There are many things to revere about the phenomenon that changed television forever, The Sopranos. It is one of the most memorable shows in history for so many reasons. Whether it’s characters like Tony Soprano, Paulie Walnuts or Silvio Dante, the clothes, the cultural accuracy or the shocking moments, The Sopranos will remain a talking point until the end of time. While some elements of the show are more iconic than others, the myriad of quotes and one-liners continue to stand out most.
In social situations, fans will quote some of their favorite lines from The Sopranos, but they’re usually some of the more well-known sayings, like “Whatever happened to Gary Cooper” or “You’re only as good as your last envelope.” However, diehard fans will recall some of the more unique quotes like “Fear knocked on the door, faith answered, there was no one there.” Each one-liner is as equally distinct as the next, and to this day remains in our cultural zeitgeist.
“Daughters Are Better at Taking Care of Their Mothers Than Sons”
Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”
What would The Sopranos have been, if it didn’t have the conflict between Tony Soprano and his intense mother, Livia? The entire concept of the series revolves around this relationship, and many great one-liners came from their interactions. Livia was never shy to express exactly how she was feeling, no matter how low a blow it might be and this is evident from the very first episode. This line comes at the end of the first scene between Tony and Livia and foreshadows many of the conflicts to come.
In the Pilot of The Sopranos, there are more than a few great one-liners as audiences get a sense of the world and the specific characters inhabiting it. Although it’s an episode designed to set up many things, the tense and difficult relationship Tony has with his mother becomes an immediate central theme of the episode. The Pilot shows Tony’s family life, his business, and his relationships, but none of those things are as important as the relationship he has with his domineering mother.
“All of This From a Slice of Gabagool”
Season 3, Episode 3, “Fortunate Son”
A recurring staple of The Sopranos is the therapy sessions between Tony and Dr. Melfi, but more so the episodes in which Tony and Melfi discover something new about Tony’s condition. Often linked to his past, these moments involve a great deal of shock from Tony, that something so repressed or so simple can cause so much conflict for him in the present. That was the case when this line was said after learning the truth behind why meat can spark his panic attacks.
In “Fortunate Son,” there’s a parallel between Tony and the newly “made” Christopher. For Tony, however, the episode becomes about discovering a repressed memory of his mother cutting meat that his father got from Satriales. Earlier that day, young Tony witnessed his father chop off the fingers of Mr. Satriale in the very same pork store. “Gabagool” has become synonymous with Tony Soprano, which makes this one-liner one of the more memorable.
“Hey Don’t Give Me the Malocchia, I’m Not the One With the Short Bag”
Season 3, Episode 3, “Fortunate Son”
Tony’s meat discovery is not the only thing going on in the famous episode “Fortunate Son.” The episode is known for being the one where Christopher Moltisanti becomes a made man. This one-liner comes from Paulie Walnuts, a character well known for having many of the iconic sayings in The Sopranos. The series would hardly have been the same if it didn’t have him, one of its more unique characters. While Paulie has many one-liners to remember, this one is less recalled than most, but no less iconic.
While Tony is learning more about a moment that defined him and set him on a path to being a “fortunate son,” Christopher is the current “fortunate son” as he becomes an official member of The Soprano Crime Family. However, he quickly learns that being “made” and having more responsibilities is not all it’s cracked up to be. When he comes up short on a tribute payment to Paulie, he gets every bit of Paulie the businessman he can get. Giving Paulie the “evil eye” doesn’t change the fact that he delivered “a short bag” of cash.
“You Know Who Had an Arc? Noah”
Season 1, Episode 8, “The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti”
The Sopranos characters had an amazing ability to throw a line out in a scene to an incredible effect that completely changes the mood of the moment. Every character was specific with their delivery and their cadence which made them all so individual from one another. The fan-favorite character, Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, was no different when he delivered this little quip.
Most audiences will remember the more memorable moment and line from the episode where Paulie visits Christopher who is feeling overlooked and unworthy. In one of the best episodes of the series, Christopher finds himself trying to write and be a more memorable gangster at the same time. Conflicted with his path and his choices, Paulie listens as Christopher explains a character arc and wonders when he’ll get his. “Where’s my arc, Paulie?” However, most will forget one of the funnier responses to Christopher’s question when it comes a little later in the episode.
“I Find I Have to Be the Sad Clown, Laughing on the Outside, Crying on the Inside”
Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”
Another one of the more memorable quotes from the episode that kicked off the entire series comes during the first therapy session between Tony Soprano and Dr. Jennifer Melfi. The audience learns more and more about Tony and not just what he does, but how he feels about it. This particular line is one of the more insightful, even if not one of the more commonly quoted.
The first episode of the series does a great amount of jumping around from one thing to the next and acting as a telling of Tony’s life from his perspective as he is sharing it with his new therapist. However, at a certain point, Dr. Melfi asks Tony Soprano straight up how he feels about the way he makes a living. This response not only sets up who the character is but how he will be perceived by audiences and Dr. Melfi herself throughout the series. The line remains symbolic of the great question of the series: “Can Tony Soprano change?”
“I’m Like King Midas in Reverse Everything I Touch Turns to S–t”
Season 1, Episode 12, “Isabella”
Many of The Sopranos’ greatest quotes and one-liners came from the first season alone and most of them came from scenes involving Tony and Melfi. Any time there was a chance for iconic dialogue, it usually came when Tony Soprano was reflecting on himself in therapy. That’s the case with this deep comedic line involving how Tony feels about himself and his ability to succeed in business and with family. It also comes during a moment of intense depression, which becomes a recurring theme of the entire series.
In the episode “Isabella,” the series takes its deepest dive yet into the depression of Tony Soprano. As he continues to battle with his mother and uncle, Tony finds himself bedridden from depression while also apparently hallucinating from a higher dose of his medication. When visiting Dr. Melfi, she presses him further when trying to decipher how he is feeling. His response brings audiences more wise words from Tony Soprano.
