Watching the Sopranos for the First Time

I’m not a big TV watcher, but recently started to watch small bits of TV while eating lunch. I’ve done movies here and there, but shows that have seasons are more of a rare thing. Outside of The Wire, there are not a lot of serial shows I think I’ve gravitated towards.

Then, of course, Coronavirus hit. And I’ve found myself inside more, with a bit more time. I’d heard great things about this show, and it has this place in my pop culture memory of being the start of an era of well-written shows for TV.

I’ve been… so/so with the series so far. I’m into Season 3, and it’s… fine? The first two seasons have felt fairly predictable, with Tony Soprano getting upset and things happening as a result of him getting upset. There have been a few surprises along the way (Richie Aprile, anyone?) but fairly methodical for the most part.

What I’m finding is that I’m not necessarily watching because I’m interested in the characters. It’s like it’s a slow motion train wreck, and I have a hard time looking away.

I am not finding myself rooting for any of the characters. I seem to keep coming back to watch these terrible situations that they get themselves into, and feel compelled to watch it all play out.

Maybe things change, as the seasons progress. From what I recall, this was a show that ran for a long while.

Related:
The Wire, Revisited