Episode 7: Free Will vs. Destiny
6 July 2020 - 1 hour 16 mins explicit"Down Neck." In the lone episode of the series directed by a female (Lorraine Senna Ferrara), Jarod, Drew, and Josh discuss whether shows like The Sopranos perpetuate toxic masculinity. As the episode explores Tony's past, our hosts realize his nostalgia for the time may be unfounded. Are current TV audiences dumber than they've ever been, or do they just have shorter attention spans?
Links:
Rotten Tomatoes "Greatest HBO Original Series" Bracket (our motivation to end recency bias)
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist Article
Snatch directed by Guy Ritchie on IMDb
Peter Jackson on IMDb
The Seventh Seal directed by Ingmar Bergman on IMDb
Once Upon a Time in the West directed by Sergio Leone o...
Series Episodes
Episode 13: A Mother Larger Than Life
explicit"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
1 hour 29 mins
17 August 2020 Finished
Episode 12: Serotonin Syndrome
explicit"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
1 hour 20 mins
10 August 2020 Finished
Episode 11: Mafia Game Theory
explicit"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
1 hour 16 mins
3 August 2020 Finished
Episode 10: The King Becomes the Jester
explicit"A Hit Is a Hit." As the show shifts from the main season arc, Jarod, Drew, and Josh reflect on the versatility and wide range of themes of The Sopranos. Like Christopher, none of them can explain what makes a "hit." Do the heavy themes of The Sopranos make the show less approachable than other series? Links: Rich vs. Wealthy Chris Rock Standup Clip Spike Lee Breaks Down His Film Heroes YouTube Video Buffett's Bet with the Hedge Funds Article on Investopedia Don't Keep Your Day Job Podcast The Peter Attia Drive Podcast BiggerPockets Podcast Drew Madden Art Website Josh Hasn't Seen The Sopranos on Twitter Questions or comments? Reach out on www.jarodbackens.com
1 hour 19 mins
27 July 2020 Finished
Episode 9: Revenge Is Not Justice
explicit"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
1 hour 22 mins
20 July 2020 Finished
Episode 8: Hanging a Lantern
explicit"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
1 hour 15 mins
14 July 2020 Finished
