"The Sopranos" | |
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The Sopranos episode | |
Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
Directed by | David Chase |
Written by | David Chase |
Produced by | David Chase |
Cinematography by | Alik Sakharov |
Editing by | Joanna Cappuccilli |
Production code | S101 |
Original air date | January 10, 1999 |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Guest appearance(s) | |
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"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-based mobster Tony Soprano of the DiMeo crime family unexpectedly becomes short of breath and passes out while barbecuing. After his doctors are unable to find any physical problem with Tony, his collapse is diagnosed as a panic attack. He is referred to psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. In their first meeting, the two discuss the events that led to his collapse.
Presenting himself as a "waste management consultant", Tony begins detailing the day of his attack to Dr. Melfi. Tony is initially uncooperative, expressing scorn for the practice of psychiatry. He tells Dr. Melfi about the stress of his business life—he has a feeling that he has come in at the end of something and describes a reverence for times past. Tony tells Dr. Melfi a story about a family of ducks landing in his pool and nesting there. He has a little stress in his home life with his daughter, Meadow, associating with a friend, Hunter Scangarelo, who his wife feels is a bad influence. Later he mentions that his wife and daughter are not getting along. Tony also tells Dr. Melfi about the stress of training his "nephew" in the family business. After establishing the ground rules of what will fall under doctor-patient confidentiality, Tony opens up about his career, but keeps the violent details from the doctor.