OK, maybe a little harsh, but not too much. ;)

Actually, I was being a bit facetious because The Big Love is, well, what it is.

I think one of the differences is that in the past, each character's shortcomings (Tony's temper, Christopher's impulsiveness, Carmine being dumber than a bag of hammers) were handled in more complicated ways, and more cleverly worked into the plot. But for the last few seasons, it's become more, well, pathetic.

For instance - last season when Chris and Paulie were arguing over the $1,200 dinner bill, and the server came out and complained about getting next to nothing for a tip, their "antics" lead to the server getting shot. For a long time, I likened the Sopranos to the old movie "Wolfen"...yes, lots of violence, but at the "very" least, no harm to the bystanders.

Now...compare that to Season 3, Pine Barrens episode. Their antics were at least worked into the plot better. They go visit the Russian, rough him up, take him out to the woods, and then everything goes to hell...it was both entertaining and hysterical. I still laugh when Paulie mishears what Tony said about the Russian being some guy from the Interior Dept, and tells Chris that the guy was an interior decorator...and Chris responds, "Really? His apartment looked like sh**".

The show may still be better than most stuff out there, but I think the best episodes are behind it now.

Kevin