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
Mergers and Acquisitions (The Sopranos) is reluctant to "cuckold" Ralphie. Tony continues to rebuff Valentina until she breaks up with Ralphie, and her claims about his fetishes are confirmed (in return for payment) by Janice. Carmela empathizes with Furio when he leaves for Naples to attend his father's funeral. While in Italy, he discusses his homesickness with his uncle, but mentions that what is pulling him back to America is a woman. When Furio confides that the woman is the boss's wife, he is warned not to pursue the relationship any further: either he risks getting killed, or he must kill the boss. Furio says