"The Soprano's Season 5" A Bounce Back to the End

 

    I have finally finished The Soprano's season five, and I will say that I think they turned it around a little bit from how I felt about season four. Yes, some of the tension from past seasons like with Paulie and Christopher are mostly still bubbling, and they still follow the formula of introducing a new character that you can tell is not going to survive past this season. Even still, I felt like this season ended on a strong note, even if it took me forever to complete this season, and I'm ready to see how this legendary show finally ends. The two big changes this season is that Johnny Sack is finally in charge in New York, or at least trying to be in control, and the new character is not set up as someone who immediately hates Tony, which was a nice change. I can even safely say that I was surprised by most of the deaths this season, which is becoming a rarity, though luckily, I've mostly stopped searching up accidental spoilers for this show.

    Let's start with Tony B, played by Steve Buscemi. Now, normally I do not comment on the actors in this show specifically, after all most of them are new to me, and look like they could be Italian enough that I have no complaints. However, I always pictured Steve Buscemi as "funny looking guy" as a child, so frankly it was a bit shocking and jarring at first to see him on this show. Honestly though, it kind of works. Thankfully, as previously mentioned unlike the past couple of seasons where the new character is set up to be someone who resents and hates Tony, you could really see the connection these two characters had. I quite enjoyed their dynamic as old cousins, and really my only complaint about this arc/friendship was that I sort of wish we saw Tony in more anguish near the end when he had to kill him. Like obviously he was hiding out and Tony can't just be phoning him constantly, but most of the tension came from all of the other mob members just afraid they'll be next for retaliation. He also brings some comedic relief, which makes sense considering his personality and all in all, while he was kind of sidelined for the first thirdish of this season his involvement did ramp up near the end.

    Of course, the other big death would be Adriana, which I really did not see coming. When Tony called her to tell her that her that Christopher committed suicide I really believed him. I was a little confused when Sil was driving her so far out but really I was so convinced that she was going to rope Christopher in to being a rat against Tony for next season. I suppose after knowing that Christopher dies in my mind I could not imagine him going down without Adriana. Of course, now that she's dead he's clearly going to deteriorate, especially with his drinking and heroin addiction. Honestly his resentment of Tony has been building for so long I'm just surprised it hasn't boiled over into anything serious too. Keeping on the topic of family business can we get back to knowing more about Meadow? I honestly can not care at all about this AJ stuff. 

    What I do really care about is what happened at the very end of this season, with Tony narrowly escaping an awkward interaction with the FBI after they arrested Johnny Sack. My only complaint with this storyline was that you never really hear about what happens with Little Carmine. Like he's sort of just holed up and people tell him to give it up and then all of the New York beef is squashed off camera. I understand why they needed Johnny Sack firmly at the head of the snake but I just expected a conflict that was a little flashier, at least a scene where they show what happens to Little Carmine at the very least. Hopefully viewers find out what happens to him in season six. Other than that I do love that tense friendship Johnny Sack and Tony have, both as people who came up, and eventually became bosses who have to be wary of each others dealings. It just felt like a natural progression with how things were headed, though I was very surprised to learn that the finale of this season was supposed to be the show's finale originally. I suppose considering what I've heard about the actual finale and it's reasoning it makes sense.

Final Score: 80/100

    I do think season 3 is definitely my favourite season of the show but this one is no slouch either. I understand character progression but am I the only one glad that Tony finally got back with Carmela? There was only so much of the divorce arc I could take especially because this season Tony hardly ever talked to his goomar and they were practically both nameless and faceless I could just not bring myself to care. Speaking of returning to the status quo, I do appreciate that Tony finally went back to Melfi. There was so much of a willthey won't they dynamic and it was becoming kind of tired. Not to mention there's only so many times they could do the "Tony is attracted Melfi thing" before it just becomes him basically stalking her. Will it take me a month to finish season six too? Well I should be done school soon which will give me time to go through this season at a much faster pace, but we shall see.

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