johhny didn't seem to worry at all. You think Tony's new cousin will get killed off? He seems like the Ralphie-type.
Well, that's all from me. We never know what's going to happen in the mind of David Chase. Furio maybe will be back? Maybe not? Review by JC