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
Whitecaps (The Sopranos) on the Jersey Shore he is thinking of buying. The Sopranos are told the house has been sold to another couple, but it seems likely they won't be approved for the home loan. At first Carmela is hesitant about the cost, then she encourages Tony to buy it as an investment. Finally, she is delighted; she and Tony walk hand-in-hand on the beach and kiss. Tony visits the house's owner, attorney Alan Sapinsly, who lives next-door, and offers cash in the shortest possible time allowed by law. Sapinsly calls the current buyer and negotiates his way out of their contract