The Sopranos Sessions

David Chase basically a long time writer for television's The Rockford Files certainly knew his way around a script; what worked and what didn't and more importantly what was cliched and useless. So when he went to HBO to sell them on this idea about a New Jersey gangster who sees an analyst, Chase knew that this was his chance to land the big one, and thank goodness that he did, because he laid the ground work for shows like The Wire and Mad Men and countless other serial dramas now on our screens. Because Chase knew that the story he had to tell was an important one; it was about what was important to all of us: family, friends, being loved, the concept of loyalty, and how far would we go if pressed. Chase knew that this was his big chance and it paid off in spades. The importance of casting the right actors in the correct roles, the importance of long range scripting, the weekly payoffs and the long plot arcs. This book gives an in-depth study of the show in its complex entirety. An important book that really looks at what is happening and takes a deep dive, giving us a satisfying overview of a incredible series.

This book is incredible. The first chapter with the analysis of Tony’s initial session with Dr. Melfi had me hooked. I’ve been reading as I rewatch the series for the 163 time and it’s a great way to gain new insight and see new symbolism in this show that never fails to continue giving no matter how many times you’ve watched it. The authors are shrewd, perceptive, and delve into the psychology of the series but they keep their text articulated and highly readable. They also lend historical context to the series and it’s place in time and have great senses of humor throughout. I’m also loving the occasional sprinkles of acting critique and attention to detail. The interviews with David Chase are candid and illuminating and in points truly touching. If you’re a true fan of the show for the art of it, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. 10/10 will definitely re-read as often as I rewatch the series.

I love that this book is faithful to its title "The Sopranos Sessions" in that it focuses primarily on the backbone of the series, i.e. the Doctor-patient sessions featuring Tony and Melfi. When I first watched the show, I found the sessions in season 1 fascinating, but beginning with season 3 my mind started drifting away every time I listened to Tony unload to Melfi in her office because I thought that the writers had made their point clear: Tony has issues (to say the least) and Melfi is trying to help. The purpose of this book is to urge viewers of the show that they can't take these sessions for granted, and moreover is in these conversations where the meaning of the series can be found. The book invites the reader to take a second look at the show if you thought that there's nothing special to the sessions. Furthermore, Zoller-Seitz and Sepinwall do a great job of walking the reader through the symbolism of the show in order to establish connections between what is discussed in Melfi's office and what happens in Tony's life (both as a husband/parent and as a gangster). The reader should keep in mind that Zoller-Seitz and Sepinwall are not so interested in describing the context surrounding each episode or why it was such a cultural phenomenon, but they are more interested in pointing out why every single detail and every single word in the interaction between Melfi and Tony is important to understand the rest of the show. I decided to read this book when I started listening to the podcast "Talking Sopranos" with Steven Schirripa and Michael Imperioli as a way to contrast their anecdotes as two actors who appeared for most of the series (they do focus on context) with the take of two journalists who worked for the Star Ledger and wrote about the show when it was running. It is also worth pointing out that Zoller-Seitz and Spinwall provide a critical view of the series in the sense that they voice their honest views about some choices made by the writers that in theri opinion could have been better thought out (the writing of the show is still superb nonetheless). The book starts with a summary of every single episode in the series (86 in total) followed by a conversation between the two authors where they speculate about the interpretation of the controversial ending of the show, and it continues with a series of interviews with David Chase and a collection of essays written by the authors (mainly for the Star-Ledger ) that contain reflections about the show while it was running, as well as a few words written by the authors when they first learned about the premature death of James Gandolfini. All of these sections are worth reading in full but I especially enjoyed the transcripts of the interviews with David Chase.

Makes me want to go back and bingewatch the series all over again! Lots of details and pretty cerebral. Need to focus at times and would be helpful also to watch each episode before sections to understand all of the details and allusions. Film buffs will especially enjoy the book with countless references to movie styles, directors and producers

Incredible. Just started reading this book as I rewatch the show. I have seen the series 4 or 5 times through and was a bit wary about whether the book would be able to add any new layers. I was pleasantly surprised. The book goes deep, with episode by episode breakdowns on themes and symbolism some which I had completely overlooked during previous viewings. For example the first episode breakdown analyzes the openjng title sequence which I have seen hundreds of times. The authors discuss how the title sequence is symbolic of a cultural transformation for immigrants and specifically Italians. Tony emerges from the Lincoln Tunnel leaving NYC (where many 1st generation Italians settled), then he travels west past old neighborhoods of his father's generation, which were an upgrade from crowded city streets but still not great neighborhoods. The journey ends with Tony pulling up to his large upper middle class home in a beautiful neighborhood. This is just a small example of the types of breakdowns contained in the book. Soprano Sessions is a must have for any fan of the show or for someone looking to experience the show for the first time.

Great book, excellent read, would recommend to any sopranos fan

Muito melhor do que a versão Darkside, meu inglês não é perfeito mas achei mais fácil de entender o original do que a versão mal traduzida da darkside.

A must read for all Soprano fans. Great insights! A+++++

Libro en pasta dura, en inglés y con capítulos muy interesanntes, no sólo de cada capítulo, que le encantará a todo "friki" de la serie..

Ich schaue mir die Serie gerade nochmal (zum dritten Mal) an und lese vorher das jeweilige Kapitel im Episodes Guide. Im Gegensatz zu irgendwelchen "Trittbrettfahrern", die auch irgendwie an so einer Serie mitverdienen wollen, hat der renommierte Autor hier fundiertes Wissen. Neben Hintergründen und Bedingungen, unter denen die Episoden entstanden, wird einfach viel Interpretation geliefert, was die Drehbuchautoren zeigen wollten. Und ich muss zugeben, auf vieles selbst nicht gekommen zu sein. Wer nach wie vor ein Fan von der bahnbrechenden Serie ist, kommt an diesem Buch eigentlich nicht vorbei.