His separation hasn't been working out. His nephew's fiance has become a distraction. His paroled cousin is giving off bad vibes. His business rival is looking for payback. His therapist isn't buying into the "other Tony."... more » It's enough to send any mob boss over the edge. Hell hath no fury like The Sopranos.DVD Features:
"The death of Carmine, family crime boss of New York, sets up the organizational tug of war that operates through the fifth season. The brutal push and shove between Little Carmine and Johnny Sack provides the dramatic backdrop as tensions mount between the families. Through it all, Tony tries to maintain neutrality but finds himself, as usual, in the thick of things.
On the home front there are several touching and poignant moment between our lovable thug, Tony, and his long-suffering wife, Carmella. Slowly and sweetly, they inch toward each other; each painfully aware of the sensitive issues and the deep divide which separate them. In a grimly amusing scene, Tony may have found Carmella's price.
Without question, this is Gandolfini's finest hour. He gives a performance which portrays not only the ruthlessness and thuggery of Tony Soprano but also the maturity, thoughtfulness, humor and depth of a caring husband father. No humanitarian awards just yet, though, this is brutal gangsterism and intimidation of innocents, after all. Carmella, Christopher, and Adriana also deliver their very best performances to date. Well-deserving of their awards and recognition.
Adriana's episode commentary in bonus features is worth listening to.
"
This season delivers!
Apprentice | 03/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just another solid hit (season) from the Sopranos! 5th season is just as original as previous seasons! Buscemi makes the show so much fresher as he plays cousin Tony who tries to go straight but ends up going back into the family business. Cousin Tony causes big problems for the boss (Tony Soprano) and he hits a dilemma on choosing his blood or his other family. Very interesting twists and turns here that and the outcomes were totally unexpected. Gandolfini plays his role perfectly with sides of wit, humor and all seriousness. The supporting cast is the best emsembled in television history. Do not miss if you are a Sopranos fan. If you just found about this great show, I recommend you watch all the previous seasons first then watch this.
This is the only show I am eagerly anticipating to return every season and I have no patience for it."
No "synergy" at HBO
yattaman | Tokyo | 01/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with Barbarossa "Unwilling Pirate" . In fact in December 2004 I inquired at HBO. It took a few emails to get this reply:
"Thank you for contacting Customer Support at store.hbo.com. Due to legal restrictions (actor, director, royalties, studio permission contracts, etc.) the release date has not yet been set. Even though HBO produced the series and have the legal rights to air the program, we do not have licensing rights to sell the 5th season. Once the information from our corporate offices have been released to us, we will then be able to make the announcement. Until our Customer Support department gets more information about the release of the 5th season, we can not provide any further information. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you, andthank you again for contacting Customer Support at store.hbo.com. Sincerely, Nora D. Customer Service Representative""
Unraveling Into Chaos..Can't Wait for Season 6
Michael McShea | Allentown, Pa | 04/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"During a remarkable Season 5, we witness the complete breakdown of relationships among Tony Soprano's two families. We begin with a rudderless and lonely Tony facing his past demons, first with having to live inside the birthplace of all his inner termoil, his mother's house. He then has to confront the his past shortcomings as a member of his business orginizations. Whether it is the demise of a betraying lover, a bloody power struggle in NY, or the humbling return to a loveless marriage, Season 5 has left us with certain knowledge that no relationship on any level has been left intact and that Season 6 will prove to be a scramble to survive."
The Sopranos, Season 5: All Due Respect deserved.
Felix Felicis | Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry | 03/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The fifth season of The Sopranos was arguably the best since Season 1, with a few long running subplots from previous seasons resolved and new characters and problems added to mix, often in shockingly dramatic fashion. Here are capsules for each of the episodes in this fantastic season:
Episode 1 - "The Two Tonys" - As per last season's brilliant finale, "Whitecaps", Tony and Carmela are still on the outs. Carmela needs help dealing with AJ's attitude and also with a lumbering bear (metaphor alert) that is fond of their backyard but she refuses to ask Tony for assistance. Tony is working on taking his relationship with Dr. Melfi in a "new direction". Meanwhile, the NJ and NY families are excited that the "Class of '04" is being released from prison - Angelo Garepe and Phil Leotardo to NY and Feech La Manna and later Tony's cousin Tony Blundetto for NJ. Unfortunately, NY boss Carmine Sr. suffers a stroke and dampens the proceedings. A dense and involving first ep that also features a funny subplot between Paulie and Christopher.
Episode 2 - "The Rat Pack" - Jack Masserone is suddenly very chatty with Tony, and Tony wonders why. The painting that Masserone gave him may be a psychological giveaway. The FBI is turning the screws to Adriana, who almost gives away her secret at ladies night, but later finds a way to make it useful for her. Carmine Sr. passes away, and his son Carmine Jr. and consiglieri Johnny Sack look to be headed to war; Tony wants no part of it. Everyone rejoices as Tony B is released from prison, but what he wants now that he's out is to go straight. And Tony's not happy about it.
Episode 3 - "Where's Johnny?" - Johnny Sack strikes first to consolidate control of NY quickly by whacking soldier Lorraine Calluzzo, and Tony's still trying to stay neutral, waiting to pick up "crumbs from the fallout". Feech and Paulie aren't exactly getting along on the home front. Junior keeps busting Tony's chops but it's not intentional; his condition is getting much worse. A very poignant emotional end to this one.
Episode 4 - "All Happy Families" - Feech is causing all sorts of problems for Tony, who remembers Richie Aprile and decides Feech has to go. He comes up with a clever method of dispatching him. Carmine Jr. wants to retaliate for the hit on Lorraine Calluzzo. A.J. has a crazy night out in Manhattan and an exaperated and resentful Carmela sends him to live with Tony - much to Tony's chagrin.
Episode 5 - "Irregular Around the Margins" - A great episode, alternatingly very funny and very dramatic in typical Sopranos style. Adriana and Tony are caught in a awkward position and though nothing happened, everyone's talking. Christopher can't take it and is going bonkers. Tony may have to do something drastic about his hotheaded nephew until Tony B comes up with a plan that saves face (and possibly a lot more) for everyone.
Episode 6 - "Sentimental Education" - Tony B gets an unexpected offer in his quest to go straight, with disastrous results. Carmela's loneliness manifest itself in attraction for A.J.'s counselor Mr. Wegler, and she does something daring that she comes to regret very quickly. Will the rest of her life always be clouded because she was married to Tony Soprano?
Episode 7 - "In Camelot" - Tony goes to visit his father's grave and runs into Fran Felstein, Johnny's old goomah. She appears to be a "classy broad" at first but appearances can be deceiving, and she conjures up some painful memories. Tony and Phil Leotardo have a little "misunderstanding" about profit distribution. Chris tries to help out his writer buddy JT Dolan, fresh from rehab, but Dolan may have another problem - gambling. And his problems just got a whole lot worse.
Episode 8 - "Marco Polo" - Tony reluctantly agrees to pay for some damage to Phil's car, and sends her to Pussy's old body shop (now being run by his wife Angie). But Phil isn't too thrilled with the repair job. Carmela wants a surprise 75th birthday bash for her father, who learns of the party from Uncle Junior and throws a fit when he learns Tony isn't coming. Tony does come at Carmela's request and the two share a "friendly moment" in the swimming pool after hours. How much did it mean to either of them? Tony B gets involved in the NY struggle in a big way, disobeying direct orders, by whacking NY soldier Joey Peeps for some extra "freelancing" cash. All hell is about to break loose...
Episode 9 - "Unidentified Black Males" - Johnny Sack suspects who hit Joey, and so does Tony. When he confronts his cousin, it doesn't go well. But he still protects him, over his feelings of guilt on the night Tony B got pinched and Tony didn't show. Carmela is angered that the romp in the pool apparently meant nothing to Tony and moves to "agressively pursue" divorce proceedings and her share. Tony gets Meadow's boyfriend Finn a job at the construction site, and he learns a dangerous secret about capo Vito Spatafore. Finn and Meadow, after much arguing, have some good news to announce - they're getting engaged. And Finn just literally saved his behind for the forseeable future. A great one.
Episode 10 - "Cold Cuts" - Johnny Sack is acting up because he knows Tony is protecting his cousin, and Tony isn't too pleased. Janice gets arrested on top of all this, and Tony orders her to get her anger issues under control. Tony B and Christopher have had a strained relationship but get some bonding done while digging up some old friends on their Uncle Pat's upstate farm.
Episode 11 - "The Test Dream" - In this brilliant, twisty surreal nightmare, Tony B's prison buddy Angelo Garepe is whacked by Phil Leotardo in revenge for Joey Peeps, and everyone is on edge. Tony's goomah Valentina accidentally burns herself, and Tony checks into the Plaza for a good night's sleep. Instead, he has a recurrung dream about his old gym teacher, subconciously asking whether he's ready to "do what needs to be done" by associates past and present. He awakes to some bad news - Tony B has killed Billy Leotardo, Phil's brother, in vengeance; Phil is in the hospital. And New Jersey is now fully screwed.
Episode 12 - "Long Term Parking" - A body was found washed ashore and the feds think Adriana is involved; the perp was a drug dealer at her club and surveillance video shows her acting strangely. They pick her up and she desperately convinces them she might be able to get Christopher to flip. Christopher doesn't take it so well, and Adriana finally gets an overdue vacation. Meanwhile, Johnny Sack finally becomes Don of NY as Carmine Jr. bows out, and both he and Phil want Tony B on a platter. Tony isn't serving up anything...yet. A heartbreaking but inevitable ep, and Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo absolutely shine in their blistering final scenes together.
Episode 13 - "All Due Respect" - Carmela and Tony finally get back together via a mutual "compromise". Tony B has been in hiding but Tony knows where he is and he isn't saying. Christopher is becoming a target and good soldier Benny gets a stern beating by NY. The Jersey crews are getting nervous; they all think Tony is being too protective of his cousin at their expense. Their right, and Tony knows it, but he can't give up his cousin so easily. Soon he overcomes his guilt and makes his fateful decision, on his own terms. Johnny Sack and Phil aren't too pleased, but who cares? Tony once again has earned all due respect from his own crew and that's all that matters. But how much has it cost him? As we end Season 5, the feds hit Johnny Sack with Tony right there at his house; he escapes to the safety of his home, with Carmela waiting for him. A perfect ending to a wonderfully executed season.
The DVD edition has several standout commentary tracks, most notably acclaimed director Mike Figgis, who guest-directed "Cold Cuts" and offers an outsider and fan perspective in his thoughts. Drea de Matteo also offers a laid back track on "Long Term Parking" that's not too insightful but pretty honest and informative about her views on her role throughout the show. Overall, Season 5 once again raises the bar for TV in general and "The Sopranos" as a whole, and Season 6 is so far doing the same. So if you haven't already bought this set and everything that came before, what are you waiting for?"
