The Sopranos is a celebrated crime drama series available on HBO that first aired in 1999. The show revolves around New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and his complicated journey to balance his home life and his criminal organization. With seven successful seasons, The Sopranos has become an iconic show in the television industry. However, it's not to say that every episode of the show is a hit. Here, we will be ranking the worst episodes of The Sopranos according to critic reviews.
The Sopranos has been praised for its writing, directing, character development, and its exploration of the human condition. One of the main aspects of the show is its masterful storytelling, making it hard to pick out the bad episodes. However, there are some episodes that are considered to be among the worst in the series.
In this article, we will be ranking the worst episodes of The Sopranos and why they are not as well-received as the other episodes. We will also be discussing why some of the worst episodes are still worth watching. So, let's get started and explore the worst episodes of The Sopranos.
Written by Sophie and last updated on Feb 24, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Tony escapes to the Plaza Hotel for a night of rest and relaxation, but his dreams are haunted by past faces. Another casualty falls in the war between Johnny Sack and Little Carmine, and Tony B. heads to New York for revenge.
The episode was rated 7,35 from 872 votes.
Tony pays a visit to his father's gravesite and meets a woman who claims to be his father's mistress. Tony forges a relationship with her as he learns more about his past. Christopher takes a friend from rehab to the executive poker game, but he soon goes from sponsor to strong-arm man when his friend can't pay his debts.
The episode was rated 7,56 from 846 votes.
Tony B. makes an honest effort to go straight as he prepares to open his own massage studio, but a mysterious bag of money tempts him back to his old habits. A.J. moves back in with his mother after a fight with Tony, while Carmela pursues her relationship with her son's guidance counselor.
The episode was rated 7,61 from 848 votes.
Tony throws a welcome-home party for his cousin, Tony Blundetto, who is released from prison on parole. The FBI continues to pressure Adriana for information and she nearly confesses at Carmela's film club. Carmine's passing leaves the field wide open for Johnny Sack, but Little Carmine has ideas of his own. Tony smells yet another rat and leaves a clear message for the Feds.
The episode was rated 7,68 from 929 votes.
Feech begins to overstep when he moves in on Paulie's landscaping deals. Tony worries about Junior's mind when Junior wanders around his old neighborhood searching for long-dead friends. As the hostility in New York intensifies, Johnny Sack dispatches the Leotardo brothers to send Little Carmine a clear message.
The episode was rated 7,72 from 896 votes.
Janice attacks a mother during her stepdaughter's soccer game and is forced to attend anger management classes. Tony must deal with his own anger as Johnny Sack launches payback against the Sopranos. Christopher and Tony B. overcome their differences when they are sent to dispose of several incriminating corpses buried in the country.
The episode was rated 7,76 from 869 votes.
Tony, now separated from Carmela, takes a romantic interest in Dr. Melfi. Carmela is forced to call Tony for help when a wild bear keeps visiting their home. Johnny Sack sees an opportunity for advancement when Carmine suffers a stroke, while new parolees readjust to life on the outside and Janice adjusts to married life with Bobby. Christopher and Paulie face off when Christopher is constantly stuck paying for dinner.
The episode was rated 7,78 from 931 votes.
Tony and Carmela quarrel after A.J. spends a wild night in the Big Apple. Tony is forced to make a decision about Feech when he continues to overstep his bounds. Carmela finds a romantic interest in A.J.'s guidance counselor, while the war in New York claims its first two casualties.
The episode was rated 7,78 from 879 votes.
Rumors about Tony B's involvement in the Joey Peeps hit reach Johnny Sack, who considers going to war with little Carmine. Meadow looks out for her boyfriend's financial well-being and turns up the pressure on him when their relationship stalls. Carmela finds that Tony has made it impossible for her to hire a divorce lawyer, while Tony explores his guilt over his cousin's incarceration with Melfi.
The episode was rated 7,84 from 840 votes.
Carmela invites Tony to participate in her father's surprise birthday party, and the evening ends in a romantic encounter. Two of Little Carmine's men try to recruit Tony B. for a retaliation against Johnny Sack's crew. Tony B. is reluctant, but his boredom soon gets the better of him.
The episode was rated 7,86 from 845 votes.
In "Irregular Around the Margins," Tony Soprano finds himself caught in a web of intense emotions for Adriana. These feelings drive him back to the familiar office of Dr. Melfi, seeking guidance and understanding. But that's not all Tony has on his plate - there's a possibility he may have skin cancer, adding another layer of anxiety to his already complicated life. While Tony grapples with these personal struggles, his crew discusses a troubling rumor involving Adriana, further complicating the situation.
This episode of The Sopranos is a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the incredible acting skills of the cast. As viewers, we can't help but feel for Adriana as she navigates a world of naivety and abuse. The show doesn't shy away from portraying its characters as flawed individuals, yet it also reminds us that they are human beings with their own share of sympathetic failings and emotional moments. The end scene of this episode is particularly impactful, saying so much with so few words. It's truly a masterclass in storytelling.
Overall, "Irregular Around the Margins" is a powerful episode that delves deep into the complex relationships and struggles of the characters in The Sopranos. It's a testament to the show's ability to captivate and make us empathize with even the most flawed individuals. Prepare yourself for a gripping and emotionally charged viewing experience.
The episode was rated 8,03 from 903 votes.
In the episode "All Due Respect" of The Sopranos, Tony faces pressure from his own crew to give up his cousin to Johnny Sack. Tony does some soul-searching on Melfi's couch and eventually takes a course of action. In the meantime, A.J. is proving to be a schemer, while Christopher tells Carmela that he and Adriana have ended their relationship. Tony meets with Johnny Sack to restore peace between Jersey and New York, but the Feds surprise them and Tony flees to safety.
The episode explores themes of love and loyalty, as Tony's crew pressures him to choose between Johnny Sack and his cousin Tony B. Tony S. also questions the extent to which Tony loves him, and Tony B. is forced to confront how much of his affection for Tony is love and how much of it is guilt. Tony and Carmela also address their marriage and its complicated dynamics, as Tony blocks any of Carmela's attempts to escape and Carmela extracts her price in exchange for giving into Tony's wishes. Ultimately, the episode ends with Tony swallowing his feelings and doing what had to be done, but it felt somewhat inevitable and lacked a sense of new territory. Additionally, there was some lighthearted comedy provided by Carmela and Tony's reaction to AJ's potential career in event planning.
The episode was rated 8,18 from 881 votes.
In the episode Long Term Parking of The Sopranos, the FBI finds new evidence that they use as leverage against Adriana, forcing her to try to persuade Christopher to go into witness protection with her. Tony and Carmela's relationship is further strained as he is hesitant to give up his cousin to Johnny Sack's ultimatum.
With Adriana's death, viewers are left with a heavy heart and an emotion of loss. This episode highlighted the tragic naivety of Adriana, and her inability to see the truth of Christopher's character. Her hope for a better life for them both was ultimately dashed, as she had to face the reality of Christopher and their situation.
The episode was rated 8,31 from 911 votes.
