The Many Saints Of Newark Not On Hbo Max
Okay, settle in, because we're about to talk about something that's been bugging me (and probably you too, if you're a fan of certain types of dramas). It's about missing characters, absence of familiar faces, and the great character vanishing act of The Many Saints of Newark!
Where's Everybody I Know and Love?
You see, when I plopped down to watch The Many Saints of Newark, I was expecting a family reunion. A full-blown, "bring out the gabagool" type of gathering of the Sopranos extended universe!
I wanted to see all my favorite characters, maybe younger and with slightly less baggage. But boy, oh boy, was I in for a surprise. It felt like half the guest list got lost on the way to the party!
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The Case of the Missing Crew
Let's start with the obvious: where was everybody? I'm talking about the guys who would later become the heart and (sometimes disturbing) soul of the Sopranos.
Like, did Paulie Walnuts have a prior engagement? Was Silvio Dante busy perfecting his Elvis impression somewhere else? It's like they were playing hide-and-seek, and they were really good at it.
And don't even get me started on Uncle Junior. Okay, he was there, sort of. But a noticeably younger and less…well, Junior-y version. Where's the spite? Where's the resentment bubbling under the surface? I needed more classic Junior!
Forgotten Faces: The Ones That Never Were
It’s not just about the characters that should have been there. It's about the potential for characters we never even knew existed!
Think about it: Tony Soprano had a whole childhood! Surely, he ran around with a bunch of neighborhood kids. Did none of those kids ever rise (or sink) to the occasion and become part of the crime family? The possibilities are endless!
Imagine a whole posse of young wiseguys, getting into all sorts of trouble in 1960s Newark. I picture a "Little Rascals" meets "Goodfellas" kind of vibe. But sadly, it remains a figment of my imagination.
A Missed Opportunity for a Deeper Dive?
Look, I get it. The Many Saints of Newark had a story to tell, and it focused on specific characters and events. But it's hard not to feel like we missed out on some prime character development.
Imagine scenes of young Tony Soprano interacting with the future members of his crew, observing their traits and personalities. Seeing the seeds of what they would eventually become.
Instead, we got a glimpse, a taste, a tantalizing hint of what could have been. Like a great slice of pizza, missing half its toppings.
In Conclusion: A Plea for More Saints!
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed The Many Saints of Newark. It was a glimpse into a world I love, even if it was a bit darker and grittier than I expected.
But it left me wanting more. More characters, more backstory, more connections to the original series. More gabagool!
So, here's my official plea to the powers that be: give us more! Give us a sequel, a prequel, a spin-off, whatever it takes. Just bring back the missing saints (and maybe a few new sinners) to the screen!
Until then, I'll just be over here, re-watching the original series and dreaming of what could have been. And maybe ordering a large pizza with all the toppings. You know, to fill the void.
And who knows? Maybe one day we'll get that full-blown Sopranos family reunion on screen. A fan can dream, right?
