THIS Episode Of The Sopranos Should Have Been The Pilot

When The Sopranos first aired on HBO, it took the world by storm. Instantly becoming one of the greatest TV Shows in the history of the medium. But one episode of The Sopranos stands out as truly the best in the series. It's the first time we really see Tony Soprano deal with the realities of his double life. So before watching The Many Saints of Newark, take this walk down memory lane and see what made The Sopranos one of the best shows on TV.
#TheSopranos #ManySaintsOfNewark #Nerdstalgic
Written by Chris Teregis
Edited by Dave Sadvari

[@Nerdstalgic]

Want more Sopranos content? kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4nUZYt8fNdpm5Y

[@abdelali9279]

"The true pilot, thematically". The best way to summarize it.

[@ThomasDepena]

I guess it “could” have been, but I wouldn’t say it “should” have been at all. The real pilot introduces the show and characters perfectly, and the reason why this episode works is because of the 4 episodes before it getting us to fall in love with Tony as a character only to show us the worst of him, and yet we still love him after it. In fact, with that in mind, I would say that this episode wouldn’t nearly have the same effect as a pilot.

[@PaolaRL]

I totally agree!

[@capiandi1087]

That’s why he said thematically

[@dinohlabisa2349]

Finally, a sopranos episode!

[@mr.patriotjol]

Borko wants his $1,000 dollars

[@Jray181818]

@@mr.patriotjol up in the club 🎶

[@mr.patriotjol]

Meadow: Are you in the Mafia? Tony: And I took that personally!

[@BillBraskyy]

And I was prostate with gwief!

[@seaque.]

Who told you that? That's crap!

[@mr.patriotjol]

@@seaque. grandma Livia

[@Jray181818]

It’s offensive

[@mr.patriotjol]

@@Jray181818 it happens to be a fact

[@punishedluke3406]

Every day that goes by i look less like Chrissy and more like Tony

[@CrowleyCoisas]

no, you don't

[@animationfanatic2133]

No one is that sexy

[@punishedluke3406]

@@animationfanatic2133 I just meant the sweaty, balding, and with difficulty breathing part 😂

[@MikefromTexas1]

Well Christopher wasn't exactly good looking, so I guess you're good.

[@heisenberg4406]

The actors are only about 5 years apart

[@SnowyNightFlyer]

Episodes like “College” and “Pine Barrens” are so outstanding they practically could stand on their own as feature films.

[@harrylimeracketeer]

The pilot probably shouldn’t have been an episode where Tony was out of town.

[@inyrui]

I hope you'll eventually cover the episode Pine Barrens where Chris and Paulie get stuck in the woods in the winter. Best episode of the show imo

[@NewbTactical]

I've only seen this episode of this show lmao

[@MinishCapKing]

YES. This is by far my favorite episode of the show

[@Jray181818]

They should’ve stopped at Roy Rogers

[@christopherconard2831]

I wanted a callback to this in, or near the end of the series. Paulie doing something petty like shoplifting in big box hardware store (Still angry he can't get protection money from corporate locations.) Then turns to another aisle to see a familiar, and even angrier, Russian.

[@paisan8766]

It’s top 10, sure

[@Stown4life]

Quasimodo predicted all of this

[@GHALMJ]

This video-essay does have the makings of a varsity athlete!

[@RockSmith-rl9qr]

My top 5 Sopranos episodes 1.He Is Risen 2. Sopranos Home Movies 3. Fleshy Part of the Thigh 4. College 5. Pine Barrens

[@maxeyre2024]

He is Risen and Fleshy Part are interesting/unusual choices. Care to elaborate?

[@scoliosis9478]

I personally would have the test dream up there too and marco polo

[@erickennedy3322]

5. Last episode of season. 4. White Caps, 3. Test Dream 2. Pine Barnes 1. Kennedy and Heidi

[@letsgoletsgoletsgo]

Pine Barrens is my favorite episode

[@roni6135]

Paulie walnuts

[@Pumpkinking64]

Nah. I love this episode, and it is one of the greatest, but I don’t think it *should* have been the pilot. Not that it would be a HORRIBLE pilot, but I think it’s fine where it is. A great mid point to season 1. I don’t know why you felt the need to frame this video-a good deconstruction of “College”- as anything but that. Seems clickbaity to frame it as “THIS episode should be the pilot”. You could have just made a video about how “College” is a great episode of the Sopranos, and how it perfectly conveys the show’s themes, which is basically the whole video.

[@DannyWonder]

People gotta eat. I'm sure they don't really think it should've been the pilot and lose out on the 4 episodes before it etc.

[@Pumpkinking64]

@@DannyWonder they just don't care. They make half-assed content.

[@andrewhoyle1521]

This is one of the best episodes of television I've seen. We see just how ruthless T.S was. To think the goddamn "practice" beat sopranos for emmy award

[@cloudbloom]

One of the greatest tv shows of all time

[@danielrmz40]

The Greatest

[@abdelali9279]

Good timing, I just finished watching The Sopranos for the first time some days ago.

[@jodys9951]

I mean since you mentioned it how about an “Oz” video

[@animationfanatic2133]

Nerdastalgic never had the makings of a varsity sopranos reviewer

[@PodyTheCirate]

I think the slow build up to “college” is part of what makes it such a perfect and episode.

[@carrottopevans]

One veneer seen this show and I loved Nerdstalgic’s attention to details and overall picture

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

If this were the pilot the show never would have been made. A pilot is about exposition. The Febby murder had to be fought for from a position of interest in The Sopranos.

[@ziggystardust457]

Totally disagree. Chase knew how to open. Tony and Chrisy chasing that guy down in Chrisys new car. Sets up their whole relationship. But great video still!

[@rowan7130]

One of my favourite KZbin channels and my favourite tv shows together in one, what a day

[@paryanindoeur]

I see what you're saying about this episode and the story arc, but if you remember at the time, the original fascination with the show was the 'mob boss goes to psychotherapy' angle. Delaying the first 'hit' allowed the show to develop without escalating the need for morbid stuff sooner -- a delay of gratification before the audience even wants it.

[@MJ-yx2fk]

Great video I’m rewatching the show and that episode is stunning

[@serolfnayarb]

Absolutely fantastic analysis of one of TVs best 60 minutes.

[@Christopher-ms5ke]

I am about to watch the Sopranos for the first time but I just came here to say I love this channel!

[@bestinthesector1875]

This was great! Nice job Good music

[@starfthegreat]

The pilot isn't the greatest Sopranos episode, but it does a really good job at showing Tony's moral compass and view of the world. He's okay with a guy being killed, but not in his friends restaurant he constantly abuses, so he ends up deciding to blow up said restaurant. It sounds weird but it all makes sense within the dynamic of the pilot.

[@Mike12345]

While this video does not put forward any new ideas, as even David Chase has described why this is the best episode, your note about the duality of Tony during his dinner with Meadow is quite good. It is a nice catch that enriches the larger themes.

[@SantoTapatio]

I was just trying to explain to my friends this episode! Glad I can just point them here 😊

[@salvus7021]

What a gem of an episode.

[@FitKeeperDom]

I think this was the episode that got me hooked. I knew I was in for an absolute treat at this point

[@fox9769]

I swear everybody should watch the Sopranos. Breaking Bad, GOT, Mad Men, etc are good. But the Sopranos is just another level. For such a serious drama it was funny and entertaining as fuck.

[@NeilBlumengarten]

I love that you used a clip from Crusade!

[@tyoung521]

One of the best shows of all time

[@cinemasnitch3959]

i ended up watching this once covid hit and just the excitement my boys had for certain episodes of this show (especially this one) let me know just how insanely good this show turned out to be

[@shellbacksclub]

please review every episode! ur great!👌

[@Sin_lord6]

That is crazy lmao I am binging this show rn for the first time. Season 3 now

[@benvasquez321]

I love your content, doesn’t matter what it’s about I’ll watch any of them

[@russsnyder2026]

I recently watched the pilot then the series finale back to back and the differences in tone and colors and everything are night and day

[@ELFUICHE]

That Hawthorne line got me rethinking life and who am I for real.

[@paisan8766]

It was fine as the 5th episode. The pilot was perfect. There’s only 3 bad episodes of the Sopranos (D Girl, a Hit is a Hit, Christopher), and they’re only bad relative to masterpiece that it is. Relax

[@RaymondMeunierMusique]

Those episodes have all aged well tho

[@MrSnuffer93]

D-Girl is one of my favourite episodes.

[@paisan8766]

@Finbar McCallister I’m a Christopher Columbus hater lol and agree with the criticism and politics of the episode. The writing was too ham fisted for the Sopranos though. It was not their best execution.

[@paisan8766]

@@MrSnuffer93 all of the stuff with the celebrity cameos is so cringe. It’s the only episode I don’t enjoy re-watching.

[@paisan8766]

@@RaymondMeunierMusique the whole show has lol… and these episodes are only not good relative to how every other episode is, at minimum, very good

[@Alexander1107Lopez]

One of those episodes that when you saw it you realized you were witnessing history

[@tsm1871]

Stole this from Pure Kino channel

[@shellbacksclub]

keep doing episodes of The Sopranos. Guarantee ur views will reward them!

[@jacoborozco9412]

Yes! This is my favorite episode!

[@chazthurgood121]

This is my favorite episode

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love this episode

[@retronara2038]

I would love to see him do an episode on house Md

[@Imetral0]

youtube desperately needs more quality analysis videos about The Sopranos

[@ameliawarfield5637]

Nice job you guys.

[@MitchM240]

Great video and thank you for asking for the like at the end of the video not before the video even started that’s a serious pet peeve of mine.

[@gmrb5249]

I thought the Shadow thing in the dinner was a reference to the Godfather

[@vibinwpsilocybin1424]

The Sopranos !! amazing show

[@kingfadal4711]

More sopranos vids!!!!!

[@theblueguy0889]

3:39 just playing car games

[@vikingodin1986]

The pilot we got was spot on

[@MaherandIbrahimsAvengers]

I only know this show because my Dad watches it, so even tho I've never seen a episode I still remember the theme song and it's kinda catchy

[@SenhorKoringa]

WOKE UP THIS MORNING! GOT YOURSELF A GUN!

[@dfgccgggff7963]

My guy you should definitely watch this show

[@mrsoprano3848]

Make video on "Lost" or "The Leftovers"

[@GigaChadh976]

2:58 I wonder if Tony played it off as a joke things would have been different. Meadow: dad are you in the mafia. Tony: I wish. I’d never have anything to worry about.

[@carlosrvra]

For the longest time I thought the college visit ep WAS the pilot! :O

[@noahsherwood2445]

i think also the shadowed tony may have been a callback to the godfather's cinematography

[@shanejohnson6855]

Bro this is perfect. It shows who tony really is at heart and who Carmella is at heart. both are very flawed but we see who is the true monster.

[@rishon2825]

One of the greatest motion picture of all time

[@WiseAilbhean]

Aight someone been browsing through my tweets 😂🤣 i legit wrote about this less than a week ago. College could have easily been a pilot if the therapist part of the stories were removed.

[@MARCELMAO]

Better title. Well done

[@PaoGarcia]

Please do a Twin Peaks epsiode!

[@someordinarydude9147]

This concept is true in most shows though, the pilot very rarely is truly represenitive of what the show actually becomes. It usually takes a few episodes for the show to really get in it's stride.

[@joliver7304]

You should cover Boardwalk Empire

[@roaditr]

Love how a moment of “Crusade” gets thrown in here when talking about serialised shows. Which “Buffy” episode would be your perfect episode?

[@bionic0n3]

Is this a reupload? I could swear this is a reupload.

[@chelseachampions3492]

I lost which episode I was at…… I’m sure I was halfway thru season 4

[@rogerfurlong1535]

There is no Mafia!

[@Zipzapadam]

I just finished season three! I am so excited to finish the series for the first time (although I haven't heard good things about the finale 👀 - no spoilers!)

[@imnothappyaboutthis3596]

Some people like it and some people feel unsatisfied by it me personally i feel it makes sense and it was foreshadowed during season 6

[@user-sj6ld9ho6q]

Don’t worry. It’s not a dexter or Game of thrones finale. It’s a great final episode with an unusual twist in the end.

[@lukehope4484]

geninuely the final of the sopranos got a lot of hate at the time because of the infamous fade to black personally I like the final to the sopranos.

[@medli7725]

@@lukehope4484 dude he just said no spoilers

[@RockSmith-rl9qr]

@@lukehope4484 dude

[@ericciaramella1984]

Pure Kino

[@TheStingling]

Lol this went up after 10min i watched the finale of sopranos.

[@spitkitten]

I always thought Tony's apparent rage in that killing was extremely personal for him.. in my opinion, at least :D I mean... not only did Fabian force him to put his game face on in the midst of that road trip w/ his kid, but at the same time-- it was a bit too much for him to navigate his conversations (or attempts to reconnect) w/ Meadow, all while dodging his own assassination as discreetly as he could. LOL.. I know I'd be mad as hell too XD

[@nahomabreham]

Can you do Mad Men best episode?

[@JU5TINPDX]

HBO was very concerned that the audience wouldn’t accept the protagonist murdering someone in cold blood. The now done-to-death “anti-hero” main character was not something 1999 audiences were used to. David Chase held his ground and kept the scene in. However he did add at least one scene that makes the audience more likely to accept the outcome. The scene is when Fabian (the rat) is hiring some local drug addicts to kill Tony. He is shown to not be a redeemed guy who escaped the mafia and reformed… but a self serving rat who is up to the same shady shit, just in a new place… it also makes Tony’s killing of Fabian seem more like self defense. I agree it is one of the best episodes. It could stand alone as a movie if it were longer, because you don’t need to see the previous episodes to understand it.

[@alexabrown5114]

Please do an episode on the Americans!!!

[@alamogold8518]

Yea but they probably wanted to drive home the Melfi stuff. Mobster in therapy trope.

[@isabellaearnhardt6380]

❤️

[@PureKino]

I too enjoy this episode ;)

[@tidepride86]

College is probably the most important episode of television ever made

[@bozimmerman]

The Sopranos? Now, I'm curious: what would our host consider a definitely non nerdy drama, I sincerely wonder?

[@ptbohall8075]

Grew up next door to one of these guys, except he was just the Numbers guy in a huge automotive industry factory in a Midwestern industrial city. He bought a new car EVERY YEAR, and had special tanks inserted in the wheel wells, doors, etc. so he could run hootch from Kentucky on the side.... he got to keep all that money. Every now and then he'd hire some big name country and western band to come to play in his front yard, while everybody there drank lots of beer, and his wife proved she could sing in the Sicilian style.... Sometimes he'd do out of town jobs..... and he'd be gone, then come back. Remember the guy who shot up the Republican baseball game? The FBI halted their investigation when they ran into ........

[@BillBraskyy]

5:51 I wouldn't say that Carmella stayed loyal to the oath she took to Tony when she married him... It was more of Father Phil not being able to hold his booze and running to pray to the porcelain goddess (I've always wondered if he really had to vomit or if he used that as a ploy to chicken out). I really believe that if he had not ran to the John Carm would've definitely made out with him and smashed him. Basically Phil's own code, yellow belly, or GI tract is what kept Carm from cheating on Tony.

[@Big_Stink]

THE GABAGOOL

[@alfa01spotivo]

Best show ever imo. Way better than breaking bad

[@Faceplay2]

I’m saying this as a film Director. I love how non-filmmaker stink ass filmmakers methodically plan out every single shot. Lol like on shadowing. I hate to break it to people but a large majority of the time. It’s typically the DP picking lighting based off what looks good to his eye. And of course a Director is going to approve the shot or not, we may make slight adjustments of course. My point is when we’re filming there’s not enough time to do a shot on someone’s side of their face, thinking in are heads that oh it shows he’s hiding a secret lmfao. No I won’t lie us directors can do artistic things. For instance in my future film that’s coming out in the next couple of months. I started my protagonist of with wearing no color at all only wearing basic whites, browns blacks and grays in his wardrobe. As he’s suddenly going through depression from the loss of his police partner. And throughout the film he starts to let the color blue blend into his wardrobe. I pick the color blue because it means Can stand for heroism and honesty. So by the final actor the movie he’s wearing a dark blue button up shirt. But my point was that was something I planned is the Director way before we started shooting the movie. Directors and filmmakers do not have the time to throw something in like that when we’re shooting on set. Otherwise you would ever get your movie done lol it’s the same damn thing when idiots will try to say Scorsese picked a color of blinds red because it represents blood it as in when a character dies xD such a joke, notice how the filmmakers and directors never say anything like that giving statements.

[@RoseJackson1607]

why dont you talk about Buffy on your channel? changed television too

[@justyncoddington7635]

It works because you’ve already gotten time with the character over 4 episodes. You feel like you know him, then you see the murderous thug in this episode that you wouldn’t have thought you’d see on TV.

[@MGBillionaire]

this wouldn't have made sense as the pilot, but I see what you mean.

[@jlemaire9418]

"Febby"

[@stevendog40]

After watching this episode I always wondered why that guy who ratted on the mafia and went into witness protection didn't move cross country. Like bruh..get out of the New York/New Jersey area that is not where you want to stick around.

[@badouplus1304]

Great point of view, still, I feel it was important Dr Melfi was in the Pilot, IMO.

[@myjobistoshootfire7703]

Why should it have been? Because the episode would have came out in the same year the shows timeline starts.

[@Cazz8203]

Carmela only stayed faithful cause the schnor, or however you spell that, couldn't hold his booze, or he was faking getting sick