James Gandolfini's Legacy

Here it is:

We had been told all our lives that we would not watch an ongoing series about such a man. A bruising, foul-mouthed giant with a dent in his forehead was the villain, not the protagonist. TV had always made compromises, always made sure that “flawed” heroes were ultimately redeemable and lovable.

Tony Soprano was not. And we loved him, often despite ourselves.
…
And his work on the show made possible Vic Mackey, Al Swearengen, Walter White, Don Draper and every complicated, riveting anti-hero (or worse) who followed him. “The Sopranos” was an enormous hit, and told the business that the old rules need no longer apply.

With one role he changed an industry for the better. That’s a helluva thing.

(H/T, Gruber.)

*****

Cross-posted from Vodkapundit