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Remember Mouzone from S2 for sure. Not so much Colvin. Just in a Major meeting or two?
S1E9 "Stray Rounds", when Bodie and Poot get into that firefight over the corner and that 9 year old kid in his house gets killed. everybody is at the scene, Rawls etc., and Bunny makes his first appearance then. he has a line or two, basically expressing anger and frustration at the impossibility of the whole drug thing. definitely contains the seeds of Hamsterdam.
Post by 3post1jack1 on Feb 16, 2021 9:56:11 GMT -5
only have the finale left in season 2.
while i certainly have more sympathy for ziggy than i did upon first viewing i'm glad to be done with him. it's difficult to swallow a character as irrational as him, even if i feel like i understand his motivations a bit better after repeated viewings. and frank sobotka's story still breaks my heart.
and brother mouzone and omar "met" for the first time in the S2 penultimate episode. i can't wait for melody to see what they get up to in season 3. and i also can't wait for marlo. and chris and snoop, but i think they are more prominent in season 4 iirc? so much i can't remember.
Post by potentpotables on Feb 16, 2021 13:14:21 GMT -5
You've talked about a lot of great scenes. But, some that haven't been discussed are the ones after Greggs is shot along with Orlando. Two in particular - between Rawls and McNulty, when Rawls tells McNulty it's not his fault in a way only Rawls could, and between Kima and Bunk, about identifying the witnesses. "Sometimes you gotta do it the hard way" or whatever Kima says to Bunk is a great mentality and lesson to learn.
You've talked about a lot of great scenes. But, some that haven't been discussed are the ones after Greggs is shot along with Orlando. Two in particular - between Rawls and McNulty, when Rawls tells McNulty it's not his fault in a way only Rawls could, and between Kima and Bunk, about identifying the witnesses. "Sometimes you gotta do it the hard way" or whatever Kima says to Bunk is a great mentality and lesson to learn.
so i swear i recently made a post about the Rawls/McNulty scene, but i must have just started typing it and never posted. i remember referring to it as the "gaping asshole" speech. it's one of my favorite scenes in the series and this watch through i completely forgot it was coming.
I talk fairly frequently about how it was during "The Hunt" episode of The Wire that I fell in love with the series. This would be episode 11 of season 1, which officially makes The Wire, for me, the hardest television series to get into.
I was browsing around on some random Wire-inspired Tumblr and came across this quote. I realized this was the exact moment when it all came together for me. Big spoiler for those who haven't watched season 1:
Listen to me, you fuck. You did a lot of shit here. You played a lot of fucking cards, and you made a lot of fucking people do a lot of fucking things they didn't want to do. This is true. We both know this is true. You, McNulty, are a gaping asshole. We both know this. Fuck if everybody in C.I.D. doesn't know, but fuck if I'm gonna stand here and say you did a single fucking thing to get a police shot. You did not do this, you fucking hear me? This is not on you. No, it isn't, asshole. Believe it or not, everything isn't about you. And the motherfucker saying this, he hates your guts, McNulty. So you know if it was on you, I'd be the son of a bitch to say so.
pure greatness. god what a moment.
and the "hard way" quote from Kima is awesome. real fuckin police right there.
You've talked about a lot of great scenes. But, some that haven't been discussed are the ones after Greggs is shot along with Orlando. Two in particular - between Rawls and McNulty, when Rawls tells McNulty it's not his fault in a way only Rawls could, and between Kima and Bunk, about identifying the witnesses. "Sometimes you gotta do it the hard way" or whatever Kima says to Bunk is a great mentality and lesson to learn.
so i swear i recently made a post about the Rawls/McNulty scene, but i must have just started typing it and never posted. i remember referring to it as the "gaping asshole" speech. it's one of my favorite scenes in the series and this watch through i completely forgot it was coming.
I talk fairly frequently about how it was during "The Hunt" episode of The Wire that I fell in love with the series. This would be episode 11 of season 1, which officially makes The Wire, for me, the hardest television series to get into.
I was browsing around on some random Wire-inspired Tumblr and came across this quote. I realized this was the exact moment when it all came together for me. Big spoiler for those who haven't watched season 1:
Listen to me, you fuck. You did a lot of shit here. You played a lot of fucking cards, and you made a lot of fucking people do a lot of fucking things they didn't want to do. This is true. We both know this is true. You, McNulty, are a gaping asshole. We both know this. Fuck if everybody in C.I.D. doesn't know, but fuck if I'm gonna stand here and say you did a single fucking thing to get a police shot. You did not do this, you fucking hear me? This is not on you. No, it isn't, asshole. Believe it or not, everything isn't about you. And the motherfucker saying this, he hates your guts, McNulty. So you know if it was on you, I'd be the son of a bitch to say so.
pure greatness. god what a moment.
and the "hard way" quote from Kima is awesome. real fuckin po-lease right there.
I've been listening to episodes here and there of "Way Down In The Hole". Jemele Hill's utter disdain for Stringer Bell is hilarious.
really great podcast, i'm sure anyone in this thread has already listened to at least some of it.
I listened religiously until about halfway thru season 4. I plan on picking it back up when I can go outside. She made me look at Stringer in a whole different way.
I've been listening to episodes here and there of "Way Down In The Hole". Jemele Hill's utter disdain for Stringer Bell is hilarious.
really great podcast, i'm sure anyone in this thread has already listened to at least some of it.
I listened religiously until about halfway thru season 4. I plan on picking it back up when I can go outside. She made me look at Stringer in a whole different way.
Bomani hates him too. He will only refer to him as snake.
I listened religiously until about halfway thru season 4. I plan on picking it back up when I can go outside. She made me look at Stringer in a whole different way.
Bomani hates him too. He will only refer to him as snake.
Post by piggy pablo on Feb 17, 2021 1:15:13 GMT -5
Kima getting shot and that next episode is when the show takes off like a fucking rocket. It's hard to tell people "oh you just gotta watch til episode 9 and you'll be hooked," so I don't, but that's kind of the case.
Post by 3post1jack1 on Feb 23, 2021 22:30:51 GMT -5
i know a lot of praise is put on the opening scene of season 1, the snot boogie scene. and it is indeed a great scene.
but for my money, the opening scene in season 4, the one with snoop buying the nailgun, is maybe the best opening scene of a seasons of a series of all time. it's just flawless, snoop is perfect, the employee at the hardware store is perfect, and snoop's little back and forth with chris in the car is perfect. the scene is equally parts shocking and darkly hilarious, but at the same time mysterious. you don't really know why marlo's soldiers need an $800 dollar (including tip) nail gun, but that tool is kind of the crux of the crime side of the whole season.
besides bubs, i think chris and snoop are my favorite characters. definitely the best soldiers in the series.
on the flipside caught my first sight of Dukie and almost immediately got teary-eyed. my wife is enjoying the show but i'm almost a little ashamed i have to take her through this season. but she's way tougher than me so we'll see. she also teaches middle school so i'm interested in her take on the school scenes.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Feb 23, 2021 22:35:19 GMT -5
It really is such an amazing intro for what becomes a truly unique and special character. Snoop and Chris are pretty evil, no doubt. Cold blooded killers. But they are also some of the most interesting characters introduced to the show. The whole Chris and Michael sub-plot (if you can even call it that....it's more of a minor thing) is so good.
One of the best things the final seasons do are rehab Prezbo. He's such a fuck up and was NOT built to be a cop. But he really comes into his own as a teacher. I still fucking love when he and Bubbles have a weird interaction since they both kinda know each other but not in the school setting lol
It really is such an amazing intro for what becomes a truly unique and special character. Snoop and Chris are pretty evil, no doubt. Cold blooded killers. But they are also some of the most interesting characters introduced to the show. The whole Chris and Michael sub-plot (if you can even call it that....it's more of a minor thing) is so good.
One of the best things the final seasons do are rehab Prezbo. He's such a fuck up and was NOT built to be a cop. But he really comes into his own as a teacher. I still fucking love when he and Bubbles have a weird interaction since they both kinda know each other but not in the school setting lol
The Chris and Michael subplot is why I love Chris. Incredible. And dude has some real acting chops to pull off that level of emotional depth when his character doesn't outwardly show a ton of emotion.
He is cold-blooded though. Like I thought Weebey was cold, then we get Chris.
And yeah the Prez rehab is great. It really seems like his character is off the show after season 3, ending just as just a sad fucking story. He can't ever make right his previous wrongs but damn it if he doesn't try harder to than I ever have.
I don't even remember the Prez and Bubs interaction, now I'm excited for that.
I don't even remember the Prez and Bubs interaction, now I'm excited for that.
Without spoiling it for your re-watch I will just say it's very, very quick. I don't think they even really talk to each other. It's just a little thing that is amusing based on their reactions. Apparently it's in episode 2 so if you missed it I can share it here.
Post by 3post1jack1 on Mar 11, 2021 11:02:48 GMT -5
plenty of spoilers below but i'm not going to tag them, be forewarned.
been a while since i updated. we finished season 4, and it further cemented in me that season 4 is better than season 3. i used to just slightly prefer season 4 but now i don't think it's even a contest. season 3 is fantastic of course but it feels like it was just the buildup to season 4. i forgot how enjoyable watching Carver's progression is over the series. he starts out as a knucklehead and becomes a damn fine police. interesting to see how him and herc diverge.
we are a few episodes into season 5 now, and while i'm still enjoying being in this world, man it is such a letdown after season 4. fucking everything is going wrong, and i know it's only going to get worse. carcetti sucks now, mcnulty is all fucked up and acting crazy and freamon is egging him on, bunk and mcnulty fighting. butchie getting got, prop joe too, and i know how things are going to end up for duquan and omar. it's just terrible. like in my memory season 4 was the saddest but so far season 5 is infinitely sadder.
i remember some of what is coming up in season 5 but i don't remember all of it. like i'd forgotten how prop joe goes so that scene was a surprise to me.
and all respect to those actors at the Sun, but i just really am not invested in that plotline.
best part of season 5 so far is bubs storyline. we aren't getting a ton of it but every scene he's in is fantastic.
and all respect to those actors at the Sun, but i just really am not invested in that plotline.
Think of Gus like your Freamon/Daniels role, with Alma as your Carver and Scott Templeton as your Herc (with some tendencies of a McNulty).
That's the way I kind of see it. Gus is the "do things the right way and the old school way" and he's seen shit come and go. He's constantly trying to teach people things the right way and get the best out of his newsroom.
Alma understands that, does the legwork, and is an improved reporter and newsperson by the end. Scott Templeton goes for the shortcuts and anything to get ahead/move up and it ends up biting him at times.
I love the comparison of the newsroom stuff with the police stuff. The higher-ups don't so much care about the details but the results. They'll go against the advice of highly respected Gus when they think there's something in it for them at the end.
And plus it's a damn shame to slowly and steadily see the dwindling of the staff due to layoffs and other things. David Simon really was upset at how newspapers were shutting down left and right and losing important parts of the staff in the age of the internet.
I did NOT give a fuck about the newspaper storyline originally. But Gus is so fucking good in minimal screen time that it stands out on a re-watch. It's also a nice moment in the series-end montage.
and all respect to those actors at the Sun, but i just really am not invested in that plotline.
Think of Gus like your Freamon/Daniels role, with Alma as your Carver and Scott Templeton as your Herc (with some tendencies of a McNulty).
That's the way I kind of see it. Gus is the "do things the right way and the old school way" and he's seen shit come and go. He's constantly trying to teach people things the right way and get the best out of his newsroom.
Alma understands that, does the legwork, and is an improved reporter and newsperson by the end. Scott Templeton goes for the shortcuts and anything to get ahead/move up and it ends up biting him at times.
I love the comparison of the newsroom stuff with the police stuff. The higher-ups don't so much care about the details but the results. They'll go against the advice of highly respected Gus when they think there's something in it for them at the end.
And plus it's a damn shame to slowly and steadily see the dwindling of the staff due to layoffs and other things. David Simon really was upset at how newspapers were shutting down left and right and losing important parts of the staff in the age of the internet.
I did NOT give a fuck about the newspaper storyline originally. But Gus is so fucking good in minimal screen time that it stands out on a re-watch. It's also a nice moment in the series-end montage.
OK so we finished the series on Sunday. To steal a concept from Van Lathan, I think in the early episodes of season 5 i was suffering from "season 2 syndrome", meaning thinking a season of The Wire wasn't good just because i was comparing it to the excellent season that came before it. because the truth is season 5 is fucking brilliant in the end. those last like 4 episodes are just beautiful.
gus is great and i liked him from the jump. scott is one of the few characters in The Wire that is just purely despicable, but it's fun to hate him. i'm sure if we'd had time to have more background on him we could've garnered some sympathy. actually Marlo is similar even though he had lots more screen time. He just kind of sucks as a person. Like looking at the other kingpins, you can find ways to sympathize with them, or at least respect that they had a code: Avon, String, Prop Joe. Avon loved the game, String loved the business, Prop Joe loved the history, the money, and was strangely reform-minded as a result, wanting to turn away from violence and toward cooperation. But Marlo was just a purely disruptive force, in that all he gave a shit about was his name. His name and the crown was everything to him. And although we don't see him go down I think we know he is going down. He's either going to get all his money took by Levy's buddies or more likely he'll be back in jail over some stupid shit.
I also forgot how incredibly satisfying Slim Charles killing Cheese is. Oh man it felt so good lol. Such a perfectly done scene, like Cheese is running his mouth about how we need to stop being nostalgic about the past (like his uncle was), and the game is the game and it is what it is, and it feels like a character monologue that will ultimately be thematic as to the overall series, and then that perfect camera angle at the side of Cheese's head and pop he's gone. And none of the other guys say shit other than "where are we gunna get another $900k now" lol. And it's so perfect because Slim Charles was probably the coolest head in the whole show, most definitely the most laid back of the soldiers.
Something about Chris walking across the yard to stand next to Weebey makes me straight up emotional. I can't put my finger on why.
I was of course upset at Kima for snitching on McNulty/Freamon. But when McNulty tells her outside the bar that if she thought it needed doing that it must have needed doing... whew what a great fucking moment. And her decision to do that further cements that she will not follow the same path McNulty did, as did her decision to not try to get back with her ex (per Kima she still has too much dog in her) but she will do right by her kid. So she has some of McNulty's positive attributes as well as negative attributes, but is taking actions to ensure her negative attributes cause as little harm as possible.
And of course, Bubbles (Reginald) going upstairs to eat with his sister. I'd like to think the unsaid part of that was the story in the newspaper helped move that along. No doubt his sister read it and was touched by it. The power of a good news piece to help people.
As an aside Waylon not knowing Bubble's real name until the reporter said it outside the meeting was fucking hilarious. Personally I've literally sponsored guys in the program for years, sat down with them for hours and know all the darkest shit they ever did in their lives, and never knew their last name. I have names in my phone with just first names and the day of the meeting at I met them: Paul Thursday, Steven Friday Good Guy, etc. Nice little real recovery tidbit in the show.
I don't know this new found love for the latter half of season 5 and the way it wraps everything up is about to fuck up my rankings. I know 4 is still top for me, but not sure how the other four goes.
43125 is the classic ranking. But I could see it going 43152. But i hate putting 2 at the bottom. I hate putting any season of this show at the bottom.
Anyway this rewatch was an incredible ride. Was so happy to be watching it with my wife. Only thing is now I'm let down because how do you just start watching some other hour long show after The Wire? We still have a bunch of Community to rewatch and we hopped back in Wandavision (episode 2 was good!) so maybe we'll cleanse the palette a bit before choosing another hour long.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Mar 15, 2021 15:42:31 GMT -5
One of my all time favorite things about the fantastic montage showing that "the more things change, the more they stay the same" is seeing Sydnor now in the MnNulty role of going directly to Judge Phelan to get what is needed. The players may change but the game stays the same.
And as beautiful and uplifting it is to see that door open for Bubbles to come up stairs at his sister's house you also have to weigh that with the heartbreaking view of Dookie as the new local junkie. So fucked that Namond (and I guess....kinda Michael) make it out of their situation okay.
One of my all time favorite things about the fantastic montage showing that "the more things change, the more they stay the same" is seeing Sydnor now in the MnNulty role of going directly to Judge Phelan to get what is needed. The players may change but the game stays the same.
"keep my name out of it." so good.
And as beautiful and uplifting it is to see that door open for Bubbles to come up stairs at his sister's house you also have to weigh that with the heartbreaking view of Dookie as the new local junkie. So fucked that Namond (and I guess....kinda Michael) make it out of their situation okay.
and so much of it for namond was just luck. sure he had a bit of money and his parents weren't junkies, but both his folks minds were messed up by the game. had it not been for a chance run in with the endlessly kind bunny colvin, his life would've been ended one way another. dookie didn't have namond's extroverted charisma, but he was just as smart as namond and could've been something. prez tried but as a teacher he can't literally adopt every kid that comes by him, like bunny basically did. very sad, and speaks to David Simon's overarching theme about institutions failing people.
and with dookie, i'm not sure if he has the heart to survive that lifestyle as long as bubbles did.
and as you said michael kind of made it out ok, but we saw how omar ended up. maybe like mcnulty > kima, michael will do it better and not let his desire for vengeance overwhelm his sense of self-preservation, but michael has so much anger in him i'm not sure if that's how it will end up.
speaking of michael that reminds me of another devastating scene, when him and dookie are dropping off bug at his aunt's house, and dookie is talking about the scene at the beginning of episode 4, just two summers ago at that point, when they were throwing the piss balloons at those other boys, and he asks michael if he remembers, and michael says he doesn't.
Post by 3post1jack1 on Mar 19, 2021 7:59:13 GMT -5
one classic season 5 scene i forgot to mention: the profile of the homeless killer being read to mcnulty at quantico. possibly the single funniest scene in the whole series. and dominic west's face acting was so perfect during that, you could tell the truth was hurting him.
also i really, really enjoyed listening to episodes here and there of Way Down In The Hole. i need to just listen to all of them, every episode i've listened to has been enlightening. i also agree with Van Lathan's take that Bubbles wins the series. more than any other character in the wire i think he pulled an andy dufrane, crawling through a river of shit and coming out clean on the other side. you could also make a case for carver or daniels but i think bubble's simple victory of repairing his relationship with his people is greater than anything anyone else accomplished.
i know a lot of praise is put on the opening scene of season 1, the snot boogie scene. and it is indeed a great scene.
but for my money, the opening scene in season 4, the one with snoop buying the nailgun, is maybe the best opening scene of a seasons of a series of all time. it's just flawless, snoop is perfect, the employee at the hardware store is perfect, and snoop's little back and forth with chris in the car is perfect. the scene is equally parts shocking and darkly hilarious, but at the same time mysterious. you don't really know why marlo's soldiers need an $800 dollar (including tip) nail gun, but that tool is kind of the crux of the crime side of the whole season.
Earned that bump like a muffugah...
So, I was introduced to Season 4 and then went back through in proper order my first time through. I think I'm (8x's deep cover to cover on this series... long story short, I was outlining a business elective course- Business Principals of The Wire - while completing my MBA).
The show is pretty close to perfect, even with the McNulty/Freemon shenanigans of the 5th season.
Post by 3post1jack1 on Feb 21, 2024 13:58:23 GMT -5
just popped in my head for some reason, that scene in season 5 when they are reading the profile of the "serial killer" to mcnulty and they are just describing mcnulty. hilarious moment and great face acting from dominic west. forget how funny this show could be when it wanted to.
so good.
