Television Review: The Sopranos (The Sopranos, Pilot, S1X01, 1999)

The Sopranos (Pilot, S1E1)

Airdate: January 10th 1999

Written by: David Chase
Directed by: David Chase

Running Time: 57 minutes

The pilot of The Sopranos had the fate not that different from many pilots for popular and long-running television shows. It was originally produced, written and directed by series’ creator David Chase in Summer of 1997, but HBO initially failed to pick it up. Chase has spent some time trying to talk HBO into financing production of extra 45 minutes to turn the pilot into feature film. HBO after some months decided to pick the series anyway, which began production in 1998 and had its premiere, together with pilot in early 1999.

The first episode establishes series’ main premise which is in many ways similar to the premise that would be soon afterwards used in Hollywood feature comedy Analyze This. Protagonist, played by James Gandolfini, is Tony Soprano, middle-aged man who presents himself as “waste management consultant” to his psychotherapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (played by Lorraine Bracco), although she immediately lets him know that his real line of work involves being high ranking member of New Jersey Mafia family. Tony was being sent to Dr. Melfi by his family physician following series of panic attacks and medical tests that suggested that their cause might be psychological. Both Tony and Dr. Melfi are quite uncomfortable with the situation, although Melfi tries to be more professional. Tony, on the other hand, is deeply embarrassed over the need to seek psychological help and, more importantly, fears that other mafiosi, if they find out, might that perceive as a sign of fatal weakness and have him killed.

Pilot episode also introduces us to members of Tony’s family – his wife Carmela (played by Edie Falco), rebellious teenager daughter Meadow (played by Janie-Lynn Sigler) and young son Anthony “Tony” Jr. (played by Robert Iler). Another member of his family is elderly mother Livia (played by Nancy Marchand), with whom he has a difficult relationship and who is refusing his suggestions to go to retirement home. Members of the broader family is his uncle Corrado “Junior” Soprano (played by Dominic Chianese), elderly mobster who deeply resents Tony advancing in organisation at his expense, while Carmela’s cousin Christopher Moltisanti (played by Michael Imperioli), despite being Tony’s protege, resents not being formally introduced into family as “made man” and even contemplates leaving criminal career and start writing screenplay about his life.

While Chris actually proves his worth to the family by showing initiative and taking out rival waste management company run by Czech immigrants, Junior wants to re-establish his authority with a hit on Pussy Malanga, mobster rumoured to turning into federal informant. The only place Malanga feels safe and, consequently, the only place where the assassination can take place, is the restaurant owned by Tony’s old friend Artie Buoco (played by John Ventimiglia in recurring role). Fearing that Artie’s reputation and career could be ruined by bloodshed at the premises, Tony tries hard to talk Artie into temporarily closing the place or at least leaving town during the planned hit. Artie, unaware what is really going on, keeps refusing, forcing Tony to take more direct approach.

Another subplot involves Tony collecting debt from degenerate gambler and health company executive for Alex Mahaffey (played by Michael Gaston in guest role), which is owed to Hesh Rabkin (played by Jerry Nadler in guest role), Jewish loanshark and old friend of Tony’s father.

The pilot episode does a very good job of introducing major characters and establishing general theme and style of the series, which mixes socioeconomic and cultural commentary with traditional crime story. The episode represented directorial debut for David Chase who nevertheless won DGA award for directing. The pilot episode also shows what audience might expect in the other episodes when it comes to content. Since the series was produced by HBO and specifically aimed at cable television for adult audience, that meant rather graphic violence, sex and nudity. The latter is achieved through scene in Bada Bing strip club that features topless women and brief scene in which Tony has fun with his mistress Irina Peltsin (played by Siberia Federico).

Relatively long pause between pilot episode and first regular season reflected in some of the changes in the cast. Role of Irina was switched to Ukrainian actress Oksana Lada, while Michael Santoro who played Father Phil was replaced by Paul Schultze. Drea di Matteo, who appeared in a small role of unnamed hostess, later had role expanded into character of Chris’ girlfriend Adriana La Cerva.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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