Read other letters about this article
You will note, in that interview, in a direct quote, Chase said: "...you would know that Tony doesn't get killed..."
I was of the view that the 'going to black' did reflect the on-the-boat discussion with Bobby--and that Tony had gotten whacked. But if the writer of the script says differently--and he has--I'm too proudly a member of the reality-based community to continue to believe otherwise.
With that settled, we're now in a position, as your column has, to contemplate and consider and criticize the wisdom, and the reasons, for that aesthetic choice.