The Wire -- Season Five

[Deathstroke]

The final season of The Wire will premiere on HBO January 6th.

This final season turns its focus on the media.

It will be interesting to see just how things work out with all the characters. I don't know if there will be a finality to the cast of characters you've come to love despite their near-innumerable character flaws. I think there's a strong likelihood the ending will be one of the "life goes on" type.

[Jamal]

The final season of The Wire will premiere on HBO January 6th.

This final season turns its focus on the media.

It will be interesting to see just how things work out with all the characters. I don't know if there will be a finality to the cast of characters you've come to love despite their near-innumerable character flaws. I think there's a strong likelihood the ending will be one of the "life goes on" type.

The best show on tv is back! I wonder what excuse the Emmys use next year for not nominating The Wire.

[hugh45]

The best show on tv is back! I wonder what excuse the Emmys use next year for not nominating The Wire.

Don't worry they will have some reasons in giving it to one of their network
shows. They (major networks) have a hard time giving major category
rewards to cable tv.:evilangry

[IamtheRock3]

to me it hard to top the ending of season 3

which would be a perfect ending

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Is Season 4 on DVD yet? And Season 3>>>Season 1 and 2

[FanboyStranger]

Is Season 4 on DVD yet? And Season 3>>>Season 1 and 2

Season four is to be released on December 11th, which makes it #1 on my Christmas list. The best news is that is priced $59.99 US, which makes its price about $30 cheaper than previous Wire box releases and more in line with other shows that have 12-13 episodes a season like The Sheild and Rescue Me.

I can't wait until January!

[KenK]

The final season of The Wire will premiere on HBO January 6th.

This final season turns its focus on the media.

It will be interesting to see just how things work out with all the characters. I don't know if there will be a finality to the cast of characters you've come to love despite their near-innumerable character flaws. I think there's a strong likelihood the ending will be one of the "life goes on" type.

I can't imagine it ending it any other way. Lester will probably retire. Bubbles might die, but I definitely hope not. Other than that, a "Life Goes On" approach works just fine with me. I definitely don't see them succeeding in getting rid of every major dealer in Baltimore or anything like that. It'll definitely be interesting to see how the media plays into everything.

[Deathstroke]

Anyone check out the first episode of the 5th season? It doesn't premiere on HBO until January 6th, but if you have Comcast On Demand, the show was on there as of yesterday.

I watched it and though it was the set piece for the rest of the season, it was once again superbly done.

The police are at the breaking point with the city, which is practically bankrupt. Meanwhile, the city paper is dealing with cutback and corporate politics.

Utterly awesome start.

Oh and here's an article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080101/tv_nm/wire_dc) on the show from Yahoo.

[Expletive Deleted]

Man, David Simon loves that damn copier machine bit. There was almost word-for-word the same scene in both HOMICIDE the book and HOMICIDE the TV show.

As for the episode as a whole, nice start. I'm liking the addition of the media to the mix. And it's nice to see Clark Johnson acting, again.

[Deathstroke]

Man, David Simon loves that damn copier machine bit. There was almost word-for-word the same scene in both HOMICIDE the book and HOMICIDE the TV show.

As for the episode as a whole, nice start. I'm liking the addition of the media to the mix. And it's nice to see Clark Johnson acting, again.

Yeah, Clark Johnson really does bring something intriguing to his role of the world weary journalist doesn't he?

[Deathstroke]

It doesn't come as any surprise to me but the final season is getting great reviews from the papers I've read and online. I know that I'll be tuning in to the show on Sunday night even though I've seen the season premiere already on On Demand.

Here's an article looking at the media reaction the their role in the fifth season - LINK (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080101/ap_en_tv/tv_the_wire_media)

Here's an interview with the actor Clarke Peters who plays Lester Freeman. LINK (http://www.tvguide.com/news/clarke-peters-wire/080104-01)

[Your Imaginary Pal]

Watched it twice yesterday.
spoilers
How Chris Partlow just walks by Daniels, just as they're done talking about his bodies int he vacants was amazing to me.
end of spoilers

I don't like the way the press office was shoehorned in. I mean they usually make a transition into the other aspects a little smoother, like Presbo with the schools. Some of the Newsrom cast just don't jump out at me. But I expect good things this season, as long as it doesn't end at a diner with sappy music I'm happy.

[Jamal]

Season 5 is already off to a really good start, Marlo's making his move and getting greedy, the Police feeling the strain of false promises, and reporters are hunting for any news angle they can find. Plus it looks like there is some Barksdale action coming up real soon. Like every year before it this is a must see season and I hope people are watching because you will be kicking yourself if you missed it when it is over.

[FanboyStranger]

Season Five kicked off last night on HBO, and like every season premier episode before it, it spread its net wide and set the stage for the rest of the season. Here's some of my impressions:

-- The press, the new plot element I was most uncertain about, really shone in this episode, particular frequent Wire director Clark Johnson as the floor manager. Initially I was worried that this part of the story was going to be more of a David Simon rant against the management of the dying print-news media (as so many of his lead-up interviews about the season had turned into) than a well-integrated part of the overall story, but I should have had more faith. I think this plot element is headed straight for the elusive Senator Clay Davis, but I'm not sure it will end in the comeuppance so many people expect (I half expect the old guard of the Sun Metro section to be bought out before the story breaks, and Davis to survive slightly bruised, but still in office, grinning his way through more backdoor, handshake deals with the criminal element.)

-- McNulty, drinking again, is at his most unlikeable. As bad as he's been in previous seasons, his conscience and righteousness about the job kept him from seeming a complete prick. It's definitely not going to end well for Jimmy, which, despite the flashes of happiness from last season, I think was written on the wall from the very first episode.

-- Carcetti, Carver, and Herc are all in way over their heads. Carcetti's problems have been there from the beginning-- he's a smooth talking former idealist faced with the reality of a dying city infrastructure, a disgruntled city police force already way overtaxed, a major political scandal on the verge of breaking, and his preoccupation with his own political future leading him to get in deeper and deeper. Carver's a test-taker who has never really seemed like leadership material, and his failure to protect Randy at the end of last season only cements my feeling that the Western's in more trouble than just unpaid overtime. Herc is not a bright man, but to see him working for Levy was a real blow. It fits because Lord knows that Herc's strong suit is certainly not thinking things though, but now he's belly up to the beast. Also, he no longer has that Shield to protect him from Marlow.

-- Marlow and Prop Joe are headed to an altercation. They're the two smartest cats in the room, but something has to give in the fragile detente the two have going on, be it East Baltimore County, Omar, or the connection with Vondas and the Russians. Also, it's interesting to see that Marlow's meeting with Vondas may be leading him to Sergei Malatov, but that while Marlow may rule the outside, Avon Barksdale controls the inside (at least from the preview for next week).

-- The tragedy of Michael just seems to get deeper. He's a full blown soldier now, but it's tearing apart his friendship with Daquon. One or the other is going to end up with a knife in his back.

Can't wait until next week. Also, if you have HBO OnDemand, there's a few mini-episodes concerning McNulty and Bunk's first day as partners, Omar's first stick-up, and Prop Joe at school in the '60s that are worth checking out. They're not exactly essential, but they do add to the tapestry, particularly Omar's.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

I caught it on demand early and was disappointed that the preview for next week wasn't ready yet.
Gotta catch those minisodes though, seems interesting.

[Jamal]

Thanks for the info on the minisodes, I've been staying away from indemand because I didn't want to spoil the episode but now I got to check those out.:D

[IamtheRock3]

saw the second episode on demand

dont want to spoil anything

but what the heck wrong with mcnulty

[FanboyStranger]

saw the second episode on demand

dont want to spoil anything

but what the heck wrong with mcnulty

Did the same, and all I can say is that the job has finally gotten to him beyond reclamation. I get the motive, but the means... whoa... this is not going to be pretty.

Didn't really spoil any of the events of the episode, but if you want to go into Sunday's episode clean, I wouldn't read what I wrote.

[Deathstroke]

I watched the second episode last night and I have to agree about Jimmy McNulty.
He's completely lost it and is now as bad as the criminals he's supposed to be going after. Worse actually because now he's committing crimes under the color of authority.

[FanboyStranger]

I watched the second episode last night and I have to agree about Jimmy McNulty.
He's completely lost it and is now as bad as the criminals he's supposed to be going after. Worse actually because now he's committing crimes under the color of authority.

This time the spoilers will refer to events in the episode, so please steer clear if you don't want certain elements of the show spoiled before Sunday:

I don't agree. To be sure, McNulty's crossed an ethical line and I do find it very unsettling, bordering on appallling, but I don't find it compares to building a drug empire on the backs of 22-- wait, now, 25-- bodies (that the Baltimore PD know about.) Should he be a cop anymore? No, definitely not, for his sake as well as the departments'. Should he do time for tampering with a crime scene and (let's assume this is where this is headed) falsifying a police report? Absolutely, and since this is The Wire and not The Shield, I imagine he will.

McNulty's problem has always been that he cares too much, and no amount of liquor, whoring, and general asshole-ness (or even a shot at a new family situation on the non-self-destructive side of the equation) can fill that hole. Bodie's death has rattled him, Bodie's assertion that the game is rigged filled him with more anger, the city has let him and the entire police force down, Daniels has let him down, Fitz has let him down because the feds and city are playing political games... now it's "the game has no fucking rules" and apparently, neither does Jimmy. His desperation has finally led to his downfall (presumably).

So, while I despise the means, I get the motive. It's what makes Jimmy Jimmy. He's no Chris Partlow, Snoop, or Marlow.

[Agent Helix]

McNulty's problem isn't, nor has it ever been, that he cares too much. They spell it out in the very first season, then spend the brunt of his character arc proving it. He has to be "the smartest motherfucker in the room". He doesn't solve crimes because he really cares, not primarily anyway. He does it to appease his own intellectual vanity. Why do you think it was so devastating to him that HE didn't get to collar Stringer? In season 4, when he's away from Major Crimes, we see what he's like when he's not feeding his own insatiable ego. THAT is the McNulty that cares about people. That's the one that goes to talk to Bodie. The McNulty in Major Crimes just cares about winning.

The great thing about his character is that he actually isn't a good person. He's a pretty terrible person. His latest lapse in judgement, severe though it is, is completely in keeping with his character. It's brilliant television.

[Deathstroke]

Brilliant TV to be sure but it doesn't mean I have to LIKE what they are doing to him. Or rather he is doing to himself.

Darn it, I care too much!

[Your Imaginary Pal]

I remember in sn 3 when Lester told MCNulty, "The Job would not save him."
And he and Bubk also pleaded to Daniels on his behalf saying He was nothing but self destructive when he wasn't working a good case.
In the season opener her seemed to be thrilled to be working a good case while doing survelance on the roof with Dozerman. He didn't even really seem to mind not getting his overtime, not too much anyway. But the change was evident when he and the unit got the news they'd be shutting down becuase of budget concerns.

This is his characters journey. I haven't seen the episode, but I see the writing on the wall. I have a feeling he will bump into Herc at some point and discover he's working with Levy. I really can't wait to see how that turns out.

So many twists, I think the Wire will be quite tangled this season...and I think that will make for great comedy and tragedy. Things being bleak never looked so promising.

[FanboyStranger]

McNulty's problem isn't, nor has it ever been, that he cares too much. They spell it out in the very first season, then spend the brunt of his character arc proving it. He has to be "the smartest motherfucker in the room". He doesn't solve crimes because he really cares, not primarily anyway. He does it to appease his own intellectual vanity. Why do you think it was so devastating to him that HE didn't get to collar Stringer? In season 4, when he's away from Major Crimes, we see what he's like when he's not feeding his own insatiable ego. THAT is the McNulty that cares about people. That's the one that goes to talk to Bodie. The McNulty in Major Crimes just cares about winning.

The great thing about his character is that he actually isn't a good person. He's a pretty terrible person. His latest lapse in judgement, severe though it is, is completely in keeping with his character. It's brilliant television.

Okay, I will concede that most of McNulty's self-righteousness towards the job is not entirely altruistic, but I think it has more to do with an deep seated inferiority complex than intellectual vanity. When McNulty flies off the rails, it's because he feels he's been put upon, betrayed by assholes who just don't care as much about the job, and that's why he spends hours looking at nautical charts to make sure a floater ends up on City Homicide's rolls, rather than County's. He takes everything personally. In many ways, McNulty is the most stereotypical character on the show-- lapsed Irish Catholic fueled by guilt to make the world a better place, aware of everyone else's flaws but his own very obvious ones, second-class citizen in his own mind until the bitter end. But when he pulls a call-- and Bunk has pointed this out more often than he's pointed out that "Jimmy needs to be the smartest motherfucker in the room"-- these calls eat him up inside. I think the hookers in the can from Season Two illustrate this best: yes, it started as ego and a fuck-you to Rawls, but he eventually admits that those girls going into the ground without a name kept him up at night.

He's definitely a complicated man.

Anyway, we all know that Lester is the smartest motherfucker in the house by a long shot.

[IamtheRock3]

although think it a bit extreme for his character

not sure he do that

[Agent Helix]

No, this is completely in keeping with McNulty's character, given the current circumstances.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

okay so now that I see what he's done, yeah McNulty is kind of losing it. He's just trying to reallocate funds into the police dept. A good example of desperate times leading to desperate measures. It can't really be compared o the Shield, he gets no direct benefit and he's not covering his tracks with what he did/is doing, he's trying to maneuver so the city can focus in on crime. It seems more similar to a Dexter M.O. than a Mackey m.o.
It also shows how McNulty and Colvin are similar in a way. Using a desperate situation and losing all sense of political logic, taking a huge leap in a morally ambiguous direction. This is McNulty's Hamsterdam.

I also see a parallel between Michael and Omar, from Omar's little minisode. Michael is conflicted with how Chris and Snoop handle a situation and the logic behind it.

This season already seems to be leading to huge conflicts on a near epic level. But I hear there are only going to be 10 episodes. I hope I got that wrong. But however many there are, I'm sure it will be a ride I thoroughly enjoy.

[Keaton]

EDIT: I missed reading a few posts.

I agree with most of whats been said about Mcnolty, but I would reiterate that this is a terrific start for the new season!

So excited.

[IamtheRock3]

while his he may go down. I have a feeling his plan will work. Sense he need a media outrage to get the cash, and the media a BIG part of this season. Imagine him talking this up to the media

eventully getting caught...but what he wanted to accomplish (more funds on this case) already done

[FanboyStranger]

I also see a parallel between Michael and Omar, from Omar's little minisode. Michael is conflicted with how Chris and Snoop handle a situation and the logic behind it.



That's a good call. I think part of what made Michael's arc last season so tragic and compelling was that of all his group of corner boys he seemed the most likely to have a shot to escape the game. He wasn't drawn in by the flash or "glamor" (turned down the Marlow cash handout on the first day of school), but got pulled in because of his sense of responsibility towards Bug and the threat of (presumably sexual) abuse. Like Omar, he has a defined sense of what's right and wrong in the game, but unfortunately, as Bodie so elequently pointed out, the game is rigged and the rules are what you make of them.

[Kevin Vetter]

I don't know how to do the spoiler thing so if you don't want to know about episode 3 stop reading.


















I was really surprised with the end of episode 3. I'm not sure that this is going to be mcnultys downfall anymore now that he has supercop lester in on his scam. I think there is actually a pretty decent chance that he could get away with this now or I can also see things going the other way and mcnulty will draw more people in on this and end up taking everyone down with him.

[Deathstroke]

I don't know how to do the spoiler thing so if you don't want to know about episode 3 stop reading.


















I was really surprised with the end of episode 3. I'm not sure that this is going to be mcnultys downfall anymore now that he has supercop lester in on his scam. I think there is actually a pretty decent chance that he could get away with this now or I can also see things going the other way and mcnulty will draw more people in on this and end up taking everyone down with him.


It's just going to get worse now that McNulty is dragging others into the criminal scheme.

[FanboyStranger]

I was really surprised with the end of episode 3. I'm not sure that this is going to be mcnultys downfall anymore now that he has supercop lester in on his scam. I think there is actually a pretty decent chance that he could get away with this now or I can also see things going the other way and mcnulty will draw more people in on this and end up taking everyone down with him.

I definitely did not expect them to play off McNulty's actions for laughs (Lansdale: "Hey, anybody read about Jimmy McNulty's 'Ripper'?", probably the best line this season so far with "We have to kill again!", second), but it did frame the problem of the interface between the city, the PD, and the media a bit more clearly: a couple of dead bums gets a below-the-fold, third-page Metro section article whereas speculation concerning Daniels replacing Burrell gets a front-page spread. Lester getting involved doesn't exactly surprise me, either: he's had the conversation with Sydnor about Clay Davis being "the career case" and has gone back to reading the Miniatures magazine, like he did before he was promoted to Major Crimes in the first place. Like McNulty, he doesn't react well to being screwed by the brass, and I suspect he views McNulty's plan as a just risky enough to embarass Carcetti, Burrell, and Rawls to reopen the Marlow case before he rides off into the sunset. Furthermore, I expect that the over-eager Stephen Glass/Jason Blair guy at the Sun will get ahold of the story from Guitterrez and sensationalize it to no end in order to get his name out.

The most interesting part of the episode for me, however, was Marlow getting an education into how big the game really is. I'm not sure that having Chris kill Butchie to lure Omar out of hiding is the move he would have made if he took a moment to sit down and really think about his meetings with Vondas and Joe and the trip to the Caymans.

[Jamal]

I haven't seen episode 3 ( I wait till sunday you cheaters...:p ) but from the little bit I've read it sound like Marlo's arrogance is about to get him way over his head. I love how they are playing out his character as someone who is very smart but has an ego that points at his young immature side.

[StoneGold]

Furthermore, I expect that the over-eager Stephen Glass/Jason Blair guy at the Sun will get ahold of the story from Guitterrez and sensationalize it to no end in order to get his name out.


I think he's more Janet Cooke. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Cooke)

[rondre sleazde]

I don't know howto do spoiler tags so don't read if you don't want to be spoiled.

































Episode 4


Marlow and Chris kill Prop Joe.

[rondre sleazde]

Avon has got to e setting Marlow up for something. Sice he is know King of the Jail.

[IamtheRock3]

wow surprise that lest did what he did. SHOCKED actully




but mcnulty stuff was messed up. He goes through all this trouble faking a serial killer and you think it a big deal. Turn out NO ONE CARES about the serial killer causes it homless people.

[FanboyStranger]

I don't know howto do spoiler tags so don't read if you don't want to be spoiled.

The way to add spoiler tags is to write to begin the spoiler info then when you are done without the italics. I don't have a problem with a long space as a spoiler warning, but some people may, particularly considering the information that you revealed in your post is major.

Damn, it's going to be a long wait until Monday to see how that goes down!

[rondre sleazde]

I have seen episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 This will be the best season of them all.

[hugh45]

I haven't seen episode 3 ( I wait till sunday you cheaters...:p ) but from the little bit I've read it sound like Marlo's arrogance is about to get him way over his head. I love how they are playing out his character as someone who is very smart but has an ego that points at his young immature side.

It could be true,but knowing how this show operates, I'll not be surprise
if he (Marlo) never get caught.

[Deathstroke]

Another great episode.

Bummer of an ending despite the fact it was one bad guy cancelling out another.

Now comes the question of what PJ's lieutenant that didn't betray him is going to do. I wonder if he will stay with the new status quo or ally himself with Omar.

[Jamal]

Because I happen to see Dipset's spoiler last week I knew it was coming but I still was hoping Prop Joe was going to able to talk his way out of it. He was one of those characters that you hoped made it out the game because he was so smart but like Little Melvin said even the smart ones get caught.

With Omar working up the ladder I'm afraid for Micheal, depending on the way he decides to work him it could be really bad. I like how Carver is getting developed as a character you rarely see an officer make a 180 and do what's right the way he did plus I loved that Herc stood behind him.

I can't believe it's only been four episodes, this is the best season and still the best drama on tv.

Dipset please no more spoilers with out spoiler tags, no dis but I want to enjoy the season without jumping ahead and the spoilers are ruining the surprise.

[Deathstroke]

I wonder why Marlo would keep Cheese around after he betrayed Prop Joe. If you'll betray blood, you could easily betray someone that isn't.

Saw the new episode on On Demand yesterday. Freaking awesome! (The one that airs on HBO this coming Sunday I mean.)

[FanboyStranger]

I think Marlow, now that he's the king of Baltimore, is starting to get a bit drunk with power. The one thing I liked about Marlow before this season was that he was a man of few words, but you could tell by that stare that the gears were always turning in his head. This season, he seems to think he's untouchable, and his decisions are showing a real arrogance that I almost liken to Avon's return from prison in Season 3. Like Avon, Marlow's head is still in the street, "keeping it real", whereas Joe was more like Stringer, knowing that there was a lot more to the game than being the biggest dog on the block. The one small moment that stands out to me from next Sunday's episode (watched it OnDemand) is when Guittierez is running down the crime beat with Augustus and the mention of the drug-related death of Joe Stewart doesn't even get a raised eyebrow. Which, of course, makes sense as these are two different worlds intersecting for a brief moment, but Prop Joe has been such an integral part of the show, that it's hard as a viewer to accept that Prop Joe was unknown outside his particular turf.

I think what I've taken from this season so far is how cyclical it all is-- kingpins rise and fall, Carcetti's problems are the same as Royce's, everything about McNulty's behavior, Bubble's ongoing journey-- that the only end I can really imagine is Omar riding off into the sunset, ghetto legend that he is. This being the Wire, however, he'll probably take two in the head next episode.

[TitoJones]

Saw the new episode on On Demand yesterday. Freaking awesome! (The one that airs on HBO this coming Sunday I mean.)

I'm with you on that one, but then again saying that an episode of The Wire is awesome is like saying that the sky is blue every day, it just goes without saying.

But the one thing I didn't like, without trying to spoil anything, is how Omar went Batman on us. I'm not going to say anything else, if you saw the ep, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Season four is to be released on December 11th, which makes it #1 on my Christmas list. The best news is that is priced $59.99 US, which makes its price about $30 cheaper than previous Wire box releases and more in line with other shows that have 12-13 episodes a season like The Sheild and Rescue Me.

I can't wait until January!

Watched Season 4 via Netflix over the last week. Very good. Showed the uprising of the "young ins". Mike turned into a ruthless killer while Weebay's son turned out to be a complete joke. Clay Akins and the "SHIIIIIIIIT" catchprase around Disc 2 is str8 HOF comedy. It picked off strong where Season 3 left off..hopefully Season 5 doesn't disappoint and end up like Season 2.

[Deathstroke]

I'm with you on that one, but then again saying that an episode of The Wire is awesome is like saying that the sky is blue every day, it just goes without saying.

But the one thing I didn't like, without trying to spoil anything, is how Omar went Batman on us. I'm not going to say anything else, if you saw the ep, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Oddly enough, while in one way it's a WTF? in a bad way moment, in another way I kind of hope we see them explain that Omar moment in the next episode.

[Deathstroke]

Watched Season 4 via Netflix over the last week. Very good. Showed the uprising of the "young ins". Mike turned into a ruthless killer while Weebay's son turned out to be a complete joke. Clay Akins and the "SHIIIIIIIIT" catchprase around Disc 2 is str8 HOF comedy. It picked off strong where Season 3 left off..hopefully Season 5 doesn't disappoint and end up like Season 2.

I don't think Weebay's son turning out to not be cut out for the street life makes him a joke.

[FanboyStranger]

But the one thing I didn't like, without trying to spoil anything, is how Omar went Batman on us. I'm not going to say anything else, if you saw the ep, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

But,y'know, that's just Omar, the ghetto legend. He probably broke his leg and will have to lick his wounds for a while, but word on the street will be that the man can fly, just like Chris had the power to turn men into zombies.

[FanboyStranger]

Watched Season 4 via Netflix over the last week. Very good. Showed the uprising of the "young ins". Mike turned into a ruthless killer while Weebay's son turned out to be a complete joke. Clay Akins and the "SHIIIIIIIIT" catchprase around Disc 2 is str8 HOF comedy. It picked off strong where Season 3 left off..hopefully Season 5 doesn't disappoint and end up like Season 2.

Clay Davis has been the break-away top supporting character this season. He's always been a welcome sight on any episode, but this season, he's just put it over the top, particular that scene where he walks out of the grand jury distressed, but pulls himself together in a split second when he sees the reporters. He has two very fine moments in episode five, a vintage Clay performance on a radio talk show and a "sssshhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttt" that lasts about 25 seconds. I looked over at my roommate, and said, "I would definitely vote for Clay Davis!"

[bfrank]

episode five, a vintage Clay performance on a radio talk show and a "sssshhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttt" that lasts about 25 seconds.
That was my favorite part of the show.....

[bfrank]

I wonder why Marlo would keep Cheese around after he betrayed Prop Joe. If you'll betray blood, you could easily betray someone that isn't.



He's not going to, it's not in his nature. (I should be clear: I'm speaking about Marlo)

If Cheese was a smart guy he'd get the hell outta dodge......

[rondre sleazde]

Majors Spoilers for the rest of the season





























































Season 5 highlights past episode 5

-Marlo takes over coop and gives Cheese the westside and Monk eastisde. He ups price on the drugs and shuts down coop.

-Cheese kills Omar. Slim kills Cheese. omar kills Snoop.

-Avon gets out of jail soon for helping put away Clay Davis.

-Cops catch Marlo and he ends up in jail with Avon, Weebay and the rest.

more spoilers to come

[Your Imaginary Pal]

Omar man, determination is king. McNulty is losing his mind, he should know you can't get blood from a stone(the city) he's just digging a hole forhimself and Freeman. Plus that reporter is a piece of work.
I was wondering what happened to Randy, and was thrilled to see spoilersNicky Sobatka show up again, thought he was doing a looong bid. wonder if that's all we'll see of him, seems a one off.
I'll watch the 7th episode tonight.
then only 3 left..ever.

[hugh45]

Omar man, determination is king. McNulty is losing his mind, he should know you can't get blood from a stone(the city) he's just digging a hole forhimself and Freeman. Plus that reporter is a piece of work.
I was wondering what happened to Randy, and was thrilled to see spoilersNicky Sobatka show up again, thought he was doing a looong bid. wonder if that's all we'll see of him, seems a one off.
I'll watch the 7th episode tonight.
then only 3 left..ever.

Hard to believe it's only three left w/ssoo MUCH INFO still left. It's unbeliv-
able how the media/government/people all just effect each other like a
endless loop. This show does like none other. Omar is BATMAN or
like the Punisher :p

[Deathstroke]

Yeah Omar is pretty bad ass to keep going despite the rather severe injury to his leg.

Kind of funny how Marlo's people looked everywhere except inside of the building he jumped out of.

I'm going to be watching the new episode tonight.

Any guesses on who is the mole in the DA's office?

[bfrank]

Majors Spoilers for the rest of the season





























































Season 5 highlights past episode 5

-Marlo takes over coop and gives Cheese the westside and Monk eastisde. He ups price on the drugs and shuts down coop.

-Cheese kills Omar. Slim kills Cheese. omar kills Snoop.

-Avon gets out of jail soon for helping put away Clay Davis.

-Cops catch Marlo and he ends up in jail with Avon, Weebay and the rest.

more spoilers to come



Well, at least one of these spoilers is bull.....

and another shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttt.....love it......

[Deathstroke]

I watched the next episode on Demand last night. One big Holy Shit! moment.

Loved Gus's challenge to the managing editor fop.

Jimmy got a minor look at what his BS case is going to do to him in the end.

And we got an update on a former Barksdale crew member's new life out of the game.

[FanboyStranger]

I watched the next episode on Demand last night. One big Holy Shit! moment.

Loved Gus's challenge to the managing editor fop.

Jimmy got a minor look at what his BS case is going to do to him in the end.

And we got an update on a former Barksdale crew member's new life out of the game.

That Holy Shit! moment is the pivotal moment of the season, not only in that one of the hoppers from Mike's corner kills Omar but Bunk gets the info on where all Marlo's stash houses are from a piece of paper on Omar's person.

Add to that Bunk's evidence on Chris' beating of Bug's father actually coming through, Sydnor accidentally cracking the time code, Lester blackmailing Clay Davis not for money but for answers, and McNulty's coming clean to both Kima and Beadie, and I'd have to say that this was the biggest HOLY SHIT! episode since Stringer's death.

[Deathstroke]

That Holy Shit! moment is the pivotal moment of the season, not only in that one of the hoppers from Mike's corner kills Omar but Bunk gets the info on where all Marlo's stash houses are from a piece of paper on Omar's person.

Add to that Bunk's evidence on Chris' beating of Bug's father actually coming through, Sydnor accidentally cracking the time code, Lester blackmailing Clay Davis not for money but for answers, and McNulty's coming clean to both Kima and Beadie, and I'd have to say that this was the biggest HOLY SHIT! episode since Stringer's death.

Totally agree.

[rondre sleazde]

spoilers from other sites


























from what I have been hearing Mcnulty's will get, caught, fired and the ncommit suicide. This is very reliabile. I knew Kenard would kill OMar from other sites.

[StoneGold]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!




I kept expecting Omar to jump off the table at the end.

[bfrank]

This is very reliabile.

Then why say cheese did the deal, and could you use spoiler tags......

[FanboyStranger]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I kept expecting Omar to jump off the table at the end.

I have to admit: I thought the same damn thing. Still, I thought the way it was handled made sense, with Gus not even giving space to the story and the near mix-up at the coroners'. Just like Prop Joe's murder, it's another fine example of how far apart the various worlds explored The Wire truly are, and how they only intersect at certain moments. This season that moment has been predicated by bullshit, which refers back to Bunk's line to start the season, "The bigger the lie, they more they believe." If there's been any overlying theme for this season, it's certainly that.

I also don't know how much faith I have in that unfortunate spoiler regarding McNulty's fate. It seems to me that he has too much of the Irish Catholic schoolboy in him to actually commit suicide, but I wouldn't be surprised-- and this is just speculation, but I'll put it as a spoiler anyway-- if he drank himself to death or wrapped his car around a pole after a rough night. One thing I do know, considering Beadie's (potentially foreshadowing) speech regarding Jimmy's funeral: Rawls would definitely be there to dance on the grave!

[Your Imaginary Pal]

my on demand is playing with my emotions.
I was tempted to read your spoilers.
I want my episode 8 now.
You hear me Time Warner????

[StoneGold]

I have to admit: I thought the same damn thing. Still, I thought the way it was handled made sense, with Gus not even giving space to the story and the near mix-up at the coroners'.

And having the kid do it. Such an ignominious death for a ghetto legend. Capped in the back of the head by a kid too young to have pubes while buying cigarettes.

[bfrank]

And having the kid do it. Such an ignominious death for a ghetto legend. Capped in the back of the head by a kid too young to have pubes while buying cigarettes.

It was another batman nod.....

[bfrank]

ding dong the witch is dead!!!! "How's my hair look?" "it looks good, girl"

that was the first time I heard anyone acknowledge that she was a woman....

[Your Imaginary Pal]

them youngins are coming up
Michael is one smart cookie too.

Smarter than Cheese and Monk anyway. Snoop too, so I take it.
Kima is pissed huh?
One More episode. I wonder if anybody actually makes it out alive.
The body count this season is tremendous, but no cops...yet.

That doesn't mean they can't go down another way, maybe they have to fall on the sword, as a symbolic death.

and since McNulty's Hobo Killer is fake, will all the other evidence against Marlo fall apart if he's caught?

I wonders, I wonnders I do.

[bfrank]

them youngins are coming up
Michael is one smart cookie too.

Smarter than Cheese and Monk anyway. Snoop too, so I take it.
Kima is pissed huh?
One More episode. I wonder if anybody actually makes it out alive.
The body count this season is tremendous, but no cops...yet.

That doesn't mean they can't go down another way, maybe they have to fall on the sword, as a symbolic death.

and since McNulty's Hobo Killer is fake, will all the other evidence against Marlo fall apart if he's caught?

I wonders, I wonnders I do.

1. She should have saw that a mile away.....

2. Most likely.

[Deathstroke]

By the way, for those of us watching the show On Demand 6 days early, HBO has announced that the final episode of The Wire will NOT be made available early.

[Aggie]

1. She should have saw that a mile away.....

2. Most likely.

but still, it made for a very poetic moment and a bit reminiscent of "kill bill" i think.

[StoneGold]

Snoop, NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!



Wait, actually, that's not that bad. Never mind.

[hugh45]

I watched the next episode on Demand last night. One big Holy Shit! moment.

Loved Gus's challenge to the managing editor fop.

Jimmy got a minor look at what his BS case is going to do to him in the end.

And we got an update on a former Barksdale crew member's new life out of the game.

Yeah,the newspaper story line is great also.

[hugh45]

my on demand is playing with my emotions.
I was tempted to read your spoilers.
I want my episode 8 now.
You hear me Time Warner????

DO TW owns the rights to the WIRE?

HBO keeps mentioning prequels,but I can't find it on DEMAND.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

Time Warner is just my cable provider. Maybe it's the regional HBO program director I should be mad at. All I know is people are seeing episodes i don't, and I have the On Demand service at my place of residence.
HBO might be technically under the Time warner umbrella(ella ella ella hey hey hey hey) so The Wire may ultimately be owned by Time Warner.
I'm no certain.

I just know somebody is f**king up.

[FanboyStranger]

By the way, for those of us watching the show On Demand 6 days early, HBO has announced that the final episode of The Wire will NOT be made available early.

Shit, there goes my Monday!

I think the best part of the penultimate episode is that they showed two very positive, triumphant moments with Naiman's participation in the debate and Bubbs' one-year sobriety celebration. There hasn't been much light in this very dark season.

On the other hand, the brilliant goodbye scene between Michael and Daquon should now go down on the list of acceptable things that men may cry during publicly.

Looks like Rawls is going to tear McNulty apart next week, and all the street principals in one place with the sound of a gunshot makes me hope that Slim Charles takes Marlow down (and, hopefully, Cheese, too).

[StoneGold]

Looks like Rawls is going to tear McNulty apart next week, and all the street principals in one place with the sound of a gunshot makes me hope that Slim Charles takes Marlow down (and, hopefully, Cheese, too).

More than that, it looks like Kima is going to be the one to give him up.

[O'Blivion]

Speculation, not a spoiler, but I'm hoping that with all the charges hanging over Marlo, the Greek will decide he's become a liability and finally put an end to Mr. Stanfield. I know it's not really the nature of the show for everyone to get their just desserts, but after everything he's done I really want to see Marlo put down permanently.

[StoneGold]

Speculation, not a spoiler, but I'm hoping that with all the charges hanging over Marlo, the Greek will decide he's become a liability and finally put an end to Mr. Stanfield. I know it's not really the nature of the show for everyone to get their just desserts, but after everything he's done I really want to see Marlo put down permanently.

Thing is, you'd assume that there'd be some part of the major criminal element kept going. Now, a couple episodes ago, I would have assumed that would have been Joe.

Just don't kill Bubbles. You can have McNulty take the fall, you can have Kima start banging Herc, but don't kill Bubbles.


They're going to kill Bubbles, aren't they?

[FanboyStranger]

They're going to kill Bubbles, aren't they?

I don't think so, or at least I hope not. I think the specific purpose of the Bubbles subplot this season is to show that true journalism can still be done the right way if you give a responsible journalist the time and space to perform it correctly. Bubbs' story is there; he just has to tell it in his own time. Contrast that with Templeton, who cuts cuts corners, embellishes, and outrights lies in order to get his stories out and his name noticed. That's why I think Bubbs will walk away towards a future that while certainly uncertain will be just a little bit brighter. I also think that Gus will get shit-canned when Templeton is exposed since it occured on his watch, despite the fact that he was the one who discoved Templeton's duplicity to begin with.

I'm also kinda wary of spoilers on the finale. So far, 80% of the spoilers I've read online regarding Season Five have been completely off, including most of them in this very thread. In a way, I'm glad that the finale is not airing On Demand today because sitting on Omar's death three weeks ago was a real pain in the ass. If there has ever been a show that practically demands discussion, it's The Wire, and being ahead of the curve can be a task.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

I hope the final episode is at least a little bit longer than normal. There just seems to be too little time for concrete resolutions. It's all about to hit the fan. true they've been cleaning house all season, as far as the criminal element is concerned, but this McNulty issue being resolved in one episode seems improbable. I just hope this episode isn't half epilogue.

as for what I think will happen.
I'm of the opinion that Young Michael's problems will go away without him having to do anything. Unless Kenard is somehow favored by the Stansfield crew and has to deal with Michael.

For Sydnor & Freeman, I don't know how that's going to pan out. As far as an IAD investigation goes, hell Bunk knowing from the beginning of Jimmy's little ploy might get him burried too. Greggs might be doing more harm than good with her honesty.

[StoneGold]

I don't think so, or at least I hope not. I think the specific purpose of the Bubbles subplot this season is to show that true journalism can still be done the right way if you give a responsible journalist the time and space to perform it correctly. Bubbs' story is there; he just has to tell it in his own time. Contrast that with Templeton, who cuts cuts corners, embellishes, and outrights lies in order to get his stories out and his name noticed. That's why I think Bubbs will walk away towards a future that while certainly uncertain will be just a little bit brighter. I also think that Gus will get shit-canned when Templeton is exposed since it occured on his watch, despite the fact that he was the one who discoved Templeton's duplicity to begin with.


If it happens they way it happened in real life, no. But Gus also doesn't have the cache of Ben Bradlee.

[Expletive Deleted]

I just saw the finale.

It's . . . fitting. Drags a little in a few places and one or two of the cameos felt a little forced, but overall it's a nice wrap-up to the series.

[Deathstroke]

I just saw the finale.

It's . . . fitting. Drags a little in a few places and one or two of the cameos felt a little forced, but overall it's a nice wrap-up to the series.


Where'd you see the finale? Online?

Because it's not on On Demand until Monday the 10th.

Oh, and for others who were wondering, it's a 90 minute finale.

[dogzilla]

Saw the finale, loved it, now already feel kind of hollow and mopey knowing there'll never be any more Wire to watch :(

[Your Imaginary Pal]

Saw the finale, loved it, now already feel kind of hollow and mopey knowing there'll never be any more Wire to watch :(

oh the ambivalence
you have the feeling of fullness and emptiness at the same time.
cruel fate.

[dogzilla]

It wouldn't be as bad if there was more stuff to watch that was the same level of quality as The Wire :(

[Jamal]

I've been hold back coming on this Wire thread because I didn't want to get any spoilers before sunday ( Thanks to the guys who have seen the finale for no spoilers ).

My thought so far-

I have mixed feel about the way Omar went out, I mean it was the perfect ending for his character the more I thought about it, but it still made me sad:(. He was the perfect Anti-Hero:).

The Michael/Duquan parting was heart pulling also; both those characters remind me so much of myself that it made me remember that without my family and real friends I could have ended up in either one of their shoes.

I think the serial killer porfile really hit home with McNulty and now that the case is just about over he's starting to realize how messed up in the head he really is.

I hope that the reporters story give Bubbles a good happy ending I thing after all he's been thru he deserves it.

-More thoughts after the finale.

[Brock]

Saw the finale, loved it, now already feel kind of hollow and mopey knowing there'll never be any more Wire to watch :(

Some of the cast are actually interested in continuing the story in a movie. Wendell Pierce and Sonja Sohn have been quite vocal in the press about their hopes to continue.

Though The likelyhood is that David Simon wouldn't want to go back.

[dogzilla]

I hope they don't do it. Cramming a story into movie-length would just be a disservice to the previous seasons

[Expletive Deleted]

Some of the cast are actually interested in continuing the story in a movie. Wendell Pierce and Sonja Sohn have been quite vocal in the press about their hopes to continue.For that to happen, the style of the show would have to change dramatically. It'd have to be all surface. There'd be no time for the depth and breadth that develop over a season. Sure, you could have Bunk and Kima investigating a drug-related homicide and split focus with the drug-dealer and his organization, but restricted to two hours and filtered through Hollywood it'd end up being a grimier version of Law & Order: CI, not The Wire.

Plus, y'know, no Omar. And no . . . well, watch the finale.

[Yellowjacket]

Spoilers for the finale



I think the saddest part of the finale for me was the fate of Duquan. I was really hoping for him to get a happy ending based on all the crap he has been through but no such luck.

[Expletive Deleted]

I think the saddest part of the finale for me was the fate of Duquan. I was really hoping for him to get a happy ending based on all the crap he has been through but no such luck.It was the counterpoint to Bubbles' storyline. If you have one without the other, it doesn't fit into the overall cyclical theme.

But, yeah, Simon was really tugging hard at the heart strings with that one.

[StoneGold]

BUBBLES, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!



Oh, wait, he lived. Never mind.

[KenK]

It was the counterpoint to Bubbles' storyline. If you have one without the other, it doesn't fit into the overall cyclical theme.

But, yeah, Simon was really tugging hard at the heart strings with that one.

Yeah, nothing's really resolved, it's just a new generation of people serving similar functions to the main characters that have moved on. The beauty of The Wire's finale is that whereas most shows just focus riggedly on the main characters and we're left to assume the world just ends when they move on, there's really a focus on showing that there's more that's going to continue, even if the story is over for these particular characters.

All things considered, I really enjoyed the finale. Anyone mad about Marlo gettin' away with it, you have to figure he's too stupid to stay outta trouble, and the second he slips, even a bit, it's all over for his ass.

Slim Charles poppin' Cheese was hilarious! "Sentimental mutha-f***a cost us money!!"

Chris will probably do fine on the inside. So long as his family's taken care of, he could care less what happens to him. Him and Weebay would naturally connect, both loyal soldiers to their respective generals. Besides, Chris is just a scary dude regardless. It's one thing to kill a dude, but Chris really committed to every kill like it was some monumental task.

I guess the lawyer, Levy knew all along he could ultimately get Marlo off, and keep the gravy train going, giving Herc Marlo's cell number to pass onto the cops.

Carcetti seemed like a noble enough guy when he was introduced on the show, but it didn't take him long to end up just like every other politician. And Rawls and Valcheck (two of the most undeserving characters on the damn show) got to reap the benefits. I'm kind of surprised, but not really, that they didn't revisit the whole thing from season three, where we caught a shot of Rawls enjoying a drink in a "homosexual establishment". Guess it would have been too cliched if they did.

Poor Gus, and especially poor Alma. All they wanted to do was maintain the integrity of journalism, and look what it gets 'em. The upside, the reporter who covered Bubbles looks to have gotten promoted, and everyone at the paper knows how full of shit the reporter covering the serial killings was.

I loved the recap with Pearlman, her first case as a judge, and she already had to recuse herself, 'cause her husband's the prosecuting attorney!! Cute.

And on the streets of the 'hood, anytime some dude with a hoodie and a shutgun comes walkin' down the street, they gon' be sayin: "Michael comin'!! Michael comin'!!"

As for McNulty, he'll be alright. He still has the respect of his fellow officers, and the love of his family. Trackin' down that homeless guy was nice, too.

Sad to see the show end, but I love how it ended.

[Deathstroke]

Here's some spoilers as to the fates of the characters on the show:

The reporter who did the story on Bubbles gets promoted to the editorial position Gus had. Gus ends up at the copy desk. Alma gets farmed out to a pissant bureau position. The big editors and Scott get awards.

Michael becomes Omar. Duquan becomes Bubbles.

Bubbles gets to eat dinner with his sister and her family.

Rhonda becomes a judge and Cedric becomes an attorney after refusing to juke the stats. His scene with his ex-wife was awesome especially how he referred to one generation of cops training the next how NOT to do the job.

Carver becomes a lieutenant, ending up where Cedric started at the show's inception. Sydnor becomes McNulty.

Herc heads over to the Dark Side fully with the invite from Levy to a brisket dinner at his home.

Kima and Bunk remain Murder Police.

Marlo gets off scott-free. Chris goes to jail as do a couple of other lieutenants.

Rawls gets the job as the head of the state police and Valcheck, that incompetent fuck becomes commissioner.

Carcetti, who regaled us in a previous season about how becoming was like being forced to eat an endless parade of bowls of shit, becomes a big bag of shit and the governor.

McNulty and Freeman are forced off the job due to their actions. The funny thing is that while they did it in the wrong way, they were the only two people who were actually trying to due the job they were and were not getting paid for.

Freeman went back to crafting miniatures with Shardeen unable to keep her hands and lips off him. McNulty is still with Beadie but it is unclear what he's up to as the series ends.

The "wake" of McNulty had a great and surprisingly funny moment when Jay the Lieutenant spoke of McNulty as being what they call "natural police" and in a moment of true sincerity said that if he was lying dead in the street, he'd want Jimmy to be the one catching the case. Of course, that was followed up by Bunk's comment of "If you were lying in the street, Jimmy would probably be the one who done you."

I have to admit that I burst out laughing at that one.

The only true sense of justice that was brought to fore was Slim Charles killing Cheese. I know they are all a bunch of no account drug dealers, but I think Cheese being offed was proper for betraying Prop Joe.

[dogzilla]

The sense I got from the final scene with Marlo was that even though he "got away" he couldn't really leave the streets and take to some new life as a businessman. It was either going to end up driving him crazy or he'd end up trying to get back in the game and find himself in prison after all

[Your Imaginary Pal]

The programmig directors for HBO On Demand are not cooperating in the Queens area. here it is, Tuesday and I haven't seen the final episode, I guess that gives me something to look forward to, but it's frustrating at the same time.
I'm soooo tempted to see the spoilers.
But alas I will endure.

[FanboyStranger]

The sense I got from the final scene with Marlo was that even though he "got away" he couldn't really leave the streets and take to some new life as a businessman. It was either going to end up driving him crazy or he'd end up trying to get back in the game and find himself in prison after all

I got a different vibe off that: Marlo realized that the meeting with Crawchek at the party was just a different kind of hustle, and he went back to what he knew. It was the counterpoint to Stringer, who was seduced by the "legitimate life" and let his reputation suffer for it. Besides, with Marlo, it was always about rep and his name, not money. Really fitting "ending" for Marlo, I thought.

[Brock]

Did anyone else notice the very brief flashback shot during the final montage?

Near the end you can see D'Angelo's hand moving a chess piece, its from that brilliant scene where he teaches the game to Wallace and Bodie, right at the start of season 1.

Adding that image to the show's final moments was a very nice touch.

[Expletive Deleted]

I got a different vibe off that: Marlo realized that the meeting with Crawchek at the party was just a different kind of hustle, and he went back to what he knew. It was the counterpoint to Stringer, who was seduced by the "legitimate life" and let his reputation suffer for it. Besides, with Marlo, it was always about rep and his name, not money. Really fitting "ending" for Marlo, I thought.


The sense I got from the final scene with Marlo was that even though he "got away" he couldn't really leave the streets and take to some new life as a businessman. It was either going to end up driving him crazy or he'd end up trying to get back in the game and find himself in prison after allI think you're both right. It was a counterpoint to Stringer, but it was also about being able to ever actually get "out." Stringer failed, but wanted to leave. Marlo succeeded, but wanted to stay.

[bfrank]

And on the streets of the 'hood, anytime some dude with a hoodie and a shutgun comes walkin' down the street, they gon' be sayin: "Michael comin'!! Michael comin'!!"


Right down to the latin boyfriend.......

[Aggie]

ah, there isn't anymore to add here, but damn if that wasn't some of the best tv, if not the best, ever made. words cannot express how much i love this show and even though it's done, it had a very satisfying ending that stayed true to its entire course.

[KenK]

There's gonna be hell to pay of they get ignored by the Emmys next year! :mad:

[Deathstroke]

There's gonna be hell to pay of they get ignored by the Emmys next year! :mad:


Start getting ready to pay hell then.

[Jamal]

I've been thinking about what I was going to say about the end of "The Wire" that hasn't been said already but instead of talking I decided to put up two recent interviews from co-creator Ed Burns and actor Michael K Williams aka Omar enjoy...

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/lifestyle-features/id.1060/title.ed-burns-the-psychology-of-the-wire

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/lifestyle-features/id.1026/title.michael-k-williams-omar-never-scares