PhillyTalk: Ask the Writers and Experts

You are not alone. Brotherhood is highly regarded among TV critics. And it comes back for a new season on Sept. 30. Set your watch.

Ah, John Sayles, another worthy role model (after Copolla) for David Chase to borrow from. And maybe there's special meaning in the fact that Strathairn played the man who was the object of Carmela's only infidelity.

But the ambiguous ending is nothing new. The Lady or the Tiger was written 125 years ago.

Here's what an HBO spokeswoman says: This season will be back up on HBO on demand, not sure when.

No starting back at Season One, however. That's what A&E has purchased (the shows in their cleaned-up form really aren't that much different from the originals). Or, there's Netflix or similar DVD purveyors.

Oh, man. You're the greatest. If I could arrange for you to take over Ralphie's crew, but Paulie to still be the one in danger, I would.

Thanks a lot. There is so much controversy, and so much analysis, on this. It's great testimony to how deeply people were hooked into The Sopranos and how richly textured the show was. College students (and others) will be studying this show for centuries.

It seems as if a lot of people thought their TV equipment had broken. I just sat there stunned, and, then, after about 5 seconds, started to laugh. Chase had wanted the thing to remain completely black until John From Cincinnati came on, but union rules and contracts require that credits roll. I think the ending was magnificent because, no matter which side you're on, you are drawn into thinking about the show. You love the ending. You hate the ending. But there's nobody sitting there, going, ehh? (Like there was for Seinfeld, for instance.)

Nice to hear from Coeur d'Alene. That's some beautiful country out there. There were not three endings filmed. That rumor gained legs when Elisabeth Hasselbeck, on The View, asked one of the cast members (I forget whom) about it, and they did not deny. There was, however, more footage shot in the diner, and some of the actors I talked to at a party Sunday night said they were surprised by how abrupt the ending was. "Don't stop," sing Journey. And it stops. When you think about it, nothing is the most realistic ending of all. That's what usually happens in life.

Some people believe that going black is symbolic of the audience getting whacked. You never even hear the bullet.

(Others, not surprisingly, think it's Tony getting whacked.)

David Chase is in France, and he is in seclusion, hiding from the media hordes, sort of like Phil Leotardo.

A strong response. Consider: Are you so angry because the show was so important to you?

My wife went to Bennington College. Are you in Vermont?