Tony Soprano’s Ten Best Moments

Look, it’s not even up for debate: The Sopranos was the greatest show ever on television. The story of a New Jersey mob boss and his attempts to keep his work and family lives separate, it was bloody, profane, profound and hilarious, often all at once.

Fans of The Sopranos, and there are many, were left dumbstruck this morning, after news broke that lead actor James Gandolfini had passed away too soon, at the age of 51.

Tony Soprano was a truly singular TV creation, and we have six remarkable seasons of the show to remember him by. Here are some of the character’s finest moments.

–

Tony Confronts His Mother

Season 1, Episode 2 – ‘46 Long’

The Sopranos has its share of great villains, but Tony’s mother Livia is the most villainous of them all — she even tries to have him whacked at one point. Tony may be a hulking physical presence, but this tiny  old lady knows just how to cut him down to size. This scene is classic Tony-Livia dysfunction, and crescendos to the point where she begs him to stab her in the heart.

The incomparable Nancy Marchand, who portrayed Livia Soprano, passed away during the third season, and her death had to be written into the show.

–

Tony Banters With Dr Melfi

Season 1, Episode 6 – ‘Pax Soprana’

Tony keeps his secrets pretty close to his chest, but he trusts and even respects his therapist Dr Melfi; over the course of the show, their relationship grows from psychiatrist and patient to something like platonic friends. Their relationship is flirty, and Melfi more-or-less admits at one point that she likes the allure of having a bad boy around, but she never lets it get physical. This scene is one of James Gandolfini and Lorraine Bracco’s best together.

–

Tony Meets Gloria

Season 3, Episode 8 – ‘He Is Risen’

Tony has many mistresses over the course of The Sopranos, but none more damaged than Annabella Sciorra’s Gloria Trillo.

Dr Melfi later sums up their relationship: “Ask yourself, how did you recognize in Gloria, underneath all her layers of sophistication, this deeply wounded angry being that would let you replicate, once again, your relationship with your mother?”

–

Big Mouth Billy Bass

Season 3, Episode 10 – ‘… To Save Us All From Satan’s Power’

Meadow thinks she’s doing a nice thing for her dad when she buys him a Big Mouth Billy Bass, the crappy novelty gift of the season. He puts on a fake smile and pretends to love it, while suppressing guilty memories of a former business associate who now sleeps with the fishes.

Gandolfini’s uncomfortable look throughout this scene is totally priceless.

–

Tony Lays Down A Beating

Season 4, Episode 7 – ‘Watching Too Much Television’

Tony is weird about women. He casts them aside when he’s done with them, but that doesn’t mean anybody else gets to have them. Case in point: this savage beating that Tony lays on Zellman, who dares to step out with his ex-mistress Irina.

–

Ralph Cifaretto Gets Whacked

Season 4, Episode 9 – ‘Whoever Did This’

Tony Soprano is a sentimental sort of sociopath; he’ll kill people like it’s nothing, but the thought of animals getting hurt makes him all teary. Ralph Cifaretto learns that the hard way, in an argument about Tony’s favourite, recently-deceased horse, Pie-Oh-My.

Ralph was a liability and probably deserved to be taken out anyway, but still… Wow.

–

Tony And Carmela’s Big Blow-Up

Season 4, Episode 13 – ‘Whitecaps’

The phrase ‘marriage from hell’ doesn’t even begin to describe Tony and Carmela. Edie Falco is a riveting performer, and her Carmela, while wronged many times over by her husband, is hardly a sympathetic character herself. This fight, where his various infidelities come to light, features breathtaking performances from both.

Gandolfini’s ‘again with this shit?’ eye roll at the end of the scene is classic Tony.

–

The Painting

Season 5, Episode 13 – ‘All Due Respect’

Where to even start with this scene? Tony is shocked to find that the painting he wanted destroyed now hangs in Paulie’s house – not only that, but it’s had a very odd touch-up. Tony’s convinced that the whole thing is a joke, and Paulie, who seems to actually respect and even love his boss, seems hurt. Then Tony throws a tantrum. He really doesn’t like being reminded about that horse.

–

Tony’s Last Visit With Uncle Junior

Season 6, Episode 21 – ‘Made In America’

Corado ‘Junior’ Soprano is one of the meanest and most deceptive around. He and Tony have clashed many times, but in their final scene together, Junior is so stricken with Alzheimer’s that he doesn’t even remember who his nephew is. Tony seems overcome with emotion at the sight of his uncle, and his stripped-away dignity.

–

The Final Scene

Season 6, Episode 21 – ‘Made In America’

The final scene of The Sopranos  has been discussed endlessly on the internet, in academic texts, over drinks with friends and beyond — but today, it’s especially emotional.

–