Tony assumes the role of boss of the family after Junior is indicted on 12 RICO counts. Meanwhile, Christopher begins selling phony stocks to senior citizens, Pussy is discovered alive, and Livia, recovering from her stroke, is visited by Tony's older sister, Janice.

Pussy gets a visit from FBI agent Skip Lipari and ends up becoming a rat for the Fed's case against Tony. Meanwhile, Livia is convinced that Tony and Janice are planning on getting rid of her ... literally, whilst elsewhere, Junior gets out of jail on a medical release.

Jackie Aprile's brother, Richie, returns to Jersey after being in prison for 10 years. However, Richie dislikes the way that Tony is running the family and decides to have a chat with Junior. Meanwhile, Meadow throws a party at Livia's house and comes home drunk.

Tony and the guys decide to visit Italy, but Carmela stays home and contemplates their marriage. While there, Tony finds himself attracted to Annalisa who happens to be the daughter of another mob boss. Meanwhile, Angie tells Carmella that she wants to divorce Pussy.

Furio Giunta, the newest member of Tony's crew, has arrived from Italy and thanks to Artie Bucco is now the head mozzarella maker at the restaurant - which upsets Christopher and Pussy. Meanwhile, Dr Melfi calls Tony and asks him to resume his therapy sessions.

Tony decides to lie to Dr Melfi and tells her that everything in life is fine - but she knows better. Meanwhile, Meadow is upset after Tony gives her a Jeep that he won in a poker game, and Janice tells Richie he has to start standing up to Tony for his own good.

After AJ crashes his mother's car and begins denouncing God and the Catholic Church... Tony is reaching breaking point. Meanwhile, Tony also discovers Christopher has been slacking again, avoiding his duties and hanging out with a filmmaker instead.

Carmela is concerned that Meadow might not get into a good college despite her wonderful grades and SAT scores. Meanwhile, Richie tries to schmooze Tony by giving him a leather jacket he knows he's fond of, and Christopher gets caught in the crossfire outside a diner.

Christopher survives the attempt on his life, although he tells Tony and Paulie that he almost died and caught a glimpse of his afterlife. Meanwhile, Dr Melfi is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with her disgust for Tony's "profession".

A witness knows Tony was there when Matt Bevilaqua was whacked, which makes Tony realise if he does not find the person he will have to leave New Jersey. Meanwhile, Carmela becomes close to her new wallpaper guy who happens to be Davey's brother-in-law.

Tony gets warned that the Feds are still planning to come after him even though he's been cleared for the Bevilaqua death. Meanwhile, extremely unimpressed with his house arrest, Junior tries to contact his ex-girlfriend Roberta Sanfilippo.

Tony tries to break off his ties with Richie and Irina, and even goes so far as to asking Dr Melfi to find a therapist for Irina; so Richie decides it's time to make his move on Tony. Meanwhile, Janice has also had more than enough of Richie's ways.

Tony is thrilled Janice and Richie are out of his hair, so he plots to get rid of Livia as well. Meanwhile, after a plate of bad food, Tony has erotic hallucinations about Dr Melfi and also one of Pussy as a fish, which convinces him that Pussy has gone to the Feds.

Tony, now separated from Carmela, takes a romantic interest in Dr. Melfi. Johnny Sack sees an opportunity for advancement when Carmine suffers a stroke, while new parolees readjust to life on the outside and Janice adjusts to married life with Bobby.

Tony throws a party for cousin Tony Blundetto who is released on parole. The FBI continues to pressure Adriana. Carmine's passing leaves the field wide open for Johnny Sack, but Little Carmine has other ideas. Tony smells a rat and leaves a clear message for the Feds.

Feech begins to overstep when he moves in on Paulie's landscaping deals. Junior wanders around his old neighbourhood searching for long-dead friends. As the hostility in New York intensifies, Johnny Sack dispatches the Leotardo brothers to send Little Carmine a message.

Tony and Carmela argue after A.J. spends a wild night in the Big Apple. Tony is forced to make a decision about Feech when he continues to overstep his bounds. Carmela finds a romantic interest in A.J.'s counsellor, while the war in New York claims its first casualties.

Tony's intense new feelings for Adriana send him back to Dr. Melfi. While Christopher is on a business trip, the crew discusses a rumour involving Adriana. Moreover, Tony may have skin cancer.

Tony B. makes an effort to go straight as he prepares to open his own massage studio, but a mysterious bag of cash tempts him back to his old habits. A.J. moves back in with his mother after a fight with Tony, while Carmela pursues her liaison with her son's counsellor.

Tony pays a visit to his father's gravesite and meets a woman who claims to be his father's mistress. Christopher takes a friend from rehab to the executive poker game, but he soon goes from sponsor to strong-arm man when his friend can't pay his debts.

Carmela invites Tony to participate in her father's birthday party, and the evening ends in a romantic encounter. Little Carmine's men try to recruit Tony B. for a retaliation against Johnny Sack's crew. Tony B. is reluctant, but his boredom soon gets the better of him.

Rumours about Tony B's involvement in the Joey Peeps hit reach Johnny Sack, who considers going to war with Little Carmine. Carmela learns Tony has made it impossible for her to hire a divorce lawyer. Tony explores his guilt over his cousin's incarceration with Melfi.

Janice attacks a mother during her stepdaughter's soccer game and is forced to attend anger management classes. Tony must deal with his own anger as Johnny Sack launches payback against the Sopranos. Christopher and Tony B. dispose of several incriminating corpses.

Tony escapes to the Plaza Hotel for a night of rest and relaxation, but his dreams are haunted by past faces. Another casualty falls in the war between Johnny Sack and Little Carmine, and Tony B. heads to New York for revenge.

The FBI finds evidence that they use as leverage against Adriana. Adriana relents and tries to persuade Christopher to go into witness protection with her. Tony and Carmela meet over lunch and work toward a reconciliation. Johnny Sack delivers a stern ultimatum to Tony.

Tony faces pressure from his crew to give up his cousin to Johnny Sack. Tony does some soul-searching on Melfi's couch and finally decides on a course of action. Tony meets with Johnny Sack to restore peace between Jersey and New York but the Feds play a surprise card.

While the Soprano family goes about their day-to-day activities, the FBI begins an elaborate operation to bug their home. Tony ponders his options when Patsy starts asking too many questions about his brother's death.

Racial tensions flair and Tony suffers another panic attack when he meets Meadow's new boyfriend from college. The FBI finds a new member of the Soprano crew to use as a rat, while another Soprano soldier resorts to violence over garbage routes.

Melfi starts to push Tony in his therapy and Tony uncovers some disturbing memories from his childhood that may help explain his panic attacks. Paulie and Christopher clash when Christopher comes up short in his collection envelope.

Ralphie introduces Jackie Jr. to the muscle end of his business. Janice gets in over her head with the Russians when she won't back down in her feud with Svetlana. After a session with Tony, Melfi is brutally raped in the parking garage of her building.

Bobby's cancer-ridden father comes out of retirement to do a hit. Meanwhile, Junior is given some unpleasant news about his medical condition. Tony's racism again boils to the surface when he has a run-in with a black cop. Artie explores his feelings for Adriana.

Ralphie gets violent with a Bing dancer when his temper gets the better of him. He and Tony come to blows over it in the parking lot. Meadow and Noah take their relationship to a new level, but things don't stay romantic for long as Meadow's roommate causes problems.

Junior undergoes surgery for his cancer, but Tony must step in when Junior's doctor ignores his calls. Tension mounts between Paulie and Christopher as Christopher's initiation into made manhood continues. Carmela's therapist gives her some hard things to think about.

Tony's feud with Ralphie escalates when Ralphie is passed over for promotion. Meadow and Jackie grow closer, while the Soprano crew loses a member in an unexpected fashion. Tony strikes up a relationship with one of Melfi's other patients.

Tony's relationship with Gloria heats up when they pay a visit to the Bronx Zoo. A.J. is busted for vandalising his school, while Christopher gives Adriana the gift of a nightclub. Jackie Jr. tries to break into his late father's business despite Tony's discouragement.

Tony and Furio retaliate against the Russian who beat Janice. Memories of Big Pussy haunt Tony, Sylvio and Paulie as they try to find a new Santa Claus for the neighbourhood children. Tony smacks Jackie around after he catches him cheating on Meadow and carrying a gun.

While on a collection errand, Paulie and Christopher find themselves thrust into a deadly chase with a Russian in the frigid woods of South Jersey. Tony is caught between business, family obligations and Gloria's temper when he must deal with the crisis.

Tony must lay down the law with a distraught Gloria when she threatens to expose their affair to his family. Jackie seeks some advice from Ralphie and decides to pull a daring heist to prove himself, but his plans go horribly wrong when blood is spilled.

Tony and Carmela quarrel over the prospect of sending A.J. to military school after he is expelled. Ralphie is forced to make a decision about Jackie, while Meadow reflects upon her life as a Soprano.