Season 5 is outstanding. It would have made a great ending to the entire series if it ended with the season 5 final scene - all we had was a long shot of Tony Soprano running through a snowy field avoiding the Feds after they arrested his colleague.
Anyhoo, in this season it is without question Gandolfini's finest hour. He gives a performance which portrays not only the ruthlessness and thuggery of Tony Soprano but also the maturity, thoughtfulness, humour and depth of a caring husband/ father.
Tony manages to bed quite a few women. Anyone remember his attempt with Dr Melfi "Thinking of you, Your Prince of Tide". Tony manages to flirt endlessly with Carmella, Adrianna, Adrianna's FBI friend, and a countless number of others.
Steve Buscemi (Tony Blundera) is a revelation. Christopher manages to lose the plot again, but then pulls his socks up. AJ gets his face super-glued to carpet (Insert Wood) and Meadow is studying the Law.
Season 5 will receive no humanitarian awards, though, this is brutal gangsterism and intimidation of innocents, after all. 10/10.