My main goal is to uncover how local techniques—that is, specific operations and arrangements within each episode—contribute to the overall design and significance of the series. To do this, I will slice up scenes, dissect dialogue, probe characters and their motivations. I will study the program’s organic televisual elements such as camerawork, sound editing and set design. I will examine the TV/film conventions that act as the skeleton upon which the series is built. I’ll tweak every sinew and joint of The Sopranos that I need to in order to gain a better grasp of it.