Is this article Salon's substitute for dropping The Fix? I visit this site everyday for the wide variety of content...I'm as equally fascinated with Sanjaya as I am with our country's elected officials' inability to do anything about the war in Iraq.

Anyway, I agree with several posters here: sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. There's no big conspiracy or influence at work to keep Sanjaya going. We Americans are an easily distracted lot.

I agree with others here...maybe the deadline was too tight, but I think Havrilesky, who usually gets it right (and I love anyone who also shares a passion for The Amazing Race!!), missed something on this last episode.

My impression of Tony's peyote-fueled roulette winnings was that he was thrilled, relieved, and believed that his luck had changed for the better, all because Chris was gone. This is a metaphorical murder of Tony's superego...how much more obvious could that be? Chris is talking about appreciating each day, giving Phil what he wants, they're listening to a song about childhood appreciation, and then BAM! The truck spins out of control, Chris needs help, and Tony kills him. Then Tony spins into complete selfishness. He tries to make Chris look bad (the child's car seat, drugs), then he goes off to Vegas, the capital city of egomania--on a private plane, no less--and descends into drugged-out, happy hell of his own.

I agree with Havrilesky that this episode made Tony utterly unlikeable (and no wonder Gandolfini is tired of playing Tony, as he's made clear in numerous interviews), but it also had some things to say about metaphysics and the nature of hell. Tony actually seems to be enjoying it because he is so completely psychopathic.

The bigger mystery to me now is what will become of AJ? Is he the one now straddling the line between what's good and bad about his father? Is he a reflection of Tony's own soul twenty years ago?

...I only wish my students would be as engaged in a discussion of Things Fall Apart!

I agree with the posters who have mentioned that this series is on par with great classical literature. I had posted something early this morning, and now that I'm scanning more letters, I'm questioning that first insight and finding myself in agreement with so many people here. Maybe it is dismissive of us to name Tony a sociopath/psychopath in order to separate ourselves from him, but I think we are limited by the words we have to describe a literary figure who is so much larger than life.

Yes, cynics, there is a war in Iraq, but I believe that even the citizens of Baghdad find ways to occupy their time with stories...it's a heavy burden to spend one's time solely concentrated on war, death, and disease. Let us have this moment to discuss phenomenal literature in action.

I agree with Arwinday who mentions the sense of community involved. Whenever I've suggested to my parents my desire to have a small wedding with a few close relatives and friends, my father has said absolutely not. I'm almost 40 years old and have lived on my own longer than I lived in my parents' house. My parents are by no means extravagant people, and they wouldn't want an extravagant wedding for me, but I believe that they see a wedding as something meant for community, not just the bride and groom. They are not people who buy into consumerism or become easily swayed by marketing; they are simply people who believe that a wedding is a joyous event to be shared.

I also agree with other letter writers who comment on the homogenization of weddings. In every one of the last three years' worth of weddings I've attended, the bride has worn a strapless, A-line gown. I'm not as cynical as some of the letter writers (I love the Electric Slide and the Chicken Dance!), but some women just do not look good in strapless gowns...yet they have little choice!!!

I enjoyed reading Conason's column way back in February, and I enjoyed the rehash of it today, but posting the email posits an interesting conundrum. On the one hand, even with permission from Conason, posting the email reminds me of why I like to delete and clean up my files; on the other, how does this make me any different from the DOJ/Rove group that infuriates me so much?

I completely agree with you! BTW, in response to some of the letters, I watched last week's episode with my 67-year-old dad. It was his first time watching the show and, yes, I was there to answer a few questions, but he then watched the follow-up show on Thursday and wants to watch the finale tonight. In other words, it is possible to join this show mid-point.

I agree the acting over-the-top, but that's in keeping with the story; it's not a comment on the abilities of the actors. I don't think the show is for everyone. Don't watch the show if you don't like it; just don't judge those of us do.

Thank you, Patrick, for including the photos of your trip! I'm not eager to fly into Dakar, but if it means traveling to a place captured by the photos, I'd endure it.

My contribution to the bad airports list: Sofia International. Anyone else been through that one? I think the terminal is right on the runway because it smells like jet fuel. It's a glorified hangar...wires hanging from the ceiling, people crowded on floors and huddled in blankets. It's like a scene from Children of Men in there. Okay, maybe not that bad, but certainly not good. And then you have the culture shock of flying out of a former Soviet Bloc country where the black market rules everything, including how much baggage you can take on the plane.