Wired on The Wire: "Late Editions" - Season 5, Episode 9

The run-down of The Wire season 5, epidsode 8 was quick.....this one on 9 is quicker. Watch the series finale tonight on HBO, here are the bullets for episode 9, Late Editions:

• Even if the wire is illegal, I guess it's still worth it to Lester Freamon to select the pertinent or non-pertinent check box…..if they want to make a case down the road.
  
  
• David Simon makes a dig at Walmart via Snoop and her healthcare comment to O-Dog.
  
  
• "Marlo runs a tattered ship." – Levy the Lawyer
  
  
• "Capitalization they call it." – Gus and Simon's dig at the Chicago based owners of the Baltimore Sun, the Tribune Company.
  
  
• "Scratching an itch." – Gus as he seeks the help of his 'released' London colleague to catch the dirt on Scott.
  
  
• The Greek Organization: they look like they're doing pretty well with all the muscle at the warehouse deal.
  
  
• "Time to fess up." – Freamon
  
  
• I had to wonder about Daniels for a second…..if he would go along with Freamon's rushed plea for support. But Cedric Daniels knows that for him, it's a risk worth taking. I actually think he's more excited about the career potential than simply getting a creep like Marlo. And I did enjoy seeing Daniels dress-down Carcetti's Chief of Staff, Michael Steintorf.
  
  
• Bill Zorzi can finish Tommy Caretti's sentences at a press conference. Wow, a member of the press can actually predict what a politician will say. "Groundbreaking"
  
  
• "My name is my name." – Marlo (Mark that down as one of the things on the streets which is more important than who you are, your name.)
  
  
• A drunk Freamon seems to be the voice of reason for Jimmy McNulty…should he be? With Tommy Carcetti using the hoax to make the homeless his platform, will the situation really die down?
  
  
• As we all witnessed as a part of his positive qualities in season 4, Michael still shows he can use his smarts on the streets in his suspicion of Snoop. And hey, as he says, "Ya’ll taught me to be early." It's kill or be killed – hard to blame one for being in an environment where the former is the only option.
  
  
• On the other hand, I wonder who Marlo suspects more, Levy (if at all) or Snoop…..Michael must go in either case.
  
  
• Herc, the unintentional hero…..say it ain't so. It always has to be the token idiot.
  
  
• "Levy got the most grease." – Clay Davis….more than willing to rat out the big shot lawyers. Self preservation. Clay makes himself small potatoes compared to those "high-end" legal minds.
  
  
• Freamon is a good shake-down artist….I'm still wondering who the "snitch" is at the city courthouse.
  
  
• "You know you could buy a round or two." – Clay Davis....a true sponge.
  
  
• Bubbles celebrates his anniversary in shining form and looking the best he ever has on the show. I give Andre Royo the Best Actor on The Wire title, hands down. Bubs is Simon's reflection of the minuscule rays of hope in Baltimore, American cities.
  
  
• "See you around Mike." – Dukie off to live his life with the Junk Man, exposed to even more of the world than he needs to be.....will there be a choice for him in the final show?
  
  
• ABC News had a profile on Omar (Michael K. Williams) on the 6 pm Sunday evening news…..focusing on Omar being openly gay and the fact that he's Barrack Obama's favorite television character.
  

• Williams got the scar on his face in a ballroom brawl when he was 25. [correction: I believe it was a bar room brawl - hilarious to think it happened while he was wearing a tux.]
  
• His mother was proud of him upon hearing the Obama news.
• Why do fans of the show like his character? Probably because they focus on where the shotgun is sticking rather than who he goes to bed with according to Michael K. Williams.
• Oh yea, Omar was supposed to be killed off in the first season….glad that didn't happen.

Wired on The Wire: "Clarifications" - Season 5, Episode 8

The final episode of HBO's The Wire is tonight. I missed doing write-ups of episodes 6 & 7 while I was out of the country (here's 5). Until there is a nine, here's a quick bullet point review/thoughts about episode 8, Clarifications [click for official HBO recap].

• I must admit that I'm pretty nervous for Jimmy. He's got balls, we all knew that….but Dominic West displays the right amount of acute discomfort while his McNulty character is in the spotlight of the mayor and those, such as Rawls, who absolutely despises Jimmy. In any case, McNulty setting this whole thing up for him to take the fall, and not others such as Carver, is honorable in my eyes.
  
  
• Then again….Jimmy is alone, isolating himself from Beadie and his co-workers (although, some are voluntarily along for the ride because of the beneficial side effects – even the prick, Frank Barlow, and his blackmailed trip to Hilton Head for a round of 18).
  
  
• "Hey kiddo. – Hey McNulty."
  
  
• Poot Carr is revisited working at a shoe store….he just got "tired" of the game. However, I find it curious that Poot hasn’t learned any lessons as a result of his absence from the corner. His bad advice to Dukie is simply to bang for a couple more years until he is old enough for real job. I know this is social commentary from the writers, but it just doesn't seem viable, especially in that Poot doesn't display what should be an intrinsic knowledge that Dukie is not made for the game. Shouldn't he be able to size up Dukie just by seeing him?
  
  
• So where does Dukie end up? Help Bubbles 2.0 – unknowing of the reasons behind the hard work of the "Junk Man."
  
  
• I'm not sure if Kenard killing Omar sits right with me. Yea, it had to happen – Omar was asking for it. And it had to come from somewhere, someone unexpected. The lil' guy went from wanting to be Omar to unaffected by the presence of Omar (in contrast to the rest of Bawlmer) to killing Omar. Simon's perfect little example of a soul consumed by the streets from the get-go. I must admit that Omar Little's death scene was presented to the viewers as the perfect dramatic package.
  
  
• Which makes me wonder: Why does Omar have a death wish? Was it all because of the brutal slaying of Butchie? Was it because of his love for Baltimore? The Sam Cassell big-ball dance? With his kill list, I hate to think that it all comes down to the status of Omar's name on the streets. Then again, pride is one helluva drug.
  
  
• Marlo is not mad at Chris and Snoop for not being "early" – in that Marlo gets word of Omar's death first. You think that he would be; I guess the weight of Mr. Little off his shoulders is enough to look past any transgression. Stanfield thinks he's running Baltimore with no problems now.
  
  
• Boy, they really made thatMaryland US District Attorney out to be a douchenozzle. (maybe the term douchenozzle has been around for awhile, but I heard it most recently on Hardwood Paroxysm in reference to Bill Simmons – I like it, think I'll start incorporating it into my insult vocab)
  
  
• The scene where McNulty and Greggs go to Quantico for the FBI profile of the homeless killer was humorously classic – the most creative way a show has ever described an anchor character within the script, at least that I've seen.
  
  
• "They’re in the ballpark" - Jimmy McNulty
  
  
• Jimmy dropped the bomb on Kima, he had to....but then he just leaves? You'd think Jimmy would invest a little more time in convincing her, maybe there was too much trust there. Freamon asks Jimmy how she took it….how does Jimmy know?
  
  
• "I gotta go." - Jimmy
  
  
• My favorite scene – perhaps of all of Season 5 of The Wire: Lester Freamon owning Clay Davis….it was so good, I had to watch it three times. Good ol' Clay has no choice but to be Lester's "friend" and to continually watch his own back. Wonder what Lester said to Clay's lady friend.
  
  
• "I don’t get paid like that." - Freamon
  
  
• Looks like Sydnor, a B-More native in real life, cracks the code using the grid map of the city. Why didn't he have GPS in his rental like the other police? He wouldn't have used the map and broken the code as easily if he did. Sydnor (along with Carver) also continues to be left unclued that Jimmy (and Lestor to some degree) are behind faking the homeless murders; their only knowledge being that they are diverting the money. My recollection is that Kima and Bunk are the only other police who really know, for now.
  
  
• Gus Haynes vs. Scott Templeton – Classic defensive anger from Templeton. Gus ends his argument, a debate win in obvious favor of him, in the perfect manner: state your case and simply glide out the door, leaving the prissy managing editor, Thomas Klebanow, catching flies in his mouth. Perhaps Gus will be one of the rare heroes who wins in Simon's American city tale.
  
  
• The morgue name tag switch at the end: More of a sign of Omar's notoriety in Baltimore, or a sign of the improving Baltimore criminal prevention support, resulting from the increased money flow?

Wired on The Wire: "React Quotes" - Season 5, Episode 5

Crownin' Me

"In business, in life, what you learn to appreciate the most is a dependable man. One day, same as the next." -Vondas

I've got questions: Are the Greeks untouchable or what? Are they dealing with Marlo because they have no choice? It's clear that Vondas' words are a warning to Marlo. But it's hard to tell just how much leverage these Greeks have, the size of their operation. Are they in Baltimore by choice or by necessity? When it comes to ideals of reliability, the Greeks and Marlo aren't speaking the same language.

"Tomorrow ain't promised to no one. Meanwhile, we go on." -Marlo

We rarely see Marlo show emotion. He's a competitor with a perpetual game face. But when Marlo is walking away from the meeting, when he's crowning his head, that's the rare emotion. You can see the hubris in his step, a peacock walk.

Forgive me for not knowing, but when I looked up Marlo's page on Wikipedia, his nickname in the show is listed as 'Black' -- why have I not heard this before?

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Is Omar Real?

Will David Simon ever tell us the tale of Omar's great escape? I'm sure it's possible he could be off in the shadows to the right on the balconies. As my boy Chris said, he's not sure if he's ever seen Omar scared before. Another previously unseen emotion from a Wire character.

Donnie, Butchie's boy who got shot by the Stanfield soldiers, is the real-life inspiration for Omar's character. The New York Times has a great story from August '07 about his marriage to Fran Boyd, who happened to play the nurse administering the HIV test to Bubbles. Both grew up in the Wire's Baltimore, Donnie Andrews being a murder of drug dealers who was eventually caught by Ed Burns. Boyd, a former addict, was a basis for Simon's series, The Corner. The connection between the two from there was only natural.....just like the departure of the real Omar's character as the fictional Omar escaped death. [NY Times Slide Show]

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That's Our Jimmy

What if The Wire were a mystery? I'm glad it's not, but what if we digested the show not knowing who was "murdering" the homeless? Would the scenes between McNulty and the reporters be believable? I've had several discussions, and have even written about McNulty's crime fixing being overboard with the potential to leave a bad taste in the mouths of viewers. But perhaps skepticism of Jimmy's scheme occurs simply because we're aware. Or maybe we are subconsciously assuming that regardless of Jimmy's adept detective work, the Baltimore police are f-ups and even the best and brightest fall victim to the failing system portrayed by Simon.

For instance, in the scene where Jimmy, Alma and Scott meet at a bar, I can't tell if Jimmy McNulty is a bad liar, or if Dominic West is nailing the scene. Meaning, I trust that Jimmy will cover the odds and ends of investigative details. However, his interaction seems, at times, that he is leaving himself susceptible to being a victim of his own lies. Aren't they at a bar in the middle of the afternoon? I don't know what time the 2nd edition of the Baltimore Sun is due....but Jimmy getting day-drunk in front of the reporters strikes me as a bad move.

What goes towards selling this rouse is Jimmy's passion for solving the crime, along with his past dedication to case work. His colleagues know this, and that's why they put up with his antics, although Bunk is intrinsically against what's going down. We've grown to be sympathetic with Jimmy's partner in crime, his drinking buddy. But in reality, Bunk is like the rest. He's definitely not going to volunteer his ass to be on the line. Not to say that Bunk hasn't shown himself to be a capable detective, he has...but Bunk Moreland is interested in self preservation when Jimmy tossed that idea out the window long ago.

Everyone in Jimmy's life is telling him the truth to his face: Jimmy's ex-wife, Bunk, Beadie.
But Jimmy is not listening, and I can't determine if he doesn't want to hear their message, or if he is intent on believing that what he's doing is right. Overall, I'm afraid that Simon is setting McNulty up for a major crash and burn. Beadie asks Bunk if he expects her to believe that it's all about a case. No, it's not. It's about something bigger and I think that McNulty's reasons are a redemptive reflection of his character.

Jimmy begins to walk over the thin line when he says he doesn't have time for his ex-wife's bullshit. The very next scene we find out that he missed his kid's concert, and that's the B.S his ex-wife was incessantly calling him about . I think that's very telling to Jimmy's state of mind. And damn, his kids got old....but Elena (Callie Thorne) sure is fine.

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The Politics & Prose

The tide turned quickly on Nerese Campbell, didn't it? State attorney Rupert Bond is using Clay Davis as a stepping board to become the favorite candidate for mayor. The truth of it is that Nerese's dirt, such as shady real estate dealings with Fat-Face Rick, is just as susceptible to exposure as the next crooked politician. But just like the next crooked politician, she's got dirt on others as well.

"Think I'm going to be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit." -Clay Davis

There it was! Probably Clay Davis' best 'shit' ever. Nerese is getting pretty good at the 'you carry this for all of us' speech. She's playing these men, Davis and Burrell, to her benefit.....calling Clay "Senator Davis" and everything. I was somewhat surprised that there were so many people at the Clay Davis rally. It wouldn't have happened without former mayor Clarence Royce.

Carcetti does have plenty of mayoral promises to Campbell. I wonder what the backlash would be if Tommy C took his hat out of Nerese's ring. Would she carry water into the sunset? I suppose...if Carcetti's run at Annapolis is serious enough.

"Embracing the hard choice, it's one of the burdens of command." -Carcetti

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Street Life

The streets are what ultimately pushes Dukie....to where? We still don't know. For those who realize that they aren't made for the corner, for those who want to get to the rest of the world.....what are their choices? I am curious as to why the option of education has not come up for Dukie. It's common knowledge that urban public schools are no safe haven by any means. But I'd like to see more of the glimpse of hope that Dukie reflected under the tutelage of Mr. Pryzbylewski.

"Not everything comes down to how you carry it in the street." -Cutty

Everyone knows that Dukie has the potential to build solid character, but he's not a rock. As Michael tells Dukie, somebody is always going to try him, no matter what. And that's the solid force to which Dukie cannot stand up. This is the inner city environment that David Simon portrays so well. It's not only about the failing education system, or the drug pandemic, or the violence.....it's the persistent tests. Those other factors limit the chance for success for the masses and increase the survival odds of the fittest. The tests in the face of those affected on a daily basis create either a victim hardened or victim broken down.

"Sorry bubs, shame ain't worth as much as you think. Let it go." -Walon

Bubs keeps trying to find a way to atone for Sherrod's death....a way to pay for his sins. He thought that HIV was going be his out. Too bad. Still, Bubs is one of the few with hope. And that's Simon's point. Despite all the ills of the system, the structure, there are individual rays of hope.

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You Can't Bullshit A Bullshitter

Scott Templeton is made out to be such a douche-bag that it's borderline absurd. What newbie complains about an assignment from the city desk editor? Not to mention the arrogance he conveys at the idea of getting react quotes from the homeless. Maybe the enduring bratty look on Scott's face is simply the result of over-acting by Thomas McCarthy. The point that we should be unsympathetic towards Templeton is really driven home.

The lies of Scott Templeton are revealed through in his negativity....Scott is almost disappointed to the level disgust upon returning to the city newsroom from procuring homeless react quotes. But then, all of a sudden, salvation shines through with words from a family of four on the streets.....Nathan Levi Boston was his name. If Scott were a good liar, he'd feed the positives to Gus at the onset. Oh did I mention Templeton's selfishness? He doesn't think twice about taking a story from his colleague, Alma Gutierrez.

When thinking about the homeless problem in America, a Malcolm Gladwell article, "Million-Dollar Murray," which appeared in the February 13, 2006 edition of The New Yorker is a great read. Here are a couple excerpts:

"Homelessness doesn't have a normal distribution, it turned out. It has a power-law distribution. "We found that eighty per cent of the homeless were in and out really quickly," he said. "In Philadelphia, the most common length of time that someone is homeless is one day. And the second most common length is two days. And they never come back...."
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"The next ten per cent were..............episodic users. They would come for three weeks at a time, and return periodically, particularly in the winter. They were quite young, and they were often heavy drug users."
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"It was the last ten per cent—the group at the farthest edge of the curve—........... They were the chronically homeless, who lived in the shelters, sometimes for years at a time. They were older. Many were mentally ill or physically disabled, and when we think about homelessness as a social problem—the people sleeping on the sidewalk, aggressively panhandling, lying drunk in doorways, huddled on subway grates and under bridges—it's this group that we have in mind."

And that's what makes the scene at the soup kitchen with the ambitiously callow Templeton so classic........

"The reporter the Sun paper sent over, Not exactly Bob Woodward."

I sure do see a lot of chronically homeless in DC. Hard to believe that Templeton didn't find any good react quotes in a city 45 minutes to the north. Then again, maybe the DC homeless are just more talkative than the Baltimore homeless. That would definitely be funny if a study found that the homeless within the District of Columbia have a 'Beltway Mentality'. But more likely, Scott's laziness is far worse than his fabrication.

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Over The Lines

McNulty set the perfect trap for Scott by purporting a second call off the record. But does Templeton know that Jimmy is lying? It would be reasonable for him to think that another wack job....or even the real guy called actually called the cops. Whatever it may be, flags should be raised for Scott. Will he check his unethical behavior, or get further caught up in the lie?

The fact that Scott went so far as to concoct a call from the Homeless Bite Murderer could contribute to the thoughts of those who object to this season's over-the-top script writing. Templeton is taking an irresponsible risk, and the leap is even larger for the viewers. Would it be more believable if McNulty faked a call afterall?

Sparking increased court appearances is Maurice Levy's indirect way of stealing from Marlo, which seemed inevitable. I wonder if Maurice did Prop Joe like that, or if he's trying to take advantage of Marlo's naive cultural and economic awareness. Levy all but tells Herc to give Marlo's new cell number to his cop buddies. But Marlo has street smarts, and I can't exactly see him throwing complete trust in Levy...perhaps he tests that trust at some point.

I must admit disappointment being aware that Marlo knows to only talk about life outside of the drug world over the phone. When Freamon hears the scrambling sound at the end, he will no doubt connect point A to point B. But with the Fed money "dried" up, how can the ineptness of the Baltimore police department, where no one ever checks the wire room, keep up with the technological advancements of Marlo without equipment upgrades of their own?

"Take me off your clock." -Marlo

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On the next Wire:

• Randy Ain't Going
• More Bodies Are Needed
• Scott Spending the Night With the Homeless, Really?
• What's Slim going to do about Marlo with that look?

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Other Write-Ups

[#1 "more with less"]
[#2 "unconfirmed reports"]
[#3 "not for attribution"]
[#4 "transitions"]

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photo by nickhall

Wired on The Wire: Season 5, Episode 4 - "Transitions"

Episode 4 contained so many great scenes.

Cedric Daniels in Erv Burrell’s Office

Burrell has the goods on Daniels, it's the very last card up his sleeve. I think Erv genuinely believes that Cedric hasn't gone behind his back to Carcetti in an attempt to usurp him. Why would Daniels? He knows that Burrell has him by the balls; Cedric wouldn't be there with hat in hand otherwise. Erv knows this as well. He’s trying to use that last amount of leverage to intimidate Daniels, and it’s working. So much is communicated with silence. Burrell has Daniels eating shit like Ron Burgandy.

"...My answer will be to decline the position and say I serve at your pleasure. Sir? Sir?"
-Daniels, Deputy Commissioner of Operation

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Marlo’s Return Visit to the Greeks

I love the dialogue of both Vondas and the Greek. Perfectly timed and well written, their delivery is so rhythmic, they could bring a certain level of comfort to any situation. The characters simply convey an adroit aura about themselves. Very calculated men, surely a prerequisite to running an international crime ring. Hard to imagine that the actor who plays Spiros Vondas, Paul Ben-Victor, once played Moe in a made-for-TV movie about the Three Stooges.

As I suspected, the Greeks spurn the initial attempts of Marlo. But as the Greek admits, in this day and age of uncertainty, nothing is wrong with being insured. Marlo easily convolutes these words into permission to kill Prop Joe; he only hears what he wants to hear. Marlo sees no other choice but to make his organization the one and only customer.

Clearly, the Greek has the correct insight of Marlo’s character. I’m sure he’s dealt with similar criminals before. The Greek has no interest in violence, or anything else that happens once the product leaves his hands. Those steps just increase the potential of getting caught. No sir, the Greek is in no position to tell Marlo off. The Greek is not from Baltimore.

"If we were to tell him no, he will still come back. This, he shows us."
"But he is not Joe."
"He is not Joe."
-The Greek and Vondas

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Clay Davis Being Clay Davis

Thank you for coming indeed Senator. When Davis walked into the prep room as Pearlman, Sydnor and Freamon were discussing the case, I almost wanted to jump into the scene myself to cover up their paper-trail board.

"The comin' out tells the tale." -Freamon

After this episode, Clay Davis just might be my favorite character. Davis is played by Isiah Whitlock, Jr., you know him from that Southwest Airlines commercial. But Whitlock, who initially went to Southwest Minnesota State on a football scholarship before getting injured, includes this quote on his site, "I never asked whose cake it was, I just went in and cut myself a piece." Sounds like the perfect man to play Clay Davis to me.

I was disappointed that we couldn't get Clay Davis' patented "shiiiiiiiiit", instead of the "damn right" when he was in front of the grand jury. Maybe he wasn't in the right mind. You know it's tough on Clay when he has to pause to gather himself in front of the cops after pleading the fifth. Then, his heart seemed to jump right in his throat when he saw the cameras outside of the court house. When Clay put his head down, for a second, I thought he was going to make a run for it……then he came up with that sly smile on his face, that my friends was classic theater.

"Nooooo partner nooooooo, some people are confused by some thangs." -The Honorable R. Clayton Davis

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The Death of Prop Joe

It strikes me as odd, yet truthful, that Joe doesn’t blame Marlo for the position he’s in, rather his nephew, Cheese. Joe knows that Marlo will be Marlo. He also is aware that since Cheese was the source, Marlo knows Joe lied to his face. Proposition is too old to go after people with preemptive violence so he’s getting the hell out of town.

"Butchie, Woe to them that call evil good and good evil -Your true and loyal friend, Proposition Joe."

Marlo wasn't made to play the son. His Royal Addiction hints to that. Are the Greeks really cool with the departure of Joe? Marlo should have said that they'll deal with it. Is it true that Prop Joe wouldn't be able to change up any more than Marlo? Maybe, maybe not. I'd like to think that Joe would have really left the game. But to Marlo, and you really can't blame him, any part of the past has the potential to be a threat. In Marlo's world, bridges are burned to the ground.

In the end, Joe takes it without a fight, but I'm not sure that he concedes to being just like Marlo. Many are upset that Prop Joe died. He seemed the one aspect of the drug game with composed intelligence; wise enough to know when to say when. Then again, from the featurette on HBO On-Demand, 1962: Prop Joe, we do know that he got the 'Proposition' moniker in grade school. Hard to imagine him losing the penchant to make a deal.

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Sweet Jesus Omar Is Back

In one of the other featurettes, 1985: Omar [by the way, I really thought that the three featurettes, the 3rd being 2000: Bunk/McNulty, would be longer than 2-3 minutes], young Mr. Little, perhaps 10 or 11, is looking for trouble with his older brother, his friend, and a couple guns. A common man at the bus stop seems like the perfect target. But upon learning that they only got $16 from the man, Omar decided it just wasn't right to take from a hard-working guy. His brother's older friend wasn't on the same page. That's when Omar used the force of the trigger to "convince" him that the money should be returned.

So Omar, after all the dirt, is still an honorable dude. That's why he doesn't off Slim Charles. He knows that Charles is telling the truth, and he respects the truth. Still, although spared, Slim needs to be more careful. He came face to face with the homo devil, probably best that he lays low for a while. Marlo probably is not stopping with Prop Joe and Hungry Man. Then again, going from Avon to Joe, Slim is a survivor. I can easily see him joining the Stanfield organization.

Some people say you gotta cut the snake off at the head. But who said that Marlo didn't have any legs? That's why Omar is smart, even though he calls Marlo a snake. He's going to start his revenge with going after Marlo's people, the legs of the operation. If you isolate the problem, you make it easier to solve.

"Yo mark that ride yo." -Omar

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Tony & Carver

You can't do a true cop show without some white hot-headed cop throwing some civilians around. Tony Colicchio just has the look that fits the mold. It happens. A-hole cops fly off the handle. A-holes anywhere in life fly off the handle. Kenard should have known there would be repercussions to his doo-doo bag prank. Maybe it was worth it. I do love Kenard's reaction to truancy accusations was "it's Saturday." I bet he really knew what day it was, but his instinct was just to lie.

At first, I was disappointed that Carver was going to cover for Tony's attack of the teacher. Good for him that he stands up for something. Simon is definitely commenting on the "fraternal" rules of the police. Seems like so many times, the brotherhood gets in the way of the right thing.

"It all matters. I know we thought it didn't, but, it does."
-Carver

Oh yea...with the side-effect of Herc working for Levy in our face when he, Marlo and Prop Joe are in the same room.....I must wonder, will this be a factor in the show? Or is Herc too much of a dunce? Simon is putting the scene there for a reason, just not sure how it will unfold. Herc is talking to Carver in the very next scene where tells Carver to do what needs done, in terms of dealing with Tony....but I still don't think he gets it.

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Burrell’s Exit Plan

Ervin Burrell sure had a big show planned for Madame President, Nerese Campbell. You have to wonder if the former glee-club member scripted his "spic and span" references to Daniels as he dramatically tossed the file on Eastern District dirt. What a quintessential "bummer" face from Burrell when Nerese casually dismisses the report. Just like it was when you were four with your mom in a grocery store, it does not pay to go kicking and screaming. Nope, Burrell is just going to carry the water off into the sunset. Maybe he's done "eating shit", maybe he's not. Ervin tries to give the 411 to Rawls in a parting shot. But Bill Rawls just brushes Burrell off. He walks away, perhaps because it's hard to get used to the taste of shit when he's dished out so much of it in his life.

Nerese Campbell is smart to keep the file on Daniels all to herself. Of course she's not going to tell Carcetti the details. Now, she's got that power over Daniels, especially useful with her mayoral aspirations once Tommy attempts to get himself to Annapolis. Cedric Daniels just may be paying for the money he took the rest of his career. And now, we have more details on what he got his hands on, seized drug money from the East side.....most likely a former piece of Prop Joe's pie. Sometimes, no matter what you do to reconcile, your past will follow you.

At the press conference, it's easy to tell that Daniels has no idea why exactly the higher-ups have his back. He's been given a second chance, he better take advantage.

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The New Day Co-Op

The co-op dealers ironically talking about profiting from what some call gentrification in Baltimore. Marlo, still uncivilized, doesn't want to hear it. In the end, it may be his downfall if he doesn't protect his business interests; if he makes it that far. Then again, that fact that Prop Joe tried to "civilize" the drug game might be what ultimately did him in.

Snoop & Chris are putting Cheese in their pocket with their gift of Hungry Man, but it also serves as a warning to Cheese. The enforcers will easily do the same to him. Then again, Queso is no stranger to violence himself having received a rat shot from Brother Mouzone and being the Michael Vick of The Wire with his dog killing tendencies.

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Jimmy & Freamon

Jimmy is a good detective, but he still shows a lot of youth and immaturity. He'd be screwed without Lester.

"Work it like a real, it'll feel like a real case, and more importantly, it'll read like a real case." -Freamon

Freamon is also trying to expose Jimmy a little by their visit to the land of the forgotten. Yes, they are there to fill in the case background, but Lester is always playing the unseen angles. The Wire, wherever it ends up, has me on the edge of the seat. Much has been said of the media attention and David Simon's commentary on society, but it's the brilliant drama of the show which has us hooked.

Other Tid-Bits

Legos are some of the best toys known to man.

The NBA Meets The Wire

Obama's Favorite Show is The Wire

Michael Kostroff, an actor who was in town to volunteer for Obama and had a chance to meet him, told the Sun that Obama’s favorite TV show is his own: HBO’s “The Wire,” which chronicles Baltimore’s violent drug culture and the police who quixotically try to stop it.

Obama told the Sun his favorite character is Omar, a stick-up artist who steals from drug dealers and then gives the loot to poor people in the neighborhood.

“That’s not an endorsement. He’s not my favorite person, but he’s a fascinating character.”

Other Write-Ups

[#1 "more with less"]
[#2 "unconfirmed reports"]
[#3 "not for attribution"]

Wired on The Wire: Season 5, Episode 3 - "Not For Attribution"

I definitely meant to get the episode 3 write-up out before episode 4 came on, but time is a muther. Episode 4 was great though, you can really see everything coming together. My goal is to get some thoughts on it posted by Monday night.

[the wire: season 5, episode 1 write-up - "more with less"]
[the wire: season 5, episode 2 write-up - "unconfirmed reports"]

In talking about The Wire with my friend Chris in a DC coffee-shop, specifically episode 2 of this season, we both came to the conclusion that this McNulty crime-scene tampering scheme left a bit of a bad taste in our mouths. Is this plausible? It just seems too risky, too half-baked...or with McNulty, half-Jamesoned. By all means, I have faith in the writing. This captivating series has got me enthralled to this point, so a little faith on my part is justified. But it seems like they're setting the bar a little high for themselves. However, in the end, Simon is giving us what we want.

The Wire needs to go out with a bang, leaving us satisfied. Personally, I have no problem with how the Sopranos ended. But with The Wire, David Simon wants to build a consensus. He doesn't want his audience to focus on how the series ends, rather the topic of his work: the education system, police & crime, political structure, and the media's connection to it all. The media, being the general publics connection to government services; it's obvious that it would be the focus of the fifth and final season. At face value, season 2 at the docks doesn't seem to fit into the equation. But if you don't think the origin of the drug trade, labor union involvement, mob influence, and a statement on the nation's trade are key factors in this epic, then I'm not sure why you are watching in the first place.

This girl asked me on Sunday, "The Wire? What's that about." My knee-jerk reaction was to say it was a cop show that takes place in Baltimore. Guess like Lupe Fiasco, I had to dumb it down. Next time I'll say, as David Simon has put it, "It's a show about an American city."

On to episode three....

Yea, people are wired differently. Jimmy McNulty is powered by the slow consumption of booze. I would just get tired.

Self preservation. Jimmy has no use for this. To Bunk, it still makes sense. Can you blame him? We live in a world of individual self preservation. And when risk in the form of Jimmy is involved, Moreland's conditioned reaction is obviously to go on the defensive. Bunk's threats of ratting him out, which Jimmy knows that he won't follow through with, are nothing. Nice Bunk, you locked yourself in the box...or your "office"....with Jimmy. Moreland is locked into this scheme with McNulty and he knows it.

Jimmy just doesn't care, or does he? Is his motivation truly virtuous? I don't get the feeling that he's doing all of this for him. Rather, he's doing it to stick it to all the a-holes who have crossed him in the past.....from Marlo to those within the Baltimore PD.

A lot of progression is made in episode 3 and the writers made a pretty large stride in convincing me of the feasibility of Jimmy McNulty's plan.......and it's a sign of good work when you don't see it coming. I suppose if Jimmy is going to fix current crime scenes, then "adjusting" past unsolveds, especially unsolved cases of the deceased Ray Cole, would be a great way to make a connection as opposed to contriving the whole thing from scratch.

"Brother Ray, God rest he." -Jimmy McNulty

By the way, the ineptly portrayed Ray Cole was played by former Wire executive producer, Robert Colesberry, who himself passed away as a result of complications from heart surgery.

"Three people murdered in a house and it gets 12 inches below the fold. Explain that to me." -Alma Gutierrez

Hey, as the song in the opening credits puts it, you gotta keep the devil way down in the hole. At least that's what executive editor James Whiting wants to do. Unfortunately, that's the media not doing their job of delving into the circumstances behind the stories rather than the surface. Did they have to make him the biggest suspender-wearing twit in the world? Now that's what I call entrenched character building.

Tumescent. New word to my vocab. Yea, you didn't know it either. For example: Bill Belichick is coyish with the media, but we all know that he's a tumescent son of a bitch.

The one thing I understand is the closure of foreign bureaus. In this flat world, does it make sense to keep a beat on the world when it's obvious that the focus needs to be local? Outsourcing.

Yes, it's cheaper to keep the inexperienced youth at face value, but how much is the Baltimore Sun losing in the intangibles of the veterans? The experience of police reporter Roger Twig, who knows more that the documented history, is immeasurable outside of the bottom line.

Another by the way....guess who Alma, played by Michelle Paress, is married to in real life. None other than Larry Gilliard. You know him as D'Angelo Barksdale.

"It ain't easy civilizing this muther fucker."
-Prop Joe

Marlo is using Prop Joe to his advantage. For one, he is learning from him in seeking advice on what to do with his excess of money. Seems like Marlo is smart enough to know that he doesn't know enough. But also, in going to Prop Joe, Marlo is making further steps towards gaining the trust of Prop Joe. Now, we know that Joe didn't get where he is by trusting everyone....he's not a fool. But I guess any little thing helps the Stanfield organization.

"It's Baltimore, nobody lives forever."
-Tommy Carcetti

The "bunkies on Calvert St." mentioned by Tommy to Norman, The Baltimore Sun is located at 501 North Calvert St.

"This is the hard part, getting these guys to give a shit."
-McNulty

By the way, who are McNulty's "witnesses" who heard struggling inside the house? I guess that he trusts that the city mortician won't check into that....if the witnesses are, in fact, mentioned in Jimmy's report.

You think Jay Jay Landsman gives a shit? A meal of Diet Pepsi, Chinese takeout and Pepto Bismal say no.

"Everything is so serious now."
-Michael

It was always serious.....he's just starting to realize how serious "it" is.

Is Chris trying to put dissent into the mind of Slim Charles? With his "More like Joe make it complicated..." comments. Does this go back to Marlo's "compliments" about Slim in front of the co-op.

"Everything runs through Joe. Everything is clean with Joe."
-Spiros Vondas

I still don't think Marlo gets it. Yea, he gets clean money that hasn't been touched by the corner.....but clean to Vondas means trust, at least that's what I assume.

"He only needs smoke. He doesn't even need fire to drag you down, to drag me down." -Marla Daniels

Yep, it's all about self preservation. The past of Cedric Daniels is still a bit of a mystery for me. We know that Burrell and the DEA have files on him, and the FBI knows about suspicious assets, measured in hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's believed that Daniels somehow "acquired" this money from his days in the Eastern District. But it's yet to be revealed how Daniels got the money. But we do know it's serious enough for him and his wife to worry about, which means the allegations, whatever they may be, are probably true.

"Marlo wants Omar. What else to you need to know."
-Chris Partlow

Snoop is questioning the plan after she and Chris kill Butchie. Problem is....they are on defense now and as we know in football, you can't always predict where the receiver is going to cut before the bomb is thrown.

"Messin' With The Kid" by Junior Wells is playing in the background of the scene in Butche's bar. I only see trouble from messing with Omar the Kid.

Prop Joe wanted to let a sleeping dog lie. But I guess that too many bridges burned by Omar and cash will always kick a sleeping dog.

"Now where my cheese at man?"
-Cheese

"Sensatoinalize it." -Lester

Bringing Lester Freamon in.....Great move Jimmy, cause there's no way he can do it alone with a reluctant Bunk. Only this time, the door wasn't locked on Bunk.

Couple Questions for Thought.

Dukie is still doing mystery during the day. Wonder what that is, aside from going to Six Flags.

What's going on with Randy? Between his foster mother's house getting Molotov'ed putting her into the hospital, to Carver leaving him about to get a beat down in the group home, I'm not sure that Randy has survived these past 15 months. You think at least there would be an early follow-up to get it out the way.

Omar

Not sure where Marlo is making his bank transaction, probably one of the French islands in the Lesser Antilles. But I do know that Omar is in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I made the trip down to San Juan in December of 2005....mostly to catch my college basketball team, Mississippi State, play in the San Juan Shootout, but it also was nice to go to a place filled with sun and beautiful women during the cold DC winter.

But the reason that I know where Omar is living these days is that I walked right through that barrio with my friend Adam. I thought I was leading us on a short-cut between San Juan's two historic forts, Fort San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristobál. I didn't know I was leading us through San Juan's version of Hamsterdam where we witnessed open drug use (nothing hard-core, just some cats smoking weed) and a dude tried to sell Adam some Puerto Rican cocaína.

The view of Omar's beach-side barrio from the first fort, looking towards the 2nd fort.
It would be nice to live on the water like that.

The view from the second fort.

Next on the Wire

• Sweet Jesus Omar is going to work them.
• Police beating on teachers.
• If Jimmy gets sloppy, they get caught.
• Michael ain't paying her to be his mother.
• Looks like Marlo is present for a killing.

Other Wire Links:

An NPR interview with Michael K. Williams, the dude who plays Omar.

Baltimore Sun's 'Wire' Portrayal Fuels a Hot Debate [Washington Post]

Felicia Pearson: Through the Wire [[Si] Entertainment]

What Do Real Thugs Think of The Wire? [Freakonomics, New York Times]

Does the News Matter To Anyone Anymore? [A Rant in the Washington Post by none other than David Simon]

Wired on The Wire - Season 5, Episode 2 - "Unconfirmed Reports"

Wanted to get this out earlier...but better late than never. Yes, I do have HBO On-Demand. No, I am not cheating ahead. But I will watch that exclusive On-Demand special they have called 'The Wire '07: 2000: Bunk/McNulty' and perhaps put together a post on it. And in checking, they have a couple other featurettes entitled 'The Wire '07: 1962: Prop Joe' and 'The Wire '07: 1985: Omar' -- looking forward to it.

[the wire: season 5, episode 1 write-up]


opening quote
"This ain't Aruba, bitch" -Bunk

>>>

"Career case, huh?" -Sydnor
"Baby, I could die happy." -Freamon

We know Lester. He wouldn't be content with just making a name for himself and riding off into the sunset; Freamon is not in it for him. His goal is to expose the gape in the system for the benefit of everyone.

>>>

For Snoop, death is a ritual. When cleared by Marlo because the heat is off, she's fervent at the thought of killing again. It's her rush. Partlow, still seems to do his dirt by necessity, or maybe because he's angry....everyone has got a past. But we must remember that Snoop is still young and under Chris' wing. We don't know exactly how she got into the game, but we know she learned the ropes from him.

Remember when Marlo stole that lollipop in the 4th episode of last season. He jacks it right in front of the rent-a-cop, who is more than aware of the Stanfield organization. Still, the guard stands up to Marlo, aware that doing so is more the result of pride than any hope of eliciting action with his words. And actually, action was taken....Marlo told Chris and Snoop to kill the dude for talking back. After the deed was done, Snoop tried to keep the security guard's badge as a souvenir, but Chris, the seasoned vet, made her toss it.

Drive-Bys....West Coast style. Yea, I think the results will be a little different when shooting a hand gun from a moving car as opposed to an automatic rifle, or a sawed-off shot gun. Don't those B-More gangstas know this?

>>>

The conflict of Bubs. Facing the past, he's in his own purgatory. The evident hurdle is trying to come to grips with his responsibility in Sherrod's death, and he clearly has a long way to go. In the past, he dealt with guilt, depression, happiness....any emotion, with getting high. The actor, Andre Royo, excels at convincing us that Bubs thinks about going back to what used to quench the guilt, but he can't because of the guilt.

Bubbles is looking to cleanse himself, but I'm not sure why he can't give out food to people? Your best guess is as good as mine. Handing out tickets is fine, but food is a faux pas. Bubs sure does make that kitchen spotless though. How metaphorical!

"In between the jokes, there's a lot of truth to be spoken." -Walon

In parallel worlds, both Bubs and McNulty have given up the hope. Bubs is disconnected and McNulty is admitting that the game is rigged.

"Pro forma. From the Latin, meaning lawyers jacking each other off." -Jimmy McNulty

>>>

The young white reporter, Scott Templeton, is interested in advancement via special interest stories. While he's described as "morally challenged" is some places, I simply see him lazy. He's sent to cover Orioles opening day, in search of a Super Fan fluff piece.

[Interesting commentary that Simon makes on the state of baseball in Baltimore. One fan is mad about steroids, a guy and his kid are there to see the Cubbies, not the O's.....I'd love to hear some more digs at Peter Angelos.]

Scott ends up creating a tragic story about a kid in a wheel-chair trying to get in the game. Gus Haynes sees right through the lack of detail, but the editor, James Whiting, is glossed over by the "coliseum of bricks."

Ahh....the "Dickensian" lives of city children. Whiting wants to turn a project on Baltimore city schools into a story book. Gus wants to cover the drug money, the economics, among other factors which add up to the failing educational system. Honey coating for increased readership? Or making the public aware of the truth, in hopes of enacting change? The economics of a newspaper.

"I think you need a lot of context to examine anything." -Augustus Haynes

I've been watching some Homicide: Life on the Street lately. Clark Johnson, who plays Gus on the Wire and was Meldrick Lewis on Homicide, has such a great screen presence. And he brought his A Game for Season 5 of the Wire. I love the scene where he woke up in the middle of the night worried that he had transposed some numbers. Dedicated.......and watches Nancy Grace when he can't sleep - what a card.

>>>

Morgue Scene. Yup, that's a naked dude on that table. As soon as I discover who played that guy, I think I'll add this to his Wikipedia entry:

• Jan. 08 - HBO's The Wire - Season 5, Episode 2 - Played naked dead druggie in morgue, did not move, junk received 11 seconds of camera time

>>>

So yea...my boy Adam was right. Marlo is seeking out Sergei so he can get to Spiros so he can get to the connect so he can cut Prop Joe and "all them other east-side bitches" out. Guess we never learned enough about that New Day Co-Op. I was under the impression that it wasn't only East Side, rather the major players from all around B-More. Hell, Slim Charles is at the meetings, and he has West Side roots.

Avon Barksdale says 'eff' the east side, but by taking action against Co-Op protocol, he's really giving the finger to all of the Baltimore drug trade. Avon is in jail for the rest of his life....and he's running the joint. Barksdale probably has the Russian's back because of his ties, and the contraband he can import via Sergei. But Avon does not care about the outside world, he only wants to get in where he fits in.

The Russian reluctantly complies to set up a rendezvous between Marlo and Spiros. As big a connection that Segei has, he's still under Avon's rule. Isn't there some phrase about cash being able to spit verbiage and bovine fecal matter being able to amble?

But once again, I ask:

1. Why doesn't Marlo have the pull to get to Spiros himself? Guess the answer will just be, he doesn't.
2. Will the Greeks be down? Seems like war is imminent in any case....do you see Marlo taking no for an answer?

>>>

Tommy Carcetti. See where f-ing with the feds gets you? You single handedly got Baltimore blacklisted from federal agency help. Hmmm....I'm betting this is Simon's reflection of Tommy's youth and political inexperience, even though they did a bang-up makeup job showing 15 months of aging. A year and a fourth as Baltimore mayor is probably equivalent to 10 regular years. The smirk on the US Attorney's face was classic when denying the case brought to him by Agent Fitz.

"Clay Davis has been waiting for the other shoe to drop his whole life, he knows." -Rhonda Pearlman

Ol' Clay is in full panic mode. I'm betting that Irv Burrell is not the only person he has gone to with the "I've carried water for you" speech. And when there's no help, he's shedding blame, remembering, and holding on...with empty threats. Because as he himself said, he's going down. Yea, he'll be ready to flip on his momma to make a deal.

>>>

"You don't ever wanna be the last man to a party, you feel me?" -Chris Partlow

What about being fashionably late?

Michael is starting to question the game...in front of his mentors. It's only natural. He doesn't have anyone else to look to for answers. This is among the hints that he's not 100% committed to the corner, along with his care for Bugs and getting Dukie off the corner.

Michael is another who is sick of it all. Fatalistic. We know from last season that he's familiar with right and wrong. But he's fed up with his environment. He does dirt, because there's so much dirt around him. He's gotta look out for himself, and his fam. But that doesn't involve killing a little kid.

>>>

"Ain't he married to some shit now?" -Lester Freamon

In the bar, getting toasted, right before hitting up the ladies.....the hatching of McNulty's hair-brained scheme to get the faucet of funds flowing into Baltimore. So we know what Jimmy's getting into. Booze and fixing crime scenes. Ironic that it couldn't come to fruition without the crime lab delay. It will be captivating to see if he can continue to cover his drunken tracks? If this thing goes on, wouldn't you figure that young cop is going to recall the time he found the burn-out drunk in the abandoned row house? Sure, you can trust Bunk....but it seems like there would be too many other eyes.

Jimmy is reverting back to that which he only knows....alcohol, whoring and police work. And scaring the crap out of Bunk.

>>>

On the next Wire:

McNulty making headlines
More with less at the Baltimore Sun.
Trouble for Micheal.
Will Marlo's harm to Butchie bring Omar back?

Also check out these links:

The Hype Guy
ThePhoenix.com

Thoughts on The Wire: Season 5, Episode 1 - More With Less

Ok, so as I understand it, about a year has passed in "Wire Time" since the last episode. Actually...about 15 months, thanks to a Wire run-down from the House Next Door [courtesy of Howie the Hype Guy]. I appreciate the extended "previously on the wire" part at the beginning....but I didn't feel caught up enough. Luckily, about a week ago, I was able to re-watch the last episode of season 4...flipping around the tube by chance. But I'm sure everyone wasn't able to do this....so, David Simon, this being the final season, I would've valued a longer time-lapse montage with tight music much more. Yea, I know....the Sopranos did this before their last season. Well....it worked, didn't it?

I'm curious....since Bunk, Ed Norris and 'Professor' Landsman have been doing the copy machine/lie-detector trick (among similar hijinx, I'm sure) for about 20 years, how do they decide who gets the McDonald's, the royal treatment? It's been so long, you'd think they would have a system sheerly because of the monotonous attitude they convey; the decision can't be random. Common sense would say that the police would choose the one who they think would be fooled the easiest, but you can't always use 'common sense' and 'Baltimore cop' in the same sentence. Besides, I'm sure there have been many times where both perps would easily give up the info just the same. I can picture Bunk now, cigar in his mouth, taking bets that his choice will be fooled with the grand lie.

Public Enemy #1: Marlo Stanfield -- He has Chris Partlow go down to the courthouse and look up the criminal record of Sergei "The Russian" Malatov, the all-purpose enforcer for The Greek. Sergei aka "Serge" aka "Boris", who is really Ukrainian, is jail for the rest of his natural life. As he's leaving, Chris sees Jimmy McNulty outside the records office and gives him the 'sucka please, you can't catch me' smirk. But that's exactly why Paltow is gonna get caught up, perhaps with Marlow doing the deed himself [ok, broad speculation]. Partlow should've shit his pants when he saw McNulty, knowing he left Malatov's file on the counter, and that Jimmy is good police.

"I slur when I'm tired, that's all." - are we really to believe that ol' Beadie Russell didn't hear all that loud bar music in the background?

Loved the response when Jimmy asked Sydnor about the port case. "Naw, I don't know...I wasn't with you."

So what's the reason for Chris' check of the records? My boy Adam and I had a pretty good conversation about this as he was giving me a ride home. He thinks that Marlo is going after the supply line himself....eff dealing with the New Day co-op. Here's my take:

Marlo Stanfield is a true hustler who is smart enough to see and sometimes play all the angles when they can benefit him. First of all, "bargaining" homeboy down to the 60-40 split, with the threat of death upon non-compliance, makes Marlo the Wal-Mart of thuggin.

Then, he tried to put Slim Charles on the spot at the co-op meeting when he prodded Prop Joe about why he didn't offer county territory to new, up-and-coming, cats, specifically mentioning Slim Charles. Calling him out like that, I know it's just Marlo's attempt to put ideas in Slim's head, stir the pot a little. Slim naturally responds that he's good where he's at. But really, what did Marlo expect him to say? Marlo knew that Slim would not think of showing a hint of dissent...especially not in front of the co-op; he's not stupid. More games, more angles from Mr. Stanfield; the "flattery" he sheds upon Charles could become an interesting plot line.

But the suppliers, the Greeks....how exactly would Marlo go about circumventing Prop Joe to get to the source? 1. Would the Greeks do it? Well, that depends on how Marlo is asking. Is he snatching cookies off the tray, or is he requesting politely? Regardless, I'm not so sure the Greeks would move. A quick recap on the Greeks (thanks to Wikipedia): We already know that Serge is in jail. The Greek fled the country. Spiros Vondas, the Greek's right hand, also left the country, but then came back last season, hence, the New Day Co-op supply line. Eton the drug smuggling and peddling Israeli was about to go to jail on trafficking and racketeering charges. And the appliance store guy, Double G, was shot dead by Ziggy.

If Marlo really wants the supply line, it would make sense that he would have to go through Spiros. A jailed Serge can't do much outside of providing a contact, perhaps more background if threatened. I'd like to believe that Marlo has enough connections to get a one-on-one with Spiros without having to go through The Russian. We all saw the interaction between Spiros, Prop Joe and Marlo at last season's meeting to quell Marlo's suspicions that he was set-up, when it was really Omar who knocked them over the head for the shipment. Spiros trusts Prop Joe. He is more than comfortable with the current arrangement. And I can't think of a reason why he wouldn't stay the course.

As Adam says, "There's always someone ready to step up, no matter what."

A big decision coming up for Dukie Weems - Michael Lee takes him off the corner and says that before lil' brother Bug comes home from school, the time is his, he can do whatever he wants. Which path will he choose? Looking for trouble? Well, just like Dukie said himself, he's not Michael. But trouble doesn't only come from the corner. We're left with the obvious hope that he starts going back to school himself, or at least continues with the advancements he made under Mr. Pryzbylewski. But along with the theme of the entire Wire series, there is not a lot of hope going around in cities like Baltimore. Besides, Simon can't possibly go all of the final season without following up on the school system...at least give us a taste.

On to the Baltimore Sun....standing around watching a fire, huh? Nice parallel comparison of the newspaper business standing pat, resisting change, and watching readership burn down to nothing. I gotta give props to the Washington Post, their online insider blogs are a big differentiator....at least those related to sports.

David Simon is not only bashing the newspaper...but also the journalists. They're portrayed as a bunch of crotchety old men resistant to change [that theme again] They're lazy, passionless about their work, and bitter about mentoring the next generation. Should we blame them for being jaded? The burnt baby photo was also a pretty funny commentary on sensationalism....which will, of course, be a developing theme for the season.

Before, I kinda rooted for young Tommy Carcetti. He was the believable young politico with genuine aspirations. Yea, yea...I always saw glimpses of that desire for stardom, but I still believed that he'd do the right thing. As soon as he made that first jump, the highest peak to climb...white mayor in Baltimore....as soon as those birds started chirping in his ear, the governorship opened up like the brightest light at the end of the short tunnel. Just like turning heel in the WWE, or as my dad calls it, "wraslin", Carcetti became your typical cock-sucking politician with one swift move. When Tommy didn't accept the money from the governor for the schools, those damn schools...just because he didn't want to lose face, he chose himself over the city. Tommy Carcetti passed that point, and he's not going back.

"We lowered the body count just by sittin' on 'em." - Leander Sydnor

On top of that...yea, the writers played that Fed up to be a Republican dick-head -- but the thing is, I think Carcetti was more concerned with acting like the Feds owed him (or Baltimore) something. That arrogance led to him slamming the door on the help that they needed. It's a give-and-take world and you can't always protect your self-perceived laurels.

"One thieving politician trumps 22 dead bodies. Good to know." - Cedric Daniels

"Herc" Hauk was always a fuck-up...or in the middle of one....or fucking it up for others [Randy and Bubbles to start]. It's also good to know that some things never change. Now, Herc is what I believe to be a Private Dick/security detail for lawyers. He buys his ex-cop buddies drinks, because they are depressed SOBs who can't afford booze, in exchange for insider cop information for the lawyer, Maurice Levy (originally of the Barksdale Crew), for the criminals his 'buddies' are trying to catch. And Levy encourages Herc to step his game up. Cops getting drunk off drug money, nice.

"Kid, it's time you learned something about the expense account." - Maurice Levy

And to end, what will be the next more of.....

"The Prodigal Son" - Jay Landsman
(Are you telling me that McNulty desk kick didn't knock down some of those gingerly stacked papers?)


Next time on the Wire

• The nights are going to get longer.
• Clay Davis is mad and will do what it takes to protect his.
• Surprise! Marlo must go through Avon to get to the Russian. (so Adam is probably right....Marlo is on Operation New-Day Circumvent)
  
• And, more bodies from Marlo.

[the wire: season 5, episode 2 write-up]

Even More Linken In

• Poor, poor Michael Jordan. This is going to severely curb his gambling habits. Really, why do athletes get married anyway? Honestly, I