A Look at the TV Series ‘The Sopranos’
First premiered in 1999, The Sopranos gives a thorough insight into the world of organised crime, so much so, that the real mafia suspected a leak from the inside. Running for 6 seasons coupled with an ambiguous ending that still raises questions, the cult-classic quickly earned major accolades, becoming one of the most popular TV shows in history.
Starring the late-James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano — head of an Italian-American crime family operating out of New Jersey. The social issues addressed in the compelling series provides an alternative perspective of the mafia beyond violence. Balancing an illicit business with pressures of family life, Tony also suffers from frequent panic attacks caused by anxiety and depression. With a cast of alpha-males bound by a strict code of conduct, the reluctancy to seek help stems from a fear of appearing weak and sabotaging his criminal enterprise. The show was described as “Combining drama with comic irony, The Sopranos elevates the mob story from a shop-worn cinematic genre into an unmatched exposition of the moral complexity of modern American life.”
The 90s had therapists headline hit TV shows and public opinion was slowly coming terms with mental health. By using a feared, powerful and highly publicised male-dominant group, The Sopranos’ surprising antithetical storyline continues to remind us of the negative effect of toxic masculinity, the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and the consequences of it being unattended. Writer David Chase was able to depict Tony’s therapy sessions intricately, gaining intimate psychological access into his vulnerability which humanised his problems and created a feeling of empathy towards the ‘bad guy.’
Chase used his own experiences of a turbulent relationship with his mother and personal battle with mental health as the foundation of the show. Starting his career writing for network TV, the idea initially was presented as a movie. After being encouraged to create a series, the complexity of the characters and the inability to categorise it as a typical mob-drama led to Fox declining the pitch before being picked up by HBO.
Written by Ali Twice for @originalshift
