Ep 1. Members Only

As the sixth and final season of The Sopranos begins, viewers are immediately thrown back into the world of Tony Soprano and his dysfunctional family. The opening episode, titled Members Only, picks up where the previous season left off and immediately sets the stage for the drama to come.

The episode opens with a shot of Tony walking through a dimly lit parking garage, dressed in a black leather jacket and a fedora. He stops to light a cigarette, and as he does so, a tense and ominous bassline begins to play. This simple but effective sequence sets the tone for the rest of the episode, as well as the season as a whole.

One of the major themes of Members Only is the passing of time and the changes that occur over the course of a lifetime. This is symbolized by various characters - some of whom we haven't seen in a while - returning to the fold and grappling with the changes that have taken place since we last saw them.

One of these characters is Bobby Bacala, played by Steve Schirripa. Bobby, who is now a made man in the Soprano crime family, is shown attending a train show with his young daughter. This seemingly innocuous scene is actually quite revealing, as it shows just how different Bobby's life has become from the one he used to lead.

Another character who makes a surprise return is Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent), a member of the Lupertazzi crime family who has a longstanding beef with Tony. Phil's reappearance adds an extra layer of tension to an already volatile situation, and fans of the show will be on the edge of their seats wondering how this new dynamic will affect the overall story.

Along with these returning characters, we are introduced to some new faces as well. One of the most notable is Agent Harris (Matt Servitto), a member of the FBI who has worked with Tony in the past. Harris is shown struggling with his own demons, which adds an interesting wrinkle to the usual cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the mob.

Of course, no episode of The Sopranos would be complete without some family drama, and Members Only delivers in spades. Tony's relationship with his wife Carmela, played by Edie Falco, is shown to be in a fragile state, as they struggle to deal with their own personal issues as well as their responsibilities to their children.

This theme extends to Tony's relationship with his nephew Christopher (Michael Imperioli), who is shown to be battling his own demons. Christopher has always been one of the show's most complex and fascinating characters, and his arc in this episode lays the groundwork for what could be an explosive season.

Another standout moment comes when Tony is forced to take action against a member of his own family. This scene is a brutal reminder of the violence that underpins the entire series, and sets the stage for what is sure to be a bloody and intense season.

Overall, Members Only is a strong start to what is arguably one of the best seasons of television ever made. With its themes of family, betrayal, and the passing of time, this episode sets the stage for an unforgettable finale to one of the most iconic shows of all time.