"Stage 5" is the 79th episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos, the second episode of the second half of the show's sixth season, and the 14th episode of the season overall. It was written by Terence Winter and directed by Alan Taylor, and originally aired on April 15, 2007.

Starring

• = credit only

Guest starring

Also guest starring

• Sydney Pollack as Warren Feldman • Peter Bogdanovich as Dr. Elliot Kupferberg • Daniel Baldwin as himself/Sally Boy • Jonathan LaPaglia as Michael the Cleaver • Gregory Antonacci as Butch DeConcini • John Bianco as Gerry Torciano • Denise Borino as Ginny Sacrimoni • Cara Buono as Kelli Lombardo Moltisanti • John "Cha Cha" Ciarcia as Albie Cianflone • Dan Conte as Faustino "Doc" Santoro • Miryam Coppersmith as Sophia Baccalieri • Tim Daly as J.T. Dolan • Tony Darrow as Lawrence "Larry Boy" Barese • Michael Kelly as Agent Ron Goddard • Marianne Leone as Joanne Moltisanti • Geraldine LiBrandi as Patty Leotardo • Lou Martini Jr. as Anthony Infante • Angelo Massagli as Bobby Baccalieri III • Christopher McDonald as Eddie Dunne • Cristin Milioti as Catherine Sacrimoni • Arthur J. Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi • Dania Ramirez as Blanca Selgado • Anthony J. Ribustello as Dante Greco • Geraldo Rivera as himself • Matt Servitto as Agent Dwight Harris • Caitlin Van Zandt as Allegra Marie Sacrimoni • Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante • Matthew Weiner as Manny Safier • John Wu as Morgan Yam • Seth Barrish as Dr. Uri Rosen • Jerry Capeci as himself • Maulik Pancholy as Dr. Ajit Gupte • Kevin McKelvey as U.S. Marshal Lawrence Lunt • Ariana DiLorenzo as Alexandra Lupertazzi • Jane Kim as Dominique • Allison Dunbar as Nicole Lupertazzi • Kobi and Kadin George as Hector Selgado • Guy A. Fortt as Guard • Susan Porro as J.T. Dolan's Girlfriend • Maria Iadonisi as Larry Barese's Wife • Sam Semenza as Carmine Lupertazzi III • Anna Mancini as Donna Parisi • Lenny Ligotti as Nicky • George Pogatsia as Frankie

Synopsis

Johnny Sack is transferred to a prison hospital after being diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. He dies with his wife and two daughters at his bedside. In New York, Phil forgoes leadership of the Lupertazzi family in favor of his protégé, Gerry Torciano. However, at dinner in a restaurant with Silvio, Gerry is killed on the orders of Faustino "Doc" Santoro. Tony, furious that Sil was put in danger, urges Little Carmine to vie again for control of the Lupertazzis. Carmine declines; his wife has said, "I don't want to be the wealthiest widow on Long Island." On what would have been Billy's 47th birthday, Phil bitterly speaks to Butch about his "weakness", in particular after Billy was killed; he says there will be no more compromise. Meadow has broken up with Finn, while Blanca is getting fed up with A.J. Tony is approached by FBI agents Harris and Goddard, who ask him to pass on anything he notices at the Newark docks that might concern terrorism. Tony turns his back on them. Christopher finishes his Mafia-themed slasher film, Cleaver. Following the film's premiere in New York City, Tony congratulates Christopher and mingles with the Lupertazzis and the cast at the after-party. Tony does not see it at first, but Carmela notes a similarity between the film's love triangle and Christopher's suspicion that Tony had an affair with Adriana; Carmela sees the violent murder of the antagonist as Christopher's "revenge fantasy" against Tony. She confronts Christopher; she is doubtful about his depiction of Tony (and also about Adriana's whereabouts). He denies any similarities but is worried about what Tony might think. Christopher asks his screenwriter, J.T. Dolan, to tell Tony that the character was his idea. When J.T. refuses, Christopher hits him over the head with a Humanitas Prize trophy. J.T. then visits the Bada Bing and tells Tony that he stole the characters and plot from the film Born Yesterday. Tony seems to doubt J.T.'s account, but watches Born Yesterday at home. Later, he painfully admits to Dr. Melfi that he believes Christopher despises him, and that Cleaver illustrates his hatred. He recalls being a father figure to Christopher. Melfi asks Tony to cautiously evaluate if he is not "reading into things," but he replies that his sessions with her have taught him enough about the human subconscious. At the baptism of Christopher's daughter, Tony and Chris embrace closely, but their eyes belie the closeness.

Deceased

Final appearance

Title reference

Production

References to prior episodes

Other cultural references

Music