The Soapranos

For most of what has been touted as 'The Sopranos' last season on HBO, the show has turned into somewhat of an old-fashioned, authentic soap opera. Not that it wasn't before, but instead of dealing with mostly, shall I say, 'family business', the seaon has shown us the personal side of several key characters other than Tony. Those of us who have been avid followers of the show, already know that Tony has been seeing a shrink for the last six or so years due to panic attacks, which began on the very first show. Now, we get to see other characters dealing with personal issues like coming out of the closet (or not, in this case) (Vinny); learning about a secret adoption and then prostate cancer (Paulie); and dealing with serious parenting issues (Tony and Carmella). To keep viewers interested, there is the gratutious violent 'whacking' from time to time because, afterall, they are 'the mob', even with all their human frailities and vulnerabilities. For me, the biggest surprise was learning that this really isn't the last season every of the 'Sopranos'. We will see them again in eight more shows.....next year, but frankly, it made me sorry I missed the season finale of 'Desperate Housewives'.