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June 11, 2007

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Life After The Sopranos

By Spencer Somers

Sporadically brilliant, and often existentially lost in its own nooks and crannies, The Sopranos has died as it lived. There will be many detractors, many apologists, and even a few supporters of its abrupt and ambiguous finale. I, myself, am not surprised, and mostly reflective on the most interesting part of this evening's finale: the never-ending speculations and passionate dissections of the series that took place during the previous week. There is no doubt The Sopranos ushered in a golden age of television, however, although it built the mold, new and sometimes better shows have already been cast in its image.

1 The Wire

The privilege to heavily serialize has been The Sopranos greatest gift to television, and no show has utilized this better than HBO's underappreciated true masterpiece, The Wire. Politically adventurous, headachingly dense and blisteringly frank about our country's third world in inner city Baltimore, The Wire is not only great television, but imperative to our society's health. The final season starts this fall, catch up now!

2 The Office (BBC)

The best thing about The Office is that it ends. In a medium that has been known to go on and on and on until the story becomes totally convoluted, or trite, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have the vision to come and go with succinct poignance. This show is only 12 episodes and one 90 minute special. Why haven't you watched? Also, a shout-out is in order to the American remake, which has done great work with more episodes.

3 Battlestar Galactica

Before you call me a nerd, consider this. There are no aliens, rayguns, or vulcans on Sci-Fi's depressing and tough as nails Battlestar Galactica. There are, however, religious wars, political struggles and more drinking and smoking than any show currently on the air. This show's title is the worst and most misleading thing it has going for it. I would call it, The Wire in Space.

4 Weeds

Slighter than the previous three progams, Weeds is simply the most entertaining show on TV right now. Occupying the space of so many different genres, this show is one of the few to get consistently better with each episode, mostly thanks to inspired casting and sharp dialogue. If this clip of movie-star-to-be Justin Kirk explaining masturbation to a 13-year-old doesn't make you laugh, you're far too stoned. The third season starts in August, and the half-hour episodes make catching up a breeze.

5 Veronica Mars

Kristen Bell, in a starmaking performance, will remain as one of TV's best heroines, despite The CW's inane decision to end the show just because nobody watches it. Good thing DVD is an even better format for the heavily serialized program, and while I can't speak too highly of the misguided third season, the first two are as focused and winning as TV gets.

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