The Sopranos (The Sopranos episode) The Sopranos (The Sopranos episode) "The Sopranos", also known as "Pilot", is the first episode of the HBO television drama series, "The Sopranos", which premiered on January 10, 1999. It was written and directed by the series creator and executive producer David Chase. New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano passes out while barbecuing. Tony's collapse is diagnosed as a panic attack, leading to his referral to psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. Tony is initially uncooperative, but soon tells Dr. Melfi a story about a family of ducks which nested in his swimming pool. He goes over tensions between Carmela and Meadow over a
Stage 5 (The Sopranos) and Goddard, who ask him for information he may come across in his line of work concerning terrorism. Following the film's premiere in New York City, Tony congratulates Chris and mingles with the Lupertazzis and the cast at the after-party. Carmela notes similarities between the film's love triangle and Chris, Tony and Adriana La Cerva, seeing the violent murder of the antagonist as Chris' "revenge fantasy" against Tony. Carmela confronts Chris and says she is disappointed in him. Chris denies any similarities but remains worried about what Tony's conclusions about the character's origin might be. Chris asks his screenwriter, J.T.