Christopher
A newly made man, the future is bright for Mr. Moltisanti. Tony’s nephew finally got through Paulie’s arduous initiation (the man sniffed his wife-to-be’s underwear, marón!) and could start earning with three hands should Adrianna’s club stay hot. But when will we see him return to the pursuit of screenwriting?
Possibly the only male character on the show besides Tony who is capable of any sort of emotional depth, Christopher faces a bevy of conflicts in his pending marriage and perpetual struggle for respect.
Tony: The Head of the Family. The Big Man. T.
What more can be said about the most engrossing character in the history of the medium? It certainly helps that character has an actor (James Gandolfini) with such great range to confront the wide array of conflicts he faces on a weekly basis.
You want conflicts? Let Tone have a sit-down with you. His own mother tries to have him whacked, his son’s a delinquent, his daughter has no respect and his wife considered filing for divorce.
Then there are his Family problems.
Meadow
Season three saw Meadow transform from an ill-tempered, petulant adolescent to an ill-tempered, petulant young woman. She outraged her father with her relationship with the “charcoal briquet,” and Jackie Aprile Jr. certainly didn’t do anything to ameliorate the situation.
Her rant to Jackie’s sister in episode 39 provides some interesting foreshadowing, though. Could Meadow give up a life of academia for one in “this thing of ours?” She already appears to be on her way.
Dr. Melfi
Oh, the frustration. How badly did we want her to sic Tony on that lowlife that raped her? It’s almost a good thing she didn’t, because there has to be some voice of reason and consistency on the show.
She seemed to love hanging the Gloria affair over Tony’s head, yet she always remains professionally non-judgmental. There are no clear signs of where she’s headed in season four, but she’ll be our Greek chorus every step of the way.
Corrado “Junior” Soprano
It’s not going to be an easy season for old Uncle Junior. Stricken with “the big casino” (cancer) and an impending trial on federal racketeering charges, it appears as though the former boss of New Jersey’s most powerful crime organization may be headed for the exit.
Junior’s crafty, though — he almost had Tony whacked, and there’s no doubt that if he tries it again, Tony will knock the old man off faster than a plate of cappicola.
Carmela Soprano
“T’s” other half has a lot to shoulder. Able to put up with her husband’s late-night boozing with the boys and penchant for “young Russian things,” Carmela has proven herself to be a loyal and loving wife.
The first lady of New Jersey’s biggest mob boss will be left unprotected if Tony meets his fate in season four. Is she ready for the worst? You bet your tripe she is.
A.J. Soprano
If only A.J. was as tough as the punk who portrays him, Robert Iler. Iler and some of his pals spent last summer robbing tourists of a few bucks. Is the pay on “The Sopranos” so low this kid has to hold up somebody for $20?
As for the show, if Tony aspires for his son to follow in his footsteps, it’s about time he whipped his boy into shape. A Slipknot-adoring, persistently morose student, A.J. is goth gone bad.
Would Ralph Cifaretto be afraid of a squat kid with a pale complexion and a pair of headphones on? Are you kidding me? He’d give him a beating he wouldn’t forget. If T’s son is going to prove himself, it’s now or never.
Ralph Cifaretto
He may be the most-hated character on the show. Old Ralph not only beat to death a stripper that was carrying his baby, but he ordered a hit on Jackie Jr. while he was dating his mother. What gabagool this guy has!
T didn’t appreciate the disrespect Ralph was showing Bada Bing! and knocked him into the next week. Not the thing for one “made” guy to do to another. His acidic tongue, frequent outbursts and violent temper have all the bookmakers from Atlantic City to Vegas betting Ralph is going to find himself swimming with the fishes before season four is over.