Episode 10: The King Becomes the Jester

"I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano." The season finale! Jarod, Drew, and Josh dive into the last episode of the season that changed TV forever. They ponder if Tony's real family or mob family are more important to the story. Is this the best first season in TV history?   Links: Occam's razor on Wikipedia Drew Madden Art Website Josh Hasn't Seen The Sopranos on Twitter Questions or comments? Reach out on www.jarodbackens.com 

"Isabella." Do heroes always get the worst assassins? Jarod, Drew, and Josh reflect on Tony hitting rock bottom and the tendency of characters in the show and people in real life disguising their emotions. Drew thwarts a dream bear from entering his tent.   Links: "40 Hours a Week" Dumb and Dumber Clip The Rascals Hall of Fame Induction Speech by Steven Van Zandt YouTube Video Drew Madden Art Website Josh Hasn't Seen The Sopranos on Twitter Questions or comments? Reach out on www.jarodbackens.com 

"Nobody Knows Anything." Is Livia Soprano the most powerful person in New Jersey? Jarod, Drew, and Josh rave about the show's ability to alter the audience's expectations on what's true and what's not. Josh believes Tony is a good leader as he navigates who the rat is in his crew.   Links: Game theory on Wikipedia Giancarlo Esposito Emmy Nomination Video on Twitter Your Jordans Are F***ed Up! Video of Giancarlo Esposito in Do the Right Thing Fear City (Netflix Documentary) on IMDb Drew Madden Art Website Josh Hasn't Seen The Sopranos on Twitter Questions or comments? Reach out on www.jarodbackens.com 

"Boca." Is The Sopranos a high quality soap opera? Jarod, Drew, and Josh attempt to define justice in terms of Tony and Artie's decisions in this episode. Josh thinks the series has reached the point of the entrée in a fine dining restaurant. Drew prefers his raft guiding blunders to the stresses Tony faces in his daily life.   Links: Yes, Mad Men Is a Soap Opera The Atlantic Article The Strange Brain of the World's Greatest Solo Climber Nautilus Article Drew Madden Art Website Josh Hasn't Seen The Sopranos on Twitter Questions or comments? Reach out on www.jarodbackens.com

"The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti." For this meta episode of The Sopranos, Jarod, Drew, and Josh reflect on the kinds of TV characters they like watching. They also have an unqualified discussion around the duty of a therapist when treating a mobster patient. Do contemporary audiences prefer characters with subtle arcs (like Don Draper) or more extreme arcs (like Walter White)? Links: The Oral History of Seinfeld's 'The Contest' Vulture Article Antonio Meucci on Wikipedia Uncover The History of Pasta PBS Article Drew Madden Art Website Josh Hasn't Seen The Sopranos on Twitter