The video feed from below the Gulf of Mexico is even more sickening to watch today. The oil is now flowing unchecked into the water after robots removed the containment cap that was helping to capture some of the escaping oil. It could flow like that for a couple more days. Okay, that's the glass half empty assessment. Now for the glass half full. By removing the cap, BP engineers will now position a new, better fitting cap that -- if all goes perfect -- could effectively contain the leak by early in the week. There are plenty of ifs and wiggle room built into the timetable of this operation, but it's hard not to get the feeling that the end game, as far as stopping the flow, could be in sight. Our Anne Thompson, who has been on this story from the beginning, will tell us what the game plan is, and update us on where it stands.

We'll see you later for NBC Nightly News.