tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post2628074734691034008..comments2024-03-19T05:50:19.572-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: The Wire: Scrubbing BubblesAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64230649148892469732011-12-26T13:00:50.908-05:002011-12-26T13:00:50.908-05:00I'll always be puzzled over why Avon doesn'...I'll always be puzzled over why Avon doesn't fleece Marlo for more than 100 large. A sum like that is chump change to Marlo, and considering what he has to gain from achieving the connect to the Greek, I believe Marlo would have been more than willing to give Brianna several multiples of that amount.<br /><br />It's a crying shame we couldn't have Wood Harris back for more than the two brief scenes, but at least we got to have him back. He absolutely owns the character of Avon.Ahmedkhannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56548474230077542722011-10-12T17:21:05.354-04:002011-10-12T17:21:05.354-04:00I know I'm way late to this party, but as a lo...I know I'm way late to this party, but as a long time avid wire fan i've been reading these (starting with the "veteran" posts on seasons 1-3), and there was a discussion on one of the veteran season 3 posts about the avon-marlo scene in this season 5 episode, so i've been thinking about it ever since and waited until what I thought was the appropriate place to say my peace.<br /><br />Before reading the previous debate (as well as this one), Avon being "pathetic" hadn't crossed my mind. I can certainly see that angle now.<br /><br />However I believe it may have been a little of both. I think it's clear that Avon still has a great rep and power behind bars (or else he would never have been able to interject in this moment). He's eager to show marlo "i'm still here, I still have A crown, even if it's not THE crown you wear and you still have to go through me". I think his talk with marlo about the westside and everything besides the business at hand was some needling at marlo (who, despite the two having never actually met, we'd assume that word has gotten around what kind of person marlo his, with his apathy towards small talk) with a touch of longing to "remember when" for avon. He may have started it just to mess with marlo, but by talking and thinking about it, it made avon start to miss it.<br /><br />We know that avon couldn't have known the greeks before season 3 because avon got his stuff from new york and prop joe (despite being, we assume, secondary to the barksdale organization in b-more, at least before the first season)was the sole person the greeks knew, and through mouzone we know that a lot of avon's power in his name is derived from his sterling reputation with powerful people in new york. We know the greeks know marlo because of the meeting in season 4 after prop joe gets jacked by omar. So some how, Avon still has enough pull that the greeks feel it necessary to make marlo go through avon to talk to the greeks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30670793751070922822010-08-14T11:37:57.577-04:002010-08-14T11:37:57.577-04:00I've been looking everywhere trying to answer ...I've been looking everywhere trying to answer a question that stuck out at me when I watched this episode. <br /><br />Does anybody know if the shipping stats Gus wakes up to check on are significant of anything? I don't know if the discrepancy between cargo and "RoRo" signifies something, or if it's just random jargon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51969173516286036142010-04-26T15:03:22.668-04:002010-04-26T15:03:22.668-04:00Hey, I know I'm late to the party, but I'v...Hey, I know I'm late to the party, but I've been watching the show over the past couple months - thank god for Netflix.<br /><br />One parallel I think was very interesting was McNulty kicking the side of the car...for me, it harkens back to Bodie losing it when Chris/Snoop killed Lil' Kevin. Both were expressing frustration at the lack of control they had, in a situation where they used to rule the roost.<br /><br />Also, Alan, I had the same reaction as you did to the newspaper editor's speech - "we can't become about everything, otherwise it's about nothing." Seems like The Wire is Simon's F U to that type of attitude.<br /><br />Keep up the great work - love your podcasts w/ Simmons.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12081679653028350982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35868476165982729122009-09-06T13:15:08.281-04:002009-09-06T13:15:08.281-04:00Two episodes in and I'm not feeling this seaso...Two episodes in and I'm not feeling this season as much as the first four. Maybe it is the rushed pace, but the newspaper gang seems forced and a little artificial to me--almost, dare I say, Sorkin-esque. Gus is a little too much of a saint, Scott is already clearly a villain. I wasn't sure where they were going with EJ immediately (until Scott said his name, I wondered if the kid in the wheelchair was going to turn out to be one of our corner boys), but as soon as Rebecca and Gus started talking it seemed clear they were taking Scott in a Jayson Blair/Stephen Glass direction (which I should have got immediately, given the montage of less heartwarming Oriole Park interviews he was getting).<br /><br />It feels...heavy-handed.<br /><br />That being said, it was good to see Michael questioning Marlo's motives--he's still in there, somewhere. It was good to see Avon again, although I agree with Alan that his bravado was a little forced. Nice to see him still taking care of Brianna, though. Although I guess that's so Brianna can take care of him, isn't it?<br /><br />Bubbles continues to break my heart. Marlo continues to chill mine--he's like some horrible hybrid of Bill Sykes and Hannibal Lecter, all cold menace and intelligence.<br /><br />I still love the show--it's still better than just about anything else that's ever been on in history--but this season is going to need to convince me a little.<br /><br />I can't even talk about Jimmy. Damn.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31149720474161045442009-06-06T03:19:22.433-04:002009-06-06T03:19:22.433-04:00No one has mentioned this yet, but Dee Dee has mad...No one has mentioned this yet, but Dee Dee has made appearances on The Wire before. First on Season 3 Episode 8 about 30 seconds in when she is first starting out and buying drugs for the first time. Then in Season 4 Episode 8 about 41 minutes in when she is talking with Old Face Andre about how she is still turning tricks. Now we see her in this episode telling her story of how she went through all of that. It's a nice little call back for hardcore fans of the show, and I certainly wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't just watched the entire series in the past week.fgmerchanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810080679098585277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87901469676632633982008-01-22T16:16:00.000-05:002008-01-22T16:16:00.000-05:00sorry to pick at nits, but I've got to think Steve...sorry to pick at nits, but I've got to think Steve Earle's character's name is "Waylon", not "Walon", after legendary country singer Waylon Jennings. I haven't taken the time to go thru HBO's web site to confirm, but I would be really surprised if that's not correct, considering Earle's music career and the type of music he plays.lnewcomerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16784078205693476113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20759476158454441522008-01-19T12:57:00.000-05:002008-01-19T12:57:00.000-05:00Chris is definitely an enigma. He likely feels a k...Chris is definitely an enigma. He likely feels a kinship with Michael because of abuse they both suffered.It'll be interesting to see if this creates any tension between Chris and Marlo. I think Michael's loyalty will be tested soon, asking him to do something horrible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73507929227356699592008-01-19T02:41:00.000-05:002008-01-19T02:41:00.000-05:00Angel, drake: I'm definitely with you both on Chri...Angel, drake: I'm definitely with you both on Chris' childhood history; thinking it was obvious I omitted it from my comment - the ways The Wire is able to convey details without outwardly expressing them is one of the masterstrokes of the show<BR/><BR/>God, I'm still perplexed at the enigma that is Chris Partlow. How is he able to kill a delivery lady outright yet come to take Michael under his wing? Late S4 Marlo didn't seem pleased Mike stood up for "the snitchin' boy", but nothing becomes of that. We never see Mike confronted about it so I've always assumed Chris saw it as inconsequential since he obviously values the kid.<BR/><BR/>Back to present day, I'm definitely looking forward to Chris' reaction to Mike's eps 3 field trip escapade.Simon Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587022990493229569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56415496035613407742008-01-18T18:22:00.000-05:002008-01-18T18:22:00.000-05:00Me, too. I thought Avon was just teasing Marlo wit...Me, too. I thought Avon was just teasing Marlo with his obviously fake camaraderie. No way he's desperately trying to buddy up to his nemesis. Just grabbing some quick cash and rubbing Marlo's nose in his temporary disadvantage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69184917644644374232008-01-18T14:20:00.000-05:002008-01-18T14:20:00.000-05:00Yeah, I gotta believe Avon's gaming Marlo. He seem...Yeah, I gotta believe Avon's gaming Marlo. He seemed a little too "eager" IMO. At least I hope he's gaming him.<BR/><BR/>One thing that's bugging me is Lester's comment to Sydnor re the Clay Davis case: "I could die happy", I thought of it as soon as I saw him staking out Marlo & co. by himself. i hope I'm just reading too much into a throwaway line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-67159631318759341932008-01-18T13:59:00.000-05:002008-01-18T13:59:00.000-05:00Regarding the speculation about whether Chris and ...Regarding the speculation about whether Chris and Michael's interaction is supposed to hint that Chris was sexually abused:<BR/><BR/>I believe David Simon explicitly confirmed this in the DVD commentary for the Season 4 finale. Almost at the very end, there is a glance in the mirror similar to the one from Season 5, episode 2.<BR/><BR/>But I'll be honest here: I totally missed all of this when I watched Season 4 on TV.Eric Hartleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08878848724748673487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2362215098202067412008-01-18T12:52:00.000-05:002008-01-18T12:52:00.000-05:00I'm with you on both fronts, Angel804.I think Chri...I'm with you on both fronts, Angel804.<BR/><BR/>I think Chris identifies with Michael in that they were both abused as children. That look in the mirror, though, was one that seemed to say "my boy's not soft, now is he?"<BR/><BR/>It was such a short look that I'm sure we'll be able to interpret a number of different ways once the full context comes into play.Shawn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703481653646144923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1580086701060709232008-01-18T10:37:00.000-05:002008-01-18T10:37:00.000-05:00I did think that Avon seemed powerless, but I took...I did think that Avon seemed powerless, but I took all the "West Side" references and "how's it going" buddyness as a deliberate (and very funny) attempt to needle Marlo, who knows very well that Avon couldn't give a crap about him or the West Side. It was Avon making use of his limited power position in the best way he could, and getting in some digs while he was at it.<BR/><BR/>And put me on the bandwagon that thinks that Gus is way too perfect. He joins Freamon as one of the few "pure good" characters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68819930490281024152008-01-18T10:06:00.000-05:002008-01-18T10:06:00.000-05:00I feel two ways about that scene with Chris lookin...I feel two ways about that scene with Chris looking at Michael in the rearview mirror; on the one hand I think he could be agreeing with Michael silently, on the other, I think Chris is worried that Michael is not as fully "in" as he thought he was. I wouldn't be surprised if they "test" Micahel's loyalty soon.<BR/><BR/>Chris's killing of Bug's father made me think something similar happened to him, just because of the sheer violence of it. He was doing to Michael's abuser what he wishes he could have done to his own. Then again, maybe that's just my armchair psychoanalysis, and Chris just beat him down because of what he knew he done to Michael.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17653083021952788472008-01-17T19:00:00.000-05:002008-01-17T19:00:00.000-05:00Anyon else still see parallels between Michael and...<I>Anyon else still see parallels between Michael and Chris? Both seemed to question the need for killing even if Chris' reasoning was purely pragmatic</I><BR/><BR/>You're not alone. That question popped into mind during the last part of the car scene; Snoop berates Michael for having a conscience, which leads to Mike reclining into the seatback. But Chris tilts his head into the rear-view so that we only see his eyes, definitely a concerned look that identifies with Michael's sentiments toward undesired violence as opposed to one that disapproves his insubordination.<BR/><BR/>More evidence of a conscience in Chris was seen in the killing of Bug's father. Part of what made the scene so powerful was seeing Chris "lose it" for the first time. Whether or not this is due to his distaste for the misdeeds done to Bugs (a sentiment which would parallel Mike's reluctance to pull the trigger this very episode), or simply his bond with Michael (their brotherly affection, chemistry, whatever you call it is incredible) would both point to their similar viewpoint on needless bloodshed.<BR/><BR/>This, imo, would place Chris closer to Mike than with Snoop who has completely lost any human response to killing (hence her puzzled/jocular comment after seeing Chris pound Bug's daddy outside). Very much looking forward to how this season will develop the relationship between these surrogate brothers.Simon Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587022990493229569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85722585634136017502008-01-17T11:35:00.000-05:002008-01-17T11:35:00.000-05:00FYI - Ep 3 is On Demand in the Philly/Harrisburg a...FYI - Ep 3 is On Demand in the Philly/Harrisburg area.Donnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08170413650850416463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91789862342451728332008-01-16T06:49:00.000-05:002008-01-16T06:49:00.000-05:00Also live in the Harrisburg, PA area...it's Wednes...Also live in the Harrisburg, PA area...it's Wednesday morning, and still no Episode 53 ON DEMAND. <BR/><BR/>And just so I'm not just here to b!$tch, I'll try to contribute to the discussion. I first thought the woman with the baby that Bubbles took interest in was Nick Sobotka's girlfriend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44744358254654363712008-01-15T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-15T21:41:00.000-05:00I don't think the sister with the kid(the young ne...I don't think the sister with the kid(the young neglectful parent was the same as the one rolling down the highway with her man buying burners. Overall I think without all the buzz in the blogs and from the critics I do not think the McNutty actions would be believable. Without critics imploring everyone to wait before they judge his actions this would definitely be shark jumping territory.<BR/><BR/>I think Marlo call the Russian Boris because he wanted to exert control and put him down ie. show him who wears the crown. Also Boris is a stereotypical Russian name. Like if he had called a white chick Becky<BR/><BR/>Anyon else still see parallels between Michael and Chris? Both seemed to question the need for killing even if Chris' reasoning was purely pragmatic.<BR/><BR/>To my eyes Avon looked pathetic(though well acted and good to seem him this year). He came off as a largely useless former soldier grabbing power where he can. The worst part was buddying up to Marlo after shaking him down. Imagine Marlo and Avon doing small talkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60685140813878937502008-01-15T13:21:00.000-05:002008-01-15T13:21:00.000-05:00I am located in Harrisburg, PA - so close enough t...I am located in Harrisburg, PA - so close enough to Philly that it may be the same problem. Thanks for the info. They better hurry up and fix it already!Donnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08170413650850416463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18277724398917802832008-01-15T12:47:00.000-05:002008-01-15T12:47:00.000-05:00From a contact at HBO: "Our HBO On Demand guy said...From a contact at HBO: "Our HBO On Demand guy said someties it takes 48 hours to 'propagate the assets.'"Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69878527601700223332008-01-15T12:41:00.001-05:002008-01-15T12:41:00.001-05:00Does anyone know why some On Demands do not have E...<I> Does anyone know why some On Demands do not have Episode 3 available? I read a few posts in here complaining about that, and then sure enough when I went home to watch last night it wasn't there. Thanks! </I><BR/><BR/>Where are you located? Apparently it is a problem in the Philly area. There is a thread on HBO.com about it. I am in Delaware and still no ep53 here.bill komissaroffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17395085015417039303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6015524834336494172008-01-15T12:41:00.000-05:002008-01-15T12:41:00.000-05:00For those of you waiting for new episodes to show ...For those of you waiting for new episodes to show up On Demand, try rebooting your cable box. That always works for me: yank power cable out, plug it back in (since my box doesn't have a power switch or reset button). New episodes are generally available 12:01am on Monday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80330995183218745492008-01-15T11:43:00.000-05:002008-01-15T11:43:00.000-05:00speaking of reappearing bit characters-- in the sc...speaking of reappearing bit characters-- in the scene where Lester is staking out Marlo's meeting spot, there is a negligent mother leaving her child just inside the door to go talk to someone down the street. Was it just me, or was that the girlfriend of the guy whose job was to collect burners in season 3? ("You are the dumbest guy I've ever gone out with." "I can't wait to get to jail.")Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85702985716840749602008-01-15T11:40:00.000-05:002008-01-15T11:40:00.000-05:00At first I thought that McNulty was trying to drum...<I>At first I thought that McNulty was trying to drum up the serial killer angle as a way at getting heat back on the 23 bodies from the vacants, but now I understand that he's just trying to stir up public panic about murders in general - which is somehow more twisted and should be interesting to see if Simon can pull off.</I><BR/><BR/>Wouldn't having a potential serial killer on the loose also interest the FBI? They can refuse to help with the 22 bodies so as to settle a score with Carcetti, but they can't ignore public outcry (nor can Carcetti, for that matter).<BR/><BR/>Interesting to see how many bowls of [brown word] Carcetti's been eating over the years. He seems to have acquired quite a taste for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com