The Sopranos
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- DirectorDavid ChaseStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoA mobster passes out at a family barbecue and seeks therapy to understand why.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E01
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Director: David Chase
Writer: David Chase
Air date: January 10, 1999
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In the pilot episode of this HBO television series from executive producer David Chase, a New Jersey mob boss named Tony Soprano suffers a series of anxiety attacks.
Convinced by his physician that he needs to seek therapy, Tony consults psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, who begins exploring her patient's attachment to a family of ducks that have been living in his pool, but have recently departed.
As signs of weakness and disclosures made to a "shrink" could have violent repercussions in Tony's secretive world of organized crime, he keeps his visits with Melfi a secret.
Those in the dark at first include his wife Carmela, his manipulative mother Livia, and his scheming uncle Junior, a member of the same crime family.
In the meantime, Carmela's relationship with her and Tony's high-school age daughter Meadow is becoming strained, and their son Anthony Jr. is clueless about his dad's real profession.
Tony's stress increases when he learns that the restaurant of his best friend, Artie Bucco, is to be the site of a mob murder on the orders of Junior, and that his cousin Christopher Moltisanti, one of Tony's soldiers, is making waves with his heavy-handed tactics.
Tony orders Artie's restaurant blown up to trump Junior's plans, assuming that insurance will build his friend a new establishment.
A hit with audiences and television critics alike, The Sopranos was the creation of executive producer Chase, whose resumé includes stints on such lauded television programs as The Rockford Files (1974-1980), I'll Fly Away (1991-1993), and Northern Exposure (1990-1995).
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony is getting fed up with his mother. Brendan Filone acts against Tony's wishes. Salvatore and Paulie try to track down A.J.'s teacher's stolen car.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E02
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Director: Dan Attias
Writer: David Chase
Air date: January 17, 1999
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In the sophomore episode of the HBO series, mob boss Jackie Aprile is dying of cancer, which can only lead to a power struggle between his two top capos, Tony Soprano and Tony's own uncle, Junior.
Tony persuades his mother, Livia to move into a retirement community against her wishes.
When a car is stolen from a teacher at the school of Tony's son, Anthony Jr., Tony sends his two top lieutenants, "Big Pussy" Bompensiero and Paulie Walnuts to get the vehicle back.
The incident leads to Anthony Jr.'s first suspicions about his dad's true occupation.
Junior is having his own problems with the headstrong Christopher Moltisanti, his nephew, and a lieutenant of Tony's who has hijacked some merchandise from one of his trucks.
Peace is made when Christopher agrees to pay Junior tribute, but his dimwitted associate Brendan Filone again holds up one of Junior's trucks, this time accidentally killing the driver.
Tony learns that his friend Artie Bucco did not have his restaurant insured, and that an explosion Tony secretly arranged has destroyed his friend financially.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorNick GomezStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony encourages an unwanted son-in-law to divorce, Carmela learns another secret of Tony's, Meadow experiments with speed to study for the SATs, and Chris and Brendan find out the price of disrespecting Junior.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E03
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Director: Nick Gomez
Writer: Mark Saraceni
Air date: January 24, 1999
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In the series' third episode, a crime family confronts the possibility of a future power struggle.
Meadow Soprano, the daughter of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, takes crystal methamphetamines with a friend in order to help them study for the SATs.
Tony visits his dying Mafia superior, Jackie Aprile, in the hospital and presents him with a gift: a hooker dressed as a nurse.
Mikey Palmice, the top lieutenant of Tony's rival and uncle, Junior, is convinced that Tony will make a grab for top boss after Jackie's death, and he begins to convince Junior that his nephew should be whacked.
Tony, his henchman Paulie Walnuts, and another Soprano lieutenant, Silvio Dante, deal with a Hasidic family of motel owners who refuse to pay protection money.
After hiring family friends Artie Bucco and his wife Charmaine to cater a party, Tony's wife, Carmela, learns that her husband slept with Charmaine in high school.
Soprano associate Christopher Moltisanti tries to make a botched truck hijacking right by returning stolen goods to Junior, but the mob capo still orders Christopher's pal, Brendan Filone, murdered and Christopher to be threatened.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoBrendan's death leaves Chris fearing for his life, and Anthony's discovery of what his father really does leaves him confused.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E04
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Jason Cahill
Air date: January 31, 1999
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Revelations mark this fourth episode of the series, involving a schoolyard fight brewing between AJ and a bully who unexpectedly backs down.
Anthony Jr. fails to understand the boy's fear, so his sister Meadow explains that their father, Tony Soprano, is not really a "waste management consultant" but a New Jersey mob kingpin.
After he begins having erotic dreams about his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony hires a crooked cop, Vin Makazian to investigate Melfi's background, and the detective accidentally ruins her romance with a lawyer.
Frantic after the mock execution he suffered, Soprano soldier Christopher Moltisanti, believes that his cousin and boss, Tony, ordered the incident because he gave Tony's daughter, Meadow, some crystal methamphetamines; however, after Christopher and his girlfriend, Adriana, discover the corpse of his murdered friend, Brendan Filone, he realizes that his uncle, Junior, ordered the slaying in retaliation for a botched truck hijacking.
Exacerbated by Junior's bloodthirsty soldier, Mikey, tensions rise between Tony and Junior when their boss and head of the family, Jackie Aprile, passes away from cancer.
Tony is left to decide whether he will make a play for the top job in the family or concede control to his uncle.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoWhile visiting colleges with Meadow, Tony spots a snitch. Carmela, meanwhile, discovers something about Dr. Melfi.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E05
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: James Manos Jr. and David Chase
Air date: February 7, 1999
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Painful truths are revealed in the popular HBO series' standout fifth episode.
New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano escorts his daughter, Meadow, on visits to several colleges in New England.
As Tony and Meadow travel, he discusses his occupation with her openly for the first time.
Although he's reluctant to do so, it has become obvious that Meadow and her younger brother, Anthony Jr., are aware of their father's criminal career.
Stopping in a small Maine town, Tony spots a one-time snitch against the family named Fabian Petrulio, who long ago disappeared into the federal witness protection program.
Between Meadow's appointments at various schools, Tony resolves to murder Fabian.
Although Tony has confessed, to the delight of his wife Carmela, that he is in therapy, she is unaware that his doctor is an attractive Italian-American woman, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, to whom Tony has become drawn sexually.
Home with the flu, Carmela becomes furious when she receives a call from Melfi about a scheduling conflict.
Confiding her marital frustrations to her movie-loving friend Father Phil, Carmela's relationship with the priest threatens to become romantic when Phil decides to spend the night on the couch.
Back in Maine, Tony learns that Petrulio now goes by the name "Fred Peters." Convinced he's got the right man, Tony plots his revenge on Petrulio and kills him.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony tries to balance Junior against the other capos, while Carmela reasserts herself as the woman in Tony's life.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E06
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Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Frank Renzulli
Air date: February 14, 1999
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The sixth episode of the HBO mob series finds New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano deciding to do the noble thing and cede control of the family to his rival and uncle, Junior, much to everyone's surprise and dismay.
In reality, Tony is maintaining control of the family. With the agreement of the other families in the tri-state area, Junior is being set up as a frontman without his knowledge.
Immediately, however, Junior causes trouble by ordering tribute to be paid by Tony's top lieutenants, including a long-time family advisor, Hesh Rabkin.
Tony shocks his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, by declaring that he's falling in love with her during a session, and then kisses her.
Junior learns that his tailor's grandson committed suicide because of a crippling drug addiction and orders two of his men to throw the drug dealer off a bridge in retaliation.
Tony's medication is causing his sex drive to become nonexistent, much to the chagrin of both his wife Carmela and his mistress.
At a dinner celebration, the FBI conducts surveillance on the Sopranos, aware that Tony is still the real power behind the criminal organization.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorLorraine SennaStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoAnthony has disciplinary problems at school, prompting Tony to recount memories of his childhood with Dr. Melfi.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E07
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Director: Lorraine Senna
Writer: Ferrara Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: February 21, 1999
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In this domestic episode of the hit HBO series, Anthony Soprano Jr., the son of a powerful New Jersey crime boss, gets suspended from school for stealing sacramental wine from the chapel.
The school psychologist summons the boy's parents, mob capo Tony Soprano and his wife, Carmela, for a meeting at which Anthony Jr. is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.
Tony is troubled by his son's actions and reflects on his own childhood with his cruelly controlling mother, Livia, and his mobster father.
Although Tony expresses concern to his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, that his son may end up living the same life of crime he does, he and Carmela refuse to accept the judgment of their son's school that the boy might need special education.
Forced to visit Livia in her retirement home everyday, Anthony Jr. tells his grandmother about the incident and, also, accidentally reveals that his father is consulting a psychiatrist, spilling a very dangerous family secret to the shrewd and manipulative Livia.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - 1999–200749mTV-MA8.6 (8.5K)TV EpisodeDirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoThe FBI begins closing in on the DiMeo family. Tony and Carmela are angry over all the attention Italians get from the authorities, while Chris fumes that he's not getting enough attention.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E08
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Frank Renzulli and David Chase
Air date: February 28, 1999
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Legal troubles come to a boil in the eighth episode of the hit HBO series.
Mob soldier Christopher Moltisanti is enraged that he's not receiving the same publicity that other Mafia soldiers are enjoying due to the current round of federal indictments that are being handed down and covered extensively in the press.
On edge and ready to explode, Christopher gets into an altercation with a bakery employee and shoots the man's toe off.
In the meantime, psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi confesses to her son and ex-husband that she is counseling a stressed-out mobster, New Jersey crime kingpin Tony Soprano, and they become concerned about her safety.
At a wedding, the Soprano family members learn that they are about to be indicted by the FBI, which has become interested in their activities again since the death of the organization's one-time godfather.
Tony and his wife, Carmela, hurry home to conceal evidence not a moment too soon, as federal agents soon arrive with warrants and begin searching the premises.
When the story hits the news, Christopher is pleased and relieved to be mentioned as an important family associate in a journal.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorAndy WolkStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoThe capos discuss what to do about the local soccer coach, while Junior's mouth causes him some embarrassment.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E09
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Director: Andy Wolk
Jason Cahill and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: March 7, 1999
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An intimate sexual act triggers further tension between two crime bosses in this episode of the HBO series.
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano ridicules his uncle and fellow mobster Junior on the golf course. Tony has heard about Junior's oral sex skills with his girlfriend, Bobbi, who has been gabbing to her friends about Junior's prowess while the two were on a vacation in Boca Raton, FL.
In retaliation, Junior smashes a lemon meringue pie in Bobbi's face, breaking their 16-year relationship.
He also tells his vicious top soldier, Mikey, a secret he's been keeping that he recently learned from his sister-in-law, Livia: her son, Tony, is compromising family security by seeing a psychiatrist.
Meanwhile, Tony and his friends make plans to convince their daughters' talented soccer coach not to accept a lucrative college job, until they learn that the coach has been sleeping with one of his underage players, a friend of Tony's daughter, Meadow.
They take steps to teach the coach a lesson he'll never forget.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorMatthew PennStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony tries to branch out into legitimate investments, while Chris and Adriana decide to try their hands at music production.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E10
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Director: Matthew Penn
Writer: Joe Bosso and Frank Renzulli
Air date: March 14, 1999
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A mob boss finds he can't escape his true identity, while his cousin learns that the music industry is as crooked as organized crime in the tenth episode of the HBO series.
New Jersey Mafia chieftain Tony Soprano is delighted to receive an invitation to play golf with his well-to-do neighbor, Cusamano, at his exclusive country club.
Happy to socialize with non-mobsters for once, Tony quickly realizes that Cusamano has extended the invitation simply to impress his buddies with his powerful crime boss pal.
Tony's cousin and soldier Christopher Moltisanti and his girlfriend Adriana meet Massive Genius, a rap star with a financial grudge against Soprano family advisor Hesh. Genius is immediately attracted to Adriana and makes a deal with Christopher: in exchange for Christopher setting up a meeting between Genius and Hesh, the musician agrees to consider signing a band that Adriana wants to represent, but it becomes clear that Genius is only interested in Adriana sexually.
Meanwhile, Tony gets even with Cusamano by asking him to "hold on" to a package wrapped in plain brown paper, sending his neighbor into a panic over the possibly illegal narcotic contents.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorHenry BronchteinStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoFollowing the arrest of two of his men, Tony suspects a traitor. Efforts to discover who, however, are stymied.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E011
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Director: Henry J. Bronchtein
Writer: Frank Renzulli
Air date: March 21, 1999
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Looming betrayals within a mob family cloud the horizon in this episode of the popular HBO crime series.
Crooked police officer Vin Mazakian tells New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano that his best friend and trusted lieutenant Big Pussy Bompenseiro, who was arrested by the feds, may have turned and could be working as an informant.
Although he's incredulous, Tony orders another of his men, Paulie Walnuts to find the truth.
Tony cautions Paulie not to kill their old friend until he's absolutely certain that he's a snitch, as it's possible Mazakian is framing Pussy to get out of his gambling debts.
Before Tony can learn more, Mazakian is arrested in a sting operation and, his career in tatters, commits suicide as Paulie's plan to get Pussy to disrobe at a steam bath to see if he's wearing a wire fails.
At the same time, Tony's uncle and rival within the family, Junior orders a hit on Tony, giving the bloody assignment to his top soldier Mikey, who tells his wife he's moving up in the family.
After the incident at the steam bath, Pussy disappears and Tony learns Jimmy Altieri is the rat.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoThe stress Tony is going through begins to take its toll, and the hit Junior has ordered doesn't help.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E012
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: March 28, 1999
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A fantasy woman leads to a therapeutic breakthrough for a mob chieftain, as his family crumbles around him in the penultimate episode of the HBO series' freshman season.
Briefly confined to his bed by depression, New Jersey Mafia boss Tony Soprano begins having hallucinogenic dreams about a beautiful neighbor named Isabella, who he believes to be a foreign exchange student living at his neighbor Cusamano's house.
After Tony's cousin and soldier Christopher Moltisanti unwittingly prevents a first hit attempt on Tony, a pair of assassins nearly manage to kill the crime boss, but Tony gets away with only minor wounds.
While he's recovering at the hospital, Tony is visited by the FBI, who tries in vain to recruit him as a federal witness.
Tony also receives visits from his lieutenants, who vow revenge, and his uncle Junior, whom he correctly suspects ordered the botched slaying.
Tony discovers that there is no Isabella and that the gorgeous girl he envisioned suckling a baby was a figment of his imagination.
While consulting with his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, to see if she's the one who leaked information about him, Tony comes to the conclusion that his dreams about Isabella are significantly related to his lack of childhood nurturing and mothering.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony starts cleaning house, while Artie feels torn between keeping the peace in his household, and getting even with Tony for destroying his restaurant.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S01▶️E013
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: David Chase
Air date: April 4, 1999
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The final episode of the HBO crime series' first season contains several startling plot twists.
After she suffers a disorienting episode, Livia Soprano, the manipulative mother of a powerful New Jersey crime boss, is moved to the nursing wing of her retirement home.
Her son Tony doesn't want to face the possibility, raised by his therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, that his own mother may have been in on an assassination attempt that nearly took his life.
Later, however, the FBI plays tapes of Livia's conversations with Tony's uncle and family rival, Junior, which proves she knew about the attempt and that Junior ordered it.
Visiting with Livia, Tony's friend Artie Bucco discovers Tony's role in the destruction of his restaurant and confronts Tony with a shotgun, but Tony is able to convince his friend that Livia is losing her mind.
Tony's cousin and muscle man Christopher Moltisanti and Soprano family lieutenant Paulie Walnuts murder Junior's top soldier, Mikey, while he's out jogging.
Before Tony can also rub out his uncle, Junior and his men are arrested by the Feds on racketeering charges.
Tony informs Dr. Melfi that a gang war could be brewing, putting her life in danger, and that she should leave town for a while.
Livia has a stroke, and an incensed Tony confronts her about her role in the attempt on his life as she is wheeled away.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - 1999–200750mTV-MA8.2 (7.7K)TV EpisodeDirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoPussy returns after months in hiding, Chris starts a boiler room stock operation, and Tony's long-lost sister shows up on the doorstep.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E01
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Jason Cahill
Air date: January 16, 2000
US TV Ratings: 7.64 millions
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In the second-season premiere of this original HBO series, Mob boss Tony Soprano adjusts to some changes in both his families in the wake of his mother's betrayal and a legal crackdown by federal law enforcement.
Tony's also dealing with the sudden reappearance of his sister Janice, a free spirit going by the Hindu name "Parvati," who's really a greedy schemer in the finest Soprano tradition.
Claiming she's there to care for their hospitalized mother Livia, Janice is angling to get her mother's house (or the proceeds from its sales) when Livia dies.
Tony refuses to see Livia, who's "dead" as far as he's concerned and not invited to a family barbecue.
Tony's Uncle Junior is in jail and Tony orders a hit on Philly, one of Junior's men, because Philly's blabbing about Tony's therapy.
But Tony's psychotherapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, who's been reduced to hiding out and seeing patients in a motel room, refuses to treat her star patient despite his renewed panic attacks, telling him off at a diner.
Nephew Christopher Moltisanti expands into a new business venture involving a scam stock brokerage called Webistics.
Meanwhile Big Pussy reappears, claiming to have undergone rehab in Puerto Rico.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorMartin BruestleStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliJunior leaves prison due to ill health and placed under house arrest, while Livia's health also declines. Pussy begins talking with someone interested in learning more about Tony.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E02
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Director: Martin Bruestle
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and Frank Renzulli
Air date: January 23, 2000
US TV Ratings: 5.33 millions
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New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano proves himself a cagey leader in this episode of the cable TV series.
When Tony's Uncle Junior is released from jail under house arrest due to a heart condition, Tony meets with him at the office of Junior's doctor, which cannot be wire-tapped by the government due to doctor-patient confidentiality laws.
Tony allows Junior to earn a token five percent of his income and retain the title of "boss."
Tony's still the one in charge, however, as he proves when he negotiates an end to a labor strike in a surprising way profitable both for him and a black community activist.
Although Junior is nursing a serious grudge against his nephew, it's Tony he turns to when he injures himself in a bathtub fall.
Janice continues to worm her way back into the Soprano family by befriending her niece, Meadow, who gets her driver's license, and buttering up her mother, Livia.
Livia and Janice's new closeness is short-lived, however, because Tony's son, Anthony Jr., innocently spills the beans about his father and Janice discussing a "DNR" order.
During a trip to the doctor's office for a steroid injection to alleviate back pain, Soprano family soldier Big Pussy is revealed to be working with FBI agent Skip Lipari, but not everything Big P tells the federal agent is true, so who's playing who?
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorLee TamahoriStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRichie Aprile gets out after ten years in prison and starts reasserting his authority while unaware of the changes made in the crime family's archetype. Meadow gets in trouble after a party gets out of hand.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E03
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Director: Lee Tamahori
Writer: Frank Renzulli
Air date: January 30, 2000
US TV Ratings: 5.60 millions
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A lethal new character joins the Soprano family in this episode of the original cable series, directed by Lee Tamhori.
Mob boss Anthony Soprano receives a call from the police, but it's not his illegal activities they're concerned with; his daughter Meadow has thrown a party at the unoccupied house of Tony's mother, Livia, and one of her teenage friends has overdosed on drugs.
Tony and his wife, Carmela, feel powerless to control their daughter, and give her only a token punishment, but Carmela is infuriated when Tony's sister, Janice, attempts to intervene with some unwanted child-rearing advice.
Richie Aprile, the hair-trigger-tempered brother of deceased boss Jackie Aprile, is released from prison after ten years, embittered over his loss of power.
He pushes for the position and money he feels rightfully belong to him, but Tony urges Richie to be patient.
Although he's indebted to Richie, pizza shop owner Beansie refuses to knuckle under and pay tribute, so Richie viciously runs over him in a parking lot, then backs up over Beansie again, crippling his one-time friend.
Richie struggles with his inner demons at yoga class, where he runs into Janice, a former flame. Richie seeks to stoke the fires of romance with Janice again by visiting her and her mother, Livia, at the hospital.
Tony's cold to Dr. Melfi when they bump into each other at a restaurant, and Melfi is haunted by her cheery "Toodle-oo" to the powerful mob boss.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony, Paulie and Chris travel to Naples to conduct a business deal, while Pussy becomes more stressed over trying to balance his secret lives.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E04
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: David Chase
Air date: February 6, 2000
US TV Ratings: 7.16 millions
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This episode of the original cable TV series was shot on-location in Italy. New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) travels with his top lieutenants, Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico) and Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli), to Naples, where he intends to negotiate a lucrative new deal for the car-jacking operation he's taken over from his Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese). While Paulie attempts to ingratiate himself with the locals with little success, Christopher holes up in his hotel room with Tanno (Giuseppe Zeno), a new acquaintance, on a drug-addled bender that lasts the entire trip. Tony discovers that his distant relative Don Zi Vittorio (Vittorio Duse) has become senile, and that Zi's voluptuous, intelligent daughter, Annalisa (Sofia Milos), is the true boss. Tony is powerfully attracted to Annalisa, who reminds him of Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), but he has a difficult time negotiating business with a woman. They agree on a price for the stolen cars and Tony recruits one of Annalisa's most valuable men, Furio Giunta (Federico Castelluccio), to be his new enforcer. Back at home in the U.S., Angie Bompensiero (Toni Kalem) confesses to Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco) that she's unhappy in her marriage to Pussy (Vincent Pastore) and wants out, but Carmela, already questioning her marriage to Tony, urges Angie to stick with her husband. Spotted by an old acquaintance while meeting with his FBI contact, Pussy is later forced to murder his friend with a hammer.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoPaulie and Silvio get promoted, Furio gets welcomed, Pussy gets pushed aside, and Chris gets frustrated with his Hollywood aspirations while Janice and Richie become romantically involved much to Tony's disapproval.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E05
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: February 13, 2000
US TV ratings: 5.34 millions
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In this episode of the popular cable TV series, mob chief Tony Soprano returns to therapy, a new lieutenant makes a powerful impression, and a legendary director tries his hand at acting in a multi-episode story arc.
Tony reorganizes his crew, promoting Silvio Dante and Paulie Walnuts to share an underboss role, while leaving Big Pussy at the same level as Christopher and Furio.
This infuriates Pussy, who becomes less reluctant to share information with the FBI, while Furio, now working for Artie Bucco as a mozzarella maker, is ordered to lean on the owner of a whorehouse, whose delinquent payments are Christopher's responsibility.
Christopher, however, is wrapped up in an acting class given to him as a gift by his girlfriend, Adriana.
Tony, while he should be happy that he's not under indictment and business is booming, is having fits and tantrums. It's partly the stress of discovering that the renewed romance between his sister, Janice, and Richie Aprile is becoming serious, so Tony tries to talk with his counsel, Hesh Rabkin, who's of little help.
Hesh does reveal, however, that Tony's father also suffered from blackouts.
Dr. Melfi has been seeing a therapist of her own, Dr. Elliott Kupferberg, to whom she reveals her guilt over refusing to treat Tony.
Although Kupferberg advises against it, Melfi calls Tony to offer her services, which Tony at first gruffly refuses.
Tony relents and appears for his appointment, re-starting his sessions in an effort to gain "total control."
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony's old school friend digs himself into trouble with his gambling, while Tony's family problems only continue to grow.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E06
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Frank Renzulli
Air date: February 20, 2000
US TV ratings: 5.83 millions
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Frank Sinatra Jr. provides an amusing cameo as himself in this episode of the hit television series.
Mob boss Tony Soprano tells his therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, of his anger at all the "happy wanderers" in the world, those without the cares and concerns he suffers.
One responsibility that Tony's looking forward to, however, is control of the "executive game," a poker game for high rollers that he's now inherited from Uncle Junior.
At a funeral, Tony is forced to deal with the presence of his estranged mother, Livia, who's escorted by Janice and her lover, Richie Aprile.
Janice is pressuring Richie to stand up to her brother and claim what's rightfully his -- namely, control of the mob family.
Against his better judgement, Tony allows his old friend and local sporting goods store owner Davey Scatino into the executive game, despite the fact that Davey's gambling problems have been causing trouble with Richie to the tune of eight grand.
Davey loses another 45,000 dollars and tries to convince Soprano friend and restaurant owner Artie Bucco to loan him the cash to pay Tony and Richie, but Artie can't help.
Junior reveals a family secret to Tony about a feeble-minded uncle he never knew he had, and Tony's daughter, Meadow, encounters a problem with her classmate Eric when his sport utility vehicle ends up in Soprano hands.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoAnthony continues to cause problems at home, while Pussy's divided loyalties cause him greater anguish.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E07
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: March 5, 2000
US TV ratings: 6.29 millions
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Movie stars Jon Favreau, Sandra Bernhard, and Janeane Garofalo make cameo appearances as themselves in this episode of the hit HBO series that finds a Mafia wiseguy flirting with Hollywood.
Mob lieutenant Christopher Moltisanti, who abandoned the screenplay he was secretly writing, finds himself bitten by the show business bug once again when he meets the beautiful Amy, a development executive working on a new film with actor Jon Favreau.
Christopher and Favreau meet, and the actor appropriates some of Christopher's real-life crime anecdotes for a script.
Despite the fact that Amy is his cousin's girlfriend, Christopher sleeps with her.
In the Soprano household, Anthony Jr. is causing his parents grief with his new apathy.
After flunking most of his classes, he gets into a car accident and explains to his parents, Tony and Carmela, that he's discovered Existentialsim, and that life is absurd and meaningless.
A visit with his grandmother, Livia, is no help, as her world view is even darker and more depressing.
At his confirmation party, Anthony is caught smoking pot, so his sponsor Big Pussy, explains to Anthony that his father is a "stand-up guy," despite the fact that Big P is betraying Tony and is reluctantly wearing a wire so the Feds can record his conversations.
Pussy ends up weeping in the bathroom while his FBI contact Skip listens in.
Informed by a jealous Adriana that her boyfriend Christopher is dreaming of Hollywood again, Tony delivers an ultimatum to his lieutenant at the party, forcing him to choose between the movies and the mob.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRebellion by some of the lower soldiers ends in bloodshed, while Carmela starts intimidating her neighbors to help Meadow's chances at Georgetown.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E08
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Director: Henry J. Bronchtein
Writer: Michael Imperioli
Air date: March 12, 2000
US TV ratings: 7.18 millions
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A violent turn of events threatens the good fortunes of the Soprano family in this episode of the cable television series.
Concerned that her daughter, Meadow, could end up attending a college thousands of miles away, Carmela Soprano asks her neighbor, Jean Cusamano, for a favor.
It seems that Jean's twin sister, Joan, a successful lawyer, is a graduate of Georgetown University and serves in an influential alum position.
Carmela asks if Joan would write a recommendation for Meadow, but Joan's answer is no. Determined and more than a little peeved, Carmela bakes a ricotta pie and shows up at Joan's office, making it clear that the recommendation is an offer Joan can't refuse.
Carmela's husband, mob boss Tony Soprano, is dealing with his own headache, his lieutenant Richie Aprile, who is bucking his order to build a wheelchair access ramp at the home of pizzeria owner Beansie, whom Richie is responsible for injuring.
Richie caves in after a talk with Tony's Uncle Junior and even offers Tony his lucky leather jacket, a relic from the 1970s that Tony promptly gives to his maid's immigrant husband, enraging Richie.
Deciding to quit taking drugs and give up his dreams of a life in the movie business, Soprano family lieutenant Christopher Moltisanti asks his girlfriend, Adriana, to marry him.
The couple's joy is short-lived, as Christopher's two partners in crime, Matt Bevilaqua and Sean Gismonte, decide to move up the mob ladder by murdering Christopher, gunning him down in a diner parking lot. Sean is killed in the attack, and Matt goes on the run after Richie refuses to help him.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorHenry BronchteinStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoChris awakens from his coma with a message from the afterlife for Tony and Paulie. Carmela, meanwhile, wants Tony to get a "cut", specifically a vasectomy.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E09
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Director: Henry J. Bronchtein
Writer: Michael Imperioli
Air date: March 12, 2000
US TV ratings: 7.18 millions
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Series co-star Michael Imperioli, who also wrote the feature film Summer of Sam (1999), penned the script for this episode of the popular pay-television drama.
Shot several times in the previous episode, Soprano family lieutenant Christopher Moltisanti clings to life in a hospital and has an out-of-body experience that brings him into contact with his ghosts of his late father and a slain former associate, Mikey Palmice, in the afterlife.
Shaken up by Christopher's account of his supernatural journey, Paulie Walnuts visits a psychic, a priest, and even Palmice's widow, convinced he'll go to Hell when he dies.
Mafia boss Tony Soprano receives a tip regarding the whereabouts of Matt Bevilaqua, one of the gunmen who shot Christopher, and pays Matt a lethal visit with Big Pussy, who's forced to commit murder despite being a federal informant.
Hearing about the illegitimate child borne by another mobster's mistress, Carmela urges her husband Tony to get a vasectomy, as she's aware of his affair with a Russian girl, Irina. Tony insists the affair is over, but Carmela is highly skeptical.
Janice continues to pressure her boyfriend, Richie Aprile, to move against her brother Tony.
Tony blows up at his son, Anthony Jr., and then tries to rectify the situation by spending time with him.
Tony also attempts to be a good husband; he tells Carmela he'll get a vasectomy, but she tells Tony she's changed her mind and may want another child.
Dr. Melfi confesses during a visit with her psychiatrist Dr. Kupferberg that she has made an unholy alliance with her notorious client and that she's becoming increasingly dependent upon alcohol and pills.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony continues putting the squeeze on David, while Richie discusses the possibility with Junior of removing some competition while 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero continues to be an informant.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E10
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Frank Renzulli and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: March 19, 2000
US TV ratings: 7.62 millions
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A witness could bring an organized crime family crashing down in this episode of the HBO television series created by David Chase.
Tony Soprano is distressed to learn that a witness has identified him as being in the area where a traitorous mob lieutenant was murdered.
He visits his lawyer, Neil Mink, to discuss a strategy of stalling the feds, and delivers a bag of cash, Tony's rainy day fund for his wife and kids should he be arrested.
Tony's also upset when his son, Anthony Jr., prefers to hang out with his friends at the mall rather than spend time with his dad, but Tony then promptly forgets his son's swim meet.
After a meeting with Tony, Soprano family muscle Richie Aprile complains to Tony's Uncle Junior about the shoddy treatment they're both getting.
Junior warns Richie about the treacherous Janice, who's letting Richie hold a gun to her head during sex.
As payment for the massive gambling debt of his old pal, Davey Scatino, Tony and his crew take over Davey's outdoor store, running up the limit on all of Davey's lines of credit, intending to sell the merchandise on the street and bankrupt the business.
A depressed Davey sleeps in a tent in his store, never returning home and contemplating suicide.
Meanwhile, Pussy gives the FBI a list of investors in the Webistics scam and Tony's wife, Carmela, has a crush on virile, widowed wallpaper hanger Vic Musto, Davey's brother-in-law.
Their flirtation threatens to become something more, but then Vic meets Davey for lunch and learns that Carmela's husband is a mob kingpin who has ruined Davey's family.
Vic offers to pay for the college tuition of his nephew and breaks off his friendship with Carmela, sending an assistant to finish the wallpaper job.
Tony learns that the witness against him learned of his identity and is now refusing to testify. The mob boss is so elated, he walks out of a therapy session with Dr. Melfi.
His daughter, Meadow, learns that she's been accepted at some top colleges, giving the family cause for celebration.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoJunior feels the restrictions of his house arrest acutely, while Tony starts putting in hours at his actual job to allay FBI suspicions, while Junior and Richie uses the garbage pick up routes for a double purpose.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E11
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: March 26, 2000
US TV ratings: 5.51 millions
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A mob boss tries to reform for appearances' sake in this episode of the TV cable series that begins heating up several story lines in anticipation of the second season finale.
Having narrowly avoided prosecution in a murder case, New Jersey Mafia don Tony Soprano is advised by his lawyer to begin keeping regular office hours at his legitimate business, a waste management company called Barone Brothers Sanitation.
A 9-5 desk job drives Tony to distraction, however, and even sexual escapades with a secretary don't seem to alleviate his increased stress, which causes a rash on his arm and another blackout at an annual golf outing for waste haulers.
Wary of increased attention from the FBI, Tony orders his brother-in-law to tell Richie Aprile to stop selling cocaine on his garbage routes, causing even more bad blood between them.
Uncle Junior, who's partnered with Richie in the narcotics scheme and chafing under house arrest, begins to enjoy the company of Catherine Romano, a police captain's widow he knew in his youth.
Still drinking vodka before her sessions with Tony, Dr. Melfi feels duty-bound to treat the mobster, even though her patient wants to quit therapy.
After an altercation with a smoker at a restaurant embarrasses her son, Melfi receives a prescription for Luvox, an obsessive-compulsive disorder medication, from her psychiatrist, Dr. Kupferberg.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRichie and Janice get engaged, but Richie's violent temper finally takes him too far. Tony, meanwhile, breaks up with Irina, much to her dismay.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E012
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: April 2, 2000
US TV ratings: 5.44 millions
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A mob boss's biggest personnel problem is resolved in an unexpected fashion in this penultimate episode of the cable television series' second season.
Mob chieftain Tony Soprano has been trying to break off his long-running affair with Irina, but the possessive Russian mistress tries to commit suicide with an overdose of pills.
Tony is finally forced to send his captain, Silvio Dante to visit Irina with a dose of wise advice and an envelope containing 75 thousand dollars.
Tony's problems with his enforcer, Richie Aprile, are coming to a head because Richie is refusing to follow Tony's order to stop selling drugs on his trash-hauling routes.
Now Richie's trying to muscle into other capos' territories and scheming to kill Tony.
Trying to persuade Tony's uncle, Junior, to join him, the erratic and hot-tempered Richie finds Junior reluctant.
Tony and his wife, Carmela, host an engagement party for Richie and Tony's sister, Janice.
Electing to remain loyal to Tony, Junior tips his nephew off about Richie's homicidal plans and receives an increase in his percentage from a grateful Tony.
Tony orders Silvio to whack Richie, but before Silvio can carry out the hit, Richie and Janice get into a violent domestic quarrel, and Janice shoots Richie twice at point-blank range.
Soprano lieutenants Christopher Moltisanti and Furio Giunta get rid of Richie's corpse at the butcher shop, while Tony puts Janice on a bus back to Seattle, concluding, "All in all, it's been a good visit."
Soprano family solider Big Pussy seems to be having a mental meltdown due to the stress of being a government informant.
Acting as if he thinks he's a junior G-man, Pussy stakes out and tails Christopher on an illegal mission to highjack a truckload of "Pokemon" cards but runs down an innocent bicyclist instead.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony gets sick from food poisoning and blames Artie's restaurant. Pussy, meanwhile, reaches the end of the line.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E13
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: David Chase and Todd A. Kessler
Air date: April 9, 2000
US TV ratings: 8.97 millions
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A pair of graduations and a goodbye to an old friend wrap up the second season of the popular HBO series.
New Jersey Mafia boss Tony Soprano is flush with a run of financial success thanks to several recent schemes, including big payoffs from a calling-card scam.
He buys his wife, Carmela, a new sable coat, and gives plane tickets to Arizona to his mother, Livia, and her sister.
Later, a bad dish at an Indian restaurant gives Tony serious food poisoning, leading to a series of disturbing dreams.
In one of them, his friend, Pussy, appears in the form of a frozen fish to announce that he's a FBI informant and that Tony has known all along.
Tony begins to recover, determined to learn the truth about Pussy, whom he's long suspected of colluding with the feds.
Visiting Pussy's home, Tony feigns continued illness and discovers hidden sound recording equipment and audiotapes.
Tony, along with his top captains Silvio Dante and Paulie Walnuts pretends to take Pussy on a test drive of a new powerboat, and force a confession from their old friend once they're out to sea.
Pussy admits his guilt, but adds that most of the information he fed the government was false.
Tony, Paulie, and Silvio murder Pussy and dump his body into the ocean.
Returning home to continue preparations for the high school graduation party of his daughter, Meadow, Tony receives a call from his mother. It seems the Arizona plane tickets were stolen during an earlier bankruptcy bust-out, and Livia has been detained.
It's not long before law enforcement officers show up at the Soprano resident to arrest Tony.
He's quickly bailed out by his lawyer, and Tony attends a therapy session with Dr. Melfi, who finally admits to Tony that she's frightened of him.
At his daughter's graduation celebration, Tony tells his lieutenant, Christopher Moltisanti, that he's about to graduate as well, to being a "made man" in the Mob.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliThe FBI has trouble finding a new informant, so they attempt to bug the Soprano home.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E01
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: David Chase
Air date: March 4, 2001
US TV ratings: 11.26 millions
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The third season of the popular HBO crime series opens with the FBI trying to devise a method of bugging the home of New Jersey mob boss Anthony Soprano.
In the meantime, Tony's daughter Meadow adjusts to life as a freshman at Columbia University, his wife Carmela takes tennis lessons, and his son Anthony Jr. is more concerned about his skateboard and cigarettes than schoolwork.
Tony is also worried about Patsy Parisi, twin brother of the slain Philly, who was murdered on Tony's orders.
His erratic behavior and heavy drinking seem an indication that Patsy knows who's responsible for his brother's death, causing Tony and his lieutenants to keep a close watch on the embittered soldier.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoAn unexpected death brings the whole family together one more time, and old tensions resurface while at the funeral.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E02
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: David Chase
Air date: March 4, 2001
US TV ratings: 11.35 millions
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Some computer-generated imagery summons the ghost of a departed cast member for one final appearance in this turning point episode of the hit crime drama.
After learning that his daughter Meadow is dating a half Jewish, half African-American student at Columbia, New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano has a stress-related anxiety attack and blackout.
His problems are compounded when, after a contentious visit with his mother Livia, he receives word that the manipulative matriarch has died of a stroke.
Tony's flower-child sister, Janice, insists on a memorial service but gets more than she bargained for when assembled family members share their true feelings about the less-than-dearly departed.
At a session with his therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony about sums it up by confiding that he's glad his mother is gone. A key witness against him in a case involving stolen airline tickets, Livia is now silenced forever, and her emotional passive-aggression is no longer a part of his life.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorHenry BronchteinStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoChris becomes a made man, while Tony experiences another panic attack. Meadow continues to seethe over Tony's treatment of her boyfriend.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E03
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Director: Henry J. Bronchtein
Writer: Todd A. Kessler
Air date: March 11, 2001
US TV ratings: 8.37 millions
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New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano makes a breakthrough in his therapy with Dr. Melfi in this episode of the hit drama series.
Remembering that his first "spell" occurred when he was 11 years old, Tony suddenly realizes that all of his blackouts have occurred when he was preparing meat.
This revelation forces him to confront a painful memory about his father and recently deceased mother.
Meanwhile, Tony's nephew, Christopher, bungles his new responsibilities of a "made man" and is forced to hold up a Rutgers University box office to pay his weekly payment to Paulie Walnuts.
A feud between Tony's sister, Janice, and their late mother's housekeeper, Svetlana, heats up, resulting in a stolen artificial leg, while Meadow gives her dad Tony the silent treatment, and Anthony Jr. excels on the football field.
When he's promoted for his gridiron performance, however, A.J. blacks out under the pressure, just like his dad.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoDr. Melfi is attacked and when the authorities lets her down, she considers asking Tony to help. Janice has a dispute with Svetlana. Ralphie gets passed over for a promotion and Jackie Jr. gets involved in the family's crime activities.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E04
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: March 18, 2001
US TV ratings: 7.96 millions
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A violent sexual assault followed by justice aborted due to a legal technicality leaves Dr. Melfi flirting with the idea of using her mob connection to get revenge in this powerful episode of the cable crime drama.
When she's raped in the stairwell of her office building, Dr. Melfi expects the attacker to be prosecuted, but an improper police procedure results in the rapist getting off.
After she recognizes her rapist at a fast food restaurant where he works, she considers telling her mob boss client Tony Soprano about the incident, knowing he'll exact retribution, but the therapist remains silent.
In the meantime, Tony deals with his uppity subordinate, Ralph Cifaretto, by promoting one of Ralph's garbage business associates in his stead, and Tony's sister, Janice, has a violent run-in with Russian gangsters over a stolen prosthetic leg.
Some good news comes Tony's way when he learns of a new 25-million-dollar waterfront project coming into his territory, but the appearance of new neighbor Johnny Sack, a powerful New York crime boss, is a cause for concern.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorJack BenderStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony and Carmela try a therapy session together and ends it angrily. Artie, meanwhile, tries to move in on Adriana. Bobby 'Bacala' Sr. comes out of retirement for one last job much to his son's objection after it ends tragically.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E05
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Director: Jack Bender
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: March 25, 2001
US TV ratings: 7.40 millions
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New Jersey mob kingpin Tony Soprano is finally joined by his wife, Carmela, for a contentious session with his therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, in this episode of the hit HBO drama series.
When his frustrations lead to a traffic ticket from officious trooper Wilmore on the way home, an angry Tony tells his corrupt state assemblyman, Zellman, to "fix it."
Compounding Tony's frustrations and concerns is the fact that his Uncle Junior has cancer, a family associate has been put in a coma by an unprovoked attack, and a dying former gangster has been assigned a retaliatory hit.
Then there's Tony's daughter, Meadow, still not speaking to her father because of his racist attitudes, and his restaurant-owner friend Artie Bucco has a crush on his nephew's girlfriend, Adriana.
When Tony goes to Fountains of Wayne to pick up a backyard ornament, he discovers that Officer Wilmore has been reduced to a part-time job because his run-in with Tony has had political repercussions.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoNoah's and Meadow's relationship is disrupted by her roommate, while Ralphie starts getting rough with one of the strippers from the Bada Bing causing Tony to intervene and questionably violating one of the mafia codes of conduct.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E06
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Story by : David Chase & Terence Winter & Todd A. Kessler and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Teleplay by : Terence Winter and Salvatore J. Stabile
Air date: April 1, 2001
US TV ratings: 8.44 millions
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The violence toward women characteristic of this hit cable drama's third season continues with shocking brutality in this heartbreaking episode.
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano resists the efforts of one of his needy young go-go dancers, Tracee, to become "friends."
He's got enough problems at home with his own daughter, Meadow, who has been giving him the silent treatment over her father's prejudice toward her mixed-race boyfriend.
When the boyfriend casually dumps Meadow, however, she's furious, hurling invective at her family and slamming doors.
Meanwhile, Tracee has become pregnant with the child of Tony's garbage business underling, Ralph Cifaretto, who reacts with a typically uncaring attitude.
When Tracee insults Ralph in front of his friends and business partners, he meets her outside Tony's strip club and brutally beats her to death.
Tony reacts violently, attacking Ralph and violating the code of la cosa nostra .
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoJunior continues his cancer treatments, but the prognosis is iffy. Chris, meanwhile, finds himself under suspicion from Paulie.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E07
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Lawrence Konner
Air date: April 8, 2001
US TV ratings: 9.21 millions
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Dealing with health care professionals of various stripes proves to be an arduous task for two members of a crime family in this episode of the hit cable TV series.
When his Uncle Junior undergoes a not-entirely successful cancer treatment at the hands of less-than-compassionate Dr. John Kennedy, New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano is furious. So he schedules a threatening heart-to-heart with the surgeon on the golf course that leaves Junior in the doctor's suddenly far more caring hands.
In the meantime, Tony's wife Carmela is referred to a blunt psychotherapist, who tells her that she's complicit in her husband's crimes and will never be happy unless she leaves him.
In the meantime, Tony's lieutenants Paulie Walnuts and Christopher Moltisanti continue to clash over their new business arrangements, and Tony deals with the financial concerns of the widowed Angie Bompensiero by smashing the window of her new Cadillac.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTensions rise between Tony and Ralphie until circumstances demand that they resolve their differences. Meadow gets involved with Jackie's son, and ends up in trouble.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E08
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and Todd A. Kessler
Air date: April 15, 2001
US TV ratings: 8.60 millions
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Accomplished character actress Annabella Sciorra joins the cast of this popular crime series.
As Thanksgiving approaches, New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with the fallout of his beating his garbage business subordinate Ralph Cifaretto.
A violation of the Mafia code, Tony's now obliged to either kill Ralph or apologize, but finds himself loathe to do either -- and instead embarks on a torrid affair with a beautiful but troubled Mercedes Benz dealership sales rep, Gloria Trillo.
In the meantime, Tony's daughter Meadow has begun dating shiftless Jackie Aprile Jr., the wannabe gangster son of Tony's one-time boss.
While Jackie Jr.'s mother is thrilled at the union, Tony and his wife Carmela are less enthused about the young man's questionable prospects.
The holidays bring resolution to at least one of Tony's problems: when a Soprano family crew boss dies unexpectedly, Tony's able to heal the rift with Ralph by promoting him to captain, a position of authority Cifaretto has long craved.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony continues seeing Gloria, another of Dr. Melfi's patients, while Meadow continues seeing Jackie Jr.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E09
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Director: Dan Attias
Writer: Michael Imperioli
Air date: April 22, 2001
US TV ratings: 8.64 millions
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Love is in the air with this episode of the popular cable crime drama, written by co-star Michael Imperioli.
Meadow Soprano, the daughter of New Jersey mob boss Tony, is now seriously dating Jackie Aprile Jr., a wiseguy wannabe who's skipping his premed college classes to set up his own crew.
When Tony gets a hint of Jackie's true nature, he's furious; but he's no angel himself as his affair with Mercedes Benz sales rep Gloria Trillo is heating up, a visit to the Bronx Zoo turning into a torrid encounter in the snake house.
Things are further complicated at home when Tony's son, Anthony Jr., is caught vandalizing school property, but his status as a new football star earns him undeserved leniency.
Tony and his wife Carmela aren't inclined to take it so easy on their errant son, but no punishment seems to have much effect; Tony's no more able to get through to his own son than he is Jackie.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 7.5/10 ] - 1999–200746mTV-MA8.5 (6.9K)TV EpisodeDirectorJack BenderStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony starts having flashbacks about Pussy's betrayal, and then later discovers that Jackie Jr. has been failing in his responsibilities.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E010
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Director: Jack Bender
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: April 29, 2001
US TV ratings: 8.44 millions
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A Mafia chieftain becomes uncharacteristically reflective as Christmas approaches in this episode of the cable TV drama.
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano is experiencing a sense of loss over the death of his friend Pussy Bompensiero, who traditionally played Santa Claus at Tony's annual charity bash.
Tony's feelings of woe are compounded by his discovery of his daughter's boyfriend, wiseguy wannabe Jackie Aprile Jr., receiving a lap dance from a stripper at a go-go club; Tony gives the college dropout a solid beating.
In the meantime, a Russian money launderer friend of Tony's gives him a little holiday gift: the identity of the ruffian who viciously assaulted his sister Janice.
Tony and his lieutenant Furio give the man a beating as a holiday gift to Janice, and on Christmas morning, a chastened Jackie shows up with a gift for Tony's daughter Meadow and an attitude adjustment for her father.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoWhile Silvio has the flu, Chris and Paulie run his collections for him, which results in the pair getting lost in the woods and nearly freezing to death while Tony's affair with Gloria goes sour as does Meadow's relationship with Jackie Jr.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E11
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Director: Steve Buscemi
Story by : Tim Van Patten & Terence Winter
Teleplay by : Terence Winter
Air date: May 6, 2001
US TV ratings: 8.79 millions
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Elements of the darkly humorous Fargo (1996) are recalled in this Emmy-nominated episode directed by one of that classic film's stars, Steve Buscemi.
A simple collection from a Russian goes awry when he and Soprano family mobster Paulie Walnuts exchange words, then blows.
Determining that the desolate Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey are the perfect dumping grounds for the Russian's body, Paulie drags soldier Christopher Moltisanti with him, promising a night in Atlantic City once the corpse has been disposed of.
Things don't unfold as planned, however; their victim isn't dead and turns out to be a former Army commando who assaults them, then escapes.
Disoriented, Paulie and Christopher can't find their way back to the car and end up spending a frozen night in the woods.
Meantime, the Mafia organization's boss Tony Soprano learns that his new lover Gloria Trillo has an unstable, violent streak, and his daughter Meadow sees another side of her boyfriend Jackie Aprile Jr..
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✳️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.5/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoGloria grows increasingly demanding until Tony realizes who she is, and Jackie Jr. ends up in very serious trouble when Chris realizes who he is.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E12
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Story by : David Chase
Teleplay by : Frank Renzulli
Air date: May 13, 2001
US TV ratings: 5.81 millions
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The climactic ends of two unadvisable relationships have grim consequences in this gripping episode of the hit cable crime series.
A heated argument with his mentally unhinged, illicit lover Gloria Trillo leads to a near-homicide for New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano.
Although he nearly chokes the woman upon realizing that she's a carbon copy of his other, Tony backs off and sends his enforcer Patsy Parisi to deliver a message to Gloria: the romance is over, and so is her life if she reveals their secret affair.
Meanwhile, Tony's wife Carmela makes her first tentative moves toward independence, taking off the jewelry her husband bought her with ill-gotten gains and studying for a real estate license exam.
Also, the budding romance between Tony's daughter Meadow and wiseguy wannabe Jackie April Jr. has ended, leading Jackie to pull a dangerous stunt: the rip-off of a high-stakes Mafia card game.
Gunfire is exchanged and although Jackie barely escapes with his life, his future is in serious doubt when Tony hands over final authority in the matter to his bloodthirsty captain, Ralph Cifaretto, who's unlikely to be influenced by his relationship with Jackie's mother.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoRalphie issues his final decision on the fate of Jackie Jr., Anthony Jr., faces military school after getting expelled, Paulie and Ralphie have a financial conflict while the FBI assigns Adriana a new "friend."☑️S03▶️E13
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: David Chase & Lawrence Konner
Air date: May 20, 2001
US TV ratings: 9.46 millions
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The third season of the hit HBO crime series comes to a close in this memorable episode.
After he brokers a peace agreement between two of his captains, Ralph Cifaretto and Paulie Walnuts, New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano must handle a domestic crisis.
It seems his son Anthony Jr. has been expelled from his high school for cheating on a math test.
Enraged, Tony tells his wife Carmela that their only option is military school, but she fights her husband on the decision.
In hiding after a botched robbery attempt on some made men, Jackie Aprile Jr. is gunned down on the orders of Ralph, and the young man's funeral leaves his ex-girlfriend Meadow Soprano distraught.
After seeing Jackie in his coffin, Carmela reconsiders Anthony Jr.'s fate, but then the boy blacks out while trying on his new school uniform, suffering from the same anxiety-produced seizures as his father, rendering him unfit for duty.
At a wake for Jackie, a frustrated Paulie forges a new alliance with rival mob boss Johnny Sack and a drunken Meadow makes a spectacle of herself while her Uncle Junior is singing.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - 1999–200758mTV-MA8.2 (6.7K)TV EpisodeDirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoChris puts a ghost from his past to rest, while Carmela grows uneasy about her future.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E01
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: David Chase
Air date: September 15, 2002
US TV ratings: 13.43 millions
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Tony's income is down thanks to a slowing economy but it's having an effect on everyone.
He makes sure his capos know they're supposed to be earners.
Uncle Junior meets Tony and he's worried about his trial that's starting in just over a week. He's also going broke because of lawyers fees and wants Tony to give him a bigger cut of the pie. Tony won't hear of it.
Carmela is shocked to see Angie Bompiensero working in a grocery store and begins to worry about her own future should anything happen to Tony.
She wants him to do a little estate planning. Tony however wants to start investing in property.
FBI agent Deborah Ciccerone is still undercover working as Adriana's BFF.
Christoper isn't keen on driving Tony around instead of Furio. He's also taken to using hard drugs.
Tony has an important piece of information for him.
Janice takes an interest in Ralph Cifarello.
Junior puts Bobby Bacala in charge of his business affairs during the trial.
Paulie is in jail on a gun charge but still angry with Tony, he reaches out to Johnny Sack.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoChris' success earns him some jealousy, Adriana learns the truth about her friend, and Meadow still claims that Jackie Jr.'s death still weighs heavily on her.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E02
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Terence Winter and David Chase
Air date: September 22, 2002
US TV ratings: 11.21 millions
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Meadow, still upset over Jackie Jr.'s death and angry at the life of deceit her father's profession forces the family to lead, argues with her parents over her goals for school.
She threatens to drop out and leave for Europe, then storms out of the house.
Chris, meanwhile, receives a plum no-show job, providing him income with no responsibilities other than keeping control of his crew.
This bothers Patsy, who feels he should have received the job as the more senior member, and Silvio, who doesn't like that such a young member is now being treated as his equal.
Adriana continues her friendship with Danielle, including bringing her to the Crazy Horse where Chris passes out cocaine to his pals.
After Chris' attentions drive a wedge between the two friends, Danielle reveals her true identity: FBI agent. Adriana is given a choice of turning informant or facing 25 years in prison for possession and distribution.
While all this is going on, Ralphie makes a joke about the weight of Johnny Sack's wife Ginny that will come back to haunt him.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoColumbus Day ignites tensions between Italians and Native Americans, and Bobby receives devastating news about his wife.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E03
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Story by : Michael Imperioli and Maria Laurino
Teleplay by : Michael Imperioli
Air date: September 29, 2002
US TV ratings: 10.97 millions
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As Columbus Day festivities are being prepared, word gets out that a Native American group is going to stage a protest to raise awareness about the negative results of the famous voyage.
Silvio, intensely proud of his heritage, takes this as a personal affront and attempts to break up the protest himself.
Carmela, meanwhile, attends a luncheon where she is singled out by a speaker who rails against mob wives perpetuating the stereotype of Italians as criminals.
This in turn draws criticism against the priest who organized the event for publicly attacking someone he happily accepts huge donations from in private.
Paulie passes on Ralphie's joke to Johnny Sack about Johnny's wife, touching off new tensions between the families.
Also, Bobby Bacala learns that his wife has been killed in a car accident.
Since Bobby, unlike the rest of the mob husbands, had always been faithful to his wife, the rest of the wives take pity on him.
Touched by Bobby's devotion, Janice throws Ralph out of her life, as well as down a flight of stairs.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorJack BenderStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoA joke sparks a series of hit contracts, while Carmela finds herself happier than perhaps she should be that Furio will be around for good.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E06
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Director: Jack Bender
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: October 6, 2002
US TV ratings: 10.67 millions
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Johnny Sack, still furious over Ralphie's insulting joke about his wife, first beats one of Ralphie's men savagely, then demands that Junior and Carmine sanction a hit on Ralphie.
Unable to get the satisfaction he demands, Johnny takes matters into his own hands and calls in the hit himself.
His rash actions are a serious threat to the peace of the families, not to mention the fact that Ralphie is Tony's biggest earner, leading Tony to call in a hit against Johnny to put an end to his vendetta.
With the wronged husband come to his senses and forgive?
Meanwhile, Carmela is increasingly smitten with Furio's charms and is overjoyed when he moves into the neighborhood permanently.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorHenry BronchteinStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliRalph buys a racehorse, but Tony ends up more attached to it than Ralphie is. Carmela starts trying to invest in her future.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E05
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Director: Henry J. Bronchtein
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: October 13, 2002
US TV ratings: 9.76 millions
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As an investment, Ralph buys a racehorse named Pie-O-My.
The horse actually turns out to be a good earner for Ralph, and Tony manages to make a bit himself through his strategies for picking bets at the track.
Although Ralph has no qualms about getting rough with the horse if he thinks it will make her run faster, Tony actually gets attached to the animal, becoming emotionally shaken when she falls ill.
Carmela, meanwhile, is concerned about the possibility of having to support herself, and asks Tony to help her make some investments, or at least sign a life insurance policy.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony feels depressed over the negative impact he has on people who don't deserve it, while Carmela tries to set up Furio with a friend, AJ is uncomfortable with his girlfriend's wealth, Artie attempts a new business venture.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E06
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Director: Steve Buscemi
Writer: Michael Imperioli
Air date: October 20, 2002
US TV ratings: 10.46 millions
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Tony learns that his ex-mistress Gloria, perhaps despondent over his leaving her, has committed suicide.
At first he blames Dr. Melfi, but soon comes to accept that he most likely played a bigger role in what happened.
Tony also informs Chris that he wants to make the nephew his successor to bring the mob into the future, but Chris has been sliding even deeper into heroin addiction.
Artie, meanwhile, strikes up a relationship with a new hostess as his marriage slides irrevocably to its finish.
The waitress has a brother who presents Artie with a business deal: back him in becoming the main importer of armagnac, a drink he claims will become the next big hit in America.
Artie attempts to borrow money from Ralph and Tony, but they are reluctant to do so as they could not bring themselves to collect on their friend if the business fell through, as it soon does.
At home, Anthony is starting to feel his way around being the son of a mob boss, attempting to bring his friends to the Bada Bing to show off.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoAdriana learns that life is not like TV shows, while Tony discovers that a former girlfriend has moved on, along with Ralphie and others they scam the Department of Housing and Urban Development.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E07
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Director: John Patterson
Story by : David Chase and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and Terence Winter
Teleplay by : Terence Winter and Nick Santora
Air date: October 27, 2002
US TV ratings: 9.72 millions
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Adriana is getting put under more pressure by the FBI to collect information about Chris and the rest of the family.
One day, she watches a TV show and hears about marital privilege: supposedly husbands and wives can't be forced to testify against their spouses.
Eagerly hoping for a way out, she begins pressing Chris to marry her.
Her hopes are dashed, however, when the FBI agents actually encourage her to get married, and she learns that marital privilege won't allow her to conceal what she knew before marrying Chris, doesn't apply to anything Chris says in front of anyone else, and most importantly doesn't protect anything Chris says about committing crimes.
Meanwhile, at a party to celebrate Paulie's return after a stay in prison, Tony gets involved in a plan with assemblyman Zellman to defraud HUD with a phony housing scam, but then flies into a violent rage when he discovers that Zellman is now seeing Tony's former mistress, Irina.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorDaniel AttiasStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoPaulie has to take care of some rough relationships for his mother, while Tony's fancy for a fellow horse fancier lands him in trouble with Carmela.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E08
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Director: Dan Attias
Story by : David Chase and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and Terence Winter
Teleplay by : Lawrence Konner
Air date: November 3, 2002
US TV ratings: 10.97 millions
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Paulie, having just recently left prison, checks his aging mother in the Green Groves retirement home.
She is initially thrilled to be with her old friends (also mothers of mob members), but is soon hurt when they ostracize her from their group.
To force a reconciliation, Paulie sends some of his men to persuade the son of one of his mother's friends to talk his mom into being more inviting.
Tony, meanwhile, meets Ralph's new girlfriend Valentina, who shares Tony's affection for Pie-O-My.
Private conversations between the two about horses soon turn more intimate, and Tony returns home unknowingly carrying one of Valentina's false nails in his clothing.
When Carmela discovers the nail, she immediately understands what has happened and, naturally furious, goes out to Tony's secret stash of money and makes some personal investments with it.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliRalph's callous behavior finally steps over the line, while Chris gets deeper into his heroin addiction and Uncle Junior's mental capacity begins to become in question.☑️S04▶️E09
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: November 10, 2002
US TV ratings: 9.83 millions
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A fire at the stable leaves Pie-O-My badly burned, making it necessary to have her put down.
When Tony sees the injured horse, he is badly shaken by her suffering, and immediately suspects that Ralph had the fire set into order to kill the horse for insurance money.
When he confronts Ralph, Ralph is more concerned over the condition of his son, who was badly injured playing with friends and is now in a coma.
Though Ralph denies that he had anything to do with Pie-O-My's death, he mocks Tony for his concern, sending Tony into a rage during which he beats Ralph to death, furious over the death of an innocent creature.
Knowing that killing a member of his own gang for personal reasons will turn the rest of the members against him, he calls Chris to help him dispose of the body, telling him that Ralph was already dead and he doesn't know who killed him.
Even in his heroin-induced haze, Chris sees the truth but still helps to get rid of the body.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoIn the midst of suspicions that he killed Ralph, Tony tries to intervene to get Chris clean and sober.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E10
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Director: Alan Taylor
Story by : David Chase
Teleplay by : Terence Winter and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: November 17, 2002
US TV ratings: 10.68 millions
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Christopher's heroin addiction is now completely out of control. After he accidentally sits on Adriana's dog killing it, she freaks out.
Her FBI contact tells her of the need to convince him to get help.
Tony is also concerned and when Christopher is car-jacked and beaten up trying to buy heroin - Christopher's reaction when he gets home and Adriana suggests rehab is to slap her around - he decides it's time for him to intervene.
Needless to say, not everyone seems to understand how an intervention is supposed to work.
Everyone is wondering what's happened to Ralph but some begin to suspect Tony of getting rid of him.
Johnny Sack wants a piece of some of Tony's recent scores but Tony won't share.
Tony starts a rumor that Johnny Sack may be the one responsible for Ralph Cifarello's disappearance.
Furio returns from Italy, his feelings for Carmela still unresolved. She too is still attracted to him and starts finding reasons to stop by his house.
Tony opens up about his loss to Dr. Melfi but she knows his reaction to loss is usually rage.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony's dreams seem to tell him where his life is headed, but he still feels as though he's out of control.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E11
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Story by : David Chase and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and Terence Winter
Teleplay by : David Chase and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and David Flebotte
Air date: November 24, 2002
US TV ratings: 11.12 millions
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Tony's been having strange dreams of late but isn't happy with Dr. Melfi's inexact interpretations. He's on the verge of quitting therapy, or so he says.
Bobby Bacala is still grieving for his late wife but that doesn't mean Janice has given up her pursuit. She manipulates him quite easily.
New York mobsters Carmine Lupertazzi and Johnny Sack want a 40% cut of Tony's HUD scam.
Johnny sounds out Paulie on where his loyalties lie should Tony be replaced.
They also tell Tony's appraiser that he's working for them now.
For his part, Tony decides to approach Carmine Jr. to see if he they could make a deal.
Tony makes it clear that he's prepared to go to war if necessary.
Uncle Junior is worried about his upcoming competency hearing.
AJ scares Bobby's kids when he takes out the Ouija board after dinner and then decides to hold a séance.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorJames HaymanStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoDominic ChianeseCarmela and Furio grow too close for safety, while Paulie discovers that he's not as big a fish as he thought he was.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E12
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Director: James Hayman
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: December 1, 2002
US TV ratings: 11.07 millions
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Tony's not happy with Carmine and Johnny's new proposal and he retaliates by trashing Johnny's soon to open restaurant.
Carmine responds by sicking the laborers union on the Esplanade site, which is shut down.
With everybody hurting financially, Paulie takes it on himself to speak to Carmine and try to settle the dispute. He has a rude awakening when he realizes Carmine has no idea who he is.
Out on the town with Tony and a few women, Furio is disgusted and very nearly takes a fatal step.
He leaves suddenly for Italy without saying goodbye to anyone and Carmela is depressed over his sudden disappearance.
Meadow hosts a dinner at her new apartment for her parents but it's apparent that Carmela is not happy.
Meanwhile, an outing with his mother and two of her friends drives Paulie to extremes.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoJunior's trial comes to an end, but Tony's trials are just getting underway. Also, the Sopranos almost purchase a house on the beach.☑️S04▶️E13
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess and David Chase
Air date: December 8, 2002
US TV ratings: 12.48 millions
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Tony is surprised though not displeased when Johnny Sack suggests that eliminating Carmine may be the best way to resolve the differences between the two families.
A plan of action is set in motion but is interrupted when Carmine suddenly becomes more flexible.
Money is still tight with the Esplanade site shut down, but Tony decides to make an offer on a seaside property. Even Carmela smiles for the first time in ages when she sees the house.
All hell breaks loose however when Tony's old girlfriend Irina calls Carmela to tell her he is now having sex with her cousin, the one-legged Svetlana.
It's the last straw for Carmela who tells Tony their marriage is finished and she wants him out of the house.
Tony is now faced with having to terminate the deal to buy the beach house and uses his own unconventional methods to convince the sellers to return his deposit.
Meanwhile, Uncle Junior's trial comes to an end and his men have sought a little bit of extra insurance to get the verdict they want.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoSome of the old guards are released from prison and want to get back in the action. Chris and Paulie are at each other's throats over matters of money and respect, and Tony decides to tell Dr. Melfi what's really on his mind.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E01
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter and David Chase
Air date: March 7, 2004
US TV ratings: 12.14 millions
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Two years have passed since the last episode when Tony and Carmela separated.
They are still apart, although Carmela asks Tony for help when a bear is spotted nosing about the backyard.
Several of the old guard who have been in prison since the 80's are just now being paroled, a cause for celebration but also a cause for concern now that the next generation has long since filled the vacuum they left behind.
Among the released is Tony Blundetto, who is a cousin of Tony Soprano, and Feech La Manna, a former capo of a rival gang known for his violent temper.
Chris and Paulie are still not getting along, with Paulie jealous of the favoritism he thinks Tony shows for his nephew, and Chris chafing at the lack of respect he thinks the older gangster shows him.
Meanwhile, Tony goes back to see Dr. Melfi and confesses his feelings for her.
He tries to convince her that he's a changed man, but she knows better than most the turmoil that's still inside him.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoCarmine's passing opens new wounds, while cousin Tony wants to put his past behind him. Tony Soprano, meanwhile, discovers a traitor.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E02
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Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Air date: March 14, 2004
US TV ratings: 9.97 millions
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Carmine Lupertazzi dies in the hospital, opening up new rifts between Little Carmine and Johnny Sack.
Adriana continues meeting with the FBI, along with fellow informants Ray Curto and Jack Massarone.
Although she continues to hate the situation she's been forced into, not to mention fearing for her life if anyone finds out about her, she does discover that her FBI connections can be used to her advantage when she gets rid of a rival for Chris' affections by telling the agents the girl is an embezzler.
Tony, meanwhile, is eager to get his cousin Tony Blundetto back into the business.
Cousin Tony, however, has changed his mind about the mob life while in jail, and now that he has an associate's degree he wants to settle down with a normal, quiet life and an ordinary job.
Later Tony discovers one of the informants who's been collecting information on him, and has the snitch silenced.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniMichael ImperioliDominic ChianeseWith Carmine's passing and Feech's arrival, turf wars are breaking out around New Jersey. Junior's mental health, meanwhile, starts to decline.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E03
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Michael Caleo
Air date: March 21, 2004
US TV ratings: 10.11 millions
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With Carmine's passing, Little Carmine and Johnny Sack begin making moves on each other's business, with Johnny sending over two of his men to one of Carmine's loan sharks to tell her that all her payments will be to Johnny instead.
She goes to Tony to ask for help in the matter.
While the discussion is going on, Junior berates Tony as a weak nothing who isn't fit to be leading a gang.
Later, when Tony presents his ideas to Johnny, Chris butts into the discussion, earning Tony's wrath later in the car.
After Junior manages to drive Tony away with his continuous insults, he wanders out of the house in his bathrobe and ends up at a church that used to be Soprano hangout long ago.
Unable to remember where he is, he wanders around until the police find him and bring him home.
Tony then learns that Junior's behavior, including the insults, may be the result of approaching Alzheimer's.
Meanwhile, Feech La Manna, one of the old mobsters just out of prison, begins making trouble by demanding that his nephew be handed the neighborhood gardening business, shoving out local landscaper Sal.
Paulie attempts to help Sal out, but the final compromise is to nobody's satisfaction.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorRodrigo GarcíaStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoFeech makes a pain of himself by trying to return to his past glory. Carmela tries to work with Anthony's teacher to rein in their out-of-control son.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E04
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Director: Rodrigo García
Writer: Toni Kalem
Air date: March 28, 2004
US TV ratings: 9.69 millions
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Feech, wanting to regain the power he once held before he went to prison, continues muscling in on operations being run now by members of Tony's crew.
It's not long before Tony must conclude that Feech will never pay him the respect that the rest of the mobsters do, and that the old-timer is causing more trouble than he is worth.
With Chris' help, Tony arranges for Feech to be taken out of everyone's hair.
At the same time, Johnny Sack is continuing to press his new claims against Little Carmine's operations, having his thugs murder a loan shark and her partner.
To avenge this insult, Carmine begins plotting to kill Johnny's men.
At home, meanwhile, Anthony's grades have been steadily sliding downward, as has his attitude toward his mother.
Tony doesn't help matters with the lavish gifts he gives his son as a substitute for fathering.
At her wit's end about what to do with her son, Carmela has a dinner meeting with Anthony's teacher that begins turning more personal.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoA car crash puts Tony and Adriana in a compromising position, and Cousin Tony tries to keep Chris from getting the wrong impression and the wrong information.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E05
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: April 4, 2004
US TV ratings: N/A
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Tony begins hanging out at The Crazy Horse, Adriana's club, where he and Adriana spend time together.
The two begin bonding over mutual worries and doing drugs together, which leads to rumors of a sexual dalliance when they get into a car wreck together in Tony's SUV.
When Chris hears the rumors he beats up Adriana, despite her protests of innocence, and comes gunning for Tony.
As Tony takes his hot-headed nephew out to an abandoned road, it looks like Chris has finally thrown his last tantrum. But then Cousin Tony, using his massage-therapist credentials, convinces a doctor to tell Chris that Adriana was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash, and therefore couldn't have been in the position she was rumored to be in when Tony rolled the car. Convinced that Adriana and Tony aren't involved with each other, Chris calms down, but is still upset about the rumors that continue to spread behind his back.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorPeter BogdanovichStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliCarmela has another furtive romance collapse, while Tony B. throws away a chance to turn his life around.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S04▶️E06
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Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Air date: April 11, 2004
US TV ratings: 9.93 millions
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Carmela's relationship with Anthony's teacher Mr. Wegler grows more intimate.
She goes to Father Phil for advice, but despite his admonishments that she and Tony are still married in the eyes of the church, Carmela is overwhelmed by her passion and loneliness, and ends up in bed with Mr. Wegler.
Wegler enters the relationship wholeheartedly, but experiences strong misgivings after he pressures another teacher to cut Anthony some slack, and later takes out his frustrations on Carmela.
Cousin Tony, meanwhile, is finding civilian life difficult to adjust to, and feels that his new boss is standing between him and the success he's entitled to.
An apparently chance finding of a large amount of cash gives him the chance to take charge of his professional aspirations, but his old self-destructive tendencies reassert themselves and he is soon drinking away his windfall.
Depressed about where he has ended up, he begins asking his cousin if there are any jobs he can join in.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony learns about his father through the man's mistress, while Chris' friend learns that there are habits more harmful to your health than heroin. Junior becomes obsessed in attending funerals but that leads to a change in his mood.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S02▶️E07
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Director: Steve Buscemi
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: April 18, 2004
US TV ratings: 9.08 millions
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While attending a family funeral, Tony decides to visit his father's grave and there meets Fran Felstein, his father's mistress.
She has many stories to tell him - she claims to have been one of JFK's girlfriends - and Tony takes an interest in her welfare.
She claims that her father had promised her his share of a track he owned but that Hesh had cheated her out of her inheritance.
When Hesh decides to sell the track, Tony makes sure she gets her share.
The sale causes friction with Phil Leotardo, Johnny Sack's right hand man.
As for funerals, Uncle Junior has decided that going to funerals is a good way to get out his house arrest, at least for 5 hours on each occasion.
He's taken to scanning obituaries to see what might be available.
Christopher has been helping a friend he made in rehab, J.T. Dolan, a TV writer.
While J.T. has successfully stayed away from drugs and alcohol, he is quickly developing a new addiction - gambling.
Christopher arranges for him to play in their high stakes game and after losing a hefty sum, borrows money from Chris to pay it off.
J.T. doesn't seem to understand that Christopher is deadly serious when he says he will be paid on time - or else.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliAn uncomfortable party leads Tony and Carmela to a partial reconciliation, while cousin Tony gets an offer he decides not to refuse.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E08
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: Michael Imperioli
Air date: April 25, 2004
US TV ratings: N/A
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Carmela plans a surprise party for her father's birthday.
At the party, her father is overjoyed to see Tony, but her mother doesn't even bother to hide her contempt for her son-in-law.
The abuse Tony puts up with makes Carmela see him in a slightly better light than she had before, and she invites Tony to spend the night after the party is over.
Cousin Tony, meanwhile, has been approached with a job offer from Little Carmine: carry out a hit on Johnny Sack's main man Joe Peeps in retaliation for an earlier hit that Joe and Phil did on one of Carmine's loan sharks.
Although Tony turns down the job at first, the party at his cousin's house makes him reconsider his options.
Feeling dissatisfied with the speed at which he's advancing within the Soprano crew, and jealous of the good life his cousin seems to be leading, Tony goes back to Carmine and agrees to do the job.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony finds out that his cousin wants a bigger share of responsibilities, while Finn makes an embarrassing discovery about Vito.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E09
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Matthew Weiner and Terence Winter
Air date: May 2, 2004
US TV ratings: 8.96 millions
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Despite their spending the night together earlier, Carmela decides to push forward with divorce proceedings.
The only problem is that as soon as the lawyers find out who her husband is, they refuse to take her case.
Meanwhile, Tony hears about the hit on Joe Peeps; according to witnesses, the shooter walked with a limp.
Cousin Tony shows up while Tony is golfing, and the capo quickly notices that his cousin has a foot injury.
Quickly surmising the truth about what his cousin has done, Tony has another panic attack.
Despite cousin Tony's alibi, Tony makes up an excuse for Johnny Sack about where his cousin was the night of the shooting, then begins taking steps to give Tony more responsibility within the crew, possibly even bringing him in as a full member.
Meadow's boyfriend Finn takes a job at a construction site where some of Tony's crew are stationed.
While there, he witnesses a violent fight between two of the gangsters, then later catches Vito performing oral sex on a security guard.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorMike FiggisStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoChris and cousin Tony do some digging to make sure old secrets stay buried, while Janice puts her marriage in jeopardy with her fierce temper.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E010
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Director: Mike Figgis
Writer: Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: May 9, 2004
US TV ratings: 8.48 millions
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When Johnny Sack hijacks a load of stolen goods that was bound for Tony, the resulting confrontation between the two produces some not-very veiled accusations about the murder of Joe Peeps.
Johnny seems fairly sure he knows who did it, and that Tony is lying about his cousin's alibi.
Later, Tony learns that a farm where his crew has hidden bodies over the years is being sold, necessitating a nighttime trip (which he assigns to Chris and cousin Tony) to dig up the bodies and deposit them elsewhere.
Later at the Bada Bing, Tony loses his temper once more at George the bouncer, beating him badly enough to put him in the hospital.
Meanwhile, Janice is getting into trouble because of her own temper, and Bobby threatens her with divorce if she doesn't do anything about it.
When Tony joins them for dinner after Janice has had some anger management sessions, he becomes uneasy at the success she has in keeping herself calm, and begins deliberately needling her to make her explode.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorAllen CoulterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoCousin Tony heads off to avenge the death of his good friend, while a dream reveals to Tony what he must do to prevent a full-scale war.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E011
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Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: David Chase and Matthew Weiner
Air date: May 16, 2004
US TV ratings: 9.53 millions
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Tony Blundetto is seething with anger over the death of his good friend Angelo.
Apparently, while Angelo was shopping for a present for his grandchild, Phil and Billy Leotardo, members of Johnny Sack's crew, ambushed him, killing him in the trunk of Phil's car.
When Tony Soprano hears about the murder, he immediately tries to contact his cousin, but there is no answer; Tony has already gone to avenge Angelo's death.
Tony Soprano goes to sleep, and goes into a long dream, in which important figures of his past who are now dead, including Big Pussy, Carmine, Mikey Palmice, Jackie Aprile, and even Pie-O-My, appear to him.
Eventually, the dream figures explain to Tony the painful truth he has obviously known but not acknowledged: he must kill his cousin Tony or else face a long and bloody gang war between the families.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony makes a request to Johnny Sack on behalf of his cousin, and Adriana makes a request to the FBI, followed by one to Chris.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S03▶️E12
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: May 23, 2004
US TV ratings: 9.50 millions
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Tony realizes that the only way to prevent a war between his and Johnny Sack's family is to eliminate his favorite cousin, Tony Blundetto.
He knows that Phil Leotardo will no doubt kill Tony B. very slowly and so Tony offers to do it himself.
Johnny says there's no way anyone but Phil gets to kill him. If Tony doesn't do so quickly, a member of Tony's family will be killed and not surprisingly, Christopher interprets that he would be that victim and goes into hiding.
Adriana meanwhile is still in the clutches of the FBI and this time they get very serious after she is filmed disposing evidence of a crime.
She admits that Matoush the drug dealer killed someone in her office and she cleaned up after the fact even though the killing had nothing to do with her.
They tell her that unless she can get Christopher to flip, she will be arrested and charged.
She tells Chris what's happened and he tells her they're both dead and have no way out of the predicament she's put them in.
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✳️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.5/10 ] - DirectorJohn PattersonStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony realizes that he must take care of family messes himself in order to keep the peace within his own clan.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S05▶️E013
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Director: John Patterson
Writer: David Chase and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: June 6, 2004
US TV ratings: 10.98 millions
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There's a good deal of grumbling among Tony's crew over the position has put them in.
He visits Paulie so they can air out their feelings but is shocked to see the altered portrait of himself and Pie-O-My hanging on the wall.
He realizes that he has to go ahead with his plan to eliminate his cousin, Tony Blundetto in spite of Johnny Sack's warning that it will not stop Phil Leotardo from seeking revenge.
When the deed is done he goes to Johnny's home and makes the peace between the two families.
They have some surprise visitors that cuts their meeting short.
At home, AJ finally shows some interest and a bit of enthusiasm in an unexpected area.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoGene Pontecorvo makes a final break from the mob life, while Junior's paranoid delusions could be the end of Tony.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E01
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: March 12, 2006
US TV ratings: 9.47 millions
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Johnny Sack is in prison awaiting his trial and trying to run his crime family through Phil Leotardo.
Hesh's son-in-law is badly beaten by some of Phil's men who thought he was encroaching on their territory.
Hesh demands compensation.
One of Tony's good earners, Gene Pontecorvo, inherits $2 million from an old aunt and asks Tony for permission to retire.
Tony's obviously cool to the request and says he'll think about.
When Syl tells him it can't be done, Gene feels trapped and can see only one way out.
Ray Curto dies without anyone knowing that he was an informant for the FBI.
Carmela's house project isn't going too well after her father uses sub-grade material and an inspector issue a stop-work order.
Uncle Junior's dementia is getting worse and when his nurse has to leave unexpectedly, Tony finds himself as the only one available to sit with him. It's a decision that may prove deadly.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorDavid NutterStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoThe family tries to cope with Tony's hospitalization and deteriorating condition, while Tony begins to hallucinate a new life parallel to his own.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E02
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Director: David Nutter
Writer: David Chase
Air date: March 19, 2006
US TV ratings: 9.18 millions
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In Intensive Care after being shot by Junior, Tony is placed into an induced coma for his own protection.
While unconscious, he enters a long and detailed dream, in which he takes the identity of a completely different person, with a different name, profession, attitude and a different wife.
In his dream (in which his name becomes Kevin Finnerty), a doctor tells him he has suffered brain damage and is in danger of developing Alzheimer's.
In the real world, the doctor's explain to Carmela that Tony's outlook is very uncertain, and that even if he survives, he may suffer permanent harm.
Junior, when questioned by the police, doesn't remember anything about the incident and insists Tony must have shot himself.
Anthony, meanwhile, has been avoiding the hospital and his father, feeling ashamed that someone he looked up to is now in such a weakened state.
Talking to his comatose father when the others have left the room, he promises to avenge Tony's death.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorJack BenderStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoWhile the gang begins to turn on itself, Tony finds himself at the threshold, while Christopher gives another try to enter the movie business, however this time as a producer rather than a screenwriter.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E03
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Director: Jack Bender
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Air date: March 26, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.93 millions
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While Tony languishes in the hospital, Paulie goes out with one of his crew to steal a Colombian drug ring's money stash.
They find the place is more heavily guarded than they anticipated, but still manage to get away with a haul of over a million dollars.
Good news, but Tony's gang still is not happy: Silvio's leadership abilities have fallen short of Tony's example, and the other members are jockeying for position to take over if their leader doesn't recover.
Chris and Bobby find out about Anthony's plan to kill Junior and try to talk him out of it, telling him it's a foolish idea that his father wouldn't have wanted.
Tony, meanwhile, still in his dreamworld as Kevin Finnerty, is led to a house where a family reunion is going on.
His dead cousin Tony Blundetto is waiting at the door to greet him, saying that he's welcome to join everyone only if he leaves his briefcase behind. A familiar voice comes from the nearby bushes, however, pleading with Tony not to leave.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliTony goes home and returns to business, perhaps with a new frame of mind. Paulie receives a shock about his mother.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E04
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Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider
Air date: April 2, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.83 millions
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After waking up from his coma, Tony's condition begins to improve and he is eventually discharged.
His outlook on life appears to have changed somewhat as he lets small slights pass by that he would have earlier reacted violently toward.
His first order of business after getting out is dealing with Barone Sanitation, the company he ostensibly is a consultant for. The owner has died, and his son has attempted to sell the company without Tony's approval. The buyer, however, is connected with Johnny Sack, making pulling out of the deal problematic.
Paulie, meanwhile, goes to the deathbed of his aunt only to be shocked by her confession that she is actually his mother. The news that she and her sister lied about his parentage comes as a tremendous blow to him, and he does not take the news well.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - 1999–200753mTV-MA8.8 (6.6K)TV EpisodeDirectorSteve BuscemiStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoJohnny Sack is granted permission to attend his daughter's wedding. Tony improves his personal security and Vito's secret double life is exposed.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E05
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Director: Steve Buscemi
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: April 9, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.58 millions
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Johnny Sack is granted a six-hour release from prison for his daughter's wedding, and many of the families are in attendance.
Johnny's emotional reaction at the wedding gives the others doubts about how well he can keep from cracking under pressure and turning informant.
During the party, Vito leaves early, ostensibly because of illness, but then heads out to a gay bar where he picks up a stranger.
When two gang members arrive to make collections and recognize him, Vito realizes that his secret is out.
Tony, meanwhile, is worrying about his own weakness, which he feels acutely in comparison to his muscle-bound new bodyguard.
Acting on Dr. Mefli's advice to do something that reasserts his power, he administers a random beating to the largest member of his gang in front of everyone else.
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❇️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 9.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony hires help from overseas to fulfill a favor he was asked for by Johnny Sack and decides if one of his top earners deserves a second chance as he acknowledges to Dr. Melfi he was given a second chance when he survived his gun shot wound.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E06
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: David Chase and Terence Winter and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess
Air date: April 16, 2006
US TV ratings: 7.94 millions
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The two gang members who saw Vito in a gay bar are spreading their story around.
When word reaches Tony, he is initially skeptical of the tale and insists that more evidence is needed to make a conclusive decision.
However, after hearing about Vito fleeing when some of Tony's men go to talk with him, as well as learning of what Finn witnessed at the construction site, Tony becomes convinced.
Knowing that the conservative mobsters will probably have him killed for his perceived betrayal, Vito packs his things and flees north, eventually getting stuck in a small town in New Hampshire.
Far from his familiar territory, Vito begins exploring and meeting people.
Meadow, meanwhile, is angry at her father for his attitude toward gays, as well as to his flippant dismissal of an Afghan family her law firm is representing.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorDanny LeinerStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliChristopher and Carmine travel to Hollywood to take the next step in making their movie but quickly realize they're out of their depth. Artie feuds with Benny after his restaurant falls prey to one of Tony's scams.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E07
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Director: Danny Leiner
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Ai date: April 23, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.49 millions
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Chris and Little Carmine head out to Hollywood to pursue Chris' dream of making a movie about his life.
They manage to get an interview with Ben Kingsley, but the star isn't impressed with their idea.
While in town, Chris falls off the wagon and starts drinking and doing drugs again, and also mugs Lauren Bacall before returning to New Jersey.
Back home, the families are celebrating as the books open again to induct two new members, Gerry Torciano and Burt Gervasi.
Amidst the festivities, however, Artie gets into a confrontation with Benny, one of Chris' crew-members, first over his affections for Artie's new waitress Martina, then later when Artie discovers that Martina and Benny have been stealing credit card numbers from the restaurant's customers.
When things turn violent between the two, Tony must step in and mediate, saving particular criticism for Chris for going to Hollywood rather than keeping his men under control.
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☑️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 8.0/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoVito considers starting a new life in New Hampshire, while Anthony Jr. looking for a purpose and finds it when he continues his pursuit of revenge against Junior.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E08
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider
Air date: April 30, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.54 millions
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Despite his father's admonishments to let the matter drop, Anthony is still fixated on killing Junior in revenge.
He tries to carry out his scheme by stabbing Junior in the hospital, but is quickly tackled by attendants when he drops his knife.
After Tony uses his influence to get Anthony released, the son brings up the father's admiration for Michael Corleone's avenging the attempt on his father's life, to which Tony advises Anthony to remember the difference between movies and reality.
Later, Tony takes an interest in a real estate agent named Julianna.
Meanwhile, Vito is adjusting to life in New Hampshire, where he has strikes up a friendship with a diner owner named Jim.
He still has problems accepting the truth about himself, however, and reacts violently when Jim returns his affections.
Phil Leotardo, meanwhile, is furious over Vito's insult to his family (since Vito's wife is Phil's cousin), and informs Tony that he will not be satisfied until he has killed Vito himself.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoPaulie finds public opinion turned against him after an amusement ride accident. Christopher tries to start a new life as a husband and father.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E09
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Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: May 7, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.49 millions
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Paulie, who is in charge of organizing the local festival for St. Elzear, has an argument with the local priest over how much of cut the church will be taking.
When Paulie refuses the father's demands, he is told that they will not be able to use the church's golden hat traditionally worn by the statue of St. Elzear during the festival.
Later, the conspicuous absence of the hat is noted by many, and when a children's ride collapses because of shoddy maintenance, fingers are pointed at Paulie for putting the kids in danger for his own profit.
In addition to this, Paulie learns that he may have cancer.
Chris, meanwhile, learns that his girlfriend is pregnant, and immediately proposes to her.
His bachelor party, however, gets out of hand as Chris once more begins shooting heroin.
At the same time, Adriana's mother throws around accusations that Chris murdered her daughter.
Tony does his best to convince Carmela of Chris' innocence, but Adriana is still nowhere to be found.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorSteve ShillStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony reflects on how growing up with Janice colors his attitudes now, while Vito tries to make a new life for himself in New Hampshire.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E10
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Director: Steve Shill
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Air date: May 14, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.13 millions
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Johnny Sack, after turning down the idea of becoming an informant, accepts a plea bargain in the face of mounting evidence against him and has all his assets frozen.
Tony, meanwhile, talks with Dr. Melfi about the relationship he has with his sister Janice.
When they were little, Janice would frequently torment Tony and extort favors from him, while later on other boys would try to be friends with Tony so they could be around his attractive sister.
He admits that because she left him to look after Livia and then came back after Livia's death to enjoy the benefits of Tony's success, he feels pleasure when misfortunes befall her and her husband.
Meanwhile, Vito comes clean to Jim about his past, and to himself about his identity, but after living the fast life for so long New Hampshire just doesn't feel like home to him. He packs up his belongings and heads back to New Jersey.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≤ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoPhil takes out his revenge on Vito, while Tony grows frustrated with Anthony Jr's lack of ambition or work ethic.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E11
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider and David Chase
Air date: May 21, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.18 millions
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When Vito returns to New Jersey, Tony and his capos discuss what is to be done with him.
While Tony is willing to just let Vito leave quietly, Phil is still out for blood.
Pretending to set up a meeting with Vito to discuss his future, Phil ambushes him in his hotel room and has him beaten to death.
Tony later expresses his concern to Silvio that the killing of Vito was Phil's way of challenging Tony's authority.
Meanwhile, Carmela and Rosalie go on a trip to Paris together, where Rosalie becomes philosophical about the loss of her husband and son.
Back at home, Anthony earns his father's wrath by getting fired from yet another job for stealing, then trying to pass off his actions as purely motivated.
Tony informs his son that he will now be working in construction, and threatens to destroy all of Anthony's prized belongings (which were gifts from Tony) if he doesn't straighten out.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoTony and Phil begin an explosive conflict that puts Phil in the hospital, while Christopher and Tony both embark on new romances with the same woman.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E12
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Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Terence Winter and David Chase and Matthew Weiner
Air date: June 4, 2006
US TV ratings: 8.91 millions
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Tony arranges a surprise for Phil in retaliation for his disrespect with regard for Vito.
Later, Chris mentions to Tony that he has a new mistress, but conceals the fact that it's Julianna, the real estate agent that Tony had been hitting on earlier.
Tony's rejection of her just before they were about to have sex drove her to start drinking again, leading to her and Chris meeting up at AA.
Things are going smoothly for them, but their combined addictive drives start building on each other and they are soon doing hard drugs together.
Anthony, meanwhile, starts up a relationship with an older woman named Blanca.
When he invites her home for dinner, Carmela expresses her displeasure to Tony over Blanca's race and 3-year-old son, but Tony is happy to see his son starting to act like a responsible adult.
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▶️ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 7.5/10 ] - DirectorTimothy Van PattenStarsJames GandolfiniEdie FalcoMichael ImperioliCarmela and Tony go away to Bobby's cabin upstate New York for Tony's birthday up where a fight emerges between Tony and Bobby over Janice. Meanwhile A.J. is throwing a party at the Soprano home.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E13
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Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Diane Frolov & Andrew Schneider and David Chase and Matthew Weiner
Air date: April 8, 2007
US TV Ratings: 7.66 millions
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It's Tony's birthday and he and Carmela are planning to spend the weekend with Bobby and Janice at their cottage. It doesn't start off well when Tony is arrested on a gun charge by the local police.
He's quickly released when the local Sheriff drops the charges but the Feds will roll the charge into their RICO investigation.
The weekend at the lake with Bobby and Janice starts off well, though too much alcohol and a competitive game of Monopoly leads to Bobby and Tony having a fight.
Tony sends him to Montreal to do a hit, something Bobby has never done.
AJ throws a party while his parents are away.
Phil Leotardo is home again after recovering from his heart attack and a stretch of physical therapy. He seems to have little interest in assuming any leadership role in his family.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ] - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoJohnny Sack finds out he only has 3 months to live. Meanwhile, 'Cleaver' premieres and is a hit, while Carmela has mixed emotions about it, saying too much of it is based on Tony.⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
☑️S06▶️E14
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Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: Terence Winter
Air date: April 15, 2007
US TV ratings: 7.42 millions
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Johnny Sack learns from his oncologist that his cancer has spread and how he has only a few months to live.
He gets a ray of hope from a fellow prisoner, oncologist Warren Feldman, who is in jail for having murdered his wife.
His hope is short-lived and Johnny Sack is soon dead.
It all leads to lack of leadership in the family with two contenders to replace him.
One of the contenders is gunned down at dinner with Sil.
Phil Leotardo decides he needs to leave a legacy and acts to fill the void.
Christopher's movie, Cleaver, premieres but Carmela for one thinks the movie strikes a bit too close to home. Tony doesn't quite see it that way.
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✅ GOATscore ▸ [ ≥ 8.5/10 ]