Probably the only show to really compete with Sopranos for best of the genre.
Some things it did better.
Some things it did worse.
The things it did better:
The things it did worse:
Seasons ranked:
1. Season 1
2. Season 4
3. Season 3
4. Season 2.
5. Season 5
6. Season 7 -
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10. Season 6. (The 2nd to last season flounders, much like the Sopranos. School shootings. Trannies. Like they were drawing subjects out of a hat. The last few episodes are decent, but can't redeem the season.)
Some things it did better.
Some things it did worse.
The things it did better:
- Kept the story focused around the 'gangsterness' that people tuned in for; even when incorporating family drama. Sopranos not only had more family drama, but 90% of the family drama didn't have anything to do with the mafia premise; downright boring at times.
- In shows such as these, you have to have your per episode arcs, as well as your season long arcs. SOA had better in depth and entertaining arcs; both episode and season wise.
- Better final episode.
The things it did worse:
- While an achievement to be as entertaining as it was, when it was a 'PG-13 biker show' - one still has to wonder how awesome and more authentic it would have been, with cursing and nudity (being it's about bikers). All of the other qualities, plus an R rating - would have put this show over the top of the Sopranos. We never have to wonder about that with Sopranos, because it was on HBO.
- While Sopranos had some annoying characters, it didn't have any glowingly bad miscasting. SOA had a horrible miscast in one of its main roles - Maggie Siff as Tara Knowles. Seriously, it's like watching wood.
- Sopranos didn't have corny antagonists. SOA had some so corny you'd think they had a time machine to the 80s; most notably 'The League'.
- No one on the Sopranos was married to the creator, with their horrible music being played constantly from season 2 on.
Seasons ranked:
1. Season 1
2. Season 4
3. Season 3
4. Season 2.
5. Season 5
6. Season 7 -
-
-
10. Season 6. (The 2nd to last season flounders, much like the Sopranos. School shootings. Trannies. Like they were drawing subjects out of a hat. The last few episodes are decent, but can't redeem the season.)