The first season of the American crime drama series The Sopranos aired on HBO from January 10 to April 4, 1999. The first season was released on VHS and DVD in North America on December 12, 2000, and on Blu-ray on November 24, 2009.
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 suffering a panic attack.
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 criminal 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.
The season won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama, the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the episode "College", as well as several other accolades. James Gandolfini and Edie Falco received numerous accolades for their performances, including winning both Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Cast
Main cast James Gandolfini as Anthony "Tony" Soprano, a capo in the DiMeo crime family that begins suffering panic attacks. Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony's therapist, to whom he develops an attraction. Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, Tony's beleaguered wife who struggles with the morality of his work. Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, Tony's young, ambitious cousin by marriage. Dominic Chianese as Corrado "Junior" Soprano Jr., a DiMeo capo and Tony's combative uncle. Vincent Pastore as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, Tony's best friend and a DiMeo soldier. Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante, a loyal, intelligent soldier. Tony Sirico as Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri, a short-tempered soldier. Robert Iler as Anthony "A.J." Soprano Jr., Tony's troublemaker son. Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano, Tony's high schooler daughter who questions her father's occupation. Nancy Marchand as Livia Soprano, Tony's petulant mother.
Recurring cast
Episodes
Reception Critical response The first season of The Sopranos was met with wide acclaim, receiving a score of 88 out of 100 on Metacritic, and a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 9.3/10, 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." James Gandolfini was widely hailed for his performance, with Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly praising his "magnificently shrewd, wary performance" as Tony Soprano. Deseret News expressed approval for the show's clear insight into the "modern incarnations of family and mortality and ambition."
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."
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result1999 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama Series Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series James Gandolfini (Episode: "Pilot") Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Edie Falco (episode: "College") Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Lorraine Bracco (episode: "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti") Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nancy Marchand (episodes: "Pilot" + "46 Long") Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series John Heard (episode: "Nobody Knows Anything") Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series David Chase (episode: "Pilot") Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series David Chase (episode: "Pilot") Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess (episode: "Isabella") Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series James Manos Jr. (episode: "College") Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Frank Renzulli (episode: "Nobody Knows Anything") 1999 Golden Globe Awards Best Drama Series Best Actor in a Drama Series James Gandolfini Best Actress in a Drama Series Edie Falco Best Actress in a Drama Series Lorraine Bracco Best Supporting Actress – Television Nancy Marchand 1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series Entire Cast Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series James Gandolfini Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Edie Falco Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Lorraine Bracco Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nancy Marchand 1999 Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series David Chase (episode: "Pilot") Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series Allen Coulter (episode: "College") Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series Daniel Attias (episode: "46 Long") Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series Henry J. Bronchtein (episode: "Nobody Knows Anything") 1999 Writers Guild of America Award Best Drama Episode Jason Cahill (episode: "Meadowlands") 1999 TCA Awards Program of the Year Outstanding Achievement in Drama Outstanding New Program of the Year Outstanding Individual Achievement in Drama David Chase Outstanding Individual Achievement in Drama James Gandolfini 1999 Satellite Awards Best Drama Series Best Actor in a Drama Series James Gandolfini Best Actress in a Drama Series Lorraine Bracco Best Actress in a Drama Series Edie Falco
References
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