A great example of what I’m trying to convey about about the show in my post is in the episode where Tony kills Ralph. During a hilarious scene Ralph prank calls Nucci and tells her that her son Paulie had to be rushed to the emergency room, only to have to rush his own son to the E.R. later. The episode completely switching gears from hilarity to tragedy, without feeling forced or losing an ounce of realism. He also asked Nucci for her insurance information and later tells Tony that his own insurance may not cover all the treatment that Justin will need, connecting the comedy and tragedy of the episode with stellar use of tragic irony. That’s what I mean about the show’s impeccable mix and balance of comedy and drama. Absolute genius.