I agree with caprese and olivant. There is a mystique, a romanticism about the mob, in both fiction and real life. Gunplay and crime aside, they are seen as an organization that brings order and “justice” to a situation where the law (government) is not necessarily to be trusted. Although the “justice” might be brutal, it is seen as fair, and the opportunity to advance in the organization is theoretically open to all. It’s sort of like the idea that anyone can grow up to be President, but in this case, becoming the Don might be a fairer process.

Like any outlaw organization, there are some good aspects that can be focused on and sin to be overlooked. In the Sopranos, the real genius of the show was showing the men in Tony’s circle to be complex, conflicted men who were more than the sum of their parts. It was possible to “like” them as people, even want to hang out with them and have a beer.

And that was the brilliance of the show. Because anyone who might make that mistake would be quickly and brutally reminded that they were in the midst of killers.

Complex and primal. A great mix!