The Sopranos and the Lie of Family
This blog post examines the show The Sopranos and how this viewing has hit differently than past ones. It explores how the idea of the characters being a 'family' is a complete lie and how this line of thinking is applicable to real life.
Joe Weisenthal
Co-host of the Odd Lots podcast.
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Unrelated to anything going on, I've been rewatching the Sopranos (for like the 4th or 5th time) over the past several months. And I don't know why this viewing has really hit different than past ones.
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023
But what's striking to me is how deeply depressing all their lives are... -
In particular, what's jumped out is how the whole idea of them all being a "family" is a complete lie.
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023
The key line is when Sil says to Paulie "you're only as good as your last check" while he's on the outs with Tony.
Completely antithetical to their being a "family" -
The only actual family is blood family. But even there that doesn't get them much. Tony S. still kills Tony B. his actual cousin (though he seems to feel bad about it).
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023 -
But none of them care about any of the other ones, outside their transactional relationship. And other than Tony (kind of) none of them even seem to have particularly comfortable lives, given the level of risk that they take.
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023 -
For some reason, while watching it I keep thinking about the show Big Love, and the challenge of being in some kind of secret organization that you can't make public, which forces you into a state of non-stop dishonesty, which eats at everyone psychologically.
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023 -
Anyway. I feel sorry for all the characters in a way I didn't on past viewings. And the show has gone from kind of fun and humorous for me (I've always thought it was a great comedy) to something more sinister.
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023 -
That's all. Sorry for all the off topic posting. Just something I've been thinking about.
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) March 12, 2023