The Best Episodes of The Sopranos Season 3

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.6/10(9933 votes)

   #1 - Mr. Ruggerio's Neighborhood

   S3:E13/4/2001

   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.

   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:David Chase

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:David Chase
2. 

   8.6/10(9865 votes)

   #2 - Proshai, Livushka

   S3:E23/4/2001

   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.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:David Chase

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:David Chase
3. 

   8.4/10(9139 votes)

   #3 - Fortunate Son

   S3:E33/11/2001

   Christopher finds that being a 'made' man isn't all it's cracked up to be. Meanwhile, Janice moves into her mother's house, where she soon gets a leg up on Livia's former housekeeper.

   Director:Henry J. Bronchtein

   Writer:Todd A. Kessler

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   Director:Henry J. Bronchtein

   Writer:Todd A. Kessler
4. 

   9.1/10(10991 votes)

   #4 - Employee of the Month

   S3:E43/18/2001

   Dr. Melfi's attempts to steer Tony into behavior-modification therapy take a detour when a personal crisis gets in the way. Meanwhile, Ralph Cifaretto finds a way to endear himself to Jackie Jr.--but not to Tony.

   Director:John Patterson

   Writers:Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green

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   Director:John Patterson

   Writers:Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green
5. 

   8.6/10(9399 votes)

   #5 - Another Toothpick

   S3:E53/25/2001

   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.

   Director:Jack Bender

   Writer:Terence Winter

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   Director:Jack Bender

   Writer:Terence Winter
6. 

   8.7/10(10044 votes)

   #6 - University

   S3:E64/1/2001

   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.

   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Unknown
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7. 

   8.3/10(8881 votes)

   #7 - Second Opinion

   S3:E74/8/2001

   Tony convinces Uncle Junior to seek a second opinion for his cancer treatment. Meanwhile, Carmela debates whether or not to take Dr. Melfi's advice and see a shrink, Big Pussy's wife Angie regrets asking Carmela for some money to help her sick dog, and Christopher continues to endure a humiliating probation period at the hands of kinky Paulie.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Lawrence Konner

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Lawrence Konner
8. 

   8.2/10(8768 votes)

   #8 - He Is Risen

   S3:E84/15/2001

   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.

   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writers:Todd A. Kessler, Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writers:Todd A. Kessler, Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green
9. 

   8.0/10(8770 votes)

   #9 - The Telltale Moozadell

   S3:E94/22/2001

   Tony gives Carmela a sapphire ring for her birthday...and Christopher gives Adriana her very own music club. Anthony Jr. gets busted for vandalizing the school swimming pool, but finds the punishment doesn't fit the crime. Tony test-drives a new Mercedes--and the Mercedes saleswoman, Gloria.

   Director:Dan Attias

   Writer:Michael Imperioli

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   Director:Dan Attias

   Writer:Michael Imperioli
10. 

    8.5/10(9005 votes)

    #10 - To Save Us All from Satan's Power

    S3:E104/29/2001

    A somnolent visit with the ghosts of Christmas past lands Tony back on Melfi's couch. With the annual pork-store holiday party approaching, Bacala reluctantly agrees to don the Santa suit that Pussy used to wear. Tony and Furio have a holiday surprise in store for the Russian who roughed up Janice.

    Director:Jack Bender

    Writers:Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green

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    Director:Jack Bender

    Writers:Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green
11. 

    9.7/10(20814 votes)

    #11 - Pine Barrens

    S3:E115/6/2001

    Paulie and Christopher are engulfed in a nightmarish journey into the South Jersey woods while trying to collect a debt from a Russian mobster. Meanwhile, Meadow is suspicious that Jackie Jr. is two-timing her, and Tony finds that family demands are jeopardizing his romance with Gloria.

    Director:Steve Buscemi

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Steve Buscemi

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    9.2/10(10479 votes)

    #12 - Amour Fou

    S3:E125/13/2001

    Inspired by a tale from Ralph about how his father got 'made,' Jackie Jr. decides to 'make his move' in organized crime by instigating a robbery caper at a local card game. Reminded by Melfi of the psychological parallels between his relationships with Gloria and with his mother, Tony finds it harder and harder to spend time with his 'crazy love.'

    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writer:Unknown
13. 

    9.1/10(10132 votes)

    #13 - Army of One

    S3:E135/20/2001

    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.

    Director:John Patterson

    Writers:David Chase, Lawrence Konner

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    Director:John Patterson

    Writers:David Chase, Lawrence Konner