The veteran actor known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the HBO crime drama was found dead in his Bronx home, and although he was only on the show for two seasons, his passing left a giant hole in the "Sopranos" community.You can count me in as one of those fans who was particularly bummed to lose Pastore, because he contributed to what is perhaps the finest season of television that has ever been gifted to mankind.RANKING THE MAJOR ANTAGONISTS OF 'THE SOPRANOS'It's no secret that I love "The Sopranos," as a quick scroll through some of my work will yield a smattering of articles pontificating on every aspect of the show."The Sopranos" star, Vinny Pastore, died at the age of 80.(Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)It's one of my favorite series of all time, and season two in particular represents what is, in my humble opinion, the apex of episodic television.This is thanks in large part to Pastore's contributions as Tony Soprano's best friend and loyal soldier, Big Pussy.Throughout most of season one, we are shown that Puss is Tony's confidant, even more so than his second-in-command, Silvio Dante.Tony goes to Puss for advice about his son, among other things, showing the two have a connection that goes far beyond "the business."But by the end of the first season, Puss is suspected to be an informant for the FBI, and before anyone from the Soprano crew can confirm their suspicions, he takes off for parts unknown, only setting off more alarm bells for Tony and company.When he returns at the beginning of season two with an airtight alibi — going to Puerto Rico for acupuncture therapy to treat his ailing back — he has to re-earn the trust of his fellow crew members.What makes Pussy's return unique, however, is that it is revealed early in the second season to the audience only that he's actually a rat, and the rest of the season is spent watching Tony subconsciously piecing together the evidence that his best friend is working w...