#8
by Universal Polymath
I voted for The Blue Comet, for being the most intense hour of television I have ever experienced. The violence and action scenes are not the most important aspects of the show to me, and never have been, and I did not just vote for this one because it was one of the most violent episodes in the show's history. It was the feeling of imminent violence and danger that made the episode so strong, the feeling of dread and fear leading up to each moment of violence. And as the body count grew higher, so did the feeling that literally anybody could be next. Watching this episode was exhausting.
Perhaps the palpable feeling of danger and dread that accompanied every moment of 6b was a mere product of my mindset, knowing we were so close to the end. Every episode certainly had their ulta-tense moments, from Tony and Bobby's post-fight car ride in Sopranos Home Movies, to the boat-ride in Remember When, to just about every second Chris was on-screen in Walk Like a Man. The feeling that something big was coming grew and grew with each episode, and finally exploded in Blue Comet. It was my anxious, mentally distressed emotional reaction to every episode that made each so memorable. In fact, I'd say just about every hour could be considered "favorite episode" material. Only one episode wasn't as freakishly strong as the others, and even that one wasn't bad.
So I just wanted to say that while I voted for Blue Comet, my opinion could certainly change. Hell, it could change after every time I review 6b. Every episode was just that good, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the overall quality of 6b. There weren't any downright terrible episodes in 6a, they just often failed to meet my high expectations. I was occassionally left wanting more, and a little disappointed that I would have to wait another entire week for the chance to get it. This year, there was no disappointment whatsoever with episode quality. After every episode this half-season, I was left sitting in my recliner, grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. Not because the hour of television I had just watched was particularly funny or upbeat, but because I knew I was witnessing the end of something really special. So thank you, Mr. Chase!