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
Calling All Cars (The Sopranos) but she changes to Svetlana. Tony discusses the dream with Dr. Melfi, who suggests that it signifies that Carmela is in control and Tony wants to square the changes in the lives of the others in the car with her. Melfi also asks if Ralphie changed recently; Tony stresses that they were only business associates and replies in the negative. Tony expresses a dissatisfaction with his therapy and notes his lack of impulse control still leads him to make mistakes in his life and work. When Bobby drops off his daughter Sophia at a baseball game, she notices a cake