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After 25 years, it's safe to say that David Chase's 'Sopranos' is an all-time classic, and arguably the best television drama to ever hit our screens. James Gandolfini and the entire crew created an absolute master-class performance encompassing mafia thriller, satirical drama, and deep thought; which to this day, is still massively binged-watched and celebrated.
In the 86 episodes, we saw hundreds of pounds of gabagool devoured, dozens of goomads being bedded, and one massive storyline of family, business, and illegal activities. After a few watch-throughs over the past few years, here's my list of the top-ten all-time episodes.
If you haven't watched The Sopranos yet, one - shame on you, but two - Spoilers ahead.
Honorable Mention - The Sopranos - Season 1, Episode 1
So what, no fucking ziti? An all-time line for an all-time entrance of the show. It was a strong pilot episode that brought us to the reason why we are making this list. It holds a special place in all of our hearts, but it's safe to say the show only got better from this point on.
10: Made in America - Season 6, Episode 21
It should be ranked higher, based on the screenplay, ambiguous ending, and wrapping the show with a bow, but it was the last episode that ended this fantastic series. Fun fact, it was the only episode besides the pilot that was both written and directed by David Chase, which was perfect symbiosis that he ended what he started.
What was remembered by everyone, was the black cut ended that sparked the debate about whether Tony lived or was whacked (100% he was whacked), but the last few minutes were fast-paced, anxious, and somehow dreamlike with 'Don't Stop Believing' playing in the background, while you were trying to figure out what was going on. Even me writing this, was he looking up to see Meadow entering the door, or was he closing his eyes because the man in the Members-Only jacket took a shot at him? "Made in America" is often regarded as one of the most talked-about and analyzed series finales in television history, leaving people still talking about it.
What I loved about this episode was the million things Tony was trying to get accomplished that day. He needed to deal with all of the threats surrounding his life, control what was going on with his crime family, and also make sure he saw his wife and kids. The way the family dinner just felt like they knew their time was running short. It felt like he was trying to cram everything at once, which is exactly what the episode did, before his ultimate (what we believe to be) demise.
9: Whitecaps - Season 4, Episode 13
It was one of the least violent season finales, but it was one of the more tense ones, as Tony and Carmela separate – not for good, but certainly for a while. It was a massive curveball in the family side of the show, which led to problems and storylines for the rest of the show. The acting between James Gandolfini and Edie Falco in this one was some of their best.
8: Soprano Home Movies - Season 6, Episode 13
The cabin retreat. It was going so well until it wasn't. It was the first time we saw quality family time between Tony and his sister Janice, but also the first time we saw Bobby Baccalieri (who has become one of his more trusted workers and now a family member), absolutely explode on Tony. This episode showcased the true downfall of not only Tony's control on things but also the falling of both of his families.
7: College - Season 1, Episode 5
This was the first time we saw both Tony attend to his personal and "professional" matters at the same time. It was then that he discovered that his daughter wasn't a little girl anymore, not only because he went to tour colleges, but also because she wasn't naive to the fact that he wasn't in waste management. We also witness him attending "personal matters" and Tony taking care of business, killing an ex-associate who became an FBI informant. It perfectly meshed the drama from his family drama and his crimes, and we also got one of the all-time meme lines from this episode.
6: Long-Term Parking - Season 5, Episode 12
After we found out Adrianna was forced into becoming an FBI informant, we knew she wouldn't be able to escape it, but the fact that she was killed in this episode, was not only devastating but completely shocking, especially for a main character. It hurt Tony and the crew to do it, and it changed the way the rest of the show would end up. The episode teased us, thinking she would be safe, but it threw all of us back into reality when Silvio lied to her about Chrissy and ended her life.
5: Whoever Did This - Season 4, Episode 9
Ralphie was one of the worst characters on the show. Not because of his acting or storyline, but because of the headaches he provided Tony. Everything he did and said made him deserve the worst, and he got it. This set up conflict and confusion for the two crews, because Ralphie was a made man.
4: Members Only - Season 6, Episode 1
The beginning of the end. We saw where things started to fall apart. We learned that once you're in the mob, there is no backing out, with Eugene Pontecorvo committing suicide after failing to retire from the crime life. We also see Uncle Junior finally losing it, by shooting Tony making him fall into a coma, providing us with some tense and dramatic fever dream scenes for the next few episodes.
3: Funhouse - Season 2, Episode 13
RIP Pussy. The first true "I can't believe that happened" moment. One of Tony's closest friends getting turned by the feds, and Tony having to decide to remove him from the family always gets me. The crossover from fever dreams and real life was truly what viewers felt because we didn't know what the outcome was going to be.
2: Blue Comet - Season 6, Episode 20
The long-building conflict between the New Jersey and New York crew explodes into an all-out war. This could have been a finale on its own. Silvio gets sent into a coma, Bobby gets killed with his trains (crushing), and it was all way too much to handle. There's a heaviness and sense of finality to it all, and it deserves to be included among The Sopranos' best episodes.
1: Pine Barrens - Season 3, Episode 11
Maybe a cop-out answer, but honestly, who cares? Pine Barrens was a cinematic masterpiece. It's one of IMDB's highest-rated episodes for a reason. The dynamic between Paulie and Christopher was always one of the show's best, and this episode and their antics were one of the reasons why. The Russian plot line and the point that nothing ever went right unless Tony was involved, gave us comedic relief to a show that was usually tense. It also gave us the most iconic scene that you can never forget.
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