The Sopranos debuted 25 years ago on HBO and was arguably the turning point for the network, paving the way for many innovative TV shows. Show creator David Chase based many of the characters on family members. The show was a hit from the start, praised by critics and viewers alike. Serving as the inspiration for many subsequent crime shows, it is as relevant today as it was then. The hit show has an impressive overall rating of 9.2 on IMDb and is often considered the greatest TV show of all time.
Tony Soprano, the protagonist, played by James Gandolfini, was a complex and fascinating character, capable of committing monstrous deeds one minute and being a caring and empathetic father the next. While The Sopranos It was quite dark at times, but it also had plenty of comedic moments without being banal, and nowhere is this balance more evident than in its iconic season finales.
7 “Kaisha” is a slow and disappointing film
Season 6, Mid-Season Finale
In this episode, tensions between the Soprano and Lupertazzi families continue to grow. During a meeting brokered by Little Carmine, Tony and Phil attempt to make peace, but fail. Phil later rejects the idea of killing Tony, but his bosses suggest targeting someone else on Tony's team.
When Phil has a heart attack, Tony visits him in the hospital and tells him to embrace life and enjoy his family. After closing the Jamba Juice deal, Tony discovers that Julianna is now Christopher's lover. Their relationship leads them both back to drug use. Christopher eventually admits his relapse to Tony, leaving Tony frustrated. As the Sopranos gather for Christmas Eve, the party seems peaceful.
The Sopranos' sixth season consisted of 21 episodes, but was split into two parts, largely to avoid giving the actors contractual raises. As a result, episode 12, “Kaisha,” served as the midseason finale, although it didn't have the impact viewers had hoped for. It is one of the lowest-rated episodes on IMDb.
One of the main problems with “Kaisha” is its pacing, which feels uneven. Significant events, such as Christopher's relapse into addiction, were glossed over with time jumps or happened off-screen, weakening the emotional weight of its plot. Some storylines felt rushed, but the episode itself dragged, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied.
6 “Army of One”: A Mix of Tragedy and Black Comedy
Season 3
“Army of One,” the season three finale of The Sopranos, blends tragedy and dark comedy, highlighting the hypocrisy of the Mafia. The episode intertwines the two central storylines: AJ being expelled from school, prompting Tony to consider military school to instill discipline, and the funeral of Jackie Jr., who was killed by Vito Spatafore.
Tony believes that his son AJ could follow a similar destructive path to Jackie Jr. if he doesn't intervene. This underlying fear gives the episode its emotional weight, as Tony grapples with the challenges of fatherhood and the dangers of his lifestyle.
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The funeral scene, with a splendid vocal performance by Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior), should have been the most emotional moment, but is abruptly interrupted by an inappropriate medley of songs that significantly diminishes the gravity of the moment.
While “Army of One” offers some great performances and memorable scenes, the ending is a bit slow for a film and the odd choice of music in the closing moments contributes to its low ranking on this list.
5 “Funhouse” seems like a fever dream with prophetic elements
Season 2 finale
The Sopranos season two finale sees the death of Sal Bonpensiero, the first major character to be killed. His tragic end comes after it is confirmed that he has been cooperating with the feds. This revelation is framed by a surreal and beautifully shot dream sequence, triggered by Tony's food poisoning. In this dream, Tony's subconscious uncovers the truth about the betrayal of his longtime friend, symbolized by a talking fish.
Throughout the second season, Tony's suspicions about his best friend grow steadily. Once the betrayal is confirmed, Tony, Silvio, and Paulie take Sal out on a boat. The scene unfolds slowly, building tension. Sal knows that they know about his betrayal and that he is facing certain death.
In a final moment, Sal recalls a girl from Puerto Rico, prompting Tony to question whether the story is real. This small exchange amplifies the emotional weight of the scene, making the audience feel the anguish building as much as Sal does. When there is nothing left to say, Sal asks them not to shoot him in the face. Eventually, all three shoot him and throw his body into the water.
This episode is a powerful and emotional finale, but the fever dreams with their surreal elements take the show in a more experimental direction, which seems a bit out of place for a finale.
4 “Whitecaps”: A Masterpiece of Emotional Turmoil
Season 4 finale
The Sopranos season four finale, “Whitecaps,” masterfully interweaves personal tragedy with subtle storytelling. What initially seems like a season of mob conflict and shocking moments is ultimately a distraction from the real narrative: the disintegration of the Soprano family. The beach house, a symbol of Tony's desire to secure a stable future, becomes a tragic metaphor for his inability to repair what's already broken.
The episode builds tension with a deliberate pace, starting with an illusion of peace, only to shatter it with Irina's confession to Carmela about Tony's constant infidelities. Carmela, who has long tolerated Tony's affairs, finally reaches her breaking point and their confrontation turns into an emotionally charged battle.
“Whitecaps” stands out for its raw depiction of the couple's latent conflict with references to past episodes. The lack of traditional violence in this finale emphasizes the emotional devastation, underlined by Edie Falco's phenomenal performance as Carmela.
The episode's unique approach makes it one of the most memorable in The SopranosDespite the apparent finality of Tony's departure, the circular nature of the show's themes suggests that real change may be nothing more than an illusion.
3 “Made in America” Sees World Fade to Black
Season 6 finale
In the Sopranos finale, Tony is in hiding as he deals with the fallout from his conflict with Phil Leotardo. He trades information on suspected terrorists with FBI Agent Harris to find Phil, who is eventually tracked down by Tony's team. Tony attends Bobby's funeral and visits Janice, who plans to raise Bobby's children. Meanwhile, Butchie pressures Phil to make peace, but Phil refuses, leading Tony and Butchie to negotiate a truce and authorize an assassination on Phil.
Tony and his family return home and AJ narrowly escapes a car fire, prompting Tony and Carmela to divert him from the military and into Little Carmine's production company. Meadow announces her engagement and a potential job at a law firm. Phil is executed by Tony's team, eliminating the threat against Tony.
The series ends with a touching scene in which Tony visits his Uncle Junior, who no longer remembers their past. The final moment is marked by a cut to black as Tony and his family sit in a restaurant. While the conclusion of the story is solid, few television finales have sparked as much debate as the finale of The Sopranos.
Leaving the fate of Tony and his family open was an intriguing choice, but for fans craving closure, the abrupt cut to black felt like an infuriating mockery. Some speculated that creator David Chase might have had plans for a follow-up film, but James Gandolfini's passing six years later made that possibility impossible, if it was ever considered. Despite the ambiguity of the final scene, the series' overall resolution remains masterfully executed.
2 “I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano” is a perfectly balanced conclusion to the first season.
Season 1 finale
The Sopranos season one finale provides a masterful conclusion to the season. Tony's suspicions about his mother's involvement in the assassination attempt on his life are confirmed by tapes obtained by the FBI, and his relationship with Dr. Melfi reaches a breaking point.
When Melfi suggests that Tony's mother may have borderline personality disorder, Tony trashes his office in a fit of rage. Meanwhile, Artie confronts Tony with a shotgun after Livia tells him that Tony was responsible for the fire that destroyed his restaurant.
The episode's pacing is impeccable, with each scene serving a clear purpose. Tony's power struggle with his uncle Junior intensifies as he works to rid his crime family of its most dangerous members. However, his opportunity for revenge against Junior is thwarted when the feds arrest him.
Despite this, Tony emerges victorious, solidifying his control.
Creator David Chase designed the finale to serve as a potential conclusion to the series, not knowing if The Sopranos would have been renewed for a second season, despite the show's rave reviews. The episode offers a satisfying conclusion to the season's central story arc, while still leaving enough uncertainty to carry forward into future seasons. Fortunately, the series would go on to run for another five seasons.
1 “All Due Respect” shows that the situation is changing
Season 5 finale
The finale of the fifth season of The Sopranos deals with the aftermath of Adriana's death. Tensions are rising among Tony's team. Tony visits Paulie to deal with these frustrations and is surprised by the altered portrait of himself and the racehorse Pie-O-My.
This bizarre discovery reinforces Tony's need to eliminate his cousin, Tony Blundetto, despite Johnny Sack's warning that it won't stop Phil Leotardo's thirst for revenge. After killing Tony B, Tony goes to Johnny's house to make peace, but the meeting is interrupted by an unexpected FBI ambush.
At home, AJ surprises his parents by showing interest in organizing events. The final scene of the episode draws a powerful parallel between Tony Soprano and the mythical figure of Odysseus. Tony emerges from the bushes in his backyard, finally safe.
Although Tony has regained his home and his sense of self, the finale leaves a deeper impression: he has lost his soul. Throughout the series, Tony's therapy sessions have hinted at a hope for redemption, but by the end of season five, that hope seems lost. Tony's path seemed beyond salvation. The finale is a well-paced and superb conclusion to a darker season, although it casts a dark shadow over the future of The Sopranos.