While re-watching an episode of The Sopranos, (because that’s what I do, apparently, when I cancel Netflix, watch something on Amazon), I was struck by how beautifully the story is told.

First of all, I love James Gandolfini. I’m not one prone to celebrity worship, but I was saddened by his death and thought that the world was just a little less bright for the loss of him. He was Tony Soprano. His rough-and-tumble accent, his imperfect teeth, and the way his face would draw lines that defined not only a Mafioso badass, but also the goofy kid in a middle-aged man’s body.

It was that combination, the badass and the jokester, that drew audiences in and drove the show. It’s been years since I’ve seen the later episodes, but on first watch, I found myself watching his downward spiral and being horrified. Acts of violence were interspersed with acts of tenderness and silliness.

Good writing is, in essence, emotional manipulation, and the writers of the Sopranos excelled at it.

But it was two scenes with Carmela Soprano that really drove home the point of power of small actions driving characterization.

Continue reading Fabulous Friday: Characterization in Carmella Soprano →