Once a cultural cornerstone, “The Sopranos” reshaped the television landscape with its intricate storytelling and complex characters. It’s a difficult task to sift through its 86 episodes to highlight the best, but here is an attempt to rank some of the most critically acclaimed episodes of “The Sopranos.”

1.”Pine Barrens” (Season 3, Episode 11) – Often cited as one of the greatest episodes in television history, this almost standalone episode expertly combines dark humor with palpable tension.

2.”Long Term Parking” (Season 5, Episode 12) – A heart-wrenching episode that delivers one of the show’s most shocking and emotional moments, with superb performances.

3.”College” (Season 1, Episode 5) – It is a pivotal episode where Tony Soprano is seen wrestling with his dual identity of a family man and a mob boss during a college visit with his daughter.

4.”Whitecaps” (Season 4, Episode 13) – The longest episode in the series showcases some of the most intense acting moments between Tony and Carmela as their marriage faces its greatest test.

5.”Funhouse” (Season 2, Episode 13) – In this season finale, Tony’s subconscious battles his reality through fever dreams leading to one of the series’ most dramatic whackings.

6.”Employee of the Month” (Season 3, Episode 4) – It’s perhaps one of the show’s most controversial episodes because of its disturbing content but remains significant for its portrayal of Dr. Melfi’s character development.

7.”Whoever Did This” (Season 4, Episode 9) – One of the darkest episodes visualizes a turning point for Tony as he gets involved in one more heinous act that changes him irreversibly.

8.”The Blue Comet” (Season 6, Episode 20) – The penultimate episode brings about an explosive conclusion to several storylines with ruthless efficiency reflecting on the show’s legacy by setting up for its mysterious finale.

9.”Kennedy and Heidi” (Season 6, Episode 18) – This episode pushes the boundaries on what viewers thought possible in terms of character fate and paves way for an emotionally raw narrative arc.

10.”Made in America” (Season 6, Episode 21) – The controversial series finale left fans debating for years with its ambiguous ending scene and cemented “The Sopranos”‘ place in pop culture history.

These ranked episodes reflect only a snippet of what “The Sopranos” offers but provide ample evidence for why it remains one of the most beloved and influential shows ever made.