It has been nearly two years since season five of The Sopranos ended, and with season six beginning soon, chances are you've forgotten what major events took place when we last saw Tony and the family. Here is a run-down of what happened during the explosive fifth season on The Sopranos.
In the beginning of season five, Tony and Carmela are still separated and very much at odds with each other. Guilt drove Tony to buy AJ ridiculously expensive presents, all the while withholding money from Carmela.
Tony's favorite cousin, Tony Blundetto (played by Steve Buscemi) was paroled from prison, but refused to join Tony in the family business. Instead, he decided to become a massage therapist.
Carmine, Sr. had a massive stroke and died, which as a result, pitted Johnny Sack up against little Carmine. Johnny made his move to take over the family business, but not without a major power struggle. Eventually, after much blood is shed, little Carmine decided the business isn't for him and Johnny became the undisputed crime boss of the New York family.
Janice married Bobby Bacala. After several violent altercations, Bobby insisted that Janice attend anger management classes or their marriage would be over. Janice's personality was noticeably changed.
Tony revealed his true feelings for Dr. Melfi, who of course, rebuffed his advances, but secretly harbored an attraction to him.
Adriana continued working with the Feds. About halfway through season five, she and Tony grew closer. One night, while scoring some coke in Dover, NJ, the two of them were in an accident, sustaining minor injuries. The rumor mill got out of control, leading up to Christopher beating Adriana and then gunning for Tony. After a major confrontation between Tony and Chris, all was well in the family again -- for a little while anyway.
Carmela had a brief affair with AJ's English teacher, Mr. Wegler.
After trying out the massage business, having a confrontation with Kim, the massage parlor investor, and becoming increasingly jealous of Tony's wealth and power, Tony B. decided to get back into the business. However, after making several big mistakes (whacking some of Johnny Sack's guys), Johnny and Tony had a sit-down, where Johnny insisted that Tony "do something" about his cousin. Tony told Johnny he wanted to take care of it himself, but Johnny refused, telling Tony the death with be long and painful. Tony took matters into his own hands and put a bullet in his cousin's head.
After discovering Adriana trying to dispose of evidence in a murder, the Feds come down hard on Adriana, who in turn offered to get Christopher to work with them to bring down Tony. Christopher initially flipped out, but calmed down and went out for cigarettes. Adriana received a phone call from Tony, who told her Chris tried to commit suicide and Silvio was on his way to pick her up and take her to the hospital to be with Chris. Silvio takes Adriana into the woods and fires a couple shots into her, leaving her for dead.
Tony and Carmela finally reunite, but she tells Tony no more affairs. He swears on the lives of their children and he moves back into the house. Carmela also tells Tony she wants to get into the real estate business and demands $600,000 to invest in a property.
In the finale, Tony and Johnny Sack finally made peace with each other, but their reunion was short-lived when the FBI showed up. Johnny was caught, while Tony escaped to safety. After speaking to his lawyer, Tony learned they weren't after him; the FBI only wanted Johnny, as it was a Brooklyn sting operation.
What can fans expect this season? New challenges abound for Tony Soprano as his life grows increasingly complicated. Now that he and Carmela are back together, they must face the reality that their kids are no longer children, but not yet grown. And with Johnny Sack in prison, the always-tense relations between the New Jersey and New York families are strained even further.
The Sopranos returns on March 12, 2006 for the sixth and final season.
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