tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post7189995970114295334..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: The Wire week 1 thread for the On Demand'ersAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7339806212626234982008-01-04T19:51:00.000-05:002008-01-04T19:51:00.000-05:00Comment: Later, in the bar scene, the young repor...Comment: Later, in the bar scene, the young reporter says, "Oh, (Clark Johnson's character) saw it at 9:30 and we were able to get it in before deadline..." or something to that effect. >>><BR/><BR/>Different editions of the paper have different deadlines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52448686185951683002008-01-04T19:44:00.000-05:002008-01-04T19:44:00.000-05:00Question: All this talk about newsroom authentici...Question: All this talk about newsroom authenticity, etc., and one thing stood out. When the council reporter comes back to the office, the clock behind Clark Johnson's character reads 6 p.m. Do council meetings in Baltimore go from 4 to 6? I think not. >>><BR/><BR/>Correct; they actually start at 5 pm.<BR/><BR/>Check out these links to the official Council website:<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/2to4v9<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/354ba2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40269949936213905942008-01-03T09:32:00.000-05:002008-01-03T09:32:00.000-05:00Alan and all,First, I do submit that I drank the K...Alan and all,<BR/><BR/>First, I do submit that I drank the Kool-Aid while watching Season 4 last year, and then caught up on all the past episodes through Netflix.<BR/><BR/>It's cliche but true, this is the best television show in the history of television shows.<BR/><BR/>I rewatched the premiere last night on On Demand, and something bothered me -- and it's the only thing in 51 episodes that has.<BR/><BR/>All this talk about newsroom authenticity, etc., and one thing stood out. When the council reporter comes back to the office, the clock behind Clark Johnson's character reads 6 p.m.<BR/><BR/>Do council meetings in Baltimore go from 4 to 6? I think not. Later, in the bar scene, the young reporter says, "Oh, (Clark Johnson's character) saw it at 9:30 and we were able to get it in before deadline..." or something to that effect.<BR/><BR/>I felt like the continuity police, and then I realized if that's my one nitpick issue about this show, Simon really is a freaking genius.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33600944944145169992008-01-03T09:31:00.000-05:002008-01-03T09:31:00.000-05:00This is my first season watching "live" - I bought...This is my first season watching "live" - I bought season 1 on DVD about 2 months ago and flew through all 4 seasons in no time. I have to say, as with other great shows that I've caught up on via DVD (24, Sopranos, etc.), the anticipation of waiting for the next episode is a killer! <BR/><BR/>That said, I thought the first episode was great. I hate seeing Major Crimes being dismantled again, but I'm sure we'll get some great McNulty homicide scenes now. <BR/><BR/>Also, if the comments ring true regarding the credits, I'll miss Cutty, Prez and Bunny for sure. They were all great in their own element. <BR/><BR/>I still can't get over Michael as Chris's heir apparent. Those last few episodes of season 4 were chilling...Donnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08170413650850416463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16707259374672179652008-01-03T08:50:00.000-05:002008-01-03T08:50:00.000-05:00Also the last image of Carcetti turning his back o...<I>Also the last image of Carcetti turning his back on the people, so simple yet it has so much meaning.</I><BR/><BR/>I actually took that imagery as the media and their persistence. An important figure turns away from the mics, but they ain't budging. And they look like hentai tentacles, heh!JMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16527612988543040489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59960534489195746742008-01-03T01:07:00.000-05:002008-01-03T01:07:00.000-05:00As loathsome as Marlo, Chris, and Co. are, there's...As loathsome as Marlo, Chris, and Co. are, there's a part of me that can't but admire such a well-oiled machine from top to bottom. Those guys got their ish together.Anthony Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01974147022903836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66094720124087698102008-01-02T22:10:00.000-05:002008-01-02T22:10:00.000-05:00Yeah I absolutely love these credits. Best yet IM...Yeah I absolutely love these credits. <BR/>Best yet IMO. Love Steve Earle's version and all the pictures that go with it. It's about time they used that shot of the cocaine being washed down the hole from S2. Right after the "Wayyy down in the hooooole." line is sung. Also love the shots of Sobotka, Wallace, etc. The part where Omar blows up whoever's SUV that is, its just tied perfectly into the song, much like the sound of the nail gun from last season. Also the last image of Carcetti turning his back on the people, so simple yet it has so much meaning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36034366991128784392008-01-02T21:35:00.000-05:002008-01-02T21:35:00.000-05:00Also, I think these were the best opening credits ...Also, I think these were the best opening credits we've yet gotten-- musically, I think I like this Steve Earle version a lot (though maybe not more than the boys choir version in season 4), but more importantly it clearly draws on images from the past seasons, which suggests that things really are going to come together with this final season. I don't think we can hope for some tidy ending, but with Chris investigating Sergei, it's clear that things will be brought together in some way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39184059912818442902008-01-02T21:31:00.000-05:002008-01-02T21:31:00.000-05:00I haven't paid much attention to credits in the pa...I haven't paid much attention to credits in the past-- does the actor's absence in the opening credits mean we won't see them at all or just not regularly?<BR/><BR/>Either way, I thought this was a strong opening. Seeing the Major Case Unit back to working together was so exhilirating-- of course they had to get disbanded within the same episode!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48028408101396086372008-01-02T19:44:00.000-05:002008-01-02T19:44:00.000-05:00Both Rhonda and Daniels have certainly seen pictur...Both Rhonda and Daniels have certainly seen pictures of Chris, but they are so caught in the attempt to defend their on turf they didn't recognize that one of the major suspects in the same case they are trying to save has just ask them for direction. I'm pretty sure that they both only registered a random black guy lost.<BR/><BR/>A few observations on the credits: Both Robert Wisdom and Jim True-Frost have being dropped. Not very surprise in Wisdom's case given that Bunny story got closure and I never expected him to get more than a cameo this season, a little on Frost's case because the show always tried to give the original cast members something to do and Prez was the best link the series had to the educational system. Then, when the episode ended I notice on the final credits that Frank Faison (Burrell) had being dropped as well. I guess this means one of the carachters most skilled at surviving has to be taken out of the picture somehow very early on the season.Filipe Furtadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02399131791193308548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2739816401043191522008-01-02T14:17:00.000-05:002008-01-02T14:17:00.000-05:00Loved the first episode, but did anyone else find ...Loved the first episode, but did anyone else find the first ten to fifteen minutes to be a tad too Wire-101?<BR/><BR/>It seems with each season the show finds a way to wrangle in more and more of an audience thanks to HBO reairing the seasons all fall on On-Demand or through DVD (I converted at least four of my friends this fall, who are now completely caught up), but since this is the last batch of episodes ever I'm curious if they intentionally made those first few scenes uncharacteristically expository to grab as many more viewers as they possibly could.<BR/><BR/>That, and I have to say I was a little disappointed in the opening scene this season. One of the joys to rewatching previous seasons is to see how the seemingly everyday conversations that are had between characters set up the framework for the following 13 episodes (or in the case of episode 101, the framework for the entire series). At the time it sounds like two people talking when it is actually much more of a thesis. This time around the "people will believe anything" line felt almost too on-the-nose.<BR/><BR/>Still, those complaints are minor. By the end of the episode I was thrilled with what I had seen and am dying for the next ep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20637736954039868102008-01-02T11:52:00.000-05:002008-01-02T11:52:00.000-05:00Rhonda has never seen a picture of the guy who Maj...Rhonda has never seen a picture of the guy who Major Crimes has declared the prime suspect on the vacants murders? <BR/><BR/>I find that one hard to believe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73269724824141063932008-01-02T03:18:00.000-05:002008-01-02T03:18:00.000-05:00One of my favorite small touches on this show is t...One of my favorite small touches on this show is the names of the heroin the hoppers call out on the corners. Season 3, with the parallels between the Barksdale-Marlo war and the growing Iraq mess brought us "WMD". Namond was out there with the other children slinging "big yellow bird." And now we get some "greenhouse gas."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-43892607212568398882008-01-02T00:15:00.000-05:002008-01-02T00:15:00.000-05:00The way Herc operates he probably doesn't remember...The way Herc operates he probably doesn't remember who Levy is. Remember how he saw Avon driving around in s3 and only barely remembered he was someone significant. Herc wouldn't connect the dots that he's calling in favours from his old buddies for a lawyer on retainer to drug lords, actively making their jobs harder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68596689477453501452008-01-01T19:37:00.000-05:002008-01-01T19:37:00.000-05:00God is in the details, indeed.The countdown is on,...God is in the details, indeed.<BR/><BR/>The countdown is on, and there is not much time left. Unlike the Sopranos, I don't think anyone is coming in with the expectations that the show will tie all storylines together neatly with a bow. <BR/><BR/>The opening was classic Wire. Ironically, it brought back a familiar face from last season. Monell (the one eating McDonald's) was one of the kids who asked Randy to keep lookout last season while they had sex with a fellow female student in the bathroom. And now, just one year later, he's been arrested for murder. As for the copy machine trick, I don't think its far fetched at all to think that an uneducated youth has never seen a photocopier before. You'd be amazed what children don't know. Plus, I love Steve Earle's cover of "Way Down in the Hole". <BR/><BR/>Once again, Major Crimes is being gutted as a result of a decision made by a mayor. Carcetti has proven as effective as Royce, almost even worse, as his aspirations to become Governor have clouded his vision. He screwed over the schools last year, and now is screwing over the police force. Things are about to get worse, of course, I have no doubt that Carcetti will "win" in the end. Man, I wish Tony Gray had won the primary.<BR/><BR/>McNulty is a waste. <BR/><BR/>Bubbles breaks my heart. You hope and wish that he makes it... but you know that he won't. I wouldn't be surprised if the last shot of the season has him buying "Big Yellow Bird".<BR/><BR/>Michael ain't Michael no more. Funny to see Spider and Kennard as his corner boys. Even crazier, Dukie was clean, groomed, and wearing decent clothes. His lack of responsibility in the morning should lead back to his return to school. BTW, Michael was clearly identified on the MCU board.<BR/><BR/>Herc sold his soul. He gets fired, and takes up with the enemy. He definitely knows Levy from seasons prior. And now he will provide him with all the ammunition he'll ever need. I'm not sure if one character has wrecked as much havok in West Baltimore as Herc has, and will do.<BR/><BR/>Marlo. Prop Joe's days are numbered. Wonder if he'll reach out to Omar? Also, its a bad idea to investigate the Russians. Marlo and Chris have no idea what kind of monster they're dealing with. <BR/><BR/>The Baltimore Sun. In a mere 5 minutes, I was thankful to have never desired being a newspaper reporter. The job is incredibly pressured, and the level of research to pull a quote is extraordinary. <BR/><BR/>I love this show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83675165145587722412008-01-01T18:45:00.000-05:002008-01-01T18:45:00.000-05:00I thought we'd see McNulty take longer to slide ba...I thought we'd see McNulty take longer to slide back into his old ways (it was never in doubt that he would, it was just a matter of time) but given that something like 8-10 months (I'm guessing) have passed in "Wire" time since last season, that's more than enough time for him to have fallen back into his old habits. Using a recovery analogy, I think he was white-knuckling it as the new and improved McNulty and going back into Major Cases signaled that he was ready to go back to his old ways - and have the job to blame it on.<BR/><BR/>Nice tie-in with Bubs hawking newspapers. I completely understand where his sister is coming from, she must have been burned by him 1,000 times in the past but still, it was pretty heart-breaking to see him locked down in the basement like a prisoner. <BR/><BR/>Herc is just a complete monster. How I'm hoping for bad things to befall him this season. <BR/><BR/>Michael and Dukie, why are you back this season to break my heart again, some more?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01759998739611184414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20024116621577672912008-01-01T10:42:00.000-05:002008-01-01T10:42:00.000-05:00I've been scouring for people talking about the sh...I've been scouring for people talking about the show, it's such a great series, you always find nuggets of things that you missed when you talk to others.<BR/><BR/>One character I haven't seen emntioned yet is Bubs. Those scenes were painful. Seeing him with nothing to live for was hard.<BR/><BR/>I thought all the newsroom scenes were well done. I enjoy the characters so far, and the acting is fantastic.<BR/><BR/>Looking foward to seeing Avon soon as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28774473972270884152008-01-01T10:21:00.000-05:002008-01-01T10:21:00.000-05:00It's Monnell or something like that. I know becau...It's Monnell or something like that. I know because I was just re-watching Season 4 and he was one of the kids promoted to the 9th grade with Dukie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-43795471641162347682008-01-01T05:31:00.000-05:002008-01-01T05:31:00.000-05:00After watching it again I can confirm that it is n...After watching it again I can confirm that it is not Darnell. And his name isn't Darnell...it's "Manow" or something which I can't make out.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245472084190224186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15276474920914768712008-01-01T01:58:00.000-05:002008-01-01T01:58:00.000-05:00no it wasn't. Darnelle had hair and shit. Totall...no it wasn't. Darnelle had hair and shit. Totally different guys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33427663469876557092008-01-01T01:45:00.000-05:002008-01-01T01:45:00.000-05:00No, that's not right. The other guy was not Darnel...<I>No, that's not right. The other guy was not Darnell. That guy had long hair and was kind of bigger.</I><BR/><BR/>Wrong; it was definitely Darnell in both the steakhouse and the homicide scenes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70232384908767761442008-01-01T01:13:00.000-05:002008-01-01T01:13:00.000-05:00Even better, he was the kid who wanted to go McDon...<I>Even better, he was the kid who wanted to go McDonald's after Colvin took him, Namond, and Zenobia to Ruth's Chris.</I><BR/><BR/>No, that's not right. The other guy was not Darnell. That guy had long hair and was kind of bigger.<BR/><BR/>One other observation. Frankie Faison is no longer included in the main credits. That leads me to believe that Burrell won't be commissioner much longer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83245282712570306052008-01-01T00:47:00.000-05:002008-01-01T00:47:00.000-05:00The kid with the McDonalds food was one of the boy...<I>The kid with the McDonalds food was one of the boys who payed Randy $5 to watch the door while he "got it on" in the boys room.</I><BR/><BR/>Even better, he was the kid who wanted to go McDonald's after Colvin took him, Namond, and Zenobia to Ruth's Chris. Good callback.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50830808360782528042007-12-31T23:20:00.000-05:002007-12-31T23:20:00.000-05:00Excellent first episode. They pack so much story i...Excellent first episode. They pack so much story in one episode...apart from Omar they were able to give screen time to everybody else.<BR/><BR/>Btw the credits only mentioned Tristan Wilds and Jermaine Crawford, meaning Randy and Namond are not going to be in the show. And no Cutty or Bunny either...so I guess that part of the storyline is done.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245472084190224186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42308283923735150152007-12-31T22:13:00.000-05:002007-12-31T22:13:00.000-05:00Remember way back in the first season, either Herc...Remember way back in the first season, either Herc or Carver said something like, "this is why we can't win. We fuck up, we get a pension. They fuck up, they get beat"? Whoever said it, it looks like it was pretty prophetic for Herc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com