The Sopranos - Season 5 kicks off as Carmela and A.J. experience wildlife in their yard. Christopher and Paulie have a brief falling out when the 'Pine Barrens incident' is re-mentioned. A possible power struggle within the New York Mafia arises.
What makes The Sopranos an oasis in today's climate of declining entertainment standards from reality TV to theatrical features is that Chase's drama has never been tempted by complacency.
Although The Sopranos is arguably television's finest series -- and consistently works critics into a frothy, adjective-filled lather -- it is also complexly unpredictable and strangely misunderstood.
No, The Sopranos isn't the constant shock-of-the-new it once was; even its moments of abrupt, crazy violence are easily spotted. But there are still many scenes that are touching and devastatingly sincere.
Worthy of most accolades showered upon it (which is saying something), the long layoff between seasons hasn't dimmed the show's status as one of TV's gems - a family drama like no other, imitated but unlikely to be equaled.
Season five of The Sopranos just might be my favorite. It combines the terrific character explorations of seasons two and four with the more thoroughly plotted arcs of seasons one and three.
