The Sopranos S1E5 Recap: "College"

Welcome back to another episode of pplpod! Today, we are breaking down "College," the critically acclaimed fifth episode of the first season of the HBO television drama series, The Sopranos.

In this episode recap, we dive into Tony Soprano's unforgettable road trip to Maine to visit prospective colleges with his daughter, Meadow. We unpack their rare moment of mutual honesty where Meadow directly asks Tony if he is "in the Mafia," while she confesses to taking methamphetamine to study for her SATs. The college tour quickly turns deadly when Tony spots Fabian "Febby" Petrulio, a former DiMeo crime family member turned informant who is now hiding in witness protection under the alias "Fred Peters".

Meanwhile, back in New Jersey, we analyze Carmela Soprano's deeply vulnerable night with the family priest, Father Phil Intintola. We discuss Carmela's confession regarding her fears for her family's soul, the tension between her and Father Phil, and the aftermath of their evening together.

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia & TV History:

• The HBO Controversy: We discuss how series creator David Chase fought with HBO executives who originally objected to Tony murdering Febby. HBO feared that fans would turn on the show's protagonist, but Chase argued that sparing the mob rat would make Tony look weak—a decision that forever changed the landscape of the television antihero.
• Location Secrets: Did you know the picturesque Maine college scenes were actually filmed at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey?
• Award-Winning Television: We highlight how this iconic episode earned Edie Falco her very first Primetime Emmy Award win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and secured James Manos Jr. and David Chase an Emmy for Outstanding Writing.

Ranked second on TV Guide's prestigious list of the "100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time," "College" is frequently cited as the best episode of the series by publications like Time and Entertainment Weekly.

Whether you're a first-time viewer or a hardcore mob history buff doing a rewatch, tune in to pplpod as we review the legacy, the cinematography, and the brilliant writing of The Sopranos!