Chapotraphouse

i was young when it came out and it didn't hold my interest at all. i watched it again, binged, during early covid lock downs when i was like officially middle aged and more interested in the portrayal of the institutions and subtle digs at This Thing, how its traumas move through generations. i was very into it that time.

Sopranos is a curious show and I think it was successful because it has two kinds of fans: people who are watching it because it shits all over its characters and displays their cowardice, complicity, and corruption openly while letting them blather on endlessly about how they value family, honor, and community when they're all just a bunch of lazy fuckups with no compunction who would turn on their best friends to get ahead and have zero self-awareness. truly the slime of humanity, cannibalizing their families and communities to squeeze a buck from working people. Tony ascends because he slightly examines himself after his panic attacks and uses what he learns to manipulate others more effectively. it is fucking darkly hilarious, but ultimately very grim TV under that lens. definitely not for everyone, but if you're in the mood it's good, uncommon TV.

then there are fans who think Tony and This Thing are super cool... even aspirational, if only they would be a little better at what they do, they could come out on top and the crapo di crapo of all NY/NJ. they like "the hits and tits", they like the revenge and retribution (constant) and watch it on those terms. i would find it unwatchable, but you see those people in the comments on youtube clips getting upset when someone puts forth a theory that Phil Leotardo is deeply closeted or defends AJ as being one of the less immoral, more sensitive characters, given his upbringing.