David Scatino, the father of Meadow's friend Eric and the owner of a local sports store, gets on the bad sides of both Richie and Tony when he loses big in two poker games. Paying his respects at a funeral, Tony is forced to deal with the presence of Livia.

Although Richie is miffed at Tony for forcing him to build a ramp for the pizza-parlor owner he paralyzed, he decides to make a peace offering. Unhappy with their lowly status as Christopher's lackeys, Sean and Matt decide to pledge their allegiance to Richie--through a violent, unexpected act.

Tony's concerns that his mother will rat him out to the feds expire when she, literally, does. Later, Janice arrives to arrange the funeral, which takes a bizarre turn.

Bobby 'Bacala' Baccilieri Sr. comes out of retirement to deal with a young hothead named Mustang Sally--much to the chagrin of his son and Uncle Junior.

Ralph's volatile relationship with a Bada Bing stripper and his obsession with the movie 'Gladiator' combine to put a damper on several boys'-nights-out sessions at the club. Meanwhile, at Columbia, Meadow's relationship with Noah is put to the test by her needy roommate Caitlin.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Tony's feud with Ralph escalates, despite the intervention of Johnny Sack. At a frat-house mixer, Meadow and Jackie Jr. find they have more in common than mob-boss dads.

Yet another academic misstep by A.J. forces his parents to contemplate military school. Tony orders Ralph to deal personally with the Jackie Jr. situation, and later seems to take Ralph's side in a money dispute with Paulie. Once again, the family gathers in Artie Bucco's restaurant, where Meadow reflects on being a Soprano.

Tony invests in a land deal despite Carmela's concerns about money. Junior faces his own financial woes as his trial approaches. Adriana brings her new friend to the Soprano Sunday dinner, but Adriana has no idea who Danielle is working for. Tony bonds with Christopher by giving him the opportunity to avenge the murder of his father.

With Paulie in jail, Christopher becomes acting capo, but he gets off to a bad start with Patsy. Still troubled by Jackie Jr.'s death, Meadow contemplates taking a year off from college to travel. Meanwhile, Adriana is in a bind after ending her friendship with Daniele, and Silvio discusses a misunderstanding at a Newark riverfront construction site.

Silvio and Ralph must take care of a planned protest of the Columbus Day parade by a Native American group. At an Italian pride ladies' lunch, Carmela is embarrassed by anti-Mafia remarks. Meanwhile, Ralph deals with new relationship troubles, and Bobby receives some tough news.

A disparaging remark about his wife sets Johnny Sack off on a vendetta. Meadow decides to do volunteer work at the South Bronx Law Center; Furio hosts a housewarming party for the gang; Silvio and Chris make an offer to an old-time hit man named Lou DiMaggio; and Tony and Carmela find themselves at odds over the family's bill-consolidation strategy.

Checking out Ralph's promising new filly at the track, Tony displays a flair for horse-racing strategy--and discovers an unexpected affinity for the stable life. Adriana finds her rock club being used as a place of business for Chris and his pals. Meanwhile, a court artist incurs the wrath of Uncle Junior, and Janice feeds Bobby in his hour of need.

After hiring an attractive French hostess, Elodi, Artie agrees to loan her brother some money, with interest. Meanwhile, Christopher gets some new responsibilities; Carmela fixes Furio up with an oral hygienist; Anthony Jr. becomes the 'dough boy' of a new rich girlfriend; and Tony receives some unsettling news about an old acquaintance.

Tony and the gang throw Paulie a Bada Bing bash after his release from jail, but it doesn't take long for old tensions to resurface. Carmela's cousin Brian throws out a hypothetical investment scenario that Tony and Ralph attempt to turn into reality with the help of Assemblyman Zellman and a black community leader.

After an aggressive team of reporters lowers the boom on Uncle Junior, his lawyers try a new strategy. Ralph has some fun at the expense of Paulie and his mother, but soon winds up with his own family problems. Meanwhile, Tony again finds refuge at the stables.

At therapy, Tony likens himself to the 'sad clown,' but Melfi doesn't buy into his melancholy portrait. Meanwhile, Carmela drags A.J. with her to Furio's house to offer decorating tips and companionship; Paulie puts the finishing touches on some free artwork; and Christopher finds himself at a crossroads.

After a sitdown with Carmine and Johnny Sack, Tony contemplates the future of the HUD partnership. Meanwhile, Paulie blows off steam with an old pal; Janice starts losing patience with the obsessive Bobby; and Melfi ponders the Freudian undercurrents of Tony's latest dreams.

Tony continues to haggle with Johnny Sack and the two Carmines over the Esplanade profits. Carmela makes a decorating date she can't keep; Furio proves a reluctant companion to Tony on a casino junket; Paulie plays an impatient chaperone to some ladies from the nursing home; and Meadow debates the true meaning of a literary classic with her mom.

A flood of organized crime parolees changes the landscape of the Soprano/Lupertazzi alliance. Janice carries on the family's Sunday dinner tradition. Carmela and A.J. commune with local wildlife. Christopher balks at footing the bill on 'goomar night.' Tony tries to introduce Dr. Melfi to his 'other' self.

Tony sizes up a contractor's gift, then reunites with his paroled cousin, Tony Blundetto. Paulie and Christopher relive some not-so-special memories. Carmela launches a film club. Adriana grapples with her guilt. A familiar figure 'crosses over.'

Tony's power-sharing plan doesn't fly with Johnny Sack, who makes his point through a bookie named Lorraine Calluzzo. Out on parole, Feech La Manna crosses Paulie in his attempt to break into the landscaping business. Tony gets a roommate. Junior looks into the past while testing the patience of those closest to him.

Carmela and Tony reunite, if only to discuss Anthony Jr.'s dwindling college prospects. Feech takes Tony's crew on a trip down memory lane. Lorraine's allegiances get her into hot water. A.J. has a night to remember in the Big Apple.

While Christopher is away, Tony gives Adriana a ride home that proves disastrous. Meanwhile, the Soprano crew plays a game of 'telephone' with the story that turns it into something far more sinister when an enraged Christopher gets wind of it.

With her son's future at stake, Carmela puts in some extra time with his college advisor, Robert Wegler. Meanwhile, Tony Blundetto realizes it's hard doing business with strangers, and A.J. concludes there's no place like home.

His father's longtime goomar sheds light on some of Tony's lingering emotional and financial mysteries. Meanwhile, Junior sees the upside of attending the funerals of fringe relations, while Christopher sees the downside of enabling an A.A. friend's new addiction.

A rumor involving his cousin puts Tony's relationship with Johnny Sack back on thin ice. Meadow helps get her boyfriend Finn a job. A.J. ponders a 'maximum-security summer' at Casa Carmela. Melfi links Tony's current guilt to a past job. Carmela learns that good legal help is hard to find.

Tony B. and Christopher unearth some old memories during an otherwise idyllic trip to the country. Tony and Carmela plan another party. Janice lands in anger-management therapy after a sports-rage incident. Benny and Terry solve a missing-Vespa mystery. Tony puts his sister's newfound serenity to the test.

With the feds pulling a new trump card, Adriana ponders her options. Tony B. unloads some heavy baggage on Tony, and vice-versa. Johnny Sack makes Tony an offer he can refuse, and Tony offers Carmela a deal to make her real-estate dreams come true.

In the Season Five finale, Tony's crew circles the wagons as Johnny Sack turns up the heat. Carmela counts her blessings. Christopher is freaked out by an unexpected visitor. Benny's connection to the plumber's union comes in handy. A.J. demonstrates his business acumen. Tony ponders whether to execute a 'sacrifice bunt.'

Gene Pontecorvo makes a final break from the mob life, while Junior's paranoid delusions could be the end of Tony.

The family tries to cope with Tony's hospitalization and possibly impending death, while Tony begins to hallucinate a new life parallel to his own.

While the gang begins to turn on itself, Tony finds himself at the threshold.

Tony goes home and returns to business, perhaps with a new frame of mind. Paulie receives a shock about his mother.

Johnny Sack asks for permission to get out of jail for his daughters wedding; Tony's on the look out for personal protection.

Tony seeks guidance from overseas to solve a local problem; and decides whether a top earner deserves another chance.

Vito considers starting a new life in New Hampshire, while Anthony continues his pursuit of revenge against Junior.

Tony reflects on how growing up with Janice colors his attitudes now, while Vito tries to make a new life for himself in New Hampshire.

Phil takes out his revenge on Vito, while Tony grows frustrated with Anthony's lack of ambition or work ethic.