Boardwalk Empire is simply a much much better version of The Sopranos.

[dyna mo]

I'm watching the Sopranos from the beginning, currently 1/2 way through season 3. Uncanny similarities between both shows. Boardwalk wins by far, perhaps because Sopranos is older and doesn't stand the test of time, but side by side, there's no contest.

[CourtneyR_FFN]

never watched the Sopranos, yet Boardwalk Empire is epic!

[dyna mo]

also please, no Boardwalk Empire last season spoilers in here. tia!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by CourtneyR_FFN

never watched the Sopranos, yet Boardwalk Empire is epic!

Sopranos is basically a bunch of 1980s fat new jersey guys wearing sansabelt slacks and leisure shirts chumping for change by strong arming pizza joints and hijacking trucks, in between they eat a lot while wearing wife beaters and have mommy issues.

[VikingMan]

Sopranos made way way more impact. I imagine that boardwalk empire costs more to produce. The wardrobe and set designers and director of photography are excellent. The writers are not so great on Boardwalk. The teeth on the 20 -something Nucky Thompson are ridiculous. The one thing about Boardwalk that makes it less annoying that Sopranos is at least Nucky does not go to therapy.
My favorite scene in Boardwalk is when that villian from last season does an impersonation of Nucky.

[baddog]

hmmm; I watched Sopranos when it first came out and recently watched the entire series again. Not sure how you came up with it "doesn't stand the test of time." I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

[CourtneyR_FFN]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Sopranos is basically a bunch of 1980s fat new jersey guys wearing sansabelt slacks and leisure shirts chumping for change by strong arming pizza joints and hijacking trucks, in between they eat a lot while wearing wife beaters and have mommy issues.

Ok I'm good. I'll stick with BWE. Bummer it will be the last season, but at the same time its good they don't try and push it to far.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by VikingMan

Sopranos made way way more impact. I imagine that boardwalk empire costs more to produce. The wardrobe and set designers and director of photography are excellent. The writers are not so great on Boardwalk. The teeth on the 20 -something Nucky Thompson are ridiculous. The one thing about Boardwalk that makes it less annoying that Sopranos is at least Nucky does not go to therapy.

what do you think it was re: the Sopranos that made that impact? I'm not seeing it, not saying it's not there, but.......

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by baddog

hmmm; I watched Sopranos when it first came out and recently watched the entire series again. Not sure how you came up with it "doesn't stand the test of time." I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

it's odd to me because it does keep me interested enough to keep watching through ~3 seasons now, that's ~30 episodes already (I couldn't get through the pilot of the wire on the other hand), so it is entertaining, but I'm not getting what about it made it so special back then.

[VikingMan]

Hey I realized I posted a spoiler and deleted it but you had already replied with my quote. Can you delete that part about Chualky white? thanks

[JFK]

I don't much care for the flashbacks this season, where they are trying to establish Nucky's origins Aside from that, its one of my favourite series

[baddog]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

. . . I'm not getting what about it made it so special back then.

Likeable characters, easy to follow story line; believable.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by baddog

Likeable characters, easy to follow story line; believable.

I think that's part of it for me, I'm not finding any redeemable qualities for most of the characters. the believable part, yes. easy to follow, yes. Right now, the most likable character for me is Carmela.

[seeandsee]

Boardwalk is just great, too bad this is finale season

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I'm watching the Sopranos from the beginning, currently 1/2 way through season 3. Uncanny similarities between both shows. Boardwalk wins by far, perhaps because Sopranos is older and doesn't stand the test of time, but side by side, there's no contest.

The similarities come from Terence Winter.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

it's odd to me because it does keep me interested enough to keep watching through ~3 seasons now, that's ~30 episodes already (I couldn't get through the pilot of the wire on the other hand), so it is entertaining, but I'm not getting what about it made it so special back then.

Force yourself to get through the first 4 episodes of the Wire...then ask if yourself if you want to keep watching. I almost gave up, and was so glad I didn't. To this day it's still the most rewarding TV series watch I've ever had. I'm envious of those who haven't seen it yet and can experience it for the first time.

I would say stop watching The Sopranos and start The Wire.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by bronco67

The similarities come from Terence Winter.

I'll give him a google and see what's up.

so 4 episodes of the wire eh..........hmmmmm. that's doable.

[atom]

I agree, The Sopranos didn't hold my attention enough to finish watching the series where as Boardwalk Empire has.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I'll give him a google and see what's up.

so 4 episodes of the wire eh..........hmmmmm. that's doable.

What I'm saying is it's a slow burner, but once it's on fire you won't want to stop watching. But you'll know if it's for you after the 4th or 5th episode.

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I'm watching the Sopranos from the beginning, currently 1/2 way through season 3. Uncanny similarities between both shows. Boardwalk wins by far, perhaps because Sopranos is older and doesn't stand the test of time, but side by side, there's no contest.

I recently started doing the same thing with Sopranos and stopped just about where you're at. You're right about it not holding up.

Now I'm watching OZ and The Wire. Both of which are even better then I remember, and for me nothing is as good as The Wire.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by atom

I agree, The Sopranos didn't hold my attention enough to finish watching the series where as Boardwalk Empire has.

But they're two completely different kind of shows. I'd say Mad Men is closer to what The Sopranos is. A character study of a very flawed person. The mob activities/ad agency stuff is secondary to the character.

I think Boardwalk Empire is plot first, character second. It seems to be about plot point A to B from week to week, although I do like the exploration of Nucky's early life to give some context about why he is the way he is at the present.

[CDSmith]

Originally Posted by CourtneyR_FFN

Ok I'm good. I'll stick with BWE. Bummer it will be the last season, but at the same time its good they don't try and push it to far.

I did the exact same thing, watched it way back when, and then a few years ago watched all 86 episodes in about a two week period. Definitely stands thet test of time for me as well.

I also agree with the comment that it made more impact.

boardwalk is super good though. Both series are right up there in my mind, but Sopranos will always be king.

[jimmycastor]

oz is much more fun then sopranos
its even more entertaining then boardwalk, but boardwalk has its own quality with
all the design and the quality of the cast. no comparsion possible with sopranos
never would watch sopranos a second time

[PR_Glen]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I'll give him a google and see what's up.

so 4 episodes of the wire eh..........hmmmmm. that's doable.

once lester freamon and omar get into the mix it changes the whole dynamic of the show. Thats why it takes about 4 episodes or so.. heh

[JerseyPuma]

i think sopranos was a great show that got worse over time. on the other hand, boardwalk was a good show that has become great.

i prefer the second.

[kane]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I think that's part of it for me, I'm not finding any redeemable qualities for most of the characters. the believable part, yes. easy to follow, yes. Right now, the most likable character for me is Carmela.

That is actually part of what made the Sopranos a groundbreaking show. It was one of the first times where the "hero" of the show was actually a bad guy.

If the Sopranos suffers one major issue it is that t was a victim of its own success. David Chase had intended for the show to have a specific arc, but when it became a huge hit HBO talked him into dragging it out for a few more seasons. As a result there are things that were added that likely wouldn't have been there otherwise and they can sometimes cause the show to lose some focus. Still, I think it was a brilliant show and it paved the way for shows like Boardwalk Empire and Breaking Bad.

[Cherry7]

Most shows go on for too long.

How long could you cook crystal meth with mobsters and not get killed? I wasn't he dying of cancer? Gets too silly.

The Sopranos had some amazing episodes of social criticism, the way Ralph brutally killed that young girl and Tony's love for his daughter. Brillant.

But the winner is the "The Wire" with its epic portrait on an American city, the war on drugs, failing police, education and government, and great actors, and each episode and series building on the last. No fake white hero and trusty black side kick nonsense, here a great show with tons of fantastic black actors, people you hate one minute and love the next...

[lezinterracial]

Originally Posted by VikingMan

My favorite scene in Boardwalk is when that villian from last season does an impersonation of Nucky.
]

The season with Gyp Rosetti was probably my favorite season.

[Mediamix]

They both play in a different timezone.. Never seen Boardwalk Empire, but now I have too. Sopranos was more than great!

[VikingMan]

Originally Posted by lezinterracial

The season with Gyp Rosetti was probably my favorite season.

[John-ACWM]

Originally Posted by CourtneyR_FFN

never watched the Sopranos, yet Boardwalk Empire is epic!

same here

[VikingMan]

here is that breadstick in a bow tie scene. I love it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmRxMXnyGP8

and soon after
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKpA4Ge5Ldc