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) Butch DeConcini and expresses bitterness over having never avenged his brother's killing by Tony Blundetto. Phil says he compromised far too much in his life, says the twenty years he served in prison without giving any incriminating information about the members of his crime family seem to have been for nothing, and states he will no longer compromise. Meanwhile, Tony becomes the godfather to Chris' daughter at her baptism. The tension between Tony and Chris remains unspoken as they embrace firmly. Stage 5 (The Sopranos) "Stage 5" is the 79th episode of the HBO television series "The Sopranos", the second