It'd make sense if there were some inconsistencies and self-contradicting inaccuracies in the show, especially with regard to flashbacks. As the series developed, it became a lot more focused - as a result of having spent time with these characters - with present day matters. The 'Sopranos' become more real and fleshed out, and the NY-NJ rift becomes central to the narrative. As a result, a few of the expository or explanatory histories and backgrounds given by the writers early on aren't explored further, or are otherwise dropped.

The most obvious case is that the Soprano family is actually the DiMeo family; we never see DiMeo because he's been serving a life sentence for however many years. But given Tony's relationship with Junior even after the latter is incarcerated, and given the type of power - however little - Johnny Sack still has whilst in jail, it's strange that nobody ever mentions this DiMeo guy or goes to visit him. It's probably best to just overlook and forgive these little fleshing-out matters in the early episodes. Especially when the later ones are so rich without them.