I consider the Sopranos a soap opera around an organized crime family - not a story about organized crime. So, to that end, there will be lots of character developement and interpersonal character conflict - not tough mob guys ripping off weak victims, or run-ins with the authorities, or inter-family wars, or bone-breakers, etc, etc. If we had a constant dose of mob-related incidence the show would become cliche. I think they provide the right mix of character angst and gritty drama.