it is so strange how this show just keeps on adding new subplots without really resolving any of the ongoing ones.

It has taken me a long time to settle into the speed and scope of this show. In S1 my biggest critique was it's slow nature (more shooting. more blowing **** up! more, more!) By S2 I was starting to appreciate the drapes and whatnot, general scenery, slow plots, and deep character developments.

Now it is S3 and I'm totally digging it and completely settled. Pretty much grunching this thread so no idea where others are at with it. Sure I want to see some more violence, but am in no rush for it. It'll get here when it gets here.

Has become my 2nd fav show on tv just barely behind BB.

yeah people need to take the time to study every aspect of this show. the depth of costume, set, dialogue, and characters is something I haven't seen before in TV. It's really hitting its stride imo.

Ha.

too bad the story telling aspect of the show sucks donkey ass, but yeah those other things are first rate.

While I agree there are way too many characters and minor subplots in the show , some of which aren't very interesting or likeable , so far the beginnings of every season are slow paced and tend to setup a fairly engrossing and action packed end to each season , at least compared to the earlier episodes of the season.

I'm hoping S3 continues the trend.

So does anyone even have characters they relate too or root for or whatever? It used to be Jimmy and Nucky, now Jimmy's dead and Nucky just acts like douche all the time. I honestly wouldnt mind if Gyp just wasted everyone in AC and just turned it into the Gyp Rosetti show where we get to watch him get choked out by hot bitches and he comes up with new and inventive ways to off someone in a psychopathic rage each week.


So I guess my main thing is more NY---way less AC.

For me Harrow is the only character I can say I'm sympathetic towards. Considering the number of characters on the show , that's not a good ratio.

While I enjoy shows that fall into a "grey" area like SOA or BB , a show like that can't succeed if 99% of the characters are just plain unlikeable.

Ive begun to start rooting for Eli the past few episodes. I think theyve done a very good job with his character this season.

I also think Owen is pretty likeable.

As far as Eli , I've felt the same way but he was the major voice calling for Nucky's murder.
It remains to be seen if he's truly sorry.

Owen so far really hasn't been developed much I think. Even though he's screwing Nucky's wife so far he's been underused imo.

I like Margaret when shes getting sexed. I also like Gretchen Mol...her character is bat**** insane and I'm interested in seeing where that goes. Same with Van Alden.

Harrow, Owen, Eli, and Van Alden are all somewhat likable imo

I didn't relate to any of the characters on The Sopranos, either

Problem is , like others have mentioned there's just so many characters. How much screen time has Van Alden gotten this season ?

And while I'm interested to see where that storyline goes , he's far from likeable in any way imo.

They were all sociopaths for sure , hard to relate to , but at least Paulie provided some pretty good comic relief and the Sopranos was so much more focused. Less characters , plotlines that actually led to something and a lot more violence , which imo made the show a lot more entertaining.

i may have a reason as to why I don't believe that the storytelling is lacking. I watched seasons 1 and 2 after they had aired, and watched the first 6 episodes of season 3 in a row. I believe this series would be much more enjoyable for those who think it is lacking in two-hour or more blocks, as the characters you enjoy or identify with or are waiting on a resolution for might only appear in every other episode. If I am caught up on episodes I spend the time between reading episode reviews and analysis to maybe get some information or ideas as to the direction of the series.

Well of course they actually lead to something because the series is over now and everything is resolved. I'm sure there are many examples in the Sopranos of plotlines that didn't lead to much or were unnecessary in the final product, or at the time you thought that they weren't adding anything to the result. An example of the former:

I don't believe for a second that the Sopranos was a more violent show than Boardwalk Empire is.

The plotlines in the Sopranos were definitely more focused on conflict and violence imo.

Even though the relationship between the Soprano family was explored and it wasn't solely about gangsters killing each other , I can't recall a plotline as uninteresting as Margaret helping to open a women's maternity clinic , even the one mentioned in your spoiler.

Don't get me wrong people , I like the show and like I mentioned , BE does seem to pick up the pace and tension as the seasons progress but I do think the writers have been overly ambitious.

I think the fact that multiple characters get little or no screentime for multiple episodes is indicative of that fact.

that's a good point imo. a good deal of the characters are not likable not because they are bad people, but simply because they are not very compelling.

solid trolling efforts all around

The Gillian/Jimmy storyline seemed to be resolved this last episode. And the little arc with Harrow/Manny/Nookie was resolved an episode after it happened.

This is a brilliant show

Care to elaborate ? This thread seems quite focused on actual discussion of the show compared to a lot of the OOTV threads that turn into ridiculous debates and nitpicks over the most inconsequential details.

This feels like a troll but if it's not please tell me what happened to the Russian they lost in the forest. I must have missed the ending there.

agree, add straight up hating to that. ie the office and HIMYM.

Anyway maybe it's because I don't go into a show expecting to identify with or "root for" characters. There are characters that make me laugh, make me cringe, make me want to strangle them, etc. I really like to see how a character progresses throughout a series, how their mannerisms and tone reflect what is going on in the environment of the show. One thing I noticed recently about Nucky is that it seems that his skin is getting a little more pale each episode, and he has not had a genuine moment of happiness in a while. As soon as I see this, boom- some color is restored and he's juggling eggs like a pro, having a great time and being a generally likeable chap.

Is this a turning point? Is it a farce? I don't know, but it makes me eager to see what's next.

Game of Thrones has managed well enough to deal with multiple characters and storylines running concurrently without boring some of it's audience , namely because most of those characters and storylines are entertaining.

I really enjoyed S2 but so far this season isn't as captivating. I'm far from giving up on it but after S2's ending I was expecting more.