| Season Number: | 2 |
| Bgcolour: |
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| Image Upright: | 1.15 |
| Num Episodes: | 13 |
| Network: | HBO |
| Episode List: | List of The Sopranos episodes |
The second season of the American crime drama series The Sopranos aired on HBO from January 16 to April 9, 2000. The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on November 6, 2001.[1]
The story of the season focuses on Tony's growing mistrust of one of his closest friends Big Pussy Bonpensiero, who is revealed to be an FBI informant. Dr. Melfi continues meeting with Tony despite her growing disgust with his actions and contemplates the nature of their relationship. Tony's sister Janice also returns to New Jersey, and their collectively strained relationship with their mother Livia and each other continues.
Meadow is accepted into college, but her personal life intersects with Tony's crime life for the first time. Uncle Junior gets sent to prison again for his crimes. Tony introduces his new enforcer straight from Italy, Furio. Former boss Jackie Aprile's brother Richie is released from prison and causes trouble for Tony and his business.
The second season of The Sopranos received universal acclaim from critics—garnering a 97 out of 100 on Metacritic,[2] and a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 9.5/10. The latter aggregator reports a critical consensus of "The Sopranos strong cast and solid writing add depth to the show's occasionally unlikable characters and their repellent deeds, making for thought-provoking, consistently compelling viewing."[3] Ed Bark of Dallas Morning News wrote, "[It] could be the best TV series of our times. Not for everyone, no. But for what it is, The Sopranos is near magical."[2]
Steve Johnson of the Chicago Tribune praised the series for accurately portraying human communication, observing how the show reveals "matters of the greatest consequence stem from misunderstandings and misinterpretations."[2] Eric Mink of The New York Times wrote of the show's unique writing and multifaceted characters: "The Sopranos remains a showcase for ferociously distinctive writing, inventive direction and brilliant portrayals of surprisingly, even disturbingly, sympathetic multilayered characters by a perfectly cast group of actors who hold back nothing."[4]
| Year | Association | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | class=unsortable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [5] | ||||||
| James Gandolfini (episode: "The Happy Wanderer") | ||||||
| Lorraine Bracco (episode: "Big Girls Don't Cry") | ||||||
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Edie Falco (episode: "Full Leather Jacket") | |||||
| Nancy Marchand (episodes: "Do Not Resuscitate" + "Funhouse") | ||||||
| Allen Coulter (episode: "The Knight in White Satin Armor") | ||||||
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | John Patterson (episode: "Funhouse") | |||||
| David Chase, Todd A. Kessler (episode: "Funhouse") | ||||||
| Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series | Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess (episode: "The Knight in White Satin Armor") | |||||
| [6] | ||||||
| Best Actress in a Drama Series | ||||||
| Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series | Entire Cast | [7] | ||||
| James Gandolfini | ||||||
| Edie Falco | ||||||
| 2000 | Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Henry J. Bronchtein (episode: "From Where to Eternity") | ||||
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Allen Coulter (episode: "The Knight in White Satin Armor") | |||||
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | John Patterson (episode: "Funhouse") | |||||
| Best Drama Episode | Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green (episode: "The Knight in White Satin Armor") | |||||
| Best Drama Episode | Terence Winter (episode: "Big Girls Don't Cry") | |||||
| Program of the Year | ||||||
| Outstanding Achievement in Drama | ||||||
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Drama | James Gandolfini | |||||
| Best Drama Series | ||||||
| Best Actor in a Drama Series | James Gandolfini | |||||
| Best Actress in a Drama Series | Edie Falco | |||||