The Sopranos: 10 Most Disturbing Episodes

Perhaps the first classic episode of The Sopranos starts off on a warm note - Tony and daughter Meadow driving out of state to visit some universities. By the end, we’re under no illusions as to what kind of man our chosen protagonist really is.

We’re well aware that Tony is a mafioso. We even see him beating down a debtor early in the first episode, presented with a verve that belies the violence of the act. In “College”, though, we see Tony take a life for the first time, and in the most unflinching, brutal manner imaginable.

Through the episode, Tony stalks an old colleague, a former mobster who turned state’s witness. The man has built a new life away from Jersey, and is petrified to find himself face to face with his past. Tony’s monomania is petrifying, veering off the road to keep a tail on his target and abandoning his family trip in pursuit of vengeance.

And then, he catches his prey, and chokes the life out of the snitch. On the ride home, Meadow knows something’s wrong - her father is dishevelled, his hands cut - but she drops the questioning quickly. This is the guy we have to follow for the rest of the series.