Semester Series: Familiar Notions in The Sopranos.

Family on The Sopranos is a predominant theme, whether taken in the context of the traditional nuclear family or the idea of 'family' as it pertains to the common perception of the mafia. As discussed in this week's reading, family -- in any sense of the word-- allows for any number of complex connections between characters that in turn enhance the regular goings-on that make up the basic plot of the show. The specific ways in which characters either tangentially or directly connected to the central 'family' of the Sopranos react therefore are catalysts for higher drama. This is to say that by virtue of the unique individuality any one human being possesses by virtue of being an unique mind (a trait shared by any well written human character in any drama), reactions to what would otherwise be knee jerk are instead multiplied across a spectrum of human experience. Essentially what this boils down to is entertainment value. A family, which is to say a group of interconnected people, allows television drama to be much more complex and therefore entertaining.

The concept of family is also beneficial in a case such as The Sopranos in that it is an idea that generally most viewers can connect with on a subconscious level. By virtue of the assumed nuclear family of fathers and mothers and siblings or perhaps even the idea of a group of close relations, the idea of family inherently draws the audience into a level of understanding with the subject matter that does not need to be earned or established. Obviously the conflicts that the Soprano family deals with on a week to week basis are much more grandiose than those that the average television viewer would normally have to contend. Still, because that essential familiar understanding exists in most individuals we as the audience are able to extract certain commentaries and similarities from the proceedings in a meaningful way. It is safe to assume that the turmoil and strife presented in an episode of The Sopranos at least in some way reflects for the American audience an identifiable notion of what it means to be a family. This is to say that perhaps it is correct in saying that the American mindset views the inevitability of familial argument and discourse as par for the happenings of daily life. Sure, the fact that the Soprano family is dealing with murders and intrigue on a federal scale is relatively unrelatable, but the core ideas that these dramatic instances reveal about the way in which family reacts to them are fundamental to the enjoyment of the series. Put simply, Americans are not so fixated on the violence that the characters must endure so much as the relatable through line of emotional understanding that is derived from the knowledge of family.

As I have lightly touched on it above, I'll be brief in my analysis of what it is The Sopranos specifically seeks to say about family. Throughout the course of the narrative of the series, it is clear that family to Tony Soprano is unspokenly important while at the same time a source of great conflict and stress at the same time. On a unconscious level Tony, like almost any member of any family, is beholden to those he considers his family. This responsibility results in the common occurrences of his life becoming increasingly more complex as he must consider the reactions for those around him. At the same time, he struggles with his own interests and individuality in the face of his own sense of responsibility and this is another defining trait of the show. Where is Tony allowed to simply look out for himself, and why is it that against all rational logic he cannot separate himself from his personal bonds? The answer is not concise, suffice it to say that The Sopranos as a whole is a commentary on these very issues. Family is simultaneously the most important element of life decisions while at the same time being the most complex obstacle to simple living. From week to week, the show is about the various pros and cons of being tied to a group of individuals on an intense emotional level and the lengths to which this warps one's psyche. Family is never clearly a good thing or a bad thing in The Sopranos, but it endeavors to inch closer to a revelation about its nature through high drama. This notion is relatable to any viewer and the excitement of watching these moments develop is likely the main draw concerned in guaranteeing returning viewers.