The Wire Season 5

[[PCE]el_Prez]

Anybody watch this show? It's by far my favorite show on TV. Season four was good but Season 5 is shaping up to be monumental.

 

[TorontoReign]

I have heard good things about it. Hope they don't end it with a whimper like Sopranos.

 

[welsh]

The Wire is the best show on TV. I am pissed off that I missed the first three episodes (I was away) and I don't have HBO on demand. It also seems that HBO is not replying old episodes like they used to.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

The Wire is the best show on TV. I am pissed off that I missed the first three episodes (I was away) and I don't have HBO on demand. It also seems that HBO is not replying old episodes like they used to.

You need to get DVR bro. Also, if you have the all the HBO's (theres like 5 or 6 of em) then they play the most recent episode throughout the week.

 

[Falzzi]

Love this show, have watched all the 4 seasons. Too bad that it will take ages for season 5 to air here in Finland so I'll prolly just get the dvd. Possibly the best show on tv...

 

[DirtyDreamDesigner]

Homicide: Life on the Street was the best show that ever was, period. I've gotten hold of the first Season of the Wire but hadn't had the chance to watch it yet.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

Homicide: Life on the Street was the best show that ever was, period. I've gotten hold of the first Season of the Wire but hadn't had the chance to watch it yet.

I never saw that show but I'm pretty sure that that show's creators are the same as The Wire. In fact, from what I've been told from people who've seen both, The Wire is a lot like Homicide only its on HBO so they can curse, and show more violence/nudity.

 

[DirtyDreamDesigner]

el_Prez]I never saw that show but I'm pretty sure that that show's creators are the same as The Wire.

That's why I'm referring to it. You should really see Homicide, it's all kinds of awesome.

 

[generalissimofurioso]

That's why I'm referring to it. You should really see Homicide, it's all kinds of awesome.

I always preferred Homicide to Law and Order, but that's probably why Law and Order is still around and Homicide isn't...

Then again, I don't think America likes the idea of a crime show that didn't always have convoluted motives and unexpected suspects...

The next time I see a crime show that has it turn out that the little girl did it, I'm going to break something across my head.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

el_Prez]I never saw that show but I'm pretty sure that that show's creators are the same as The Wire.

That's why I'm referring to it. You should really see Homicide, it's all kinds of awesome.

Yeah, I think I saw the complete series in Box Set form a couple months ago. I'll probably pick it up one of these days.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

Just saw the series finale. I didn't have my hopes up since the show IS on HBO and those fuckers never seem to be able to wrap things up right (Sopranos, Deadwood).

But I have to say - that finale was AWESOME.

Anyone else see it?

 

[welsh]

Yes, saw it last night. I liked it a lot. A little sentimental but overall pretty good.

Looks like Syndor is the next McNulty. Nice to see Weebay and Chris seem to get along. Bubbles came up from the basement and dook ends up a junkie- Prezbo will be disappointed.

Love to see Cheese get popped by Slim. Marlo isn't going to cut it as a business. To bad Levy got off easy.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

Yes, saw it last night. I liked it a lot. A little sentimental but overall pretty good.

Looks like Syndor is the next McNulty. Nice to see Weebay and Chris seem to get along. Bubbles came up from the basement and dook ends up a junkie- Prezbo will be disappointed.

Yeah Sydnor being the next McNulty was cool as well as Michael being the next Omar. You know that Marlo is going to suffer the same fate as Avon Barksdale - he just CAN'T stay off the streets.

Love to see Cheese get popped by Slim

That was great. I totally didn't see that coming. Plus - I kind of empathized with Cheese. He was making pretty good sense until he caught one in the temple. That scene sums up the drug dealers right there. Its all business and the closest thing to morals is revenge.

 

[welsh]

Honestly, I think it was good to see Slim Charles step up. The guy is a reluctant leader in the drug business. Of all the dealers capable of filling Prop Joe's shoes, I'd give it to Slim Charles.

I was impressed with the way the show took out Prop Joe and Omar, but glad to see the little bastard that popped Omar get cuffed.

Nice to see Nick, the Greek and Vondas come back for the last season. I would have thought the Greeks got to Nick by now.

Apparently "The Bunk" and Kima (who I think is the next Bunk) are lobbying Simon to do a Wire movie. If so, I hope the targets are the Greek and Vondas- although without Lester, I don't see it happening.

Herc ends up being the same walking disaster he's always been.

Incidently, Simon's book- Homicide, is pretty good. There are bits from the book all over the Wire- and the real Jay plays a prominent part. SOme of the homicide cops on the show are the real deal and were carried over from Homicide. You might also want to check out The Corner (a six part series) that covers a lot more the same ground but from the perspective of the street and the addicts.

 

[Maphusio]

So, this is good eh? I've been meaning to watch it. There has been a rash of folk illegally downloading it up here in the Pacific NW... Based off that I assumed it was decent.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

Watched the last episode again (Thats like the 3rd time) and thought about a few things:

1. Ronnie Pearlman fucked up. I mean, not only did she let Marlo walk, but just when Lester was making headway following the money trail of drug dealers she gave it all up just to put Chris and a few other Lieutenants behind bars.

This is really disappointing to me. But what really gets under my skin is that she did ALL of this just to be rewarded by the mayor. She chastises McNulty and Freamon for their ethics and then she lets Marlo and Levy walk to save the mayor's face and look what happens - now she's "Honorable Judge Pearlman".

2. Daniels got burned by his own stubbornness. In a way, the police department is a 'game' just the way drug dealing is. The smart officers know how to play the game. You can't completely ignore the numbers - because thats what YOUR bosses want to see ultimately. But if you can play the numbers game, and you secure yourself at the top, you are powerful enough to make changes.

Daniels reminds me a lot of Avon. Avon was so stubborn that he refused to back down to Marlo and it got him in trouble. In the grand scheme of things, he's not really in THAT much trouble - he's still got a couple years to go and when he gets out Marlo and Prop Joe are gone. Same thing happened with Daniels - his stubbornness took him out of the department entirely although, its not that bad because he has his law degree.

3. Kima. Really all she did was hurt herself. Sure she still has her values but in the end all she did was take two of Baltimore's finest (and really they were some of the finest) and took them out of the game. She weakened her side significantly and its only going to hurt her and the rest of BPD in time.


So at the end we have the big kingpins minus Marlo (who got no jail time) all still getting the premium dope; Levy and other high price lawyers still operating; that fucking crook Clay Davis still on the streets with his hands in drug dealers pockets - only NOW theres no Lester Freamon to keep an eye on him; And to boot Avon Barksdale will be out in a few years. Not to mention that BPD lost McNulty, Freamon, and Daniels and now has Stan Valcheck (are you fucking kidding???) running things.

That was definitely one of the themes of "The Wire" that things don't change. But it was kind of sad to see that the more people TRIED to change it for the better, they only changed it for the worse.

Ah, well - that show is still awesome. I think it's time I watched Season 1 again.

 

[welsh]

el_Prez]Watched the last episode again (Thats like the 3rd time) and thought about a few things:

1. Ronnie Pearlman fucked up. I mean, not only did she let Marlo walk, but just when Lester was making headway following the money trail of drug dealers she gave it all up just to put Chris and a few other Lieutenants behind bars.

Its a bummer that Lester went down, but if she would have proceeded than Levy would have dropped out as attorney. He would have passed the buck over to another criminal attorney for a nice referral fee and said, "By the way, they got an illegal wire tap" and then Lester, McNulty and the rest would be doing jail time.

So she was right- they lost it because of the illegal wire.

This is really disappointing to me. But what really gets under my skin is that she did ALL of this just to be rewarded by the mayor. She chastises McNulty and Freamon for their ethics and then she lets Marlo and Levy walk to save the mayor's face and look what happens - now she's "Honorable Judge Pearlman".

Not really. I think she was pissed off with both McNulty and Freaman. Pearlman was career orientated throughout. But had she and Daniels not found out about the wire, than Levy would have gotten it care of "walking disaster" Herc and that would totally have fucked the case. The whole Stansfield crew would have gotten off, she and Daniels would have fallen on their swords, and Lester, McNulty, Syndor and others would have lost their jobs or gone to jail. It was a lucky thing that she had leverage on Levy, but she took a risk on that too.

2. Daniels got burned by his own stubbornness. In a way, the police department is a 'game' just the way drug dealing is. The smart officers know how to play the game. You can't completely ignore the numbers - because thats what YOUR bosses want to see ultimately. But if you can play the numbers game, and you secure yourself at the top, you are powerful enough to make changes.

Yep. But I think he didn't like the idea of someone holding leverage over him. It was an ethical choice and he nearly quit a few years before. How far do you want the corruption to go. Also, don't forget that Nerese got to be Mayor, and she was little better than a female version of Royce, or worse because she was smarter.

Daniels reminds me a lot of Avon. Avon was so stubborn that he refused to back down to Marlo and it got him in trouble. In the grand scheme of things, he's not really in THAT much trouble - he's still got a couple years to go and when he gets out Marlo and Prop Joe are gone. Same thing happened with Daniels - his stubbornness took him out of the department entirely although, its not that bad because he has his law degree.

Yep, I think Daniels got tired of it. Besides his experience in the police will give him some business. That said, a jd from Baltimore School of Law? Jeezus, that's a notch above community college.

3. Kima. Really all she did was hurt herself. Sure she still has her values but in the end all she did was take two of Baltimore's finest (and really they were some of the finest) and took them out of the game. She weakened her side significantly and its only going to hurt her and the rest of BPD in time.

I agree with that. Kima should have just kept her mouth shut.

The problem though was that Herc was playing both sides- he gave Carver the cell number and then gave Levy the tip that there probably was an illegal tap.

So at the end we have the big kingpins minus Marlo (who got no jail time) all still getting the premium dope; Levy and other high price lawyers still operating; that fucking crook Clay Davis still on the streets with his hands in drug dealers pockets - only NOW theres no Lester Freamon to keep an eye on him; And to boot Avon Barksdale will be out in a few years. Not to mention that BPD lost McNulty, Freamon, and Daniels and now has Stan Valcheck (are you fucking kidding???) running things.

I loved that! Stan Valcheck- His career is limited to Nerese and only as long as he plays to Nerese's interests.

i was hoping to see the Greeks go down. oh well.

That was definitely one of the themes of "The Wire" that things don't change. But it was kind of sad to see that the more people TRIED to change it for the better, they only changed it for the worse.

Ah, well - that show is still awesome. I think it's time I watched Season 1 again.

Good point. Why did Prop Joe go down? Because he tried to civilize the streets.
And Marlo- he's still what he is. Like he said to Joe, he'll be back to his business.


I got to rewatch the series with my wife and loved it. Its an awesome collection.

 

[[PCE]el_Prez]

el_Prez]Watched the last episode again (Thats like the 3rd time) and thought about a few things:

1. Ronnie Pearlman fucked up. I mean, not only did she let Marlo walk, but just when Lester was making headway following the money trail of drug dealers she gave it all up just to put Chris and a few other Lieutenants behind bars.

Its a bummer that Lester went down, but if she would have proceeded than Levy would have dropped out as attorney. He would have passed the buck over to another criminal attorney for a nice referral fee and said, "By the way, they got an illegal wire tap" and then Lester, McNulty and the rest would be doing jail time.

So she was right- they lost it because of the illegal wire.

Maybe. I think she overplayed her hand becuase of Carcetti's man telling her to "make this go away and the Mayor will reward you". She could have waited to run with the case against Marlo - besides, the "illegal wire tap" defense wasn't 100% bulletproof. They could easily stick to their story and say that they got the info from a CI and then got lucky to catch all those guys at that warehouse.

If she didn't take a dive w/ Marlo, she really did take a dive w/ Levy. She should of waited on it to develop more into a case. I mean, they had the mole in the District court ready to roll over on EVERYBODY. But again, she pressed Levy (giving up any case against him) and botching the case against Stanfield becuase the Mayor told her to.

This is really disappointing to me. But what really gets under my skin is that she did ALL of this just to be rewarded by the mayor. She chastises McNulty and Freamon for their ethics and then she lets Marlo and Levy walk to save the mayor's face and look what happens - now she's "Honorable Judge Pearlman".

Not really. I think she was pissed off with both McNulty and Freaman. Pearlman was career orientated throughout. But had she and Daniels not found out about the wire, than Levy would have gotten it care of "walking disaster" Herc and that would totally have fucked the case. The whole Stansfield crew would have gotten off, she and Daniels would have fallen on their swords, and Lester, McNulty, Syndor and others would have lost their jobs or gone to jail. It was a lucky thing that she had leverage on Levy, but she took a risk on that too.

Again, just becuase Levy knew that there was an illegal wire tap - doesn't mean he could prove it. That defense was really their only option and it wasn't guaranteed. Marlo himself thought that it was Michael who sold him out.

Yep. But I think he didn't like the idea of someone holding leverage over him. It was an ethical choice and he nearly quit a few years before. How far do you want the corruption to go. Also, don't forget that Nerese got to be Mayor, and she was little better than a female version of Royce, or worse because she was smarter.

I always liked Daniels but I knew his strict, "by the book" way of doing things would never fly. If he could have made a compromise he could have really made a difference in the BPD.

Yep, I think Daniels got tired of it. Besides his experience in the police will give him some business. That said, a jd from Baltimore School of Law? Jeezus, that's a notch above community college.

Yeah, also. Its has to really suck to go from putting away drug dealers to defending them in court.

I got to rewatch the series with my wife and loved it. Its an awesome collection.

Yeah, I've seen season 1 and season 3 twice but the last time I watched season 1 was a year ago. Its time to get them all and watch the entire seiries. Did your wife like The Wire as well? My girl likes the Sopranos but I don't know if she'll enjoy The Wire as much. Its a litte more complicated and some parts are slower.

 

[welsh]

My wife loved the Wire. I think its much better than Sopranos, largely because the story line is some ways more complete.

The Sopranos is more a mafia soap opera while the Wire is a series of crime novels told as one per season. Simon planned the show on the notion that it could end after any season.

Have you seen "the Corner"? Its also by Simon and you'll see quite a few of the Wire group come back. Lester as a crack head, Daniels as a former addict, and Jay buys salvage. The story is a true (and what ended Simon's career as a journalist) and focus on a real person who was the model for bubbles. Overall, the show is more realistic and more disturbing.

As for Levy and Pearlman- it was probably too late as soon as they decided to run the case. Remember Bunk wanted to bring in Snoop. These guys were killing people quite frequently. Somehow the paperwork got screwed up when Daniels and Pearlman used the telephone number for the legal tap and found it coming up on Marlo's phone. As soon as Marlo, or even Chris, got tossed in jail then Levy would come in.

Theoretically they could destroy evidence or cover up the paper trail before Levy was able to get his hands on it. But criminal procedure law allows the defense to look at all the evidence of the prosecution and how that evidence was collected to make sure it was all legit.

It was Herc that finally tipped it. They might have continued to try the case, but Herc told Levy that the case probably had a wire, simply because he gave them the wire.

I think Herc did it simply because no one gave him credit for giving up Marlo's cell. Or maybe Herc was just fucking with the police or making a name for himself.

I think Kima did what she did because she of her own ethnical code. I think Kima is Daniel's replacement in the end. But still, I think she should have kept quiet.

The next project is Generation Kill- that book was written by a Rolling Stones journalist who traveled with a Marine Recon group as the military invaded Iraq. That book rocks. I think the show is going to be awesome.

 

[Madbringer]

Inspired by this thread, i decided to watch the first season of The Wire, and i must say, i'm very impressed! It's fun, entertaining, has VERY good actor play. I'm surprised i've never heard about the series before, but then again, that's Poland for you. :/

Do the other seasons keep the level of the first one? I'm a little afraid to read each post above carefully, to not spoil it for myself.