Tony Soprano is one of the most beloved complicated characters in television history. The burly mob boss brought a ton of humanity to a role that could easily be a caricature. In a huge departure from old school TV drama, Tony's damaged psyche is a Sopranos character in and of itself. He struggles with anxiety and depression - and not just the symptoms. The perceived weakness of mental illness is antithetical to the machismo of made men. None of this is news. In fact, Soprano's flaws, and James Gandolfini's masterful portrayal of them, are widely celebrated 20 years after the show first aired. Less celebrated? Tony Soprano's fatherly side.
Thanks to a thread from Miles Klee, however, we've been reminded that Tony's more than just an angsty gabbagool guzzling mob boss. He's a husband and a father of two, and there are some moments that really reflect that side of his character. From classic sprinkles of dad humor, to sweet little moments with AJ, there are plenty of instances where Tony reminds us of our own fathers, or our friends fathers, or just a goofy middle-aged man who's sense of humor has gone down a seemingly inevitable corny road.
