tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post9206894639868619685..comments2024-03-25T19:18:14.047-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: The Wire, "React Quotes": You will believe a man can fly!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48057721539460816712014-09-01T00:19:02.900-04:002014-09-01T00:19:02.900-04:00So how could he be so stupid as to perform essenti...<i>So how could he be so stupid as to perform essentially a frontal attack, with a handgun </i><br /><br />Several reasons<br /><br />You had a lot of institutional knowledge informing your tactics. Practice at a MOUT facility, trainers, after-action reports, veterans from previous deployments fine-tuning tactics .. all devoted to informing a platoon sergeant of the best way to take a door.<br /><br />Omar has himself. And what he's been doing has worked because, for the first time, his opposition was laying for him _and_ they had actual training. <br /><br />Heck - I bet Chis has FM 90-10 on his bookshelf at home.Brian Dunbarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952894032434503816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26493845358788253082012-11-20T21:33:55.295-05:002012-11-20T21:33:55.295-05:00I'm obviously way late to the Wire, but have t...I'm obviously way late to the Wire, but have thoroughly enjoyed Alan's work retroactively. Just watched this ep on HBOGO (who knew when this aired that that would be a thing?) and I've got to vehemently disagree, in the strongest possible terms, that this is playing as a Dr. Strangelove-ian farce. It's incredibly disappointing to see two characters veering so wildly put of character, Lester in particular. The show had already done a fantastic job of illustrating the dysfunction of the many institutions involved. Playing it like this, unfortunately, just feels like a betrayal of the first four seasons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-11241988708106967192011-06-13T23:55:04.295-04:002011-06-13T23:55:04.295-04:00A nice shout-out to the book "Homicide":...A nice shout-out to the book "Homicide": Jay telling Holley, who's on midnight shift, that Detective Worden will be coming in to relieve him.Alex Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85365869040964209102010-02-01T03:50:56.169-05:002010-02-01T03:50:56.169-05:00Nice musical touches: "Everybody Wants to Rul...Nice musical touches: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" playing in the bar as McNulty meets with Gutierrez and Templeton; "Just My Imagination" playing just after Templeton and McNulty/Freamon come up with their newest tall tales. What "My Girl Has Gone" means (it's played just after the McNulty-Templeton Bullshit-Off) is anyone's guess; same with "Gypsy Woman."<br /><br /><i>Interesting to hear to legitimate people talk about "standing tall" just like the street folks.</i><br /><br />And when Beadie goes to Bunk, he says he won't snitch, and can't "speak out on that." Seemed very street to me.Andy Hutchinshttp://therockabyereview.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90800715670482350662009-12-15T16:17:14.383-05:002009-12-15T16:17:14.383-05:00Michael and Dukie seem more like D'Angelo and ...Michael and Dukie seem more like D'Angelo and Wallace to me. Both are essentially decent guys, and the one who is deeper in the game is trying to keep the other one out of it.Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76697560496848367892009-09-08T09:02:13.512-04:002009-09-08T09:02:13.512-04:00I thought Dukie's question to Cutty--"But...I thought Dukie's question to Cutty--"But how do I get from here to the real world?"--was one of the most touching lines of the series, and the question that every public official should be addressing when facing the problems the series depicts. As someone above noted, Dukie is merely the latest in a series of characters to ask that question in one way or another, or to want to pursue the goal of getting from the street to the "real world," but no one has ever presented them with the tools to do so. It's heartbreaking.<br /><br />Nerese's speech to Clay was perfect and true--all I could think of was Marion Barry. Besides thinking of Brianna's speech to D'Angelo (I believe the phrasing--"Now you got to carry the weight"--was identical), of course. It also underscored just how complicit every damn person is in the system. Right down to that DJ who interviewed Clay.<br /><br />On Jimmy and Scott--I think Scott known Jimmy is lying, but can't figure out why. Jummy suspects that Scott is lying, or too stupid to recognize a crank caller, but doesn't care why; he's just happy to have another piece he can use in building the Big Lie.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7479258252179562362008-02-08T02:14:00.000-05:002008-02-08T02:14:00.000-05:00I think it's two things: 1) Omar's judgment is clo...<I> I think it's two things: 1) Omar's judgment is clouded by his emotions for Butchie; 2) he doesn't fully know or understand Marlo's ruthlessness. Actually, three things because he doesn't have the same amount of "staff" he had in the past. He's outmanned, outgunned, and outmaneuvered. Almost like he's on "Survivor: Baltimore"!</I><BR/><BR/>I can't simply go with the theory that Omar's emotions are clouded, because his emotions were clouded by Brandon's killing in the first season, and while his attack there wasn't entirely successful, it wasn't the unmitigated disaster of this one. <BR/><BR/>Also,Omar's been studying Marlo intently for two seasons. He knows exactly who and what Marlo is...I think...I need to review all those stake out sessions to understand if he understands Snoop and Chris.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to chalk this up to Simon and crew trying to bring Omar down a notch into the realm of realism while they are raising the rest of the characters (McNulty, etc.) into farse-like fictional archetypes.<BR/><BR/>The only character consistently mired in the real world of Baltimore seems to be Bubs...so maybe they are trying to distance themselves from all of the ups and downs of cops and crack-slingers, and get back to the message of "The Corner"; drugs are a disease that destroys the lives of everyone around them and all that is constant is the addict and the pain.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I need to change my mind about this season. Maybe Simon and co. are doing something even more grand than I ever imagined by building up characters over 4 seasons and spending the final season completely deconstructing (and destroying) them. If they can pull this together into something cohesive and meaningful, this might be a perfect ending to a near perfect show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6315585123585670302008-02-06T13:16:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:16:00.000-05:00To AnonymousOmar knows exactly who Marlo is, he fo...To Anonymous<BR/><BR/>Omar knows exactly who Marlo is, he found that out last season when he was staking out the Co-Op and stole the shipment. Also, Omar knows who had Butchie killed because remember when they were torturing Butchie and after they killed him, they left the Big Dude alive to tell the story, “Chris telling the Big Dude to tell Omar everything that happened”. The only info Omar needs is how to find Marlo which at this point his plan “was” to off as many of Marlo’s people until he showed himself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-83536620842183582682008-02-05T16:29:00.000-05:002008-02-05T16:29:00.000-05:00Re: marlo calling back. How many people call back ...Re: marlo calling back. How many people call back a "wrong number" I sure as heck dont.<BR/><BR/>Mcnulty and Scott. I think mcnulty knows that dude is making it up not only because of the sly grin and change in posture but also because at the first meeting Scott asks for more details to spice up a mass murderer with a sexual connection. He sees that this is a writer with a penchant for making a story 'sexy'<BR/><BR/>On omar. If he honestly had been staking that place out for days, weeks even and we assume he has done this before based on his past why would he not believe he had Monk outgunned. Also, the assumption is that when he kicks inthe door he is coming to kill when the reality is probably that he is coming to get info on who killed butchie, THEN kill. No point in straight up killing monk if he doesnt get all info he needs. Of course emotion has clouded his judgement somewhat but I also dont think he has any idea who marlo is. He doesnt know he is up against the same dude he told at the card game "you must mistake me for a man who repeats himself"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3395079973375377042008-02-05T14:28:00.000-05:002008-02-05T14:28:00.000-05:00lungfish, I assumed Freamon's phone blocks his num...lungfish, I assumed Freamon's phone blocks his number on outgoing calls. I have friends whose cell numbers show up as "Restricted" or "Unknown" when they call, so I don't think Marlo being able to call back would be a concern.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-67365755759837774792008-02-05T12:11:00.000-05:002008-02-05T12:11:00.000-05:00Was anyone surprised that Lester called Marlo with...Was anyone surprised that Lester called Marlo with his own cell phone? What if Marlo got suspicious and called back? If voicemail had picked up, it would say it was Lester Freamon (maybe even Detective Freamon)- at the very least, it wouldn't be the same phony accent that he put on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47702574364577417412008-02-05T10:47:00.000-05:002008-02-05T10:47:00.000-05:00Is this an indication of a breakdown of Omar's pre...<I>Is this an indication of a breakdown of Omar's previously-proved acumen, or of writer laziness? </I><BR/><BR/>I think it's two things: 1) Omar's judgment is clouded by his emotions for Butchie; 2) he doesn't fully know or understand Marlo's ruthlessness. Actually, three things because he doesn't have the same amount of "staff" he had in the past. He's outmanned, outgunned, and outmaneuvered. Almost like he's on "Survivor: Baltimore"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-77778542180994601672008-02-05T09:25:00.000-05:002008-02-05T09:25:00.000-05:00Following up on the allusions to movies in Alan's ...Following up on the allusions to movies in Alan's post, twice in ep 55 it was said to Dukie, "It's not like in the movies." The first was from Cutty in the boxing ring; the second, from Michael, was at the creek "firing range." Both times, each character was trying to explain to Dukie that just being able to effectively hit someone or carry/know-how-to-use a weapon wasn't enough--there were the consequences, the aftermath. The "street" would just keep coming at him, challenging him. No one-two punch followed by the "Rocky" theme, no sexy shoot-out settling matters of respect once and for all. <BR/><BR/>Does anyone know why Oscar calls Freamon "Socks?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36798435572432956512008-02-05T09:07:00.000-05:002008-02-05T09:07:00.000-05:00johnever--My point wasn't about Cutty being dishon...johnever--<BR/>My point wasn't about Cutty being dishonest. I agree that he's honest and does understand his limitations. It's precisely because he understands those limitations that I have a problem with him simply saying he doesn't know the answer. He knows people who could help Dukie or send him on to someone else. Cutty has set himself up as a teacher and as an alternative to the game. Just like the Deacon told Colvin that he had to do more than provide a free zone, that he had to provide clean needles, etc., I think Cutty should extend himself a bit more. Perhaps I'm asking too much of him, and as you note the seasons not over and I don't know what will happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-56163058206081621752008-02-05T06:05:00.000-05:002008-02-05T06:05:00.000-05:00Andrew - Spot on analysis of Templeton there.Andrew - Spot on analysis of Templeton there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21012549172211710432008-02-05T01:06:00.000-05:002008-02-05T01:06:00.000-05:00I have to confess, I'm still not sold on this seas...I have to confess, I'm still not sold on this season of the Wire. Here is one example:<BR/>OK, Omar has always been bigger than life, but not in a completely unbelievable way. When he attacks, he knows the odds, and plays them to his advantage: either with cunning, intimidation or numbers (usually with a mix of all three). So how could he be so stupid as to perform essentially a frontal attack, with a handgun (as opposed to a more-efficient shotgun for close range), knowingly out manned, against an opponent who is ready for him, in a place of the opponent's choosing, slightly after the opponent "went to bed" ...oh, and he forgets to put one in the chamber before he subtlety kicks in the front door. <BR/><BR/>I served in Iraq and know a little bit about urban combat. In a situation where we had that much intelligence, we would come in with at least two squads (one through the front door and one through the back/balcony). It would be sightly before 4 in the morning. We would all be in full body armor with shotguns and automatic rifles. The power would be cut 1-2 minutes before entry and we would all have night vision. I'm not saying Omar has access to all the modern warfare equipment of the US Marines, but some cunning or precaution would have been preferred. <BR/><BR/>Is this an indication of a breakdown of Omar's previously-proved acumen, or of writer laziness? I would have been more impressed if Omar had attempted something smarter and still been foiled (perhaps by a "one-in-the-chamber lapse or something more elaborate).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50012835714151480902008-02-05T00:30:00.000-05:002008-02-05T00:30:00.000-05:00It's probably too late for anyone to read this, bu...It's probably too late for anyone to read this, but I need to get it off my chest. This season of The Wire isn't working for me. I still love it, but something is off. I think it's because season four ended with a cliffhanger that season five promised to pay off, but it's doing so with only one foot in reality. It's hard to take this seriously as a critique of the Baltimore Police Department when, one hopes, this isn't how people are working around the lack of funding. For whatever reason, Hamsterdam rang true for me in a way that this doesn't.<BR/><BR/>But none of that bothered me all that much until Omar jumped off the building. I don't want Omar to be a superhero. It cheapens everything that comes later. He should've died in that room and if the writers didn't want him to, they shouldn't have put him there. I want him to concoct a brilliant plan (in the five hours that are left) and bring his version of justice to Marlo, et al, but if we're throwing all of the "gritty realism" out the window, then it ends up being a different show - a much more enjoyable Godfather part Three. Great in its own right, but not a fitting end to the greatest show ever created.<BR/><BR/>So I'm going to try to enjoy what's left, and maybe I'll look back on this episode as the one I got too worked up over, and maybe they'll finish it spot on, but if they start throwing out reality, then it won't hurt as much when/if Omar, Dukie, Michael, Lester and all of the other great characters don't get their happy endings. And I'm okay with the unhappy endings, as long as a larger point is still being made.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81051883540573787612008-02-04T23:40:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:40:00.000-05:00Okay, Andrew, you've convinced me :-)Okay, Andrew, you've convinced me :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28603877794309199882008-02-04T23:32:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:32:00.000-05:00How I fear that McNulty becomes the Homicide's Bay...How I fear that McNulty becomes the Homicide's Bayliss and that Omar become Oz's Siad (spelling)..but am I ever enjoying the ride! Kudos to HBO for NOT showing the Finale On Demand!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-71561633185006443142008-02-04T23:12:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:12:00.000-05:00I just posted this @ Tim goodmans and thought I wo...I just posted this @ Tim goodmans and thought I would also add it here for your thoughts - I hope this is not considered a spoiler cause I have no advanced info. no Ondemand (just directv here) but I think the answer to what the phone from Vondas does is in the opening credits. There is a samsung smart phone with a clock on it. I wonder If it syncs time with others or just sends a txt to others with the time?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-55801480498726292292008-02-04T23:05:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:05:00.000-05:00Two moments in the show I loveGus saying that a wh...Two moments in the show I love<BR/><BR/>Gus saying that a while ago he thought it was all bullshit.<BR/><BR/>Donnie briefly tuning to the radio show clay davis was on while sitting with omar.<BR/><BR/>Everyone talks about if we should give david simon and the writers the benefit of the doubt and follow it through to the end because the show was so great for four seasons. I think that makes no sense. The show still contains more truth than any other on television. It still provides inspiration and anger, and the occasional moment of beauty.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687652127937972846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1764666749004335522008-02-04T22:56:00.000-05:002008-02-04T22:56:00.000-05:00Naresse is seriously gangsterGood to see Royce-- h...Naresse is seriously gangster<BR/><BR/>Good to see Royce-- he and Davis both wearing their shit-eating grins.<BR/><BR/>Interesting to hear to legitimate people talk about "standing tall" just like the street folks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64991959295993354492008-02-04T22:06:00.000-05:002008-02-04T22:06:00.000-05:00"In Cutty, though, I saw a kind of deep failure, p..."In Cutty, though, I saw a kind of deep failure, possibly a moral one, in his acceptance that he doesn't know how to get from Baltimore to the rest of the world."<BR/><BR/>I disagree with this assessment. How many of us are willing to really look at our limitations and weaknesses and simply admit them as honestly as Cutty did. And he's done it twice. The first time to Avon who he served 14 years in prison for and who was in the midst of a street war and who was counting on him to step up and be a soldier. But like he said "it ain't in me no more". He couldn't kill anyone not even someone who put a gun in his face not because he didn't have heart but because he did. <BR/><BR/>And then the second time to a lost confused boy, 15 to 20 years his junior, he admitted that he's not smart enough or clever enough to help him. He hasn't seen or known enough of life of outside his own limited experience in it to know what to do to help Dukie. To a grown man in his late 30s that's got to be as sobering an admission as one could possibly make. But he not only did he have the wherewithal to make it but he told Dukie as plainspokenly and with as much warmth as he could I wish I could help you son but I just don't know how to. I think that speaks to how honest Cutty is with himself and to what kind of man he is than any failing he has. <BR/><BR/>And let's not forget the season isn't over and we haven't seen what Cutty will do. We've already seen with Justin and Michael that he doesn't give up on anyone easily so Grace, Prez, the Deacon, and Bunny none of whom we've seen yet may yet be paid a visit by Mr. Wise on Duquan's behalf.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89623529020387062302008-02-04T20:30:00.000-05:002008-02-04T20:30:00.000-05:00I haven't seen my two favorite lines from this epi...I haven't seen my two favorite lines from this episode mentioned anywhere, so here goes (yes, both Herc lines...what are the odds?!?):<BR/><BR/><BR/>"Don't ask, don't tell, it's like one of those guys sucking dick in the army".<BR/><BR/>"And Carv, when you put the bracelets on that bitch, remind him again of my fuckin' camera."<BR/><BR/>As for Clay Davis' extra long "sheeeeeet". He also had a long one ("sheeeet", that is) at the start of the fourth season when Sydnor served him with papers. I would love to know which one was longer....<BR/><BR/>That's it for this strangely profane post (apologies, Alan).Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11738000723264365660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-62616980528488596332008-02-04T18:44:00.000-05:002008-02-04T18:44:00.000-05:00Gus certainly could have confirmed with Nareese if...Gus certainly could have confirmed with Nareese if he had wanted to, except Templeton said that had gotten the quote from her as an anonymous source and only gave Gus her name when he implied he wasn't comfortable with it. <BR/><BR/>As to his other stories, Gus tried to find info about "EJ" and said he had enough reservations to hold the story, but the higher-ups pushed it through. He said he thought the call from the killer was BS, but McNulty seemed to confirm it, and I don't know how he could go about confirming a quote from a homeless man...<BR/><BR/>Truth is, the only reasonable solution for what Gus should do with Templeton is fire him, but the higher-ups dig him, so Gus's hands are tied. Gus can't send him to Obituaries or some unimportant bureau for the same reason. The bosses like his stuff, so he stays.<BR/><BR/>And as far as the Baltimore Nibbler goes, Templeton wrote himself into the story. Gus has no choice on that now.<BR/><BR/>Basically, Gus is in a no-win situation with Scotty Boy. He can't fire him, can't bury him, won't promote him, and doesn't have the time or man-power to check up on everything he does. 15 years ago, during the paper's heyday, it would be different, but right now, Scott has found a loophole to exploit at the perfect time to exploit it. Gus is a victim of the same broken system that Scott is taking advantage of. He is an embodiment of "Doing more with less."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com