joenice wrote:joenice Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:23 am Post subject:
Just watched the season opener on demand. The last 5 minutes -- too many twists and turns....Amazing start to the show.
Last season -- really hit home. My girlfriend was a middle school principal at the time and what you saw on the show happened in her school -- in one form or another. Her exact words, "They could do three seasons on the school system alone." I believe her...i've heard the stories.
This season -- i know of no one that works for the newspaper, The Baltimore Sun....but i live down the street from the place. That has to count for something....maybe.
Observations...we'll call this ART VS LIFE:
ART: The mayor on the show, Thomas Carcetti, a white male in a predominantly black city with his eye on becoming governor of Maryland.
LIFE: The mayor (about 2 years ago) -- Martin O'Malley. A white male in a predominantly black city who becomes governor of Maryland.
(The actor that plays the mayor on the show and the current governor of Maryland share a striking resemblance.)
ACTOR - GOVERNOR
I'll take it a step further. The former mayor, is of Irish descent. The actor that plays Carcetti, is Irish.
ART: In the show, you will see an African-American female. She's the city council president that serves under Carcetti....that seems to have aspirations of becoming mayor of Baltimore.
LIFE: O'Malley's city council president was an African-American female named Sheila Dixon. The current mayor of Baltimore -- Sheila Dixon.
The real mayor of Baltimore -- JOENICE. JUST KIDDING....SORT OF.
ART: One of the characters on the show is a detective named Edward Norris. He works in the office -- the bald-headed guy.
LIFE: The man that plays Det. Edward Norris is Ed Norris...the former Baltimore City police commissioner who was forced to resign and was eventually jailed for corruption.
ART: During one of the scenes on the first episode of the new season, there's a man making a phone call. He's heavily bearded, bald in the middle and works for the newspaper. They don't mention his name....but he's there.
LIFE: The bearded man in the scene, former Baltimore Sun columnist, Michael Olesker. He worked for the Baltimore Sun and was forced to resign b/c of allegations of plagiarism.
Can we start a petition for season 6? PLEASE ?
The Wire Season 5 Discussion (BEWARE - FINALE SPOILERS!)
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The Wire Season 5 Discussion (BEWARE - FINALE SPOILERS!)
This thread is for discussion of the new season of the Wire - please note that HBO in demand airs the episodes roughly a week before they screen on normal HBO so be careful what you read if you don't want spoilers:
Last edited by datura on Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I thought it was a great episode..set things up, caught up with the majority of the main players and was a good introduction to the new charachters, in fact the only notably absentee was Omar.
So, McNulty is on a self-destructive streak again..major crimes disbanded..herc is now a PI working for Levy (!)..Bubs (Reginald!!) has gone straight...Carcetti is already going back on his Law and Order promises..
And most interestingly, Marlo seems to be stepping to the Co-op, testing Prop Joe and also Slim Charles..Chris's interest in the Russian is intriguing, although whether it was just a ruse to throw the detail off the scent or not, will be found out in later episodes.
The ambitious journo (didn't pick up his name) seems to have a lot of parallels with mcnulty personality wise..i can see him being an outlet for mcnulty's disullusionment with the force.
BTW Joe, i remember reading that they had plans for a 6th series of the wire, to cover the theme of immigrants but Simon thought that none of the writers had enough knowledge of the culture to be able to capture their it sucessfully
So, McNulty is on a self-destructive streak again..major crimes disbanded..herc is now a PI working for Levy (!)..Bubs (Reginald!!) has gone straight...Carcetti is already going back on his Law and Order promises..
And most interestingly, Marlo seems to be stepping to the Co-op, testing Prop Joe and also Slim Charles..Chris's interest in the Russian is intriguing, although whether it was just a ruse to throw the detail off the scent or not, will be found out in later episodes.
The ambitious journo (didn't pick up his name) seems to have a lot of parallels with mcnulty personality wise..i can see him being an outlet for mcnulty's disullusionment with the force.
BTW Joe, i remember reading that they had plans for a 6th series of the wire, to cover the theme of immigrants but Simon thought that none of the writers had enough knowledge of the culture to be able to capture their it sucessfully
a brilliant post and a great idea to have a thread about season 5.datura wrote:I thought it was a great episode..set things up, caught up with the majority of the main players and was a good introduction to the new charachters, in fact the only notably absentee was Omar.
So, McNulty is on a self-destructive streak again..major crimes disbanded..herc is now a PI working for Levy (!)..Bubs (Reginald!!) has gone straight...Carcetti is already going back on his Law and Order promises..
And most interestingly, Marlo seems to be stepping to the Co-op, testing Prop Joe and also Slim Charles..Chris's interest in the Russian is intriguing, although whether it was just a ruse to throw the detail off the scent or not, will be found out in later episodes.
The ambitious journo (didn't pick up his name) seems to have a lot of parallels with mcnulty personality wise..i can see him being an outlet for mcnulty's disullusionment with the force.
BTW Joe, i remember reading that they had plans for a 6th series of the wire, to cover the theme of immigrants but Simon thought that none of the writers had enough knowledge of the culture to be able to capture their it sucessfully
the twist i was referring to was Herc working for Levy. I didnt see that coming -- yet, it makes sense. What's even crazier -- Sydnor and Carver still believe that Herc is part of the mayor's "security detail". But -- i can see why Herc would work for Levy. Herc has all the connections (police-wise, knowing who's who on the streets...etc) and Levy is the lawyer you go to if you're screwed. Also -- Herc was screwed by the BCPD, even though most of that was his own doing.
McNulty -- you knew he had to start this season strong. He wasnt around much last season.
Carcetti -- that's no surprise at all. OMalley did much of the same when he was elected mayor.
Marlo - It's on with him and the co-op and it's only a matter of time before he gets taken out. Slim Charles isnt one of Marlo's boys or one of Prop Joe's -- he was one of Barksdale's. Omar is in prison dishing all the dirt on Clay Davis. I think Barksdale gets out and runs the streets again -- in very little time. Barksdale was a bad man -- Marlo is evil. He has no respect for "the code". He kills without honor (e.g. -- the bodies inside the vacant houses). I feel his time is running out. Maybe Chris sees it too.....
THE JOURNALIST: His real life name is Clarke Johnson. He was a cop on the other legendary show about Baltimore and the police, HOMICIDE: Life on The Street. That show was brilliant and i feel they could have done more with it (like The Wire), but they were restrained by network tv. No holds barred on HBO...it's cable. As a Baltimore Sun journalist -- he seems to be very connected with the city. Almost too connected. Knowing about the drug dealer -- or who he is -- is one thing. Tying up the loose ends into a cohesive story is another. When the city council president gets the newspaper (from Bubbles no less !) and rolls up her window, her screaming in silence was all you needed to know...especially on the way to work. She was on St Paul Street (I know this because i live on St Paul St). That location is a block away from the courthouse (the same courthouse with Chris). The next street is Lexington. She makes the left, drives two blocks and she's at City Hall.
DATURA: I didnt get Chris's interest in Malatov (the russian) either. What's most interesting....Chris walks into the courthouse past the ADA and Col. Daniels. He then asks the ADA where he can find the criminal files. Chris gets the info, leaves the room and McNulty is standing there staring back at Chris. It's not like Chris and McNulty don't know each other. (Season 4, last episode. Bodie is seen my one of Marlo's corner boys with McNulty. This fact is reported to Marlo, Snoop and Chris. Chris, Michael and Snoop execute Bodie on his corner. McNulty knows why this happened and he was powerless to stop it.)
FEW MORE THINGS:
1. When did Carver get promoted to Sargent? Am I missing something?
2. How did that corner kid in the beginning of the show not know that the copier machine wasnt a lie detector test?
3. I really feel sorry for DuQuan. The corner boys don't respect him and it seems like Michael is going to have to protect him. Duquan wants no parts of the streets -- yet he has no one to care for him, except Michael. Michael -- he was being molested by his dad (allegedly) and has to work for Marlo. There's no getting out for him. Duquan -- he's been reduced to being a babysitter for Michael's younger brother. What a shame.
4. In an effort to placate Daniels, Carcetti makes him police commissioner, but that stay is short-lived. Does anyone else remember the money from a couple of seasons ago? It's only gonna get worse for the PD.
Let's keep this going !
The marlo situation is a tricky one for Prop Joe et al as he is not really part of the 'old school' types that make up the majority of the co-op. He doesn't care about honour etc, he's all about power and money. If they step to Marlo, they know there's going to be bodies as he'll go down fighting, and the reason they currently are getting relatively less attention from the police is the lack of bodies.
I think the connection with the russian is linked to the Greek, and (it's been a while since i saw season 4) Marlo wants to get to Prop Joe's source so that he can bypass the co-op.
I can't see Barksdale being released, and in anyway he's only really got slim charles remaining out of his main soldiers. The main danger I think for Marlo is going to be Omar when he gets out. I can see him targetting Marlo's crew the same way he did with Barksdale.
I recognised him from Homicide, there were initial rumours than Munch might have been in Season 5 also. I did think that he seemed to know almost too much, but that's a small point, but still unusual in something as well written as the Wire.
I'm not sure what the rules are about tailing suspects, maybe mcnulty has to keep a certain distance and avoid confrontation? It was strange that Daniels didn't recognise Chris.
I was a bit surprised about Carver's promotion, but he has proved himself good police in the last series or so, particularly under Colvin and the Hamsterdam experiment. Whereas Herc is still mainly the comic relief, Carver has proven himself one of the more intelligent police.
I can see Duquan buying it at some point, he's too sensitive to be a corner boy, but there is nowhere else for him to go, kinda similar to Wallace.
They are painting Carcetti pretty well, he obviously wants to do the right thing, but is maybe too principalled to work the system for the benefit of his people. This will be his downfall as it is something Royce was excellent at, and as he is already falling back on electoral promises.
I hope we get to see what Colvin, Namond, Prez and Cutty are doing, even if it's a brief cameo.
I think the connection with the russian is linked to the Greek, and (it's been a while since i saw season 4) Marlo wants to get to Prop Joe's source so that he can bypass the co-op.
I can't see Barksdale being released, and in anyway he's only really got slim charles remaining out of his main soldiers. The main danger I think for Marlo is going to be Omar when he gets out. I can see him targetting Marlo's crew the same way he did with Barksdale.
I recognised him from Homicide, there were initial rumours than Munch might have been in Season 5 also. I did think that he seemed to know almost too much, but that's a small point, but still unusual in something as well written as the Wire.
I'm not sure what the rules are about tailing suspects, maybe mcnulty has to keep a certain distance and avoid confrontation? It was strange that Daniels didn't recognise Chris.
I was a bit surprised about Carver's promotion, but he has proved himself good police in the last series or so, particularly under Colvin and the Hamsterdam experiment. Whereas Herc is still mainly the comic relief, Carver has proven himself one of the more intelligent police.
I can see Duquan buying it at some point, he's too sensitive to be a corner boy, but there is nowhere else for him to go, kinda similar to Wallace.
They are painting Carcetti pretty well, he obviously wants to do the right thing, but is maybe too principalled to work the system for the benefit of his people. This will be his downfall as it is something Royce was excellent at, and as he is already falling back on electoral promises.
I hope we get to see what Colvin, Namond, Prez and Cutty are doing, even if it's a brief cameo.
carver + herc = good cop/bad cop. always been that way. you could see herc's path to where he's at now laid out in season 3.
carver was actually promoted to sergeant after the first season, but daniels refused to acknowledge the rank.
malatov is def marlo's connection to the greek and to the docks. i think marlo's thinking of different sources outside the co-op.
pretty sure prez and colvin have cameos this season.
carver was actually promoted to sergeant after the first season, but daniels refused to acknowledge the rank.
malatov is def marlo's connection to the greek and to the docks. i think marlo's thinking of different sources outside the co-op.
pretty sure prez and colvin have cameos this season.
"Sometimes I do see people saggin, with dirty underwear, and it is indeed a sad thing."
but not necessarily in a moral sense, herc just isn't very good at police work. It'll be interesting to see where his story arc is going this season.showguns wrote:carver + herc = good cop/bad cop. always been that way. you could see herc's path to where he's at now laid out in season 3.
possibly, or just bypassing Prop Joe and going direct to the source.showguns wrote: malatov is def marlo's connection to the greek and to the docks. i think marlo's thinking of different sources outside the co-op.
this is worth a read: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200801/bowden-wire
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schamotnik
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Just watched eps 1 & 2.. brilliant to have the show back, even if this is the last season.
I agree with you on that one.. if you remember the thing where he and carver take the money(dunno which season) it's clear that he has no moral issues.. so it makes sense that he works for a lawyer that defends gangsters.showguns wrote:carver + herc = good cop/bad cop. always been that way. you could see herc's path to where he's at now laid out in season 3.
You're right marlo doesn't care about codes like avon, prop joe, etc. . He will kill people just because he has been insulted by them.datura wrote:The marlo situation is a tricky one for Prop Joe et al as he is not really part of the 'old school' types that make up the majority of the co-op. He doesn't care about honour etc, he's all about power and money. If they step to Marlo, they know there's going to be bodies as he'll go down fighting, and the reason they currently are getting relatively less attention from the police is the lack of bodies.
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rickyricardo
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Just got done watching the first episode about a half-hour ago, and I can already tell that this is going to be a great season. Couple of quick thoughts:
- I thought mcnulty's descent back into self-destruction would actually take a few episodes to develop, but he came out his corner swinging (to Bunk: "Come here you virile beast"). Welcome back...lol!
- Interesting that Kima joined major crimes again, b/c at the end of last season when Freamon was reorganizing the unit, she seemed content to stay in Homicide. Wonder what changed her mind?
- Marlo doesn't look like he's trying to circumvent the co-op, but rather trying to destroy it from the inside. It's very telling that in the meeting (upon hearing that the Hopkins buy-up of the east side was opening up new markets in baltimore county), his first inclination is that the new territories should go to the first one to claim them, rather than the co-op (read: Prop Joe) deciding who gets what. From Marlo's perspective, being in the co-op has it's own set of limitations on business, and looking up Sergei might be his first step in loosening the co-op's grip.
...as a real-life parallel, John Hopkins really *is* buying up the east side of baltimore, building (among other things) a giant biotechnology park. They've demolished whole city blocks to do this, and have pushed alot of the east side's residents (and problems) into the county
- Thank god that *someone* is actually going after Clay Davis (even though the matter of who gets to go after him is a political football unto itself.
- Carver promotion was a product of the promotion parade that took place during Season 4 when Daniels was made the head of CID, and the other guy (forget his name...w/ the glasses) became the new Western District Commander
- I think that Carver and the rest of the cops do know that Herc is working for a law-firm now, but not necessarily for Levy....I think Carver, especially, would have some objections w/ that.
- Gutierrez(?), the female reporter, is kinda cute
- The scene where there are three reporters sitting in an office watching a fire, and no one is reporting on it was a classic
- Poor Duquan...not enough heart for the street, but too much pride to stay home "cleaning the stove, and baking cookies and shit"
- If Carcetti really does model O'Malley, then he'll take the state bailout and *still* end up as the governor...lol.[/i]
- I thought mcnulty's descent back into self-destruction would actually take a few episodes to develop, but he came out his corner swinging (to Bunk: "Come here you virile beast"). Welcome back...lol!
- Interesting that Kima joined major crimes again, b/c at the end of last season when Freamon was reorganizing the unit, she seemed content to stay in Homicide. Wonder what changed her mind?
- Marlo doesn't look like he's trying to circumvent the co-op, but rather trying to destroy it from the inside. It's very telling that in the meeting (upon hearing that the Hopkins buy-up of the east side was opening up new markets in baltimore county), his first inclination is that the new territories should go to the first one to claim them, rather than the co-op (read: Prop Joe) deciding who gets what. From Marlo's perspective, being in the co-op has it's own set of limitations on business, and looking up Sergei might be his first step in loosening the co-op's grip.
...as a real-life parallel, John Hopkins really *is* buying up the east side of baltimore, building (among other things) a giant biotechnology park. They've demolished whole city blocks to do this, and have pushed alot of the east side's residents (and problems) into the county
- Thank god that *someone* is actually going after Clay Davis (even though the matter of who gets to go after him is a political football unto itself.
- Carver promotion was a product of the promotion parade that took place during Season 4 when Daniels was made the head of CID, and the other guy (forget his name...w/ the glasses) became the new Western District Commander
- I think that Carver and the rest of the cops do know that Herc is working for a law-firm now, but not necessarily for Levy....I think Carver, especially, would have some objections w/ that.
- Gutierrez(?), the female reporter, is kinda cute
- The scene where there are three reporters sitting in an office watching a fire, and no one is reporting on it was a classic
- Poor Duquan...not enough heart for the street, but too much pride to stay home "cleaning the stove, and baking cookies and shit"
- If Carcetti really does model O'Malley, then he'll take the state bailout and *still* end up as the governor...lol.[/i]
That's quite an interesting idea - i can definitely see where you're coming from. if he manages to break up the co-op's delicate peace, AND gets a direct connect to the supply, he's almost untouchable.RickyRicardo wrote: - Marlo doesn't look like he's trying to circumvent the co-op, but rather trying to destroy it from the inside. It's very telling that in the meeting (upon hearing that the Hopkins buy-up of the east side was opening up new markets in baltimore county), his first inclination is that the new territories should go to the first one to claim them, rather than the co-op (read: Prop Joe) deciding who gets what. From Marlo's perspective, being in the co-op has it's own set of limitations on business, and looking up Sergei might be his first step in loosening the co-op's grip.
A lot of people are speculating about cheese's role, as he seems hungry for those corners and might end up allying himself with marlo. It only takes a few of the co-op to start thinking like marlo to break it up.
I've seen the 2nd epsiode, but will hold off discussion until it airs on on demand at least so i don't drop any spoilers on you.
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schamotnik
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schamotnik
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schamotnik
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ufo over easy
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exactly.. herc working for levy was a clever move on the part of the writers, makes perfect sense with herc having been indirectly responsible for more or less everything that got fucked in season 4...showguns wrote:carver + herc = good cop/bad cop. always been that way. you could see herc's path to where he's at now laid out in season 3.
I don't think Marlo's going to get overthrown any time soon.. he might be evil or whatever but it's his ruthlessness that's got him where he is now, and it'll keep him there.
champing at the bit for episode 3 now
Honestly -- i wasn't really feeling episode 2. It was a "setup episode". The Wire does this from time to time -- to get you ready for the next one.UFO over easy wrote: exactly.. herc working for levy was a clever move on the part of the writers, makes perfect sense with herc having been indirectly responsible for more or less everything that got fucked in season 4...
I don't think Marlo's going to get overthrown any time soon.. he might be evil or whatever but it's his ruthlessness that's got him where he is now, and it'll keep him there.
champing at the bit for episode 3 now
I am ready for episode 3. 1000%
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