In the series' third episode, a crime family confronts the possibility of a future power struggle. Meadow Soprano (
Jamie-Lynn Sigler), the daughter of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (
James Gandolfini), takes crystal methamphetamines with a friend in order to help them study for the SATs. Tony visits his dying Mafia superior, Jackie Aprile (
Michael Rispoli), in the hospital and presents him with a gift: a hooker dressed as a nurse. Mikey Palmice (
Al Sapienza), the top lieutenant of Tony's rival and uncle, Junior (
Dominic Chianese), is convinced that Tony will make a grab for top boss after Jackie's death, and he begins to convince Junior that his nephew should be whacked. Tony, his henchman Paulie Walnuts (
Tony Sirico), and another Soprano lieutenant, Silvio Dante (
Steven Van Zandt), deal with a Hasidic family of motel owners who refuse to pay protection money. After hiring family friends Artie Bucco (
John Ventimiglia) and his wife Charmaine (
Kathrine Narducci) to cater a party, Tony's wife, Carmela (
Edie Falco), learns that her husband slept with Charmaine in high school. Soprano associate Christopher Moltisanti (
Michael Imperioli) tries to make a botched truck hijacking right by returning stolen goods to Junior, but the mob capo still orders Christopher's pal, Brendan Filone (
Anthony de Sando), murdered and Christopher to be threatened. Airing on January 24, 1999, "Denial, Anger, Acceptance" was directed by independent feature filmmaker
Nick Gomez (
New Jersey Drive, Illtown). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide