"The Test Dream" is the 63rd episode of the HBO television series The Sopranos and the 11th episode of the show's fifth season. Written by series creator/executive producer David Chase and supervising producer Matthew Weiner, and directed by longtime series director Allen Coulter, it originally aired in the United States on May 16, 2004. This episode is unique in that it features an elaborate 20-minute dream sequence, alluded to in the title, featuring many actors from past seasons briefly reprising their roles.

Starring

• = credit only

Guest starring

• Leslie Bega as Valentina La Paz • Annette Bening as herself / Mrs. DeTrolio • Chris Caldovino as Billy Leotardo • John Fiore as Gigi Cestone • Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo • John Heard as Vin Makazian / Mr. DeTrolio • Will Janowitz as Finn DeTrolio • Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi • Joe Pantoliano as Ralph Cifaretto • Vincent Pastore as Big Pussy Bonpensiero • David Proval as Richie Aprile • Richard Portnow as Harold Melvoin • Joe Santos as Angelo Garepe • Al Sapienza as Mikey Palmice • Annabella Sciorra as Gloria Trillo • Joseph Siravo as Johnny Boy Soprano • Frank Vincent as Phil Leotardo • Charley Scalies as Coach Molinaro • Rae Allen as Aunt Quintina Blundetto • Dennis Aloia as Justin Blundetto • Kevin Aloia as Jason Blundetto • Jimmy Collins as Charlie Garepe • Roslyn Ruff as Sharice, Plaza Receptionist • Didi Wong as Jade Escort • Angel Feliciano as Bellman

Synopsis

Cooking for Tony, his girlfriend Valentina accidentally sets fire to the sleeve of her nylon kimono and is badly burned. After visiting her in a hospital burn unit, he calls on Tony B. Tony notices that his cousin is behaving erratically but does not know the reason. Tony B has just learned that Angelo, his former cellmate and close friend, has been murdered by Phil and Billy Leotardo. Tony B says he has to leave soon with his sons, so Tony himself leaves. Tony checks into a luxury suite at the Plaza Hotel and nearly runs into Dr. Melfi there. When evening comes, a bored Tony starts drinking and nuisance-calls Charmaine Bucco, to whom he is attracted; she tells her unknown caller to stop it. After asking for an Asian girl from an escort agency, Tony receives a voicemail from Silvio telling him about Angelo's murder. He immediately tries to call Tony B, who is already on the move and is not answering his phone. He also frantically calls Tony B's casino, Aunt Quintina, and the Bada Bing, telling everyone to let Tony B know he is looking for him. The escort arrives and, at some point, Tony falls asleep and has a long and vivid dream. Tony awakens with a start. Shortly afterward, he receives a visit from Christopher, who tells him that Tony B has killed Billy and wounded Phil. Tony goes to bed and, though it is not dawn yet, calls Carmela. He says, "I had one of my Coach Molinaro dreams." She is half asleep and they have a gentle, slow conversation.

Deceased

Title reference

Production

References to past episodes

Other cultural references

Music

Reception

Television Without Pity graded this episode with an A. For The Star-Ledger, Alan Sepinwall described the dream sequence as "either brilliant or wildly self-indulgent". The New York Times published an analysis of the dream sequence on May 18, 2004, with television critic Julie Salamon desribing it as "the longest dream anyone could remember on television". The story also quoted psychiatry professor Glen Gabbard: "The dream had a level of depth and complexity that you almost never see on television."