I have to say, after all the "what happens in the finale" talk, I forgot to mention — this is one of my favorite episodes of the series.  I think AJ's suicide attempt is probably the most wrenching moment of the show,or at least tied with Adriana's death.  It gives AJ's character and the various storylines given to…

True.  (and thanks!)  I overstated it.  Probably I should have said that, even if Tony doesn't die violently, he'll be surrounded by death, and his ending will be bleak.  Even if HE doesn't die violently, he will die eventually, and like you said — it will be bleak.  There's nothing about the scene that suggests…

True.  (and thanks!)  I overstated it.  Probably I should have said that, even if Tony doesn't die violently, he'll be surrounded by death, and his ending will be bleak.  Even if HE doesn't die violently, he will die eventually, and like you said — it will be bleak.  There's nothing about the scene that suggests…

Oops!  Yeah, Chase.  And thanks!

Oops!  Yeah, Chase.  And thanks!

1) Chase has never in the series run had a major plot point take place without actually depicting it in a fairly straightforward way.  It's not about seeing him dead.  It's about there being NO overt indication that he's dead — nothing clear and unambiguous enough to have ended this debate years and years ago.  Chase…

1) Chase has never in the series run had a major plot point take place without actually depicting it in a fairly straightforward way.  It's not about seeing him dead.  It's about there being NO overt indication that he's dead — nothing clear and unambiguous enough to have ended this debate years and years ago.  Chase…

Saw that and was SO glad today was the day for the AV club review, because I wanted to mention it.  I basically agree with him, and have been trying in my own clumsy way to express that view every time this has come up.  I do believe the "Tony died" argument makes a lot of sense, but I also think that if Chase simply…

Saw that and was SO glad today was the day for the AV club review, because I wanted to mention it.  I basically agree with him, and have been trying in my own clumsy way to express that view every time this has come up.  I do believe the "Tony died" argument makes a lot of sense, but I also think that if Chase simply…

When I first saw Bogus Journey, I thought it was hysterical and, like the review, much more clever than its predecessor.  There was something about the image of Death as a bit of a loser, who keeps being foiled by cheesy contemporary board games, that got to me.  And I appreciated the attention to detail in copying…

When I first saw Bogus Journey, I thought it was hysterical and, like the review, much more clever than its predecessor.  There was something about the image of Death as a bit of a loser, who keeps being foiled by cheesy contemporary board games, that got to me.  And I appreciated the attention to detail in copying…

No, I got it.  I mean, I'm still just being silly with a post like this, but I got it.  I think "22 Short Films," for example, captures a key aspect of the Simpsons — the vast cast, the way its stories can turn on a dime, the way the town itself is part of the cast.  It's also a great showcase for the ways in which…

No, I got it.  I mean, I'm still just being silly with a post like this, but I got it.  I think "22 Short Films," for example, captures a key aspect of the Simpsons — the vast cast, the way its stories can turn on a dime, the way the town itself is part of the cast.  It's also a great showcase for the ways in which…

Wow.  WOW.  I can't get over how much I disagree with some of these — maybe only 2 or 3, but considering that the list has only ten entries…. WOW.

Wow.  WOW.  I can't get over how much I disagree with some of these — maybe only 2 or 3, but considering that the list has only ten entries…. WOW.

"I never even got to meet my family," was a series high-point for me.  Loved it.

"I never even got to meet my family," was a series high-point for me.  Loved it.

That was one of the rare times when it seemed very clear that the whole bit was improvised.  Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it was scripted — but it had the feel of an on-the-fly routine.  Talented comic actors being told "just go with it."  And it really worked.  Every new question was another gem.  "Is it called redvining? …

That was one of the rare times when it seemed very clear that the whole bit was improvised.  Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it was scripted — but it had the feel of an on-the-fly routine.  Talented comic actors being told "just go with it."  And it really worked.  Every new question was another gem.  "Is it called redvining? …

A few things…