Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 11 > Entry
The Wire: The Dickensian Aspect
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I know some of you tuned into the Grammys last night, but thank God for On Demand. I got my fix of “The Wire” and still saw Tina.
So, let’s get down to business.
In a previous season of “The Wire,” Omar warned an adversary that “if you come at the king, you best not miss.” (I think I got that quote right, but you get the point.)
Well, Marlo did and Omar is coming back with a vengeance. He goes after Marlo’s muscle and his money. I’m still scratching my head at how Omar did that Matrix-like number by jumping off a fifth-floor balcony and disappearing. I guess this crack-assassin team never figured to check ground-level janitor’s room.
My “priceless” moment came when Marlo calls a meet at the scene. He looks at Chris, then the balcony and says, “That some Spiderman s&*^ there.”
Meanwhile, Omar is injured, but still lethal. He blows up Marlo’s cash and dares Marlo to come down to the streets to find him.
I doubt if too many co-op members are fooled by Marlo’s insincere effort to find the killer of Prop Joe and Hungry Man. No one, though, will step to him - for now - even as he raises the price of a brick. (Another great Marlo scene.)
Bunk decides to do old-fashion police work and wrap of the murders of 22 people in “the vacants.” But a lab screw-up (budget cuts again) puts him back at square one. Kima gives him three more bodies when she ties her triple to Marlo’s crew. (Come back later this week for an interview with Wendell Pierce, who plays the cigar-chomping detective.) Everything leads back to Marlo.
One of the most disturbing scenes was when we finally get to see Randy, played by Maestro Harrell, one of the kids from Season Four, who was betrayed by the system. It was sad to see how much he’s changed and hardened. I still blame Herc for that. As Carver said: it all matters.
I started this blog talking about the Omar-Marlo conflict, but there were actually a lot of strong threads and you realize the strength of writing on the gritty HBO series. Carcetti and city hall. McNulty digs a deeper hole by kidnapping a homeless man to make it seem like he is a victim of the serial killer . A frustrated Freamon trys to catch Marlo using a wiretap. Templeton’s star continues to rise as he milks the phantom serial killer story for all it’s worth.
The quotes, the stories, the interview subjects are just too perfect for real life. I’m sure this nags at Augustus, a veteran newspaper man, but he has nothing solid right now. I can’t wait for this “bright and shiny” star to fall.
What was your take on this episode?
What were the best scenes and lines?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By avon b
February 11, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Another strong episode for the wire, i think the showdown is going to come down to Marlo and Omar, Marlo has to defend the “crown” that he is now wearing. Omar is making it to where Marlo has to come out on the sreets and defend his name. Comcast is really spoiling us with epiosodes a week early, i won’t ruin it for you guys but next week will get you guys blood truly jumping.
By Kimi
February 11, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
I’m loving the irony that the only place Snoop & Chris did not check were the bowels of the building.
I’m hoping that paperwork Prop Joe left behind will somehow lead back to Marlo.
It’s only a matter of time now, Marlo messed with the right one & I’m patiently waiting for Omar to take them down one by one. Or maybe the Co-Op will make a move since he raised the brick by $30k!
What will be sad is if good cops go down behind Marlo … and McNulty is taking too many chances he’s bound to get caught out there by the time this series ends.
It was nice to see Randy again, even if only for a scene.
By Demetrius
February 11, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
I think last night episode was a good taste of whats about to begin. I think Marlo’s crew is going to turn on him. You see how Chris and Snoop go into hiding. Omar is testing Marlo but Marlo will not show his face in the streets.
What is sad to me is how “Cheese” turned on his own family.
Its good to see Omar revolving back to his old self…. Robbing the drug dealers. I just hope he doesnt start killing on Sundays.
Stay tuned I think we will be up for a surprise at the end.
I am sure it wont end like The Sopranos.
By Comcast Schmomcast
February 11, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Comcast doesn’t put the episodes On Demand early, HBO does. It doesn’t matter who your television provider is, as long as you get HBO On Demand you can view the episodes early.
By Comcast Schmomcast
February 11, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Comcast doesn’t put the episodes On Demand early, HBO does. It doesn’t matter who your television provider is, as long as you get HBO On Demand you can view the episodes early.
By Toni
February 11, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
This is going to get really messy. Marlo is totally beside himself. He just doesn’t know; What comes up, must come down. This is going to bring everyone together again. McNulty, Daniels, Avon, Michael, Randy, Carver, etc. I am so excited that HBO had the courage to bring something like this. This is reality. I truly believe that Omar is going to get Chris first, Snoop next, but not Michael. Michael is going to be King.
By Kimi
February 11, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I’d actually like to see Cheese get it first, & Marlo, Chris & Snoop get a slow painful death. Marlo knows Cheese has got no love for his family and under the right circumstances he would turn on him too.
By Antwan
February 11, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
The Wire is infamous, I try to tune in for an uninterrupted hour of the best series on TV (I didn’t get into the Sopranos) Marlo is gangster on a Whole new level. “Relax, close your eyes and breathe easy, this won’t hurt one bit.” He looks like he might take a fall though, if not from Omar maybe the cell phones. Omar is one of my favorite characters, he has a tact for catching up with you sooner or later. I feel that Michael is starting to resent what he does now, but McNulty is in real deep with this serial killer mess. He wants Marlo bad after what happened to Bodie, although I tried I can’t wait for the Sunday episode I usually watch mine a week early so tonight my phone will be off when the wire is on.
By Maya
February 11, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
I hope Omar takes Marlo out, and before he does, he should tell him to “breathe easy!”
By Why?
February 11, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
…is this show not seen by more people? It is simply the best, and I appreciate the AJC running a blog on it
By whenthedustsettles
February 11, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a fan of the Wire since season one. Last night’s episode was great! It was funny when Omar came out blazing on Marlowe’s crew and how people were running and screaming “It’s Omar” “Omar’s coming” It was like Godzilla attacking Tokoyo. Also, McNulty is a hoot, kidnapping the homeless guy, this was so funny. That poor guy doesn’t have a clue. I love McNulty, his heart is in the right place, although his methods are questionable. That being said, it looks like all roads will lead to Marlowe. I just hope he takes out Cheese before he gets his.
By KM
February 11, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Everyone knows how realistic The Wire is but the scene with Randy is so important. Here was a good, young kid who had a loving foster mother. Due to some unfortunate events, he ends back up in the boys home and now he has to “survive” while he is there. He has to adapt to his environment which means being rude, disrespectful, no regards for authority figures, etc.
I think that this is a big part of the reason that some of our young kids end up in the situations that they do, they don’t want to be that way, they have to be that way to survive in the environment that they live in.
By sane jane
February 11, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
I think it’s interesting to see so many characters simultaneously using ethically questionable means to accomplish ends that aren’t necessarily self indulging.
McNulty invented a serial killer to find the $$$. Not to stick in his pocket, but to take down a psychopathic Marlo.
Templeton’s fabrications led to a very legit story (the treatment of Iraq veterans)
Carcetti making an honest, impassioned and candid statement about homelessness… which caught people’s eye & could ultimately catapult him to the Gov’s mansion.
It’s so ethically sticky… I love it!
By Mickey
February 11, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Does anyone think Cheese will turn out to be Randy’s father? I think they both have the last name “Wagstaff” Not a common name.
By Mickey
February 11, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Does anyone think Cheese will turn out to be Randy’s father? I think they both have the last name “Wagstaff” Not a common name.
By Mickey
February 11, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Does anyone think Cheese will turn out to be Randy’s father? I think they both have the last name “Wagstaff” Not a common name.
By KIM
February 11, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
OK so I am brand new to The Wire. I started season one in January ‘07 and finished season 4 Jan 06 2008. Yep, the first day of season 5. This is the best show ever! I can’t believe this is the last season, as soon as i jump on the bandwagon. Cheese…Randy’s father?? WOW I love reading this blog on Mondays, because I always read things I didn’t catch while watching and then I go back and watch it a second time ;)
By Mo (now known as Moeisha)
February 11, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Mickey I caught that too about Cheese and Randy, now whether it will come out in the show is the question.
I was glad to see Randy though its obvious he has changed a lot.
By jackal11726
February 11, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
That episode was tight. I cant believe they killed Prop Joe. I fel that when this season is done, there wont be much to atch on TV anymore.
By Pytee
February 11, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Omar is my hero! I love how the writer’s portray his ethics. “No killing on Sunday’s”! He is the real Baltimore robinhood and instead of Marlo, his name “rings out”. Marlo is smooth, but his rush to greed is going to be his downfall. Prop Joe knew how to keep everyone happy.
By Pytee
February 11, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Omar is my hero! I love how the writer’s portray his ethics. “No killing on Sunday’s”! He is the real Baltimore robinhood and instead of Marlo, his name “rings out”. Marlo is smooth, but his rush to greed is going to be his downfall. Prop Joe knew how to keep everyone happy.
By Pytee
February 11, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Omar is my hero! I love how the writer’s portray his ethics. “No killing on Sunday’s”! He is the real Baltimore robinhood and instead of Marlo, his name “rings out”. Marlo is smooth, but his rush to greed is going to be his downfall. Prop Joe knew how to keep everyone happy.
By ron
February 12, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
what’s with the posting the same comment 3 times? i see it more and more on all the blogs, does seeing it 3 times make it the truth, idiots!!!!!
By sane jane
February 12, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
multiple posts happen because it takes ajc.com a few minutes to process them, and some people are impatient (or don’t realize this) so they either hit “refresh” or go back & resubmit the post.
I don’t think most people are doing it intentionally; just take a breath & relax.
By sane jane
February 12, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Straw poll prediction time: what happens to McNulty?
1) gets caught, goes to jail 2) gets away with it 3) gets whacked
I have absolutely no evidence to support this, but I have a weird feeling he’ll get whacked. Or even worse, be responsible for Bunk getting whacked.
Just a weird feeling that one of the major cops is going to die. Any takers?
By Wirefan26
February 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Most people in this thread is rooting for Omar to take out Marlo. I’m rooting for Marlo to take out Omar and take ova the eastside, westside, southside, northside, sideways, eveything. Marlo gone be the modern day Scarface. He just needs to speak up sometime. Sometimes I don’t understand the mumbling. Anyone else has this problem?
But on another note, isn’t weird that they now bring Chris’s family in the picture. Never seen this mentioned before. I guess this shows how a hard core killer can also have a family.
By Clyde
February 14, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Carver “It all matters” This is the theme that stands out as this season continues to unfold and is the theme of the series. It is particularly fascinating to see how McNulty’s folly will (in my opinion) doom any potential prosecution of Marlo and simultanously scuttle Carcetti’s gubanatorial bid. Augustus’ errand obviously was a ruse to confirm his suspicions of perjury. He will now go about gathering evidence. My question is will the powers make him a fall guy as well. Friday night is my OnDemand Wire night. I cannot wait!.
By Shelia Poole
February 15, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I’ll post more on this later, but I hear Felicia “Snoop” Pearson will be in Atlanta Feb. 27 promoting her book. Checking for details.
By Dan
February 22, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
I’m glad that someone recognizes the “Wire” as one the best shows on TV. For that know, the pivitol moment for me was season 3 with the emergence of the Greek and how what happened at the dock related back to Seasons 1 & 2. I saw Prop Joe and how the story unfolded…and was HOOKED!
It was a masterful stroke of story telling. You go from the crime drama of cops & bad guys standard tale, almost, to an overarching theme of as Carver put it”it all matters”.
Watching this season, and seeing characters pop up from other seasons leaves me wondering just how they will rap it all up. But with 3 episodes left, it’ll be tough.
By J
February 24, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
when does the next epsisode come on comcast midnight or what I can’t wait