Re: Rank ALL EPISODES from #86 to #1

11
Billyv wrote:Come on now Zwingli, you can put An Army of One at the Top, with that commanding guest star...
It's just my favorite guest star, not quite my favorite episode. Anyways, I was pretty drunk when I pounded out that list there, so it might not be completely accurate.
Taps, lights out, 2200 hours. What's missing? Give up? Television.

Re: Rank ALL EPISODES from #86 to #1

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Yes, I know, time to step up as the thread-originator and lay out my list. For the record, I did have the exact order already set at the time I posted the initial thread (though I changed it a bit here and there since), but I wanted to do one better by writing a summary/take on each episode; an entire synopsis/thesis of sorts. I got a few of them done but I really haven't had the time to complete the entire thing. It would have taken quite a while longer and just reading this thread today for the first time in awhile, I see quite a few responses were made and felt it was time to at least put my list out there. Summeries/takes can come at perhaps another time. Of course there's no guarantee I may tweak it up yet again but it's safe to say most of what you see at least will stay as is. Remember, everyone, this IS the SOPRANOS we are talking about here. An episode in the Top 50 of this list is a VERY GREAT episode. It's just with this challenging list to create, SOME episode has to be in each slot no matter how good. It's just something I did for fun, certainly doesn't mean my list is 'right'. In fact, as much a Sopranos-afficionado that I am (and I certainly AM one), I feel like a dwarf compared to most if not all on this site, especially 'Fly'. I'm sure my list won't be popular. However, I do see that zwingli (GREAT list, by the way), Tomolo, and I agree on the same one at #1 and zwingli and I almost agree on #86. Anyways, wihtout further to do, here it is, apologies for being tardy and for the no summaries, really wanted to do so.......


(#86) Chasing It - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 4
Written by Matthew Weiner
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#85) Johnny Cakes - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 8
Written by Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#84) The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti - Season 1, Episode 8
Written by Frank Renzulli and David Chase
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#83) 46 Long - Season 1, Episode 2
Written by David Chase
Directed by Dan Attias

(#82) Pax Soprana - Season 1, Episode 6
Written by Frank Renzulli
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#81) Commendatori - Season 2, Episode 4
Written by David Chase
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#80) D-Girl - Season 2, Episode 7
Written by Todd A. Kessler
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#79) Mr. Ruggerio’s Neighborhood - Season 3, Episode 1
Written by David Chase
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#78) Christopher - Season 4, Episode 3
Teleplay by Michael Imperioli
Story by Michael Imperioli and Maria Laurino
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#77) Do Not Resuscitate - Season 2, Episode 2
Written by Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, and Frank Renzulli
Directed by Martin Bruestle

(#76) No Show - Season 4, Episode 2
Written by Terence Winter and David Chase
Directed by John Patterson

(#75) Second Opinion - Season 3, Episode 7
Written by Lawrence Konner
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#74) Two Tonys - Season 5, Episode 1
Written by Terence Winter and David Chase
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#73) A Hit is a Hit - Season 1, Episode 10
Written by Joe Bosso and Frank Renzulli
Directed by Matthew Penn

(#72) Guy Walks Into a Psychiatrist’s Office - Season 2, Episode 1
Written by Jason Cahill
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#71) Luxury Lounge - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 7
Written by Matthew Weiner
Directed by Danny Leiner

(#70) From Where to Eternity - Season 2, Episode 9
Written by Michael Imperiolli
Directed by Henry J. Bronchtein

(#69) Stage 5 - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 2
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#68) Moe n’ Joe - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 10
Written by Matthew Weiner
Directed by Steve Shill

(#67) Tootle Fucking-oo - Season 2, Episode 3
Written by Frank Renzulli
Directed by Lee Tamahori

(#66) Sentimental Education - Season 5, Episode 6
Written by Matthew Weiner
Directed by Peter Bogdanovich

(#65) In Camelot - Season 5, Episode 7
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Steve Buscemi

(#64) Big Girls Don’t Cry - Season 2, Episode 5
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#63) Pie-O-My - Season 4, Episode 5
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Henry J. Bronchtein

(#62) Everybody Hurts - Season 4, Episode 6
Written by Michael Imperiolli
Directed by Steve Buscemi

(#61) The Test Dream - Season 5, Episode
Written by David Chase and Matthew Weiner
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#60) House Arrest - Season 2, Episode 11
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#59) The Sopranos - Season 1, Episode 1
Written and Directed by David Chase

(#58) Watching Too Much Television - Season 4, Episode 7
Teleplay by Terence Winter and Nick Santora
Story by David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess,
and Terence Winter
Directed by John Patterson

(#57) The Strong, Silent Type - Season 4, Episode 10
Teleplay by David Chase, Robin Green, and Mitchell Burgess
Story by David Chase
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#56) The Telltale Moozadell - Season 3, Episode 9
Written by Michael Imperiolli
Directed by Dan Attias

(#55) Mergers and Acquisitions - Season 4, Episode 8
Teleplay by Lawrence Konner
Story by David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess,
and Terence Winter
Directed by Dan Attias

(#54) Employee of the Month - Season 3, Episode 4
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by John Patterson

(#53) All Due Respect - Season 5, Episode 13
Written by David Chase, Robin Green, and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by John Patterson

(#52) For All Debts Public and Private - Season 4, Episode 1
Written by David Chase
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#51) The Weight - Season 4, Episode 4
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Jack Bender

(#50) Calling All Cars - Season 4, Episode 11
Teleplay by David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess,
and David Flebotte
Story by David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess,
and Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#49) Kennedy and Heidi - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 6
Written by Matthew Weiner and David Chase
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#48) Members Only - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 1
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#47) Walk Like a Man - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 5
Written and Directed by Terence Winter

(#46) Mr. & Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request… - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 5
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Steve Buscemi

(#45) Remember When - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 3
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Phil Abraham

(#44) The Fleshy Part of the Thigh - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 4
Written by Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#43) Eloise - Season 4, Episode 12
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by James Hayman

(#42) Rat Pack - Season 5, Episode 2
Written by Matthew Weiner
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#41) Cold Cuts - Season 5, Episode 10
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Mike Figgis

(#40) Fortunate Son - Season 3, Episode 3
Written by Todd A. Kessler
Directed by Henry J. Bronchtein

(#39) Kaisha - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 12
Written by Terence Winter, David Chase, and Matthew Weiner
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#38) Bust Out - Season 5, Episode 10
Written by Frank Renzulli, Robin Green, and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by John Patterson

(#37) The Ride - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 9
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#36) Another Toothpick - Season 3, Episode 5
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Jack Bender

(#35) Cold Stones - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 11
Written by Diane Frolov, Andrew Schneider, and David Chase
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#34) Where’s Johnny? - Season 5, Episode 3
Written by Michael Caleo
Directed by John Patterson

(#33) Unidentified Black Males - Season 5, Episode 9
Written by Matthew Weiner and Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#32) Proshai, Livushka - Season 3, Episode 2
Written by David Chase
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#31) …To Save Us All From Satan’s Power - Season 3, Episode 10
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Jack Bender

(#30) The Second Coming - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 7
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#29) College - Season 1, Episode 5
Written by James Manos, Jr. and David Chase
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#28) Down Neck - Season 1, Episode 7
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Lorraine Senna Ferrara

(#27) Meadowlands - Season 1, Episode 4
Written by Jason Cahill
Directed by John Patterson

(#26) The Happy Wanderer - Season 2, Episode 6
Written by Frank Renzulli
Directed by John Patterson

(#25) He Is Risen - Season 3, Episode 8
Written by Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, and Todd A. Kessler
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#24) Whoever Did This - Season 4, Episode 9
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#23) Nobody Knows Anything - Season 1, Episode 11
Written by Frank Renzulli
Directed by Henry J. Bronchtein

(#22) Full Leather Jacket - Season 2, Episode 8
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#21) Pine Barrens - Season 3, Episode 11
Teleplay by Terence Winter
Story by Tim Van Patten and Terence Winter
Directed by Steve Buscemi

(#20) All Happy Families… - Season 5, Episode 4
Written by Toni Kalem
Directed by Rodrigo Garcia

(#19) The Blue Comet - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 8
Written by David Chase and Matthew Weiner
Directed by Alan Taylor

(#18) Anger, Denial, Acceptance - Season 1, Episode 3
Written by Mark Saraceni
Directed by Nick Gomez

(#17) University - Season 3, Episode 6
Teleplay by Terence Winter and Salvatore J. Stabile
Story by David Chase, Terence Winter, Todd A. Kessler,
Robin Green, and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#16) Sopranos Home Movies - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 1
Written by Diane Frolov, Andrew Schneider, David Chase,
and Matthew Weiner
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#15) Live Free or Die - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 6
Written by David Chase, Terence Winter, Robin Green,
and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#14) The Knight in White Satin Armor - Season 2, Episode 12
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#13) Army of One - Season 3, Episode 13
Written by David Chase and Lawrence Konner
Directed by John Patterson

(#12) Funhouse - Season 2, Episode 13
Written by David Chase and Todd A. Kessler
Directed by John Patterson

(#11) Isabella - Season 1, Episode 12
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#10) Boca - Season 1, Episode 9
Written by Jason Cahill, Robin Green, and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Andy Wolk

(#9) Amour Fou - Season 3, Episode 12
Teleplay by Frank Renzulli
Story by David Chase
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#7) TIE

Join the Club - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 2
Written by David Chase
Directed by David Nutter

Mayham - Season 6 Part 1, Episode 3
Written by Matthew Weiner
Directed by Jack Bender

(#6) Marco Polo - Season 5, Episode 8
Written by Michael Imperiolli
Directed by John Patterson

(#5) Irregular Around the Margins - Season 5, Episode 5
Written by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess
Directed by Allen Coulter

(#4) Whitecaps - Season 4, Episode 13
Written by Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, and David Chase
Directed by John Patterson

(#3) I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano - Season 1, Episode 13
Written by David Chase
Directed by John Patterson

(#2) Long Term Parking - Season 5, Episode 12
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Tim Van Patten

(#1) Made in America - Season 6 Part 2, Episode 9
Written and Directed by David Chase

Re: Rank ALL EPISODES from #86 to #1

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Thanks BFazio, your list is terrific, clearly well thought out. Comparing two lists of 86 episodes is pretty hard, but I notice a couple clear similarities and differences.


We both put MIA as #1, which is always a pretty solid choice for that final scene alone.

As you noted, we also both have "Chasing It" near the bottom of the list, at 86 or 85. That excessive shaky cam just throws off the mood of the whole show.

"Whitecaps" is also in a pretty similar spot on near the top of our respective lists, but the episodes surrounding it are quite varied.

You have "Johnny Cakes" right at the bottom, whereas I put it in the top half of my list. I guess an episode focusing primarily on AJ and Gay Vito can't be too appealing, but I honestly enjoyed the way the episode weaved between their storylines. It had a distinct pacing and atmosphere, and the thematic parallels were pretty meaty.

You tied "Join the Club" and "Mayham", understandable since they could be considered one extended episode. However, I saw Mayham as a not insignificant drop in quality from JtC. Mayham had a handful of great moments, but JtC was a terrific and immersive hour from start to finish.

Edit: I don't know why my comment has a thumbs down on it. I'm sorry if I hurt anyone.
Taps, lights out, 2200 hours. What's missing? Give up? Television.

Re: Rank ALL EPISODES from #86 to #1

16
zwingli wrote:Thanks BFazio, your list is terrific, clearly well thought out. Comparing two lists of 86 episodes is pretty hard, but I notice a couple clear similarities and differences.


We both put MIA as #1, which is always a pretty solid choice for that final scene alone.

As you noted, we also both have "Chasing It" near the bottom of the list, at 86 or 85. That excessive shaky cam just throws off the mood of the whole show.

"Whitecaps" is also in a pretty similar spot on near the top of our respective lists, but the episodes surrounding it are quite varied.

You have "Johnny Cakes" right at the bottom, whereas I put it in the top half of my list. I guess an episode focusing primarily on AJ and Gay Vito can't be too appealing, but I honestly enjoyed the way the episode weaved between their storylines. It had a distinct pacing and atmosphere, and the thematic parallels were pretty meaty.

You tied "Join the Club" and "Mayham", understandable since they could be considered one extended episode. However, I saw Mayham as a not insignificant drop in quality from JtC. Mayham had a handful of great moments, but JtC was a terrific and immersive hour from start to finish.

Edit: I don't know why my comment has a thumbs down on it. I'm sorry if I hurt anyone.
Thanks, zwingli!

You may have already noticed that I took some of the summaries written and already posted them in the Individual Episodes threads. I'll post some more that I've already written later; don't want to inundate. JTC & Mayham, to me, are like "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions". They must always be joined at the hip even if you think that one may be better than the other. Yes, I'll place JTC above Mayham too but both work together as a team. Without Mayham, JTC loses value and especially the case vice versa. What I like about Mayham is seing Sil out of his '#2' element. Bobby following him into the ambulance only caring about his 'cut' is hilarious. Made In America, it's pretty obvious. Don't want to further entertain the ongoing debate, but if you feel T got whacked in the end, then you HAVE TO place it at #1 for reasons that of course are better off on another thread and I really don't feel like debating it. If you think "life went on", then there's NO LIMIT to how far it can fall from that very top spot because then so much in that very episode, any many arrows in many previous episodes, will cease to make sense. But there is respectable intelligent debate to the contrary and that right there makes it all a Masterpiece. To his credit, David Chase did indeed set it all up to SEEM like a debate, sprinkling a labyrinth of clues, fake-clues, red herrings, fake-red-herrings and so on. There is only ONE answer. He would not make it into a 'pick-your-own-ending'. "It's all there" as he said. Of course I don't know this for CERTAIN (100%). David Chase hasn't made it official to the public. Why SHOULD he? That, as he said, would water it all down. Let's hope he never DOES make it official.

I see you placed "Whoever Did This" quite high up there. Heck of an episode! Just seen it again recently. My personal reason for not placing it higher than I did, in addiiton to the simple fact that there were just that many more EVEN-BETTER episodes IMO, is it kind of does drag just a bit after the fight. The way it ends though, that last shot with Tony coming out into the light, does quite a bit to redeem that if you even want to use the word 'redeem'. If you judged Sopranos by 'half'-episodes, then the 1st half of WDT may very well be in the Top 5 at the very least. Placing 'I Dream of JC' to me is like rooting for the bigger, stronger, faster athlete being that it has that obvious multi-plotedness to it, but you simply HAVE TO place its face on Sopranos' 'Mt Rushmore'. And then you got Long Term Parking. There's only one obvious thing to think of when thinking of that episode yet I have it at #2 (#1 if Tony 'LIVES'). Not all episodes have to be multi-plotted to be elite.

Re: Rank ALL EPISODES from #86 to #1

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I personally think Tony got killed. Anyways, on the topic of Whoever Did This, i kind of liked the way everything screeched to a halt after Tony killed Ralphie. Generally this is because I admire that episode for the sheer level of structural mind fuck it rained down upon the viewers. Not only did this episode suddenly show Ralphie in a very tragic and sympathetic light, and not only did it kill him immediately afterward, but this was all in the first half of the episode, and the second half was a complete 180 single mindedly chronicling the disposal of his corpse, step by step, in a very matter of fact and blackly humorous fashion. and meanwhile you almost forget the fact that Junior just got brain damage and may be suffering from dementia. when Tony left the Bing and it cut to black with the Morricone remix playing, it just left me sitting there, pondering how the fuck everything about this show could change so drastically and violently over the course of one episode. Midway through Season fucking Four, of all places. This was just an extremely well thought out story beat that gets to the audience on a kind of meta level.

i also liked the portrayal of Tony as a literal monster, with pepper sprayed eyes and a low, guttural voice, an image so striking they had to use it again in Soprano Home Movies. there's a lot of other sublime imagery surrounding the disposal as well - Tony carrying the chains up the harshly lit stairwell like some monstrous emissary of doom, the bowling ball falling down the stairs just as they take Ralph's head from the bag, Ralph's severed hand almost touching Tony's junk and Tony's profoundly unsettled reaction, Chris hilariously failing to operate a backhoe, Ralph's remains sinking into the dark waters below the cliff they threw him from. I just really love this episode. Sorry if that was a tangent.
Taps, lights out, 2200 hours. What's missing? Give up? Television.

Re: Rank ALL EPISODES from #86 to #1

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Nice to see your list and thoughtful commentary, B Fazio.

As one who referred to the lapse of time since you started the thread without actually sharing your list, it's certainly understandable as it's not easy being both a criminal mastermind and art reveiwer, just as Christopher had difficulty being a soldier and writer.
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