The Sopranos is an interesting crime drama because it never really had a conventional villain or big bad. By the end of the HBO series, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) had become so cruel that any other character looked good by comparison. His transformation is slow but inexorable, as the character who initially presents himself as a troubled family man gradually reveals himself as something much more sinister. By the final season, any notion of him bettering himself is gone, as he fully embraces his villainy and derives pleasure from the misfortune of others.

Tony may be the protagonist, but this doesn't make him a hero. By their very nature, Tony's enemies are going to be the worst of the worst. Throughout The Sopranos, Tony encounters a succession of rival mobsters, family members, and general thorns in his side, who threaten his power, manipulate those around them, or simply make life more dangerous for anyone in their vicinity. These villains don't necessarily kill the most people or cause the most damage. Some are dangerous because they're ruthless and unpredictable, while others are plain stupid.

The Sopranos creator David Chase said his original intention was to have Tony Soprano die in a scenario reminiscent of the show's intro.

Given that Corrado "Uncle Junior" Soprano (Dominic Chianese) ends The Sopranos as a confused old man in a care facility, his inclusion might seem strange. However, back in Season 1, Junior was Tony's de facto antagonist, and the hotly contested power struggle for the top position nearly gets Tony killed.

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