Quick question: Have the panelists not seen episodes 4-7, or have they and are they keeping their mouths shut? Because it seems like they haven't, but I can't tell whether that's a conceit.

No, none of us has seen beyond episode 3. Most of us assemble here at the Flophouse to watch it on Sunday nights.

That makes sense, then. I've been back-and-forthing with Farley from LGM, and I think we're in agreement (of sorts) that most people are judging the open chapters of the season the way they would the first half-hour of The Shining. Sure, if you write a review there, you're bound to think it's a dull film about people going on vacation. But you miss, you know, Jack and His Axe.

I need to think about this more than I already have, because I'm seeing this discontent everywhere. It's as if people are unwilling to grant Simon et al the benefit of the doubt when they can't slip the next DVD in.

The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.

Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.