From the 2/11/04 NY Post

February 11, 2004 -- OLD gangsters have infused "The Sopranos" with new blood.

And the result appears to be a rejuvenated series.

That's the cautious conclusion reached after viewing the first four episodes of the mob series' long-awaited fifth season. The tapes were delivered to TV critics yesterday in anticipation of the season premiere on Sunday, March 7, at 9 p.m. on HBO.

The introduction of at least five new characters has apparently helped the show's producers and writers reshape the series, while at the same time renewing the show's original focus on Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini).

He was always the show's most compelling figure, and now he's back at the show's center coping in equal measure with the stresses and conflicts inherent in his dual families - the New Jersey crime organization that bears his name and the wife, son and daughter whose relationships to one another are in flux following Tony's separation from Carmela (Edie Falco) at the end of Season 4.

But it's the arrival of a handful of old-school mafiosi that has provided the show's writers with plenty of opportunities for the mob storylines viewers crave and which some felt were in short supply last season.

The introduction of these old-school hoods is explained in a credible way: Four of them were caught up in a long-ago round of indictments back in the 1980s and served long prison sentences. Now their prison terms are over, and they want back in.

Chief among them are Feech La Manna (Robert Loggia), Phillip Leotardo (Frank Vincent) and Angelo Gerepe (Joe Santos) - all mob veterans poised to play key roles in the series' various mob factions.

In addition, there's Tony's cousin, Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi), and a brash female bookie, Lorraine Calluzzo (Patti D'Arbanville).

Without giving anything away, let me just say that D'Arbanville in particular has one of the most challenging scenes of any of the "Sopranos" actors this season. I'll leave it at that, since I don't want to get whacked for squealing.

Acting, of course, was always this show's hallmark, and Gandolfini in particular is at full strength, especially in his scenes with Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese), Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) and Carmela.

Tony is still separated from his wife as the season begins, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn DiScala nee Sigler) is still at Columbia and Anthony Jr. is still shiftless and spoiled - the Jack Osbourne of the Soprano family.

Uncle Junior is still under house arrest and may or may not be in the beginning stages of Alzheimers. He's still being cared for by Bobby "Bacala" (Steven R. Schirripa) who - are you ready for this? - has married Janice (Aida Turturro).

Above all, "Sopranos" fans want to know: Was it worth waiting 15 months for?

With fingers-crossed, the answer from here is: Absolutely.