The Sopranos Season 1 is as great or even better than you remember

Over the past several weeks I have been watching Season 1 of The Sopranos, currently observing its anniversary. So often when one comes back to a work once beloved the show feels dated and out of touch, but in this case not at all. If anything, The Sopronos 20 years later is even more impressive - it stands out, still, as a tremendous sociopolitical drama with more insight into character and culture than just about any of the pale imitators that have arisen over the past two decades. The series still stands out as one that examines the complexity of personality, in particular of the lead character, Tony James Gandolfini, if anyone needs to be reminded). From the start we recognize that he is a cold-blooded killer earning his wealth and supporting his family by preying on the weaknesses of others (gambling in particular), a thief, a philanderer, someone who would scare the shit out of you with a glance, and yet - we also see that he cares deeply about his children, has a strong loving if difficult relationship w/ his wife (Edie Falco), and upholds a certain code of honor among thieves - and of course he bares his soul to his therapist (Lorraine Braco), in a stunning narrative device that helps us to see everything that makes Tony tic and sometimes explode. Is there too much violence? Certainly not by current standards, and though there are a few scenes of brutal beating for the most part what's striking is how matter-of-fact the violence can be: When one of the gangs has to "eliminate" a rival it's usually just a quick pistol shot, blam!; the characters are not interested in torture, killing is just part of the routine. (This efficiency changes in some of the later season, for at least a few characters.) There are so many great plot developments across the 13 episodes it's not possible even to highlight all of them, but it's notable to watch Christoper's attempt to rise in the ranks, the rivalry between Tony and his uncle Junior (see episode Boca, directed by friend AW) spurred on by the devious mother (Marchand), Carmella's attempt to run a conventional household and to come to terms w/ the source of their wealth, the initial rebellion of the children and their dawning awareness of their father's dark life, and a great confrontational scene between Tony and Dr Melfi in 13th episode. Tony would be a guy whom, if you knew him, you would fear - but w/ whom you could also become friends, at least in a tentative and dangerous way (see how the friendship works out of the Artie, owner of the Vesuvio restaurant) - I knew plenty of guys like him growing up in the Oranges.