~~~~~~~ Running Time 780 minutes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time the Sopranos had reached its third season it had become something of a TV event, both previous seasons had been great successes, the series had a huge fan base and was the toast of the TV critics. A lot was riding on series 3, pundits were doubtful whether or not the show could sustain the level of excellence it had achieved in its first 2 seasons The fact that season 3 in many episodes outdoes season 1 and 2 again shows the brilliance of the writing, directing and acting of this groundbreaking television series.
Season 3 builds slowly the opening episode shows the Sopranos going about their daily lives, and you get the feeling that maybe the pundits were right and the show had peaked in Season 1 and 2 and that perhaps the show was going to turn into a caricature of its self or worse still some kind of overblown Soap Opera. We as fans had no real need to panic Season 3 delivers maybe not on a par with the first 2 seasons but again a mile ahead of anything else on the small screen. So has it any faults? Yeah maybe one or two, I do feel that the opening 2 episodes in this season were a little drawn out and perhaps a tighter script would have seen both episodes amalgamated into a more gripping single episode. But then again a lot of the groundwork for the reminder of this season was laid in the opening 2 shows. The Feds finally get a 'bug' in Tony's home and Tony's mother Livia dies. This was written into the show because Nancy Marchand who played Livia actually died before season 3 began filming and some old footage along with some digital effects had to be added in order to complete some of her final scenes. Janis (AidaTurturro) Tony's sister returns for the funeral and picks up were she left of towards the end of season 2 as a major headache in Tony's domestic life.
Once the groundwork of these early episodes has been laid the series picks up to be every bit as gripping as season 1 and 2 the acting is again top notch, Tony's wife Carmella (Edie Falco) really comes into her own in this season and deservedly won an Emmy for her performance as she begins to question the morals behind her opulent lifestyle. Tony's children AJ (Robert Iler) and more so Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) also have more substantial contributions to Season 3, this increased family involvement allows you empathise more with Tony as the stresses of domestic life seem almost as demanding as his business affairs. Dr Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) also gets meatier scripts this time round and she's central to 'Employee of the Month' a brilliant complex episode which won its writers an Emmy.
Another standout episode for me in series 3 is 'Pine barrens', directed by Steve Buscemi, this is perhaps my favourite ever episode. Almost the entire plot is centred on Paulie (Tony Sirico) and Christopher (Michael Imperioli). When an attempted 'Hit' goes wrong they find themselves stranded in a snowy wilderness, we begin to get a true insight in to their personalities as the pressures of the situation grow. The episode is darkly comic and the acting from the pair is suburb. A mention must also go to Annabella Sciorra, who plays Gloria Trillo, Tony's latest extramarital love interest she appears in several episodes and her performance as a beautiful, doomed manic depressive saw her nominated for an Emmy. Apart from the episodes mentioned there are many others almost on a par; this season was nominated for 22 Emmy's with James Gandolfini again picking up the award for best actor in a drama series
Conclusion ~~~~~~~~~
So does Season 3 deliver the goods? Yes I think so it may have started out at a fairly pedestrian pace but that may well be one of the strengths of this show, it no longer had anything to prove by the time it reached Season 3. The strength of the writing and acting alone are enough to keep the viewer engrossed without the need for corny Soap Opera plot twists or a Mafia 'Hit' in every other scene or a special guest star in every episode. No the Sopranos has moved beyond that type of television, free from the constraints of the commercial American networks the series dictates its own pace. If you've watched Seasons 1and 2 then I can more or less guarantee you'll enjoy this. And when that final episode finishes you'll be hunting down Season 4!
Extras ~~~~~~
If I have a criticism of these Box sets then it would be the quality of the extras, given the price (You can still pay upwards on £30 for this season and it has an RRP of £61) They are a little thin on the ground compared to comparable Box sets from the like of 'The West Wing'. I know most viewers are only interested in watching the episodes but for fans of the show more effort could be put into the extras. OK rant over, so what do you get?
3 Audio commentaries
1. Michael Imperioli - Actor Writer on The Telltale Moozadell 2. David Chase - Creator on Amour Fou 3. Steve Buscemi - Director on Pine Barrens
Pretty standard fare, Buscemi's was a little disappointing given the excellence of the episode
Featurette - 1. HBO Behind-the-Scenes
Again pretty standard on location footage and pretty paltry at only 4 minutes!
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As with the previous season I will list the Episodes and writers, the link at the bottom of the screen will take you to the official Sopranos guide to Season 3 were you can get a full synopsis of each episode.
Episode 1 Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood Directed by: Allen Coulter Written by: David Chase
Episode 2 Proshai, Livushka Directed by: Tim Van Patten Written by: David Chase
Episode 3 Fortunate Son Directed by: Henry J. Bronchtein Written by: Todd A. Kessler
Episode 4 Employee of the Month Directed by: John Patterson Written by: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Episode 5 Another Toothpick Directed by: Jack Bender Written by: Terence Winter
Episode 6 University Directed by: Allen Coulter Written by: Teleplay by Terence Winter and Salvatore Stabile, Story by David Chase & Terence Winter & Todd A. Kessler and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Episode 7 Second Opinion Directed by: Tim Van Patten Written by: Lawrence Konner
Episode 8 He is Risen Directed by: Allen Coulter Written by: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and Todd A. Kessler
Episode 9 The Telltale Moozadell Directed by: Daniel Attias Written by: Michael Imperioli
Episode 10 To Save us All From Satan's Power Directed by: Jack Bender Written by: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Episode 11 Pine Barrens Directed by: Steve Buscemi Written by: Teleplay by Terence Winter, Story by Tim Van Patten & Terence Winter
Episode 12 Amour Fou Directed by: Tim Van Patten Written by: Teleplay by Frank Renzulli, Story by David Chase
Episode 13 Army of One Directed by: John Patterson Written by: David Chase & Lawrence Konner
all the consanguineous conflict of the Caesars translated to New Jersey. At the beginning of the third series--just as brilliant and compelling as the first two--th...
all the consanguineous conflict of the Caesars translated to New Jersey. At the beginning of the third series--just as brilliant and compelling as the first two--th...
Some highlights of this season are Gloria and Tony's encounter at the snake exhibit, a GLADIATOR-inspired barroom brawl, and the first joint session between Tony...
