Eloise (The Sopranos) A family dinner to meet Meadow's new boyfriend, Finn DeTrolio, further dispirits Carmela. She argues with Meadow and her roommates about the homosexual themes in "Billy Budd", which spills over into their mother-daughter birthday outing the next day. Carmela complains to Tony while Meadow learns from A.J. about her visits to Furio's home and her depression since he left. Tony later approaches Meadow and reveals that he and Carmela both had couples counseling, suggesting to Meadow that she treat her mother with more restraint. Meadow does not reveal anything about Furio. Later, when Tony asks his wife if seeing Meadow
The Sopranos pilot episode which was shot in 1997. Chase directed it himself. They finished the pilot and showed it to HBO executives, but the show was put on hold for several months. During this time, Chase considered asking HBO for additional funding to shoot 45 more minutes of footage and release "The Sopranos" as a feature film. In December 1997, HBO decided to produce the series and ordered 12 more episodes for a 13-episode season. The show premiered on HBO on January 10, 1999 with the pilot episode. "The Sopranos" was the second hour-long television drama series produced by HBO, the