Geez, everyone's always out to step on our buzz. As soon as we started doing our little happy dance about how the "Redmond Justice" conclusions of law virtually guaranteed that the show would be on the air for years to come, a plethora of articles suddenly appeared to remind us that, since the penalties have yet to be determined, a settlement is still technically possible. And it would be just like Microsoft to weasel out of a multi-season starring contract at the last possible minute. Oh, sure, a settlement still isn't likely, given that Microsoft and the government were reportedly miles apart on their respective ideas of a reasonable settlement (Microsoft: "How about this... We get to continue to do whatever we damn well please and admit no wrongdoing. You get to punch us hard on the arm once, plus we'll throw in a month of MSN for free."), but it's a possibility that haunts us in quiet moments.

But here's the thing; even if the "S" word doesn't happen, there's still no guarantee that the show will be broadcasting three years down the line. Judge Jackson's still making a valiant effort to keep the plot moving along quicker than the glacial pace typically ascribed to the U.S. justice system. As faithful viewer Chris March points out, Microsoft may not have the chance to fight its usual war of attrition; the judge knows full well that if the case drags on, eventually the issues may become irrelevant in the quick-change computer industry. That's why, according to a Washington Post article, Jackson is talking about invoking a little-known clause in the Sherman Antitrust Act that would bypass the Appeals Court completely, and send the case right to the top. That's right, folks: an express ticket to the Supreme Court. Now that would make a "very special episode"! Like when the Saved By The Bell kids went to Hawaii.

So here's the current plan: remedies are to be determined in two months' time, Microsoft's inevitable appeal will be kicked upstairs to the Big Guys, and we may see the final, honest-to-goodness end to this case by New Year's-- but we wouldn't bet on it. And while we wouldn't be happy to see "Redmond Justice" go off the air in a mere nine months, if those nine months are action-packed and chock-full of drama, we suppose we wouldn't mind seeing the show go out with a bang. And a sackful of Emmys.