The Sopranos (The Sopranos episode) relieved as if "let out of jail. It was like a reprieve from the governor." "The Sopranos" is the first of only two episodes directed by Chase. The other is the series finale, "Made in America". Although this episode is titled "The Sopranos" on the DVD, Blu-ray and reruns on A&E, it was referred to as "Pilot" when originally aired. During the year-long break between the pilot and the start of the shoot of the rest of the 12 episodes of the season, James Gandolfini gained 60 pounds for the role of Tony and underwent voice coaching. Siberia Federico and
The Bard (The Twilight Zone) Roosevelt to act as consultants. The episode was likely written by Rod Serling as a reaction to the advertising executives he dealt with regularly while producing for television. In the book "The Twilight Zone Companion" Serling is quoted as saying that things were so bad with the overcautious executives that "one could not ford a river if Chevy was the sponsor." The actor portrayed by Burt Reynolds satirizes Marlon Brando's way of method acting. The episode was also featured in the final episode of "The Sopranos", in 2007, "Made in America". Tony Soprano, the protagonist of the series, is seen