Let’s face it, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) knew how to bring people together when he had to. As the patriarch of two very different families, both of which were prone to epic bouts of in-fighting, Tony became something of a peacemaker over six seasons on The Sopranos (available to stream anytime on HBO Now). Sure, Tony definitely had a temper himself, but when he really needed to, he was able to bring the splintered factions of his family together. While many out there are openly dreading Thanksgiving this year, there’s still a joy that comes from sitting down with the splintered factions within your own sphere. So, with that in mind, here are a few appropriate Sopranos episodes for when you need to bring your family together and for after, when you need something besides turkey to distract everyone from fixating on your love life.
“Made In America”
Yes, we’re starting off with an episode that has been understandably overshadowed by the whole ‘what really happened when it cut to black’ debate (which still goes on today, almost a decade later), but looking past that, the idea that a family with two grown kids still made the effort to get together and share a meal with one another is downright sweet. Amidst this tenderness, A.J. (Robert Iler) even recalled a moment from the first season finale when the family came together to break bread with one another. While the episode will forever be mired in both controversy and extended parallel parking sequences, let’s not forget its ability to show us a genuinely charming moment in the life of the Soprano family.
The guy at the counter wearing a Member’s Only jacket aside, there’s a lot to relate to here. These days everyone is busy, which makes it that much important that you take some time to see your family — even if everyone has to take their own car to get there. Trust us, it’ll be worth the hassle once you’re all sitting at one table, basking in the same splendor of golden-fried onion rings. Even if the ones you order aren’t “best in the state.”
“The Happy Wanderer”
In a true ‘to the victor goes the spoils’ moment, Tony, Silvio (Steven Van Zandt), and Paulie (Tony Sirico) were all collectively on cloud nine after they’d successfully taken on the responsibility of running the Executive Game, an exclusive, days-long poker tournament. Previously ran by Tony’s Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese), Tony and his crew did run into a couple issues, namely with David Scatino (Robert Patrick) betting and borrowing way over his head, not to mention Silvio’s temper. Despite these minor setbacks, no one lost sight of the immensely profitable and highly lucrative card game they’d just inherited.
Every situation, even the really good ones, are bound to hit a speed bump every now and then, and when that happens, it’s important that you don’t let them distract you from the bigger picture. Instead, celebrate your victories the same way that you work toward your common goal, as a family. Also, try and keep everyone’s temper in check by making sure you’ve swept up all the cheese off the floor beforehand.
“Soprano Home Movies”
There’s nothing like getting together with a few select members of your family out in the peace and serenity of nature. When Tony and Carmela (Edie Falco) decided to spend his birthday celebrating with Bobby (Stephen Schirripa) and Janice (Aida Turturro) at their cabin, they have two, maybe three days of relaxation and pleasant, familial rapport. Of course, that all went out the window the second they popped open that Monopoly game, which spawned one of the show’s most darkly comedic moments, and ends with Tony’s petty vengefulness in full effect, just not in a way anyone was expecting.
While the lesson here is that you should embrace the opportunity to get away from your routine and really try and connect with the people closest to you in a new, serene environment when you get that chance, you can do one better by keeping that serenity intact and opting to play something sedate like Yahtzee, instead.
“He Is Risen”
“Good, because I’m feeding an army this year,” said Carmela Soprano in response to the massive frozen turkey that Tony tosses on the kitchen counter. It’s a Sopranos episode where art imitates life, as Thanksgiving plans were being made, and Tony was eager to host their friends and family for the holiday, with the notable exception of Ralph, who was disinvited due to some unpleasantness that had occurred weeks earlier. Determined to look past that unpleasantness, Tony managed to put it (mostly) out of his mind, opting to simply enjoy the company of those closest to him on a holiday that’s meant to do just that.
Sometimes there’s no real trick or lesson to be learned. Just put aside all of your past grievances and do your best to enjoy the time you have together.
“I Dream Of Jeannie Cusamano”
The moment that closed down the show’s first season was filmed before the cast and crew knew if HBO would be giving them a second, so showrunner David Chase, who always envisioned The Sopranos as a two-hour movie, put a bow on it before the final credits rolled. In the wake of a destructive gang war that left Tony alone at the top to call the shots, all he wanted was a nice dinner with his family. After driving through a torrential rainstorm to the steps of Vesuvio, Artie (John Ventimiglia) welcomes Tony and his family inside for a meal by candlelight. When inside, he saw the members of his crew throughout the lobby. It was a comforting, familiar environment, one that provided warmth and shelter for the chaos and disarray that’s just outside the restaurant’s doors. Then, as Tony offered up a toast, he advised his children to “remember those times when it was good,” while all those closest to him were gathered under one roof.
There will always be a storm going on outside your door, and you should never take for granted those moments when you can all gather together around a table to not only share a meal but to quietly take stock of everything you have in your life that you’re grateful for. After all, you never know if you’ll get another opportunity to do so.
