The Synod on Synodality at halftime

As this year’s synod wraps up, we look ahead to next year’s. But questions remain. Is this a synodal sandwich, in which what was once known as the Synod of Bishops happens within “the Synod”? What kind of authority does a synodal sandwich have? What, exactly, is “the Synod,” and the role and authority of bishops within it?