I'm gonna have to disagree with you on these points, Paul. I think that the role of Livia Soprano wasn't really doing much more for the show. They had already established her effect on Tony's life, and if she hung around anymore it would have just gotten more annoying. She was basically just lying around in bed for the second season, and she wasn't important to the story line anymore.

Killing off Big Pussy Bompensiero was not the straw that broke the camel's back. It provided a great ending to season 2, but ever since we found out that the feds had flipped him, he didn't seem to be of much value anyway. The fact that they'd kill one of their own was great for the show, and it let the audience know that this show would do anything to make things seem realistic.

Although Big Pussy could be funny every once in a while, I think that he was nowhere near the funniest guy on the show. Paulie and Uncle Junior were funnier, and Silvio too. Also, bringing in Ralph Cifaretto was a great move in season 3, because he provided a great foil to Tony, kinda like what Richie Aprile did in season 2.

Hopefully we see some more about Uncle Junior's trial this season, and hopefully they finally show some real action with Adrianna and the feds.