The Sopranos - Season 6, Part 1 (DVD, 2006, 4-Disc Set)

t's lonely in the ranks that believe that season 6 of The Sopranos was as good, if not better, than the seasons before it, but I am convinced that the first 12 episodes of season 6 are amongst the bravest, best written, and most telling episodes of the series. The Sopranos has long been a show with the most complex, multi-layered characters on television, but by using the mantra of "Who am I, where am I going" as a rallying point, season 6 probed the nature of what drives its family, and gets in intense focus of who each of them is. The problem, I think, was that it did its job TOO well this season - it's not that there wasn't action (the death count this year was as high as any other, and Tony does, after all, nearly die himself), but that because the show wanted so much to get the specifics of the ordinary right, it's easy to overlook the rather consternated implications of their everyday events. What I mean is that in showing each character at his/her essence, we get what really drives them, but we don't necessarily get that explained to us - we, for example, identify with Carmela's sense of longing and uncertainty staring off at the Eiffel Tower, or we register that Paulie is adrift in guilt and anxiety over his actions in life, but we get it in the details of their everyday action and, these characters experiencing these implications alone, get little of that wrapped up for us. To me, that speaks to a level of characterization and examination that doesn't exist in television and barely exists in film - it probes the specifics of its fictional characters so precisely, it winds up speaking to the heart of what drives Americans and the materialism of American culture that makes things like mobs possible. In that, it brings forth insurance agent, real estate claimsmen and salesmen, actors, and (in one unforgettable shout-out) Dick Cheney - comparisons of the same urges. Yet this season does more than critique the impulses, it allows them to exist, allows all of their very real virtues to be present, and lets them arise from its characters distinct, full-bodied personalities - money helps keep AJ out of jail, gets him laid, repairs Tony's relationship with his sister, keeps Carmela from probing too deeply into Adriana's murder, gets Tony reasonable health care, and nearly spares Vito's life and stops a cross-river gang war. I may be alone in the level to which the Sopranos makes me think, but I do think David Chase's intentions are to use his astonishingly vivid characters to go into depth about the American mentality (or, they're not, and it's just a product of three dimensional writing). However, even if it weren't, the season gives you extraordinary moments to savor - Paulie's confrontation with mortality ("The Ride"), Carmela crying at Tony's bedside ("Join The Club"), Christopher's gut-shaking relapse ("Kaisha," with a fearless guest turn by Juliana Marguilles), AJ's inability to carry out his "big plan" against Junior ("Johnny Cakes"), and, unforgettably, Philly's cold stare as his machinations to kill Vito are achieved ("Cold Stones"). They're moments of magnificent acting that fulfill characters even as it surprises you with their humanity and personality. And, in the premiere, "Members Only," it gives you it all in an hour - a suicide, heart attack, and gun shot that seem to tell you everything you've ever needed to know about the mob life, about why they - if not you - do what they do.

The first episode is perfect, wrapping up season five within a few minutes of the start. The spoken word piece "Seven Souls" is playing against what has happened in the two years since season 5. I think that part one is centered on No good deed going unpunished.

Take a few examples:

Tony going over to cook for Uncle Junior
Eugene Pontecorvo inheriting $2 million from his aunt
Carmella hiring her Dad to work on the Spec. House
Christopher's Maserati is confiscated as a John Sacramoni asset (ok no real good deed here but that was funny)



According to a Lorraine Braco interview the second part of season 6 is to be starting on HBO early April 2007.

It's interesting that the 2nd review is by someone that just started watching the sopranos-- because they are giving a glowing review to season 6 without considering where the Sopranos has come from. Having watched every episode myself, I can say season six "part 1" is sub par at best. I read the review about how each character is simply being delved into extremely deeply, I agree and I don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is boring anti-climactic lazy story telling. This season is just that. There is a great nuance in Vito's personal life that is exposed in season five and resolved in season six, but some of the episodes were just so slow and uninspired that I wonder if they are even trying anymore. I am guessing that this is the calm before the storm, as it has been stated that season six is the last season. I am hoping that the elements removed from part one are doubled up in part two!

The first episode is perfect, wrapping up season five within a few minutes of the start. The spoken word piece "Seven Souls" is playing against what has happened in the two years since season 5. I think that part one is centered on No good deed going unpunished. Take a few examples:

Tony going over to cook for Uncle Junior
Eugene Pontecorvo inheriting $2 million from his aunt
Carmella hiring her Dad to work on the Spec. House
Christopher's Maserati is confiscated as a John Sacramoni asset (ok no real good deed here but that was funny)

Posted by CK-Auctions

When David Chase first envisioned The Sopranos, he conceived it as a four season story. The show was a hit both critically and with the viewing public, and by the time the fourth season rolled around HBO didn't want to loose the jewel of their original programming crown. They threw a bunch of money at Chase, and he decided that maybe there were six seasons worth of stories to tell. So now we come to season six, with is actually more like season six and seven. HBO aired the first 12 episodes of the season in 2006 (each season is usually only 13 episodes long) and then will be showing the second half in 2007. This elongated and chopped up season has caused some fans of the show to proclaim that this group of episodes is padded and that not a lot happens. While it is true that the series stumbled slightly at the beginning, taken as a whole this set is just as strong as the earlier shows.

The Sopranos is the story a Tony Soprano, a man, like many of us, has trouble balancing his home and professional life. The difference is that he's in the mob, the head of his own family in New Jersey, and his work involves illegal gambling, prostitution, and other activities that have him targeted by the feds. As the tag line for the first season goes, if one family doesn't kill him, the other one will.

This season starts off with a bang as Tony gets seriously wounded in a plausible yet unexpected way that sends the series spinning off in new directions. As Tony lays near death, his officers all plot and try to position themselves so that they'll be ready to make their move when the boss man dies.

Meanwhile Tony is going through a more than people realize. Laying in a coma he dreams that he's a regular business man on a trip who's accidentally changed wallets with another traveler. As he tries to get home, things start to get a bit strange and unreal.

Another major plot line involves Tony's captain Vito. When a friend-of-a-friend sees the made man dressed in leather dancing in a gay bar in New York, word gets around and he flees. This only confirms the rumors, and Tony finds himself in the middle of things again. Vito's wife is the sister of a made man in the New York mob, and he wants the man killed for dishonoring his sister. Many in Tony's crew think that he should be killed too, but Tony has a new outlook on life after his brush with death. His live-and-let-live philosophy doesn't go over well with the people in New York who demand that either Tony kills his captain or they will.

This season also reveals some things about Paulie's history that are better left unrevealed, shows how growing up Soprano has affected AJ, and Christopher finds himself in LA pitching a script idea to none other than Ben Kingsley.

So, how does this season stack up against the previous ones? Pretty well over all. The season does have some weak parts however. Tony's coma-dream takes over two episodes and though that event sets up the rest of the season, it really went on for too long. The same can be said of Vito's exile in New Hampshire. While it was interesting seeing him in another environment and how he acted there this story line didn't progress as fast as it should and was ultimately not that meaningful.

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Posted by CK-Auctions

American DVD vs. Asian cheaper DVD. Excellent American DVD, no problems, my seller was top notch. Would I buy Asian again? Sure, you just have to change to English and no subtitles and the actors speak English like you would get here. The sellers through this way you need to watch for the shipping cost. Like Tony would say "Forgetaboutit"

Great great great, if you like to see em whacked and get what they deserve, you'll love these shows! Whatsamatta wit ya, buy it. or forgidaboutit.

I have been a fan of the show. I feel it's very well acted and entertaining. I do not have HBO so I choose to buy the set. I can't wait till the second part is availible for purchase.

The best show on television. No holds barred ! Owning the previous 6 seasons how could I resist the sixth.

I am so addicted to The Sopranos. I had to get the 6th season since I had the other 5 and I am glad I did. I have not finished watching it yet, but can't wait. Like the other 5 seasons, I purchased season 6 from e-bay and I was not disappointed in the product itself. It was new...never opened and I paid 1/2 the price for it that is being charged for it in the stores. The seller was great to deal with and I received it very quickly. Nothing bad to say about any of this deal.

received quickly and in perfect condition, inexpensive, enjoy the whole thing very much the entire series.

I purchased this as a birthday gift for a friend.(Sopranos, Season 6: Part 1, DVD) We have been watching the series since its beginning, and he is always away in May and misses some episodes. We just watched the first 3 discs and are extremely pleased with the DVDs. They are first quality, great visual clarity, and seem even more perfect than the HBO broadcasts. The story lines continue to be harsh but intriguing.

My only dislike is that each episode begins with the usual intro, which I like but not when watching 2, 3, or 4 at a time. Am not certain how to forward past this, but this probably more my lack of knowledge than an actual flaw.

For a Sopranos fan, these DVDs are fabulous.

I finally received the product. Seller was very responsive to my emails, and the product is in excellent condition.

I have all 6 seasons so far and think it is a super series. I bought it so my family and friends could enjoy it also. It ranks right up there with 24, the unit,and all of the CSI series'.

I definately recommend SOPRANOS, to any one who likes good drama,lots of action,fast paced story line, and a cast of fantastic characters. Definately a 10 out of 10!!!!

THANKS

I bought it as a Christmas gift. It came very quickly and in great condition.
I paid for the express shipping which was a great investment as it arrived in just a couple of days.

I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE ITEM PAID FOR A MONTH AGO
MY NEXT STEP IS THE RESOLUTION SITE. I EMAILED THE SELLER HE REPLIED TWICE ABOUT A SHIPPING MISTAKE AND HE WAS GOING TO SHIP IT THAT DAY (JANUARY 22ND) BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING YET.IT IS AMAZING HOW PEOPLE JUST DON'T HAVE ANY VALUES WHEN MAKING A TRANSACTION.I PAID THE MINUTE I BOUGHT THE ITEM BUT THE SERVICE JUST HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED. WELL I JUST HOPE EBAY AND PAYPAL WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME WATCH MY FAVORITE SHOW " THE SOPRANOS".

Even though HBO has taken a gamble by continuing the Sopranos into its sixth season, theres no doubt in my mind that even a not so great Sopranos episode makes me cancel all my plans, bring down all my snacks to my basement home theater and wait patiently as my favorite show is about to start. After six years The Sopranos is still one of the best shows on television, even though some people didnt enjoy season six as much as the previous Seasons.. I thought season six was fresh and very exciting to watch they laid out the groundwork and I cant wait to see the last nine episodes that will wrap up the best Tv Show of all time, in my opinion. Questions are raised about loyalty Tonys vulnerable situation while he is laying at the hospital bed was very interesting to watch, Season Six comes in twelve Excellent episodes I suggest buying this set for your personal DVD collection.

I love the Soprano's and So does my Fiance. If you like the mobster movies you'll love the newer, fresher outlook of the soprano's. This was a gift for my fiance.

I bought it as a christmas gift for my husband. he loved it.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

i never received it! ordered it in nov, filed a claim in dec, still nothing! i am very dissatisfied with the way the seller and ebay are ignoring the fact that i have not received my order but i have paid for it. at the very least someone could contact me!

Great product it was exactly what I wanted brand new in packaging! Good price ! Fast shipping ! ! !

Wonderfull addition to the series. Great cast and stories. Worth all the hype to complete your collection

Although I am not a mob guy, I can relate to Tony Sopranos anxiety and frustrations. Kind of cool to see I'm not alone. It was a great show and I'm sad that it ended.