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it's not really a fair fight. even though both strive to be a metaphor for america and american capitalism the sopranos has more going on in terms of richness and scope.
as far as the sopranos being too episodic...that was what they were trying to do...rather than what hbo was pushing for which was the more extended soap type thing...which they did do very well (think of adriana's story) to a degree.
however i loved how each ep is like a little movie with a slightly different focus (like tony's father's old girl friend who slept with JFK).
the wire is very compelling and realistic...a really great piece of work. the characters are distinct and compelling and the story lines are almost journalistic. i love it. I particularly liked the plot line in which the cop who shot another cop quits to become a public school teacher.
however as an ENDURING piece of art i cannot imagine that the wire will survive as long as the sopranos. It is the fantasy element of the sopranos that also sets it apart. The dream about the fish talking in the voice of "big pussy"....classic.
