The departure of Lacey (Gabrielle Miller) for Toronto brings a few tears in the next Corner Gas.

So all the hand-wringing by Corner Gas fans about the future of the series was prompted by what turned out to be a publicity stunt.

And even though we suggested in a column a week ago that the big changes in Dog River might be the product of a dream sequence by one of the characters -- which was the case -- the whole thing left a sour taste in our mouths.

First, the plot twists in the dream sequence had intriguing possibilities, but now they have been exposed as dead-ends. And second, we're not sure if tricking people into tuning in is wise, notwithstanding the big audience last Monday (two million).

No one likes to be "played." We must admit, as we hear CTV trumpeting the upcoming fifth season of Corner Gas, and the supposed Dream Team of writers that has been assembled, our attitude has changed slightly.

It used to be, "Corner Gas is pretty funny." Now it has become, "Corner Gas had better be funny."