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Every rewatch of The Sopranos reveals new plotlines, motivations, and interpersonal dynamics. For six seasons, the crime drama dives into the world of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a man whose morally gray reputation precedes him. His struggles to balance the mobs and his family led him to have heart-to-hearts with Dr. Melfi, his psychologist.
Character-driven plotlines underscore the show's cutting atmosphere, upping its rewatch value. Whether it's a gripping mob-driven episode like Pine Barrens, a more family-oriented one like College, or a wildcard like Funhouse that tickles fans' bizarre interests, a lot of reading between the lines is required to understand the gravitas of every dialogue, scene, and interaction.
Disclaimer: All opinions in this article belong solely to the writer. The list is in no particular order. Spoilers ahead.
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Pine Barrens, College, and other best The Sopranos episodes to rewatch
1) Pine Barrens (Season 3, episode 11)
Widely considered one of the best episodes of The Sopranos, season 3, episode 11, Pine Barrens is a commentary on the optics of power in the larger scheme of things. It primarily focuses on Paulie and Christopher's giant misadventure in the Pine Barrens, where the two seemingly powerful men discover that the Russian man they killed and brought to the forest to dump was alive and a trained commando.
The episode genre-bends to another level. There is laughter seeing the duo be reduced to a primal shell of themselves, a gripping tension not knowing what the forest had in store for them, and an unshakeable feeling that the power dynamics between Tony and Paulie have irrevocably shifted. Moreover, Steve Buscemi's playful and fresh direction adds value to the rewatch.
2) College (Season 1, episode 5)
College is considered one of the best The Sopranos episodes to rewatch because of its succinctness. It takes the crux of the show and unapologetically lays it out for fans to see. The jarring juxtaposition of Tony's violent career with him and his daughter visiting colleges reveals exactly how closely his two wildly different alter egos co-exist. He is a ruthless mobster and a present dad, aware of his duality.
The episode can stand on its own and still make sense with a comprehensive beginning, middle, and end. It shows his personalities clashing in a pivotal moment where Meadow asks her father if he is in the mafia. Carmela has an unraveling of her own as she realizes exactly what kind of man she married.
If fans want a refresher before watching later seasons, or remember the show's core message, College is the episode to go to.
3) Funhouse (Season 2, episode 13)
Food poisoning unlocks a different side to Tony, making this episode of The Sopranos one of the most entertaining rewatches. The episode explores Tony's repressed thoughts and feelings bubbling to the surface in one of the most creative ways possible. For instance, in one hallucination, Tony has a full-fledged conversation with a dead fish that confesses in Puss's voice of being a mole.
Minor details often go unnoticed, making the rewatch a revelatory experience. In one instance, Tony notices — and initially ignores — the way Puss describes one of their schemes to Furio, as one would to federal agents. In another, there are microscopic changes in Silvio's facial expression when Tony reveals he wants to "buy Puss a boat" (which is code for throwing him overboard for his betrayal).
Many peak acting moments and an overall entertainer await fans.
4) Marco Polo (Season 5, episode 8)
Dark undercurrents become more and more frequent by season 5. But Marco Polo brings back refreshing humor reminiscent of The Sopranos season 1, making it excellent to rewatch. Turf wars erupt within the New York mobs, and Tony B finds himself inexplicably involved in the mess. Meanwhile, Carmela throws her father, Hugh, a 75th birthday party, and Tony is invited.
Tony and Carmela's fractured relationship and separation come to a head as the duo reconcile, and the entire episode has a day-in-the-life vibe, where the family is partying and having a good time. Its high rewatch value comes from the quotable moments, like when Tony swings the string of sausages in Hugh's face.
5) Christopher (Season 4, episode 3)
While this episode of The Sopranos is largely considered a filler, its expert blend of wry humor and political pinings makes for a great rewatch. When a protest against the Columbus Day Parade by Native Americans irks Silvio as being anti-Italian, he sets off an unnecessary brawl that pulls the mobsters into a random side quest.
Christopher also has certain plot points surrounding Ralphie and Karen, setting off the events for the rest of the season. The slapstick humor when Artie runs for his life after being hit by a smoothie, the memorable conversation between Tony, Silvio, and Chrissy in the end, and a lot of unscripted reactions make it fun.
6) Whitecaps (Season 4, episode 13)
For a show that is heavy on the murder and gruesome details, the season 4 finale of The Sopranos manages to bring a more unforgettable intensity to the screen without any actual murders. The impending implosion of Tony and Carmela's marriage looms on the horizon, and Edie Falco's acting prowess alone grips the viewer differently during every rewatch.
The dance between enjoying the privilege of Tony's money and power while being uncomfortable with its moral implications comes to a crescendo in Carmela's life. It forces her — and the fans — to confront the truth of their disloyal, morally gray marriage, and the result is an irreparable violence that alters their relationship forever. These talking points make the episode an interesting one to rewatch.
7) Fortunate Son (Season 3, episode 3)
Fortunate Son is probably one of the more uncomfortable rewatches in The Sopranos. It confirms the inevitability of nature in the nature vs nurture debate by shining a light on the strained relationship between AJ and Tony. It is poignant and utterly heartbreaking, but written in a gripping way that captures what the show is all about.
Every rewatch unravels a new layer to the father-son duo. Tony and Carmela want the best for their kids, but the episode makes the argument that what AJ needs from his father is different from what Tony believes is best. The silent implications of AJ's future potential are, in fact, loud in this episode.
Watch The Sopranos on HBO.
