The Sopranos season 1
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| The Sopranos | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
 Region 1 DVD cover art | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Original release | January 10 – April 4, 1999 |
| Season chronology | |
The first season of the American television drama series The Sopranos aired on HBO from January 10 to April 4, 1999. The first season was released on DVD in region 1 on December 12, 2000,[1] and on Blu-ray on November 24, 2009.[2]
The season introduces DiMeo Crime Family Capo Tony Soprano and his family, as well as his troubled relationship with his mother Livia. Also troubled is his relationship with his Uncle Junior, who becomes locked in a power struggle with Tony after the death of the Crime Family Boss, Jackie Aprile. Tony also begins therapy sessions with Dr. Melfi after his panic attacks become more frequent. Meanwhile, Tony's daughter Meadow becomes aware of her father's true profession while preparing to get into college, and Tony's nephew Christopher attempts to write a screenplay about his crime life and anxiously awaits becoming a made man. Due to Junior's plotting of an assassination, Tony also gets embroiled in a plot against childhood friend Artie Bucco, a charming but obsequious restaurateur.
Cast
Main cast
- James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano (13 episodes)
- Lorraine Bracco as Jennifer Melfi (13 episodes)
- Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano (13 episodes)
- Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti (13 episodes)
- Dominic Chianese as Corrado "Junior" Soprano Jr. (11 episodes)
- Vincent Pastore as Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero (8 episodes)
- Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante (11 episodes)
- Tony Sirico as Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri (10 episodes)
- Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano Jr. (10 episodes)
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano (12 episodes)
- Nancy Marchand as Livia Soprano (11 episodes)
Recurring cast
- Al Sapienza as Mikey Palmice (9 episodes)
- Joe Badalucco Jr. as Jimmy Altieri (7 episodes)
- Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva (7 episodes)
- Jerry Adler as Herman "Hesh" Rabkin (5 episodes)
- Tony Darrow as Larry Barese (5 episodes)
- Oksana Lada as Irina Peltsin (5 episodes)
- George Loros as Ray Curto (5 episodes)
- Anthony DeSando as Brendan Filone (4 episodes)
- John Heard as Vin Makazian (4 episodes)
- Kathrine Narducci as Charmaine Bucco (4 episodes)
- Paul Schulze as Father Phil Intintola (4 episodes)
- John Ventimiglia as Artie Bucco (4 episodes)
- Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile (3 episodes)
- Michele DeCesare as Hunter Scangarelo (3 episodes)
- Michael Rispoli as Jackie Aprile Sr. (3 episodes)
- Frank Santorelli as Georgie Santorelli (3 episodes)
- Matt Servitto as Agent Dwight Harris (3 episodes)
- Sal Ruffino as Chucky Signore (3 episodes)
- Robert LuPone as Dr. Bruce Cusamano (2 episodes)
- Saundra Santiago as Jeannie Cusamano (2 episodes)
- Vincent Curatola as Johnny Sack (1 episode)
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Sopranos" | David Chase | David Chase | January 10, 1999 |
| 2 | 2 | "46 Long" | Dan Attias | David Chase | January 17, 1999 |
| 3 | 3 | "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" | Nick Gomez | Mark Saraceni | January 24, 1999 |
| 4 | 4 | "Meadowlands" | John Patterson | Jason Cahill | January 31, 1999 |
| 5 | 5 | "College" | Allen Coulter | James Manos Jr. and David Chase | February 7, 1999 |
| 6 | 6 | "Pax Soprana" | Alan Taylor | Frank Renzulli | February 14, 1999 |
| 7 | 7 | "Down Neck" | Lorraine Senna | Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess | February 21, 1999 |
| 8 | 8 | "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" | Tim Van Patten | Frank Renzulli and David Chase | February 28, 1999 |
| 9 | 9 | "Boca" | Andy Wolk | Jason Cahill and Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess | March 7, 1999 |
| 10 | 10 | "A Hit Is a Hit" | Matthew Penn | Joe Bosso and Frank Renzulli | March 14, 1999 |
| 11 | 11 | "Nobody Knows Anything" | Henry J. Bronchtein | Frank Renzulli | March 21, 1999 |
| 12 | 12 | "Isabella" | Allen Coulter | Robin Green & Mitchell Burgess | March 28, 1999 |
| 13 | 13 | "I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano" | John Patterson | David Chase | April 4, 1999 |
Reception
Critical response
The first season of The Sopranos was met with wide acclaim, receiving a score of 88 out of 100 on Metacritic,[3] and a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (with an average score of 10/10), the latter site reporting the critical consensus as, "The Sopranos smartly runs an emotional gamut, offering detailed character work and riveting suspense while displaying a flair for both comedy and drama."[4] James Gandolfini was widely hailed for his performance, with Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly praising his "magnificently shrewd, wary performance" as Tony Soprano.[5] Deseret News expressed approval for the show's clear insight into the "modern incarnations of family and mortality and ambition."[3] Marvin Kitman of Newsday wrote, "It's a great show, the best new series of the year. It's so - dare I say it? - original. It catches you off guard. Basically, it's everything I'm always looking for in drama. It's beautifully written, authentic, without the plastic Los Angeles look. The acting is marvelous. It's funny in a darkly comedic way, involving as a soap opera, and quirky. I never quite know what's going to happen, even though the subject matter is by no means unprecedented for television."[3]
Awards and nominations
- Nomination for Outstanding Drama Series
- Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (James Gandolfini) (Episode: "Pilot")
- Win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Edie Falco) (Episode: "College")
- Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Lorraine Bracco) (Episode: "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti")
- Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Nancy Marchand) (Episodes: "Pilot" & "46 Long")
- Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (John Heard) (Episode: "Nobody Knows Anything")
- Nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (David Chase) (Episode: "Pilot")
- Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (David Chase) (Episode: "Pilot")
- Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess) (Episode: "Isabella")
- Win for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (James Manos Jr.) (Episode: "College")
- Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Frank Renzulli) (Episode: "Nobody Knows Anything")
6th Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (James Gandolfini)
- Win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (Edie Falco)
- Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (Nancy Marchand)
- Win for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Entire Cast)
- Win for Best Drama Series
- Win for Best Actor in a Drama Series (James Gandolfini)
- Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Lorraine Bracco)
- Win for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Edie Falco)
- Win for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film (Nancy Marchand)
- Nomination for Best Drama Series
- Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series (James Gandolfini)
- Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Lorraine Bracco)
- Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Edie Falco)
Writers Guild of America Awards 1999
- Win for Best Drama Episode (Jason Cahill) (Episode: "Meadowlands")
Directors Guild of America Awards
- Nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (Daniel Attias) (Episode: "46 Long")
- Nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (Henry J. Bronchtein) (Episode: "Nobody Knows Anything")
- Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (David Chase) (Episode: "Pilot")
- Nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (Allen Coulter) (Episode: "College")
- Award for Program of the Year
- Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- Award for Outstanding New Program of the Year
- Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Drama (James Gandolfini) (Tied with David E. Kelley for The Practice)
- Nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Drama (David Chase)
References
- ^ "The Sopranos - The Complete 1st Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ "The Sopranos - The Complete 1st Season (Blu-ray)". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c "The Sopranos: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ "The Sopranos: Season 1 (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (January 15, 1999). "The Sopranos". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
