Beginning with one of the most striking opening scenes in television history, this production draws the viewer into Tony Soprano's world and never lets them go. In this geography that stretches from the dilapidated neighborhoods of New Jersey to its upscale restaurants, an extremely dark and ironic version of the American dream is staged. Tony Soprano may seem like an ordinary middle-aged man; someone struggling with family responsibilities, complaining about gaining weight, trying to keep up the job left by his father. But he is also the boss of the New Jersey mafia. David Chase has radically redefined modern television drama by centering this dual existence in the series. The scenes of Tony having dinner with his family, the momentary troubles he experiences while picking up the morning newspaper and the weekly therapy sessions are intertwined with violence, power and death. This contrast is not merely a dramatic choice, but a keen observation of America itself. The series derives its greatest strength from never confining its characters to the dichotomy of good and evil. You sympathize with Tony, you hate him, you understand him, and then you feel ashamed of your understanding. James Gandolfini embodies this role with such body and soul that you sometimes forget that what you're seeing on screen is a performance. Carmela, played by Edie Falco, is a masterpiece in herself; this woman, who alternates between weakness and strength, complicity and innocence, adds a constantly pulsating tension to the moral Decking of the series. The scenes set in the psychiatrist's chair do not present a superficial therapy drama. These moments are rare windows into Tony's inner self, offering the audience the opportunity to confront themselves as well. This atmosphere, based on Italian-American identity, nostalgia, patriarchy and decadence, is moody and disturbing from time to time, but makes it impossible to take your eyes off. This story, unfolded over six seasons, continues to resonate in minds long after its scenes ended. What he is describing is not merely organized crime; it is how wielding power both protects and secretly corrupts a person.