I was mildly disappointed with the first episode(like many, I suppose), but
I'm hopeful that after laying the basic groundwork, the things to come will
begin to heat up. I thought the Billy Batts type beating that the two stock
brokers/goons laid on the poor guy pushing the wrong stock was a little
gratuitous and not real Sopranos-like stuff. Here's to better episodes in
the weeks ahead.

The sister is a horrible addition. I don think she fits in at all. They need
to focus less on Tony's family and more on whats going on with his crew.
Livia, the mother, is getting annoying. She was great in the scenes at the
dinner table but her character's condition no longer warrents her sarcastic
mouth. I dont like the story line sorrounding christopher either. It dosnt
fit him but maybe that was what they were gong for. Was it me or did the
whole cast put on weight? Meadow got huge and I'm pretty sure Tony and
Carmella got bigger too. Pussy was the only one who lost weight and it dosnt
fit him. I think his story is bull also. Its too boring and simple. The
writers of the show could have come up with something better then that which
leads me to beleive that hes lying.

Addressing some comments I've read...

Janice does not need to go- she needs to grow. Her character will become a dominant force on the series
and we simply need to see more about her than the fact she is a two-face bitch in all respects(health food
nut but smokes, claims loyalty to Tony while trash talking him behind his back). We will see another
great character out of her yet people. Give it a season.

Pussy was not taken back too soon - He's not back yet. Tony is still unsure whether to trust him or not. I
would be too. They never saw that wire on Jimmy Altieri you know.

As for Chrisotpher Moltisanti's arc, he's always fallen back when ever he takes two steps forward. He
has arrogance and pride to spare and it oozes from the pores on his nose. Why is he working as a stock
broker? Because Tony sees him on the street busting heads, cracking down on drug dealers and acting tough
as hell but not really accomplishing anything. All he ever REALLY achieved the first season was a rep for
hot-headedness. So he put him in the stock brokerage thing. Of course, those lines of coke can't be
helping, huh?

And as for Melfi acting the way she is around Tony - his involvement with her almost got her killed. Understandably, she wouldn't want to have anything to do with him.

This shows pacing said alot about the episode itself. It felt 20 minutes long (it came in about 50), it felt
wild and scattered, trying to catch you up too fast. then I watched it again and saw that what it was doing
was the same thing Isabella was doing; making you feel like Tony Soprano. Isabella showed him depressed
beyond compare and the show moved like mollasses. Until the attempted hit took place. The pace moved up again. This episode showed us why Tony is passing out again- Life is too f**king chaotic to bear. We have a
long 12 episodes ahead of us. Lets HOPE that Melfi can gain back some of that empathy she had last season,
though he does not deserve it from her.

By the by, my only real complaint was the line " They can't stop me from seeing you Grandma." Madon! Meadow was such a great actress last season and to blow a line like that! That line was random enough to casual viewer, and even to a guy like me who has watched Season One four or five times over, it still made me
scratch my head. I chalk it up to a.) Livia's being spoiling to Meadow in Season One and simple teenage
rebellion mixed in with miscommunication (isn't that always the way? I'm sure if the parents told their
daughter that her Grandmother was a sociopathical homicidal bitch from hell she'd understand... Then
again, maybe not).

I look forward to seeing more consequences this season, especially some reprecussions of the Father
Phil and Artie Bucco situations. They were small stories in the large one last year, but they provided
some fascinating non-Mafia characters. here's hoping we see them around(though for Father Phil not at
Carmella's. I think he got the message, huh?)

It will be a very good year.

I've read all the comments regarding the first episode of the new season and no
one's brought this up:
Wasn't Livia's house sold last season? It at least went into escrow, which was
one of the last things she complained about before she OK'd the hit on Tony.
Even if the deal went through, it doesn't make sense that the house deteriorated
into such bad condition; any decent realtor would have brought it to Tony's
attention way before it got as bad as it did.

As far as Janice goes, I think she'll be great! Livia needs to keep up the
appearance of helplessness and will try to work through Janice and/or Meadow to
continue to wreak havoc in Tony's life but Janice will prove to be more evil and
manipulative than her mother. She may even be the one to do Livia in!
Remember, Johnny-Boy used Janice as a cover; between that and Livia's wonderful
parenting skills there must have been some serious damage done to her psyche. I
can't wait to see how her role progesses!

I was so looking forward to the first show, got a little let down, but I
still think this show is the best.
Tony is so bad he's sexy... Wondering how Junior will turn out if the show
keeps running!!
I HATE THE MOTHER!! I think she definitely has something up her sleeve
with Meadow. They need to keep her away from that old bag!
Last season had me surprised at the end,,, I'm looking forward to more
episodes before I make up my mind.
If you like this show, you should watch the movie TRUE FRIENDS.
I watched it the other day and it reminded me of this show!
Sexy New York Italians are sooo Hot!

I thought most of the feedback from viewers was right on. I do believe that Pussy has something to hide, possibly a Junior connection, the sister is going to bring Tony down if he is not careful, Christopher will also hurt him with the brokerage business, as he is too busy snorting coke and arguing with his girlfriend. A great show, a little lack of continuity with last year, but all in all wonderful.

My question though, is if Meadow is 16, why were she and Tony out looking at colleges LAST year when she is just now starting to learn to drive (poorly, I might add)? Was this just so Tony could make a hit? I don't think so, I think he accidentally ran into the guy he snuffed. Any help on this one?

The people on this board totally miss the point. The comments are out of
left field. 1.Christopher is running the brokerage with the cash from the
Columbians in season 1. Tony tells Chris that thy should get involved in
IPO's and the market. Look it up in "A Hit is A Hit" from last year.

2.Everyone is taking the episode by itself. The series is crafting itself
for this year. The pace is leizurely, like last year. Most people don't
remember that because they watched the year end marathon back to back.
Remember, there are 13 episodes. Watch them all and then judge the year as
a whole.

3.Tony's sister is not supposed to be liked. The show is doing exactly what
it is trying to do. David Chase doesn't want you to like Tony's sister. Or
his mother. Chase wants you to see aspects of your life in these people.
That way, the show is more personal.

I enjoyed the first show. Mostly because I just plain love it and anything
they give me is good.I clearly got the introduction of new characters. Life
goes on and the mob life is so changable always new faces always new
introductions>isn't that the same in real life?The sister is perfect! She's
the black sheep, or is she!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Pussy is a puzzlement. What's
that about?Tony will figure it out.Suspense is a good thing. You wouldn"t
have wanted it to be too predictable would u?I can't wait till next
week........