Agreed Chris should've gone last season. Developing the story with his wife was worthless. Also Bobby's story was sped up too much as well. Became #3 without us really knowing. Even moved to a nice house this year and it wasn't shown at all so his success in the mafia couldn't be gauged.
Here's what I'm thinking:
1. That assault rifle Bobby gave Tony will do some damage. I knew when it was given to Tony it would be used in the end.
2. Pauly is kept around because he is the bad ass and fan favorite gangster. If he goes out, he will have a great one liner and take it like a man.
3. I think if anything were to happen with AJ, he runs away because he can't stand his surroundings.
4. Now, does Tony die? If he does live he has no one left to earn big for him with Bobby, Syl, and Chris gone. So, I don't see how he can really live and the ending be good. I think it would be better if he dies.