Sopranos Saturday: Best Characters

The next list will countdown the top five best characters from the Sopranos. This list was extremely difficult, as there have been a number of major and minor characters who have made a profound impact on one of the best shows on television. Here's the list.

5. Christopher Moltisanti

It took me a while to get used to Chris, but he definitely emeraged as one of the best characters in the show. He dances the line between authority and immaturity beautifully. He's also responsible for some of the funniest lines in the show. Of the top of my head, his line about getting the 50 cent movie for free at the car wash was definitely one of the funniest on the show. Chris's newest money venture involves being the spokesman for 1800 Tequila. So remember, if you're pouring your own shot with an 1800 bottle, you're probably supporting the mob in some way.

4. Furio Giunta

Going against my general rule of never trusting a man with a ponytail, Furio is a shoe-in on any top five list. Introducing a character from the old country adds some perspective on the ridiculousness of many of the Italian-American traditions. Furio was eager to get his hands dirty and never backed down from a Tony Soprano order. Plus, he flirted with the idea of hooking up with the Boss's wife. Biggest badass on the show, without question.

3. Silvio Dante

Take a good look at the face directly above this sentence. That is the face of loyalty. A little uglier than you expected? No matter! Silvio is the only one of Tony's top guys who didn't stray from his side at one point or another. Chris made that oddly specific movie plot, Bobby remained loyal to Junior, and Paulie often gossiped with Johnny Sack and Carmine. Not Sivlio though! Loyal to the very end. In an underworld where all the rules have gone to shit, this is a highly respectable attribute.

2. Tony Soprano

Tony Soprano is your quintessential protagonist. Was he perfect? No. Could you justify and relate to every decision he made? Yes. That's the true testimate of a main character. A great combination of intimidating, sentimental, hilarious, and depressing, Tony brought a certain lovable innocence to the Mob Boss role. The Sopranos wouldn't be the same without Tony at the helm.

1. Corrado 'Junior' Soprano

Junior is my favorite character, by far. Pound for pound, the funniest guy on the show, Juniors clever, fast-talking whit combined with his out-dated, old school mentality made him a fan favorite. He always seemed to working out some master plan in the earlier seasons. When his health began to deteriorate in the later seasons, he became an adorable old man. His unexpected relationship with characters like Bobby and the Asian mental patient, Junior was an oddball in every sense of the word. Great character on a great show.