"Join the Club" is the 67th episode overall and the second episode of the sixth season of the HBO television drama series The Sopranos. Written by series creator/executive producer David Chase and directed by David Nutter, it premiered on March 19, 2006 in the United States.

Starring

• = credit only

Guest starring

Also guest starring

• Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile • Ho Chow as Monk #2 • Tony Darrow as Larry Barese • Danielle Di Vecchio as Barbara Soprano Giglione • Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo • Will Janowitz as Finn DeTrolio • Michael Kelly as Agent Goddard • Sheila Kelley as Lee • C.S. Lee as Dr. Ba • Ron Leibman as Dr. Lior Plepler • Arthur J. Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi • Henry O as Monk #1 • Matt Servitto as Agent Harris • Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante • Wendy Hammers as Fake Carmela (voice) • Suzanne Di Donna as Deanne Pontecervo • Danny Johnson as Detective DeLeon • Ted Koch as Detective Klinger • Taleb Adlah as Ahmed • Donnie Keshawarz as Muhammad • Lee R. Sellars as Salesman • Christopher Evan Welch as ER Doctor • Jay Edwards as Psychologist • Edward Watts as Bartender • Emily Vaughan as Conference Center Host • Morgan Saylor as Young Meadow (voice) • Thomas Russo as Robbie Pontecorvo • Grace Van Patten as Ally Pontecorvo • Jason Loftus as Bell Hop • Amy Kean as TV Reporter • Brianna and Kimberly Laughlin as Domenica Baccalieri • Austin Jones as Omni Clerk • Anjali Bhimani as Dr. Budraja • Eli Harris as Camera Man

Synopsis

Two days after being shot by Junior, Tony remains in an induced coma. Doctors encourage Carmela and others to talk to him and play music in hope of recovery. However, they also warn that he could die or be left with brain damage. Carmela, Christopher, Meadow and Barbara keep a vigil over Tony, while Janice sobs uncontrollably whenever she sees him. Meanwhile, a confused Junior is held in custody and denies that he shot his nephew. At Eugene’s wake, Silvio assumes Tony's responsibilities as acting boss; it is decided to cut Junior off from the Soprano family, making Tony the official boss if he survives. Chris, Paulie and Vito vie for small opportunities to assist Tony's family during the crisis, such as sending presents to his room and bickering over giving a ride home to A.J. Alone with Tony, Carmela passionately expresses her love for him. Meadow reads him a translation of the poem Pater Noster by Jacques Prévert. A.J. becomes increasingly withdrawn and avoids Tony's hospital room, claiming to have a stomach flu. He admits to Meadow that he is embarrassed and angered by the actions of his family. A.J. finally gathers enough courage to talk to his father when they are alone, and vows to kill Junior. Afterward, he admits to Carmela that he has flunked out of college. She looks at him in stunned disbelief but holds in her anger and sends him away. At Satriale's Pork Store, Chris encounters FBI Agents Dwight Harris and Ron Goddard, who ask him to pass along any information he might hear about terrorist activities. At the Bada Bing, he talks briefly with two Arab men who are now regulars there. While he is in a coma, Tony has a long dream-like experience that is woven through the episode. Tony briefly awakens from his coma and rips out his breathing tube. The dream resumes when he is placed in another coma.

First appearances

Title reference

Production

References to prior episodes

Other cultural references

Music

Reception

"Join the Club" was watched by 9.18 million American viewers on its premiere date. Since its premiere, "Join the Club" has frequently been singled out by critics as one of the best episodes of the series. Edie Falco's performance was highly praised.