SEASON ONE
The show began with Tony having a panic attack at a barbecue. He began to see a therapist to discuss what was bringing on the attacks, later linking them to his crazy mother. A rat is discovered in Tony’s crew, which focuses his attentions elsewhere as his uncle and mother plot to have him killed. He suspects Sal “Big Puss” Bonpensiero (Vincent Pastore, Return to Sleepaway Camp), who disappears after learning he is a suspect. At the end of the season, Uncle Junior is arrested and taken into custody by the FBI.
BEST EPISODE: “College” – Tony takes his daughter to visit colleges, but discovers a former FBI informant while there and later hunts him down and strangles him.
CRUCIAL DEATH: The boss of the family, Jackie Aprile (Michael Rispoli, The Black Donnellys) – His death creates the power struggle between Tony and his Uncle Junior.
SEASON TWO
Jackie Aprile’s brother, Richie (David Proval, Smokin’ Aces) is released from jail and begins dating Tony’s sister, Janice. Bonpensiero returns, but not long after Tony realizes he was, in fact, the rat in his crew. The season ended with two major deaths, as Janice killed Richie during an argument and Tony’s crew whacks Bonpensiero in the finale.
BEST EPISODE: “Funhouse” – The season finale, containing the aforementioned Bonpensiero hit.
CRUCIAL DEATH: Sal Bonpensiero – Killing his longtime friend was a major problem for Tony.
SEASON THREE
Former colleague Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano, Canvas) returns to New Jersey and gets involved in the “family business.” Meadow begins dating Jackie Aprile Jr. (Jason Cerbone), who increasingly tries to get involved in his deceased father’s business. His attempts culminate in a botched robbery that gets his friends, and eventually himself, killed.
BEST EPISODE: “Pine Barrens” – After Christopher and Paulie botch a hit on a Russian who owes them money, they end up lost in the woods in the snow.
CRUCIAL DEATH: Jackie Jr. – The decision was extremely tough on Tony, as he tried to set Jackie Jr. straight more than once, but to no avail.
SEASON FOUR
Adriana La Cerva, Christopher’s girlfriend, befriends a woman who turns out to be an FBI agent. Tony buys a race horse, Pie-O-My, in a partnership with Ralph Cifaretto, the unstable member of the crew. When the horse dies in a stable fire, Tony blames Ralph, culminating in a brutal beating and death. Carmela leaves Tony after discovering his extra-marital affairs. The New York family approaches Tony to whack the New York boss, Carmine Lupertazzi (Tony Lip), which he declines.
BEST EPISODE: “For All Debts Public And Private” – Tony has Christopher whack the police officer who was responsible for the death of Christopher’s father.
CRUCIAL DEATH: “The Police Officer” – Christopher is forever indebted to Tony after being provided the information about the man who killed his father.
SEASON FIVE
Tony’s cousin, Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi, I Think I Love My Wife) is released from prison after 17 years, but doesn’t want anything to do with organized crime when he first arrives home. The New York Boss dies of a stroke, which leads to Tony Blundetto carrying out a hit for the family. The New York Family wants revenge and wants to kill Blundetto, but Tony kills his cousin himself. Tony’s crew realizes Adriana is a rat, and Silvio Dante kills her. Meadow’s boyfriend, Finn Detrolio (Will Janowitz, David & Layla) discovers one of Tony’s captains, Vito Spatafore (Joseph Gannascoli, Beer League) having homosexual relations with a security guard.
BEST EPISODE: “Long Term Parking” – The FBI asks Adriana to step up and recover more information; Tony’s crew kills her for being a rat.
CRUCIAL DEATH: Adriana, Christopher’s girlfriend – Her death impacts him enormously.
SEASON 6, PART 1
Uncle Junior shoots Tony, confused about who Tony is because of his senility. The shooting puts Tony in a coma, during which Tony has recurring dreams envisoning the life he would have if he had not chosen the mobster way of life. Subsequently, Vito is outed, causing the New York crew to call for his death. Although Tony declines the call for Vito’s death, Vito is murdered anyway, which prompts a revenge killing by Tony’s crew. At the end of the season break, the families seemed poised for war, and the upcoming episodes are sure to highlight how the conflict between Tony’s family and the New York one will be – or won’t be, who knows? – resolved.
BEST EPISODE: “Cold Stones” – The New York Crew tracks down and kills Vito.
CRUCIAL DEATH: Vito Spatafore – The hit on one of his captains causes Tony to prepare for war against New York.
