Following a thirty year absence, Kenneth Forbes is summoned back to his home town, Grants Ferry, Vermont, to settle his recently deceased Aunt Fanny's estate. Still furious at his escape all those years ago, Fanny takes elaborate revenge through her will. Kenneth inherits her considerable holdings but with strict criteria and a challenge that risks everything if he fails. The alternative to failure or simply walking away, at least in Kenneth's mind, is even worse. Add the people Kenneth left behind when he ran away, the steady decay of the town itself, and what Kenneth views as provincial simplicity of the generation now in charge, and Kenneth finds himself soundly ensnared in Fanny's trap. Grants Ferry's history is long and peppered with local characters, often a touch eccentric, who create a pleasant mix of humor, cruelty, tenderness, and violence.

Six-volume box set containing the entire first series of the acclaimed drama centred around a New Jersey Mafia family. In 'The Sopranos (Pilot)', Tony Soprano sees a psychiatrist when family problems become too much for him. '46 Long' sees acting family boss Giacomo 'Jackie' Aprile seriously ill with cancer, while Tony becomes reluctantly embroiled in a power struggle with Uncle Junior. In 'Denial, Anger, Acceptance', Mickey Palmice stirs up further trouble between Tony and Junior. In 'Meadowlands', Jackie's death forces Tony to decide whether he really wants to make a play for control of the family or allow Uncle Junior to step in, while 'College' sees Tony becoming convinced that he has seen snitch Fabian Petrulio, who testified against the family years earlier before entering the witness protection programme. In 'Pax Soprana', Tony is displeased when Junior begins taxing his associates and keeping the money for himself, but surprises his shrink, Dr Melfi, with a kiss. 'Down Neck' sees Anthony Junior suspended from school for stealing the sacramental wine, with Tony feeling responsible as a result. In 'The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti', the boys are forced to leave Larry Boy's daughter's wedding early when they discover that they are to be indicted. 'Boca' sees Tony getting even with Uncle Junior after he is humiliated on the golf course. In 'A Hit is a Hit', Christopher and Adriana encounter gangster rapper 'Massive Genius', while Tony feels like an outsider when his neighbour invites him for a round of golf with friends. 'Nobody Knows Anything' sees Jimmy and Pussy arrested in an FBI raid, while Jimmy pays the Sopranos a visit upon his release from prison. In 'Isabella', a depressed Tony seeks solace with Italian student Isabella, but is advised by FBI agent Harris to relocate in order to protect his family. 'I Dream of Jeannie Cusamano' sees Tony warning Dr Melfi that her life is in danger, and a meal at Artie's temporarily staving off the disintegration of the family.

"It's business...we're soldiers...
We follow codes."

The SopranosSM-a TV show about a New Jersey Mafia capo with major problems. His mother wants him dead. His psychiatrist is stymied, and the FBI takes a dangerous interest in his business life. Here are five of the best episodes picked by series creator David Chase and certain to be treasured by fans, studied by screenwriters, and appreciated by everyone who loves great TV.

• PILOT: Tony's sessions with his shrink focus on his life, his panic attacks, and the ducks in his swimming pool. Uncle Junior wants to use Tony's childhood friend's restaurant to whack a guy, so Tony "protects" his friend by blowing up the place.

• COLLEGE: While driving his daughter around Maine for college interviews, Tony discovers and garrotes a mob informant who betrayed the family.

• THE HAPPY WANDERER: After a disastrous high-stakes poker game, terrified loser David Scatino gives his son's SUV to Tony. His payments for his debt have just begun.

• THE KNIGHT IN WHITE SATIN ARMOR: Tony's Russian mistress attempts suicide; his sister shoots her fiancé, Richie, whose remains get processed in the back of Satriale's pork store.

• PINE BARRENS: Christopher and Paulie try to dispose of a Russian gangster Paulie chokes during a bungled errand. But the Russian turns out to be very much alive...

Includes an introduction by David Chase, dialogue that never made it to the screen, and eight pages of behind-the-scenes color photographs.