In the pilot episode of this HBO television series from executive producer
David Chase, a New Jersey mob boss named Tony Soprano (
James Gandolfini) suffers a series of anxiety attacks. Convinced by his physician that he needs to seek therapy, Tony consults psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (
Lorraine Bracco), 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 (
Edie Falco), his manipulative mother Livia (
Nancy Marchand), and his scheming uncle Junior (
Dominic Chianese), a member of the same crime family. In the meantime, Carmela's relationship with her and Tony's high-school age daughter Meadow (
Jamie-Lynn Sigler) is becoming strained, and their son Anthony Jr. (
Robert Iler) is clueless about his dad's real profession. Tony's stress increases when he learns that the restaurant of his best friend, Artie Bucco (
John Ventimiglia), is to be the site of a mob murder on the orders of Junior, and that his cousin Christopher Moltisanti (
Michael Imperioli), 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).
The Sopranos' pilot episode aired on January 10, 1999. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide