Okay, instead of answering emails from  you individually, I figured it was time to go public with this discussion. (You know, we all have other things we’re interested in besides airlines, right? Right. I mean even NBC anchorman Brian Williams blogs about “The Sopranos” on Slate.)

The discussion?

What’s going to happen this Sunday night on the last episode of “The Sopranos.”

Here’s my guess. Or guesses.

One, I don’t think there’s any way that David Chase is going to let Tony live. He’s set us up for taking Tony down — emphasizing his negatives all this shortened season. I think Dr. Melfi’s abrupt dismissal of Tony last week may be a look at how Chase feels about Tony Soprano the character as well. I think the Christopher murder scene supports this thinking as well.  And the look on Gandolfini’s face while he was doing it? Chilling.

Two, too many folks are now gone. There’s no way we can go to a movie or some kind of “second series.” I don’t think this is something Chase would even consider.

Three, I think the last episode will end with Carmela in the kitchen, considering her new life situation.

Four — where was Paulie this last Sunday — and was he not the one in charge of the botched take-out order on Phil? Remember that a few seasons ago the New York guys were talking to Paulie about switching sides. Is Paulie working both sides? And why, when the order was put out to take out the top three guys in the Soprano family by Phil, wasn’t Paulie mentioned?

P.S. I have to go back and actually watch the “Blue Comet” scene again from Sunday night. I couldn’t watch the whole thing. First, the suspense was excruciating. And then after the bullets started flying, I kept closing my eyes. But I saw enough. The entire scene was yet another example of superb conception and cinematography. Yet another classic from a show that has given us so many.

Finally —  there is A.J. Will A.J. be the one who shoots his father? What an interesting character he has become the last couple of weeks. 

While the wait is killing me, I’m also beginning to suffer withdrawal symptoms.

I’m not sure what I’ll do after Sunday.

<sniff>

Okay, so what do YOU think is going to happen?