Why the Sopranos is better than The Wire.

This has been one of the great debates of the modern age, that has dumbfounded most media studies students as much as being told there's no future post-university for a creative arts degree. It's like asking which is better: Tyson/Ali, Beatles/Stones, Custard Cremes/Bourbons. Usually there is no answer, however after some long hard thinking I think I may have conjured one up: Jammie Dodgers.

They now come in Lemon flavour too.

There is no doubt in my mind that these two serials are the best works of television ever to have existed, and yet again - thanks HBO, you spoil us. The only show that even comes close is The West Wing, and sadly that's just not easily accessible for your average shmuck who thinks The West Wing is the Port side of an airplane. No messing about; these two are giants, Behemoths...they are Lemon Jammie Dodgers.

Even though I've still yet to finish season 6 of the Sopranos (the last one, so no spoilers I beg of you), I feel that i've already made the decision in my mind that Tony + New Jersey > McNuddy + Baltimore. Here's why:

The Narrative + its players:
David Chase (Sopranos) and David Simon (The Wire) are probably my two favourite David's the world has ever seen. Their ability to write is out of this world; The Wire, however, is more of a boxset TV show - because it is so easily split between the seasons (the port Season 2 + the news media Season 5 for example) it looses a lot of its flow in the final episode, and takes a few to find it again when the next season begins. Also, everyone has favourite seasons of The Wire, with no two people agreeing on the best (personally, I wasn't that fond of Season 2). The Sopranos is completely the opposite, running perfectly as one long story arc from Season 1 Ep 1; meaning it's a more complete TV serial, very rarely dropping pace or losing the viewer's interest.

Without getting into the details and potentially spoiling plot for those who might want to go out and start watching either or, the Wire is a gritty take on Baltimore's organised crime + the Sopranos is a gritty take on New Jersey's organised crime. They are both really gritty. With really gritty characters with gritty real world issues as well as gritty criminal problems. There's no telling what gritty thing might happen next! </gritty> The characters and plot development is really too close to call, they're both amazing. The reason the Sopranos gets it at the post is that it is more about how the characters react internally to the gritty things happening, and how it affects their psyche than who gets capped on the corner. Plus I'm in love with Silvio Dante and his ever-frown:

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in

Both shows have a web of intertwining storylines that come in and out of focus, there are sub plots and subsub plots that are so well made that they really allow for a greater character development. After I watched the Wire I thought this had been perfectly achieved, however it's got nothing on the Sopranos. As much as you feel steeped in McNulty's pride or in Omar's code, the depth of Tony Sopranos character is unmatched - all his mother's fault if you believe Dr Melphi. He seems to be always waiting for them pesky ducks, or fainting, or eating, or fucking.

One day T, one day.

Cinematography + shit:
This is where the Sopranos starts to run away like a freight train with this one. Yeah, the Wire looks good and it does have some nice shots, but then there's Tony Soprano's dream sequences. They look + feel like they belong in a Darren Aronofsky film, with visual metaphors literally more frequent than Godfather references. My favourite is probably in Season 5 Ep 11 (aptly named The Test Dream), which is essentially all one dream. It goes on about 4 levels of Tony realising he's dreaming (Nolan stole that shit), getting more and more stunning each turn. Meaning is no more clear to the viewer than it is to Tony Soprano himself, we are afforded our own interpretation of Tony in bed with Carmine and what not.

There's a surprisingly large catalogue of these picture on the web.

I feel like I have to be careful not to spoil the best parts when writing about the Sopranos. I would also advise not to google pictures of characters because I just ruined two things for myself. The only thing really left to decide on (without rambling into spoilers) is the soundtrack debate. I'd argue that the Sopranos has the better music within scenes, however there is just no beating Tom Waits blaring: "WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE GARDEN".

You can almost smell the bourbon.

Sadly, as much as I obsessively love and quote the Wire, it has been outdone on almost every front by the genius that is Tony Soprano. He has to be the best fictional character of the previous century, and kudos to James Gandolfini for not only his sweet name, but also his amazing performance throughout. I am so stoked to watch season 6, and I thoroughly recommend you get yourself downloading and start watching.

Did I mention Steve Buscemi directs and stars in episodes of the Sopranos? No?

My bad.