Genius of Sopranos Pt XXVIII
Watching the re-runs of The Sopranos on More4 the other night, I noticed something which I missed the first time round:
In the hospital scene, Ralphie approaches a consultant and says "Please allow me to introduce myself". ["Hullo?" I thought...]
In a later scene (at the Bing or something), Ralphie is heard to say "Pleased to meet you". ["Hmm.." I'm thinking]
THE CLINCHER: Ralphie visits Father Phil to give his confession, who then says "Were you there when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain?" [!!!]
So its official - Ralphie is the Devil incarnate. And, brilliantly, this is the first episode that we actually feel some sympathy towards him!
Marvellous stuff. And in every episode there are about a dozen moments of brilliance like this. Are there any other serious challengers to its status as Greatest TV Drama Ever?
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Marvellous stuff, indeed
I have them all on DVD and may check that episode out again. I'll never forget being in Las Vegas the morning after it was broadcast, and carelessly turning on the TV to hear that little plot twist. It was months before we saw it in the UK, but by the time I'd turned off the TV it was too late...
Now, about this Greatest TV Drama Ever thing:
Yes, it's probably The Sopranos. However, everyone who thinks it's The Sopranos should watch The Wire. And, just as importantly, vice versa.
Next in line for me is Six Feet Under. I think The West Wing had its moments, but all too often showed its M*A*S*H-style weakness for piling saccharine patriotism over really sharp writing. The first series of 24 was good fun, and brilliantly executed. The second series was among the worst television ever made, where "subtly depicting the post 9/11 climate in the USA" translated as "depicting every Asian character as a criminal". I think we tend to overstate how great TV is these days. It is, at its best, very very good. But there's dross, too (nearly rhymes with Lost). Same as it ever was.
The Wire
Yes I've heard that The Wire is pretty good - haven't seen any of it yet. Is it currently being broadcast on any channel? Or will I just need to save up for the box sets? (this post-festive month I'm more "50p guy" rather than 50 quid guy, unfortunately.)
Monday nights
on FX. Just getting to the end of series 2 at the moment. Had you read the article in Word back in the summer, you'd have been there from the beginning!
No FX
Did read it but at the time I couldn't get FX - I think I can now though - I'll check later.
A word of advice
You'll need to catch up on the first two series first. And if you're 6-10 episodes in before you decide it's really good, and twice that before you decide it's a masterpiece, then I'll be glad not to be the only one.
And: this may be heresy for a TV series, but it's been said before - it's better on DVD. The subtitle option's quite handy, too.
Fluctuating prices
I wrote on another Wire related blog about the price hike pre christmas to £50 on various sites (and still up there)but managed yesterday to buy the first 2 series from Amazon for £18 each.
Spoiler Alert
Thanks a bunch. I'm halfway through series 2.
1000 Apologies
A thousand apologies Fraser (and to anyone else who hasn't reached Series 4 yet). In future I'll be more careful to avoid giving away any plot developments!
That's OK
With my memory, it'll still come as as a surprise.
Is it possible?
Can the offending information be edited out of the posts? I initially referred to it in my reply then suddenly realised and edited what I'd said. All the Word staff seem very tactful about not giving anything away from The Wire, so it'd be nice to repay the favour. I guess if anyone can do it, Fraser, you're the man.
Done It
Please confirm the edited version is now free of significant spoilers! cheers
Mine too
Now everybody relax.
Wire on the Wire
it's all here
http://www.rslinks.org/
I've mentioned it in the mag before
but for me the classic Sopranos music moment is Christopher arriving late for a meeting with Tony, then shrugging and giving the excuse "Highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last-chance power-drive." Tony's expression is a peach. NONE MORE JERSEY.
Pedants Corner
I could be wrong but surely he said this to Silvio thus making it doubly amusing?