I don’t think The Sopranos forces or begs the audience to sympathize with literal mobsters and criminals. At least I didn’t (all the time), although Johnny Sack is probably my favorite character. He just loves his wife so much, he literally doesn’t even look at other women twice. But God help you if he thinks you made a comment or joke about her.

My second favorite is probably Ralph Cifaretto, played by Joe Pantoliano. He’s just shitty and smarmy in every single scene he’s in and plays it phenomenally.