Top 30 Best Episodes of The Sopranos

Primary Story: So Chris and Brendan return the hijacked truck but Junior still isn't happy as he hasn't punished anyone yet. Mikey keeps encouraging him to take action and Junior ends up agreeing with him. But man, "Take it easy! We're not making a Western here!" was a great comeback.

Additionally, Meadow and Hunter ask Chris and Brendan for speed just so they can stay awake and study for the SAT exams. Brendan has a nice remark here, "Kids, ya think ya can protect 'em, well you can't!" This holds a strong moral complexity as it's a reference to how kids will always find a way to get what they want. Though hesitant at first, Chris is convinced by Adriana to give them some as it's preferable to acquire the drugs from them as opposed to street dealers from Jefferson Ave, who as Chris puts it, would have "robbed them, raped them, and left them on the side of the road." ends up giving them a little but wants to avoid getting in trouble with Tony for doing this. And after Eventually, at the end of the episode, after Livia ends up giving her piece of advice to Junior, the old yet deadly puppet-master ends up agreeing with her mentality; so he decides to dish out the punishment; a mock execution for Chris laid down by Russian gangsters and a real one for Brendan via Mikey Palmice's swift and extremely climactic punishment.

Secondary Story: A Hasidic Jewish fellow approaches Tony for a quick job; pretty much beating up on his son-in-law Ariel until he agrees to a divorce. The interrogation doesn't go too well as he's a hard one to crack and he references Masada, the site of a long siege between a small number of Jews and the legions of Roman soldiers which eventually ended in the mass suicide of these same Jews who chose death over enslavement, and then Ariel goes on to say, "Where are the Romans now..." and Tony's comeback is one of the best... "You're lookin' at 'em a$$hole..." That was some beautiful writing there.

Tertiary Story: Jackie Aprile, Sr. is in the hospital and his condition worsens as Tony discusses the cancer diagnosis with his psychiatrist, Jennifer Melfi. He also deliberates whether or not he's seen as a "Frankenstein" figure... someone who lacks emotions and feelings.

Music: Best music in the end of the episode. "All Through the Night" intercut with vicious brutality and scenes whilst depicting the gentle nature of Meadow's choir performance makes this the most memorable scene in the series.

Characters: Brendan Filone is and always will be my #1 most favorite character in The Sopranos due to the method in which he is executed. Brendan was Christopher Moltisanti's friend and partner in crime as we witnessed in the previous episode entitled "46 Long." Due to his addiction to drugs and his overall unplanned hijacking gone awry, he is silenced for his actions, sending a message to the rest of Tony Soprano's crew.

This scene is perfectly depicted in "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" and is the most important climax in the entire first season. Brendan was shot to death in his bathtub, clean through the eye, by Junior's trigger man, Mikey Palmice. The method of execution is known as the "Moe Greene Special", a specific form of Mafia killing based on Moe Greene, who also happens to be my favorite character from The Godfather trilogy.

The scene is also my most favorite in the history of The Sopranos, since Brendan's method of demise is unparalleled throughout the series. The scene was so memorable in its Godfather-like ending that it shall always remain a part of me; always my favorite moment in television/film history.

The sheer brutality and ferocity is heightened in this instant, where a lullaby plays in the background as Brendan smokes his final cigarette. Mikey Palmice walks in, startles Brendan, and says "Hijack! Bye Jack!" before silencing him with a glock aimed at his eye; a message job. As the montage buildup of the musical choir "All Through the Night" sounds in the background, Filone looks up and fear strikes his face; his dreams shattered in that instant! He dies in that terrifying moment as the bullet pierces his eye, redefining a bloodbath! The blood fills the tub as Filone remains still, no longer quivering. However, through death, he is immortalized forevermore, a fragment of magnificent brilliance defined.

Brendan will always be my favorite character in the history of film and television, forevermore. I love Brendan Filone.

Overall: Hands down the best episode of the series as it incorporates my favorite character being killed in the most memorable fashion, a very brutal and swift punishment coated with tender lullaby accents and warrants the perfect ending and writing overall as a concept and genuinely brilliant reference to The Godfather.