On HBO's "The Sopranos," which is chock-full of crime, killing, and affairs, there are naturally going to be a few characters that fans love to hate.
There are some obvious examples of dislikable faces, most of whom are part of the DiMeo crime family, led by Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). A prime example is Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt), a character whose blind loyalty to Tony leads him to commit numerous unspeakable crimes. Another is Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano), who murders Tracee (Ariel Kiley), a Bada Bing dancer pregnant with his child.
Still, dislikable characters on "The Sopranos" aren't limited to the made men. Nearly everyone in Tony's actual family has their share of negative moments, from his son A.J. (Robert Iler) destroying the school pool to his sister Janice (Aida Turturro) shooting her fiancé Richie Aprile (David Proval) at the dinner table. And who could forget his mother Livia (Nancy Marchand), whose purposeful slip to Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese) that Tony is seeing a psychiatrist almost causes his demise?
Yet there's another of Tony's loved ones who fans seem to dislike more than the rest, one who isn't necessarily involved in mob violence but does nothing to stop it.
Throughout "The Sopranos," a staple in Tony's life is his wife Carmela (Edie Falco). She's fully aware of his line of work, not to mention his numerous extramarital affairs. However, throughout it all, she stands firmly by his side. Many fans are in agreement that Carmela isn't an endearing character, but rather, a hypocritical one.
Though she tries to be a devout Catholic and promises many times to denounce Tony's crimes, the lavish lifestyle that his "blood money" provides proves difficult to give up. U/raperm said, "She knows he is involved in the drug trade, extortion, gambling, prostitution via the Bing, murder, assault, theft ... And she knows people get hurt as a result. Yet she spends his money like water..."
U/JohnOfYork explained that the most frustrating trait of Carmela is her indecision. As this user sees it, she constantly seeks guidance on how to be a better Catholic, but as soon as Tony brings her a shiny ring or fur coat, her morals fly out the window. This user said, "Maybe the reason Carmela is so harshly judged is this conflict — we want her to be all in or all out." U/botcoob added, "She wants to do good, but she doesn't actually do good."
Carmela also isn't above a bit of unfaithfulness herself. She kisses home decorator Vic Musto (Joe Penny), spends a platonic yet highly questionable drunken evening with Father Phil Intintola (Paul Schulze), and is deeply attracted to Furio Giunta (Federico Castelluccio).
In a Television Academy Foundation interview, Edie Falco agreed with fans' opinions of Carmela — she has her flaws but ultimately means well. The actress described her character as "fiercely loyal, a good mother, a good wife, in denial, high maintenance, street smart."
She also wanted her fans to know that, in real life, she couldn't be more different than the stay-at-home mob wife. Unlike Carmela, Falco shies away from excessive jewelry, makeup, and fake nails, and instead favors jeans and a T-shirt. For Falco, who initially envisioned herself playing Lorraine Bracco's role of psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (via Vanity Fair), it was fun to play somebody completely different than her true self.
Since rising to fame on "The Sopranos" in the role of Carmela, for which she earned three Emmys, Falco told James Corden how many viewers assume that she acts like Carmela. Falco said, "I remember a parking lot in New Jersey somewhere where about five different versions of Carmela came running to me together, 'Oh my God, oh my God, we're having a sleepover, I'd love it if you would come.' They had no idea how bored they would be if I showed up."
"The Sopranos" fans may have a love/hate relationship with Carmela, but this is largely due to Falco's Emmy-winning performance. Considering the strong emotions Falco managed to evoke from viewers, whether it's positive or negative, it certainly seems like she did her job.
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