When was it on? Jan 10, 1999 – Jun 10, 2007
What happens? Tunnel lights flash by overhead as a car drives through the
Lincoln Tunnel, headed for New Jersey. Alabama 3’s ‘Woke Up This Morning’
pounds from the stereo. A massive, gorilla-like paw reaches out to swipe a
ticket from the turnpike. The message is clear - This is Man Telly. The Sopranos
opening credits simply ooze testosterone. As the driver takes his hands off the wheel to light up a cigar,
you just feel like cheering the sheer, fucking balls of it all.
Then what? He carries on driving doesn’t he? Whoever he is, he doesn’t seem the type to muck about. A puff of cigar smoke and we’re passing through Jersey, past Satriale’s pork store, the scene of much bloodspill to come. Then it’s into the suburbs and up a leafy driveway. Because this show is as much about family as it is The Family. Finally the camera pans round we get a full-on glimpse of the driver. It’s only Tony bloody Soprano. And by the look on his mug, he’s having a right shitter of a day. Somebody’s probably going to get shot in a bit. In comes The Sopranos logo (with the ‘r’ replaced with a pistol, naturally) and the music abruptly cuts as Tony slams his door. Thus ends the coolest opening sequence in television history.
Our verdict? The ultimate example of less is more. Who knew a man driving home could be so damned exciting?
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