That's not to say there aren't the usual gangster hijinks (there are murders aplenty) but the action always gives us insight into the troubled and troubling characters rather than revelling in cheap thrills or egregious violence. While showrunner David Chase shows an obvious love for The Godfather and Goodfellas, The Sopranos goes deeper by allowing us into Tony's mind – thanks to the ingenious move of having this great anti-villain visit a psychiatrist every episode. Following James Gandolfini on formidable form as Tony Soprano, the series details the life of a Brooklyn boss as he attempts to navigate a changing world. The Sopranos revolutionised television, bringing movie-style production values to the small screen and helping put HBO back on the map.
