In terms of writing and acting, "The Sopranos" is obviously one of the best shows ever to air. It's largely responsible for establishing a norm on premium cable in which writers are really allowed to do their thing. We see the effect in shows like "Dexter" and "Deadwood." Although these shows might have serious flaws, they frequently exhibit writing of a craft and subtlety usually reserved for low-grossing films. But everyone pretty much agrees on all of that. The point of this piece is to highlight some serious problems with "The Sopranos" that are ignored by most critics like Karl Rove at his senior prom.