Television: The Sopranos

When it comes to TV depictions of Mob life, we know we can count on the fact that men will get whacked, women will wear unflattering housecoats and someone at some point will say “prosciutt’.” What we don’t expect is to follow a wiseguy’s path through psychotherapy. Debuting on Jan. 10, this wryly conceived weekly drama focuses on Anthony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a suburban dad and Mafioso whose general malaise and thorny mommy issues send him to the couch. While refraining from slapping the comedy on too thick, creator David Chase has made Soprano’s inward search surprisingly affecting. Soprano may not have Ally McBeal’s legs, but his introspection is a lot more fun to watch.

–G.B.