The TV series The Sopranos depicts the inner workings of the New Jersey Mob and the life of Tony Soprano. Tony transitioned into power during the first season and the series shows the struggles he faces in day-to-day operations. The organized crime group relies on loyalty and tradition to keep everything working smoothly. However, Tony is non-traditional from time to time. One example of this is his mental health issues he is having. During the time setting of the show, mental health is not as prevalent as it is today and to some of the traditional Italian community, it is seen as weak. Tony goes to great lengths to hide this. This non-traditionalist identity clashes with traditionalist characters in the show. The traditionalists see this as being a weak man and sees this as a threat, almost getting Tony killed for it. Tony struggles throughout the show with being a traditional identity or having a contemporary identity.
This struggle affects the stability of the power structure. Since the Mob operation foundation is traditions, things that are non-traditional are damaging to one reputation. When many of the members found out he was seeing a psychiatrist, they questioned Tony’s validity. When they hear this, they see Tony as an Other to them (the other someone who seeks help for mental health.) They then question being ruled by another and want to remove him from power. Exactly this happens when Tony’s own family tries to get him killed. Therefore, Tony struggles with putting himself first or the Mob. The writer is asking the audience when is it ok to abandon one’s identity to embrace another? When is it right to embrace traditions or abandon them? When a power structure is largely based on tradition, what happens when times change, and people are holding onto the past? These questions seem to guide the themes of the first season of the Sopranos.