Radio Times

Episode 1/13 The Sopranos

The combined pressures of taking care of two families - his wife, kids and widowed mother, and the New Jersey Mob - are giving Tony Soprano anxiety attacks. His marriage is going through a rocky patch and his mother's health is deteriorating. Meanwhile, he's at loggerheads with his Uncle Junior over certain "business" dealings, and facing a takeover bid from the Czech mob. So Tony secretly begins seeing a psychiatrist, Dr Jennifer Melfi.

RT Choice (Geoff Ellis, 5 November 2007)

Here's an offer you can't refuse - the best drama of recent years showing again from the very beginning.

Tony [Soprano] is a Mafia gang boss, prone to sudden outbursts of shocking violence, and now he's having panic attacks. What's a guy to do? Break the code of silence and take the talking cure? Just one of the delicious ironies in this wonderfully written drama. It's as though the set-up has been stolen from a sitcom and given a vicious twist.

So, be careful, for once you're in Tony Soprano's bear-hug, you may find yourself compelled to watch all six series. But, whatever you do, watch the first - it's a jaw-droppingly rewarding 13 episodes.

Episode 2/13 46 Long

Giacomo "Jackie" Aprile, acting boss of the family, has terminal cancer, meaning a reluctant Tony is about to become embroiled in a power struggle with Uncle Junior. Meanwhile, Christopher and his associate Brendan unwittingly hijack a truck that's under Junior's protection. A $15,000 "tribute" smooths things over - until the dim-witted Brendan hits the same company again. On the home front, Tony's mother Livia finally agrees to move to a retirement community.

Episode 3/13 Denial, Anger, Acceptance

Tony has a lot on his mind - Jackie Aprile's cancer, the arson investigation at Vesuvio, Carmela's plans to use their home to host a hospital benefit, and trouble with a new business partner. Meanwhile, Christopher and Brendan make the wrong decision again when they agree to get Meadow some speed to help her study for her SATs - and Junior decides it's time to take action.

Episode 4/13 Meadowlands

After Tony finds out what Junior had done to Brendan and Christopher, he and the other capos get together and decide that Tony should become the new boss - but that they'll let Junior think it's him who's in charge. Meanwhile, Tony's racy dreams about Dr Melfi prompt him to consider quitting therapy. And with Anthony Jr getting into fights at school, Meadow makes things worse by explaining what their dad really does for a living.

Episode 5/13 College

Tony takes Meadow on a road trip to visit some colleges in Maine. At a petrol station, Tony spots Mob informer Fabian "Febby" Petrulio. So while Meadow's off looking at colleges, Tony tracks Febby down and takes revenge. Back at the Soprano home, Carmela has the flu and is grateful for a visit from Father Phil. But she's rather less happy when a phone call from Dr Melfi reveals that Tony's therapist is a woman.

Episode 6/13 Pax Soprana

New boss Junior is causing trouble. He won't honour deals made under Jackie Aprile, is refusing to share the wealth and has taken the unprecedented step of demanding tax from Hesh. So Tony, Hesh and New York capo Johnny Sack get together to discuss a solution. Meanwhile, it's Tony and Carmela's 18th wedding anniversary, but between the revelation that his therapist is a woman, and the adverse effect Prozac is having on Tony's libido, there's not much to celebrate.

Episode 7/13 Down Neck

Tony and Carmela are called to AJ's principal's office after he and his friends turn up drunk to their gym class. What's worse, the school psychologist thinks Anthony Jr may have Attention Deficit Disorder. Tony gets thinking about his own childhood and worries that AJ is already doomed. Meanwhile, Anthony Jr is sent to visit his grandmother, where he lets slip that his father is seeing a therapist…

Episode 8/13 Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti

With Federal indictments being handed out left, right and centre, half of the New York family has already gone into hiding. Tony and co decide to stay put but do some preventative "housecleaning". When a TV news report names the members of Tony's crew as possible suspects in a grand jury investigation, Christopher is upset that he didn't warrant a mention and starts to go off the rails. Meanwhile, Junior pays a visit to Livia and discovers Tony's secret.

Episode 9/13 Boca

Tensions are running high in Essex County as the crew wait for the grand jury to begin handing out indictments. Junior decides to spend some quality time with his lady friend Roberta, but Tony finds out. Now they both know each other's darkest secrets. Meanwhile, Meadow tells Tony that the school soccer coach had sex with one of her girlfriends. Luckily for the teacher, he gets arrested before Tony can get to him.

Episode 10/13 A Hit is a Hit

The two women in Tony's life - Carmela and Dr Melfi - both think it would be a good idea for him to expand his social circle. Cue barbecues and golf with the neighbours - who all want to hear Tony's Mob stories. Christopher and Adriana are also meeting new people - gangster rapper Massive Genius inspires them to get into the music business, but is soon causing trouble.

Episode 11/13 Nobody Knows Anything

Vin Makazian has bad news for Tony - one of his crew has been wearing an FBI wire and Makazian thinks it's one of Tony's oldest and most trusted friends "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero. But when Jimmy Altieri shows up at Tony's home asking to speak to him alone, Tony's convinced he's the snitch. But why has Pussy disappeared? Tony's about to have even more pressing things to deal with - Junior has put a hit out on him.

Episode 12/13 Isabella

Tony's seriously depressed, avoiding his family, and neglecting the business and his personal hygiene. Even increasing his medication doesn't help. But when he glimpses the beautiful girl staying next door, it's finally enough to get him outside. And if that won't jolt him out of his stupor, then an attempt on his life will. Junior's boys come off a lot worse in the encounter and although Tony's in hospital, he finally feels alive again.

Episode 13/13 I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano

Tony's convinced that Jimmy Altieri is the FBI informant and gets Junior's blessing to deal with the situation. Then the FBI bring Tony in to play him a tape recording - and he hears Junior and his own mother plotting to have him killed. To make matters worse, it means both they and the FBI all know that Tony is seeing a psychiatrist. He decides it's time to break both pieces of news to Silvio, Christopher and Paulie.