tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post116528486431858341..comments2024-03-25T19:18:14.047-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: The Wire, "Final Grades": End of termAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-91070415437788647262022-06-15T17:05:59.720-04:002022-06-15T17:05:59.720-04:00Wow. What an episode -- what a season.
There'...Wow. What an episode -- what a season. <br /><br />There's not much I can add, except... I found some hope in that (albeit awkward) sex scene Dukie overhears/glimpses. Michael had a wonderful gentleness in asking the girl if she was sure, and there was some playfulness in the tickling bit before. <br /><br />Thank you for this blog! I'm years late to this, and I so appreciate the debrief of your writing and others' comments on this searing, beautiful show.<br />Idanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18807865512656008472012-01-22T16:35:00.853-05:002012-01-22T16:35:00.853-05:00(Cont. from above post) Most of us will never be r...(Cont. from above post) Most of us will never be rich. We will never be famous. We will spend our lives following rules, and living the way others tell us to live. Now the extent of our comfort and happiness depends not on which chess piece we are assigned on the board (99.9% of us are pawns), but the shape of the chessboard and game which we have been placed on. Middle-class America are also mostly pawns in a rigged chess game, but their game provides that even the pawns will be comfortable and have meaningful lives. The lower and working class Americans (on which this show does a beautiful job of illustrating) are playing on an entirely different chessboard in an entirely different game. Even their queens and kingpins (like Stringer and Avon) are in constant danger of capture and elimination, and fall fairly early in their lives. And if the kingpins and queens on the lower class America chessboard are so susceptible to defeat, imagine being a pawn. <br /><br />And while I can see all of that on an academic level, on a personal level, Bodie's death haunts me because it represents the death of tens of thousands of young black men just like him. They aren't evil, or stupid; they are bright, ambitious, and talented. They just had the misfortune of being born a black pawn on a chessboard. As a young African American female, I identify with the characters in this show on a true level. I know people like Bodie, and Michael, and Poot, and Namond, and Sherrod, and I have first-hand knowledge of how the course of their lives were changed by the intervention of well-meaning adults, and the bad luck that they just happened to run into. Two of my closest friends resemble characters so much, it's scary. I could say so much more about how my ability to relate makes the Wire both so good, and so especially morbid for me, but my comment is already atrociously long. But once again, thank you Alan, for this commentary, and thank you David Simon, for accurately depicting the plight of the black underclass. It's a story that is not told very often because, quite frankly, no one wants to be so fundamentally depressed from fiction. But it is a reality for too many people in our country.AFhttp://thinkbeforeyoutype.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31619210994872900952012-01-22T16:33:57.743-05:002012-01-22T16:33:57.743-05:00This is my first time watching the Wire series (I ...This is my first time watching the Wire series (I know I'm years behind, but I'm only 21, and would not have been allowed to watch when the show first aired), and Alan, I just want to share others' sentiments at how wonderfully poignant your commentary has been. I always read it and want you to talk even more about each episode.<br /><br />I agree with Angela, these last two episodes were the hardest of the series for me to watch. I watched them virtually back to back, and the thought of watching the finale after the penultimate episode filled me with an enormous sense of dread. I'm not used to being affected in such a real, visceral way by a television show. <br /><br />Bodie's death has been the hardest one of the series for me so far. I paused my DVD player once I realized what was happening, and sat crying in anticipation. Yes, I was so angry at him for killing Wallace (and his seemingly eager initial attitude towards it), but ultimately, I understood that Wallace's fate had already been sealed and I held Stringer much more responsible. What stuck me is that Bodie represents the average American. No matter what your walk of life, or occupation, or race, Bodie represents the individual who has committed himself to an institution, and has followed its rules, lived by its code, and performed at a capacity good enough for him to survive, but not perceived as worthy of any special recognition. Like most of us, he is not born with a legacy of his forefathers, like Namond with Wee-Bay, or Carcetti and his political family. He doesn't have an immediately identifiable aptitude, like Michael, for whom every adult who came across him wanted to mentor him. He doesn't have the charisma or likability of a Randy; we grew to love Bodie because we watched him learn from his mistakes and evolve. Bodie, like he said in his final speech, is just the victim of a rigged game. He realized that the outcome of his life had very little to do with his actions. He exemplified the rules of his game to the best of his ability: "he never fucked up a count, never stole off a package, never did some shit [he] wasn't told to do," but it all amounts to very little in the end, because "the game is rigged." And that is a metaphor for America.AFhttp://thinkbeforeyoutype.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39988737825681158202011-12-13T02:07:23.967-05:002011-12-13T02:07:23.967-05:00I thought I was in the middle of a Pelecanos episo...I thought I was in the middle of a Pelecanos episode. Allow me to go and recover my heart, because this finale ripped it out.<br /><br />The scene with Bodie and Jimmy in the park is one of the best in show, thus making it one of the best on TV. Ever. Bodie's "I feel old" was so heartfelt. And yes, he stayed a soldier to the end, protecing his stupid corner. I cried. And yes, I realize I cried for someone who killed his friend. This is what this show does to us.<br />What can I say about the kids that hasn't already been said? Seeing Dukie on the corner, knowing he's not cut of for this life, is tragic. When CArver brought Randy to the group home, I was hoping he'd just grab him and run out of there, but that's not how the show works. I also feel that Randy was put in more danger being walked into the home by a cop, but maybe I'm wrong.<br />Overall, an amazing, amazing finale to an incredible, heartbreaking season. <br />I'm going back to S3 for now (mostly for some Avon/Stringer eye-candy).<br />...and I'm crying again...<br /><br />-LizAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22709112827001401252011-11-30T13:34:20.905-05:002011-11-30T13:34:20.905-05:00One of the side stories of this series is Bodie...One of the side stories of this series is Bodie's unfulfilled longing for recognition from both his higher-ups and his associates of his conscientious commitment to and competent discharge of his duties as a soldier. Except possibly for having moved Bodie up from the Pit to the Towers, Stringer never really gave him that recognition - and he always desired most of all Stringer's approval. "Dragon Lady" DeLonda gave him grief. And from Marlo & Co. he got nothing but demeaning comments and relegation to that organization's lowest caste. Ironically, Bodie expresses his frustrations to a cop, McNulty, while the two of them are breaking bread* in the Cylburn Arboretum. McNulty, whose first encounter with Bodie included McNulty's calling him "Mr. Shit," seems genuinely sincere in his statement to him that he's a soldier, one of the highest accolades you can attribute to one engaged in Bodie's line of work. McNulty is asking him to act contrary to his basic code by giving up Marlo, i.e., snitching - an agonizing choice for a soldier, not completely unlike that posed by Colvin in S3 when he asks the street cops to go counter to their own codes by looking the other way in his Hamsterdam scheme. Bodie's reluctance is driven not by fear of reprisal but because it's counter to a code he deeply embraces.<br /><br />*In the series some of Bodie's most "regular guy" moments appear with his breaking bread with the cops, e.g., the pool shooting scene in S1 with Herc & Carver when he fends off a follow-up beating with his statement to Herc that the sandwich they bought him was good, and both the fast food restaurant and Cylburn Arboretum conversations with McNulty.<br /> <br />Preston, my murdering, drug-dealing, tragic and amusing friend, you left us too soon. Your abbreviated life is, sadly, that of far too many of our young folks in this country and could serve as the basis of a PBS Frontline documentary. You were an indispensable part of this story and will be greatly missed. Without you the series would have been diminished.Ahmedhkannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24754365117155929412011-09-01T04:22:41.071-04:002011-09-01T04:22:41.071-04:00Man...you want to talk about a scene that would be...Man...you want to talk about a scene that would be funny if it weren't so sad? How about when Carver flips out in his car after seeing what Randy is in for. That was almost as heartbreaking as anything else; and in a comedy, it could've easily been played for laughs, but I sure couldn't crack a smile.Harry Manbacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70822128290424580102011-08-02T18:58:38.642-04:002011-08-02T18:58:38.642-04:00I'll separate my Deadwood cameo comment from m...I'll separate my <i>Deadwood</i> cameo comment from my other thoughts, such as they are. Here's my take on the <i>Deadwood</i> cameo:<br /><br />Alan - you have been so big on illustrating all the parallels that happen on this show, but it seems you missed an obvious one here (and I've love to hear your feedback if you get the chance). <br /><br />The <i>Deadwood</i> scene that they chose to show was the first face-to-face meeting between gangster and thug Al and "proper lady", Alma. What was happening in the hospital room at that very same time? The first conversation between gangster and thug Cutty and a very "proper lady" in the form of his nurse.<br /><br />Even more parallels when you break it down further. Just to mention one is where both Al and Cutty happen to be on the good guy/bad guy scale at that moment: Al's motives are not completely selfish and evil for his meeting with Alma, but she has to be convinced. And Cutty, well, the nurse assumes he's a straight-up gangster, but she has no idea he's been trying to do better for a while now and landed in the hospital on a mission of mercy trying to save Michael.<br /><br />Finally, I don't think the Deadwood cameo was a "dig". Not only did it have a relevant parallel, it gave us a good laugh with/at the man who'd clearly never seen the show before. And if it was a "dig", it seemed more of a good humored elbow jab than a straight insult. So I'm cool with that.Oaktown Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00811331454878606058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-78055353523567102072011-06-09T12:07:25.893-04:002011-06-09T12:07:25.893-04:00I will just like to agree with everyone else...you...I will just like to agree with everyone else...your coverage has been refreshing and makes me feel warm and tingly inside because I am not the only one wanting to get serious thoughts out about fictional characters...with that said Thank you David for the show and Alan for your faithful follow ups and notice of the posters comments...I love that you read what people write and answer when necessary...Niahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14881936617035041540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21731594350495056672010-10-12T21:00:40.881-04:002010-10-12T21:00:40.881-04:00(Sorry, I received an error saying my comment was ...(Sorry, I received an error saying my comment was to long)<br />Continued:<br />Speaking of guilt, the drug rehab man had something to say about that to Kima in regards to Bubs, but now I forget exactly what he said. Something about how guilt will make you do something, but then it bites you in the ass. Next time, I'll write it down. <br /><br />One last point. I fear for Daniels. Rawls feels threatened by him, and thinks he's going to take his job. (I don't understand the chain of command but if Daniels were to be promoted, wouldn't he get Rawls job?)<br /><br />Rawls said as much when he told Daniels how well he was getting a handle on politics. And when Daniels said "I'm learning as I go" Rawls gave him this look that said, "I bet you are." I'm afraid something bad is going to happen to his career. Now, when he's finally content and happy. He even said "It's a new day in Baltimore." I sure hope I'm wrong that his job is in jeopardy. <br /><br />Alan has done such a wonderful job of covering all the characters, I'm going to leave it at that. <br /><br />Once again, Thanks Alan. These reviews mean a hell of a lot.Angelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42015052957154352452010-10-12T20:59:29.142-04:002010-10-12T20:59:29.142-04:00Alan wrote:
(And why am I sitting around expressi...Alan wrote: <br />(And why am I sitting around expressing so much hope about the future of fictional characters? Why does this show do this to me?)<br /><br />I've wondered the same thing myself at times. But geeze, The Wire is so real I forget it's not about real people. <br /><br />Any time I'm talking to someone and they say something about the wrongness of politics, or poverty, or education....you get the idea, I bring up this show because it stays on my mind all the time. I want everyone to see it, because I feel like if they did it would help change things. Then again, I'm an idealist. <br /><br />Of all the eps., I've seen thus far, these last two were the hardest for me. And I don't think it was because it was about kids this season. I'm not one of those "We have to save the- fill in the blank- for our children" kind of people. I think all people matter, young or old. It's more that each season I'm a little more aware, and the truth is hard to take. I don't say that lightly. It is very hard for me to watch. <br /><br />But then I read your review Alan, and I'm thinking to myself, "Hm, why don't I watch the next episode tonight because I wonder what happens with...". Very confusing, this push/pull thing The Wire does. <br /><br />One quick thought about this episode. I wonder if because McNulty is part of the reason Bodie got shot, he'll stay the straight and narrow. Didn't he say to Beadie that he owed it to a kid to go back? <br /><br />Now I've learned enough to know that Bodie had a a 99% chance of coming to an end in this manner sooner or later, and McNulty knows it too, but guilt is a funny thing. <br />to be continued....Angelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54996684770897587632010-02-01T23:49:27.353-05:002010-02-01T23:49:27.353-05:00I just finished watching the 4th season for the fi...I just finished watching the 4th season for the first time since 2006. My goodness. The second viewing was even tougher to watch, I think. But what amazing storytelling. Heartbreaking...The 2nd Black Presidenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02108713686616820066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65210982171105938602010-01-02T23:23:21.793-05:002010-01-02T23:23:21.793-05:00Three years later, let me answer the question and ...Three years later, let me answer the question and point out that "Tyrell" is Donut's real name.<br /><br />Markeith, one of the other troublemakers from Bunny's class, is also listed on the Fayette Mafia graffiti (also with Namond, Michael, Randy, Dukie and Kenard).Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13033518419347521623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21478246288360040812009-08-24T21:21:54.804-04:002009-08-24T21:21:54.804-04:00One of the overwhelming impressions I am left with...One of the overwhelming impressions I am left with by this series is how all the public servants are completely ham-strung by budgetary constraints (of which statistical performance-measures are merely a sub-set), which is all due to the fact that the population-in-general will ultimately vote for the candidate who can deliver the lowest tax rates, as opposed to the best policies. <br /><br />In my mind, those in authority, up to and including the President, are merely public servants and it is the taxpayers who have ultimate responsibility - for everything. <br /><br />If the electorate continually opts for the lowest bidder then, of course they're going to get compromised government decision-making, shabby public services and, consequently, all the social ills portrayed by the show. <br /><br />So, perhaps, what The Wire is saying is that it <i>is</i> all our fault and, maybe, that a measure of a person's social responsibility is how many cents on the dollar one is prepared to pay to have those social ills cleared up with any degree of permanency.<br /><br />Mark C.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-581749776299089662009-08-19T04:22:04.313-04:002009-08-19T04:22:04.313-04:00I watched this episode last night and therefore co...I watched this episode last night and therefore completing season 4 in a week (with the bulk of it over the weekend).<br /><br />In season 1 Wallace got killed before he could say anything to the police (part of it was Daniels fault). In season 2 Landsman was at fault as he couldn't connect Ziggy to the Sobotka detail so that the Greek's people had time to clear up Double G's place. In season 3 when Lester finally got String's phone number, Omar and Brother Mouzone got him first. And in season 4 Bodie was ready to give up on Marlo, Chris and Snoop and due to some bad timing he got killed instead. Had he walked out 5 minutes earlier or later and nobody would have seen him with McNulty.<br /><br />Season 5 is next and I hope the ending will be different.<br /><br />Apart from that season 4 is majestic. The rise from Namond, Michael, Randy, and Dukie being boys to being men and all forced different ways. Herc's stupidity that seem to increase exponentially with the his striped (which he didn't earn, he only got them because he saw Royce getting a blowjob and even then he didn't know what to do), and he is to blame for Randy and Bubbs. McNulty being absent for much of the time but nicely set up for season 5. Lester for being Lester (why doesn't Daniels just promote him so that Lester can head MCU properly?). Carver for showing that he actually earned his stripes and that he has matured both as a person and as a cop.<br /><br />Can't wait to pop in Season 5 in my DVD player.anakzamanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09667792259091248934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40311887689599268192009-07-01T12:33:25.066-04:002009-07-01T12:33:25.066-04:00In a previous episode, I was wondering why it had ...In a previous episode, I was wondering why it had been specified that Snoop had a sister who was in Namond's class. She never had any lines, but there were shots of a girl who looks an awful lot like Snoop in the front of the class. In this final ep of the season, when I saw her face, I realized why she was there. There was an emotional impact to seeing a younger, not-hardened version of Snoop's face. There may have been a time, once, when Snoop was not cold and hard. Or, perhaps like Michael, Snoop chose a way of life that would support this little sister and keep her out of the mix. We may never know, but it was interesting to see this child's face in an episode where the four main boys started the next phase of their lives.Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47365967986700752472008-06-13T08:36:00.000-04:002008-06-13T08:36:00.000-04:00Alan, I'm sure this a well-worn comparison, but I ...Alan, I'm sure this a well-worn comparison, but I think it fits here and wondered what you thought. This season was an anti-yellow brick road experience for our characters:<BR/><BR/><B>Namond</B>: as lion, lost his courage--referenced by drawings Wee-bey's cell-mate drew for him (You could argue he never had courage, of course)<BR/><B>Randy</B>: as scarecrow, lost his brain (gave up information that destroyed him)<BR/><B>Michael</B>: as tinman, lost his heart (although, I'm not sure he does completely)<BR/><B>Dukie</B>: as Dorothy, lost his home (although all of the boys lost their home in the end, but and did Dukie ever really have one?)<BR/><BR/>Just something I was thinking about as I considered why the writers chose "heart" and "lion" as the symbols depicted in the Asian symbols given to Namond right before school started.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34053496269925662172008-06-05T13:28:00.000-04:002008-06-05T13:28:00.000-04:00Thanks for that tip!! Oh my gosh!! Did he reveal w...Thanks for that tip!! Oh my gosh!! Did he reveal why / how Cheese was able to give him up?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19993099658715539512008-06-05T11:21:00.000-04:002008-06-05T11:21:00.000-04:00Simon confirmed at the end of season five that Che...Simon confirmed at the end of season five that Cheese was Randy's father, and that if season five had been a few episodes longer, they would have directly addressed that.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40633731626490071632008-06-05T10:52:00.001-04:002008-06-05T10:52:00.001-04:00Has it been mentioned that Bodie's killer is O-dog...Has it been mentioned that Bodie's killer is O-dog?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21652793621594711662008-06-05T10:52:00.000-04:002008-06-05T10:52:00.000-04:00More Michael thoughts:Did you find that the theme ...More Michael thoughts:<BR/><BR/>Did you find that the theme of the Greek tragedy Prez was reading as a test example spoke DIRECTLY to Michael's situation? Even though Michael appeared not to be listening--it was significant, in my opinion. Another illustration of how the standardized tests miss their mark completely!!<BR/><BR/>Also about Michael neglecting Bug. He doesn't put his brother on the corner. I realize it's not in keeping with his character, but I think it is notable in the argument of whether Michael is neglecting him. I think that once Michael secured his nice apartment with Dukie to care for Bug, he had the space to maintain. <BR/><BR/>Just like when Michael repaid his debts by working for Bodie. He does what he has to do, even if it takes him away from Bug. Someone made the point, that his character is only about 13 years. For instance, I wondered why Michael was coming to the after-school center in the dark to pick up Bug (even after his job with Bodie was over), since middle schools typically end BEFORE elementary schools. Michael has a life--I think he was at the boxing place.<BR/><BR/>When he gets a corner, Michael does keep Bug away from that--in Season 5, hiring Dukie as his babysitter even. Michael has not lost interest in his little brother. He simply has made the complete switch from big brother to "bring home the bacon" father who has responsibilities that compete with family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57858842797217469972008-06-05T10:42:00.000-04:002008-06-05T10:42:00.000-04:00The Tuskegee t-shirt that Dukie was wearing was th...The Tuskegee t-shirt that Dukie was wearing was the same one that Michael was wearing in the volcano scene with Bug's Daddy (Has someone already mentioned this obvious visual metaphor?!!). I found it endearing that Michael is sharing his clothes with his friend. Dukie's clothes are a point of interest as he wears the Carcetti hoodie after the campaign job with Randy.<BR/><BR/>Also on Randy's parentage . . . I'm not convinced that Cheese is his father. I would say, uncle, if anything. I'm thinking that if Marlo's crew even looks after their "baby mamas" I would think that Cheese would too, especially since his uncle is caring for him. Also, is it common for the children of unwed couples to take on their father's last name? I'm thinking that Cheese had a distant sister with the same last name and never told him or the family that she had a child and abandoned him without their knowledge. Otherwise, my perception is that the family would have taken him in if they had known. Or am I being naive?<BR/><BR/>I feel the connection punctuates even more clearly the lost opportunity that is Randy Wagstaff. Not only his winning personality and potential, but all that he could have had going for him. All the directions he could have gone with his life. He is from the streets, but all of us are responsble for him. Even in The Wire world, we recognize him as one of our own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-84185324882971448312008-03-04T07:46:00.000-05:002008-03-04T07:46:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17633281897560623827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1167940120127939992007-01-04T14:48:00.000-05:002007-01-04T14:48:00.000-05:00Just dropping a note to say that your commentary o...Just dropping a note to say that your commentary on 'The Wire' is always outstanding. Makes the best show on TV that much better.Pete Prochilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071453177683930557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1167012292604332932006-12-24T21:04:00.000-05:002006-12-24T21:04:00.000-05:00On the Marlo/Omar idea: has anyone noticed that th...On the Marlo/Omar idea: has anyone noticed that they both have a scar on their face? Perhaps they are *gasp* brothers?!?!<BR/><BR/>We remember McNulty mentioning one of Omar's brothers that died, but perhaps he had another? <BR/><BR/>Omar puts himself at 28 or 29 years old in season 3 and I'm guessing Marlo is around 24 (jesus, I'm 24!) but I could be wrong.<BR/><BR/>This may be too cute for a show like The Wire, but damn that's a great storyline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1166127516996823252006-12-14T15:18:00.000-05:002006-12-14T15:18:00.000-05:00"both make f*cked up decisions based on self-servi..."both make f*cked up decisions based on self-serving principle and to their own detriment (carcetti is gonna catch it somehow for bailing on the kids.)"<BR/><BR/>Ah, good ol' foreshadowing. Still, The Wire often goes out of its way to show that the higher up you go in the "legitimate" world of politics and business, the more insulated you are. You are rewarded for playing the game.<BR/><BR/>I suspect, however, that, rather than foreshadowing Carcetti's fate, the Bodie comparison will serve as ironic counterpoint. I predict Carcetti will lose his soul, but gain the whole world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com