The Wire (HBO) TV Show • Page 13

Been making my way through the Wire for a couple months now and just watched the season 4 finale. Might already be one of my favorite episodes of television ever.

The complex mix of emotions from seeing the story end for a beloved character after their frustration with the lack of integrity and honor in the drug game gets them killed while multiple characters are processing grief and helplessness (Bubs with Sherrod, Carver wrestling with the weight of failing Randy, and Prez spotting Duquan on a corner).

But you also get a (hopefully) reformed McNulty getting called back to Major Crimes, Namond and Colvin connecting and getting Namond a chance at a life away from the corners. And I can’t forget to mention every scene surrounding the Omar/Prop Joe/Marlo conflict. Every bit of dialogue feels so tense and calculated by all parties as they try to walk the fine line of self-preservation and maintaining their top dog status.

So yeah, lots to process over the last 15-20 minutes of the episode. Just a masterclass in writing and knowing how to tie off some threads and putting everyone in a place that is exciting for the transition into season 5.

I guess my expectations are a little lower for 5 given some of the reactions but I’m hoping for the best.

 

that post makes me want to start rewatch #3.

 

I had two "hey they were in The Wire!" moments while watching movies lately.

• John Doman who plays Rawls is a construction foreman that John McClain briefly interacts with in Die Hard With a Vengeance
• Frankie Faison who plays Burrell was the head orderly at Hannibal Lector's psych ward in Silence Of the Lambs.

Further proving my theory that after you've watched The Wire a couple time you start to notice The Wire castmembers in literally everything you watch.

 

Also just noticed Domenick Lombardozzi (Herc) while binging Billions. He had a reoccurring guest spot in season 5 where he played the business manager of a Pizza enterprise that Bobby Axelrod had ties to.

 

I don’t quite have the words yet, but I finished the series finale and I’m just so damn pleased with what I just watched

 

Yeah season 5 as a whole may be flawed, but they stick the landing in the very end perfectly.

 

That ending makes up for season five as a whole (which really isn't as outright bad as everyone makes it seem) IMO.

 

Michael becoming the new Omar and Dukie becoming the new Bubbles still is one of the most brilliant endings to a character's arc I have ever seem in a TV show.

 

I definitely went into season 5 with slightly lowered expectations simply because I was aware of the reactions to it as a whole. Always heard the the final two episodes were top tier tv though.

Having watched it though I definitely find the assessment to be valid, but only from a position of looking at it in relation to seasons 1-4 which are all contain varying degrees of great to perfect television within them.

But damn if the season 4 and 5 finales of aren’t just some of the best stuff out there. Such a high percentage of the series is so consistent, but it also succeeds in wrapping things up in a satisfying way that so few contemporaries are been able to match.

 

Something about season five that never made sense was the Nick Sobotka cameo. He is supposed to be in witness protection or something equivalent for testifying against the Greeks but he is either hanging out or even working at the docks where the Greeks still transport their drugs.

 

He literally left witness protection at the very end of season 2 to go chill with his boys on the docks. They already established she doesn't give a shit anymore.

 

He walked to the fence and looked through it. He was thinking about his life but he didn't literally leave witness protection. He wants to get revenge for his family.

 

Slim Charles killing Cheese at the end of 5 was one of the most satisfying character deaths ever..

 

Did them all a favor

 

This sentimental motherfucker just cost us money

 

Slim Charles lowkey MVP of this series. Followed the code of the game unrelentingly, carried himself with 100% loyalty and honor, knew when to act and when not to act. Ended up top dog. He was the smart ass pawn that became the king.

 

Most I love most about rewatching this show is I will still pick up subtext I missed. I didn't realize that the reason why Bodie was so upset and disturbed about what Snoop and Chris did to Little Kevin was because he did almost the same exact thing to Wallace in season 1and he feels guilty about it until like my 5th rewatch.

 

Slim Charles definitely was one of my favorites. Plus the actor did a great job.

 

Doing a rewatch. Probably my fourth time overall and even the pilot is firing on all cylinders. Always so many things I pick up on that I missed originally. D breaking down in the interrogation room after they try and guilt him over the state witness being murdered was something I forgot about. He evens starts writing which is so crazy. Knowing Stringer I’m surprised they didn’t off him immediately for that.


The desk scene where Herc is attempting to put it in while everyone else goes the other direction is always great. More thoughts to come.

Can’t wait to see Prop Joe and Cutty

 

Also just seeing Stinkum the first ep had me very hyped to see that one scene with him an Omar…

 

Was already getting the urge to re-watch this even thought I just did in February, but decided to watch it's precursor, The Corner, and read All The Pieces Matter instead. Both are fantastic so far. So many actors from The Wire playing opposite characters in The Corner.

 

What platform are you watching The Corner on?

 

I put it on my Plex server. DM me your email address if you want an invite.

 

gotta finally figure out what plex is one of these days huh