February 11, 2008

The Wire–Episode 56

So glad this made some sense of Episode Five. So, so glad. I’m still left thinking that there’s a whole lot that’s gotta be resolved by the end of the city. No idea how they’ll do it.

1. Was that Nick Sobotka? If so, isn’t he supposed to be in witness protection? I don’t understand. There’s no way The Greek ‘nem can be back and in the same place, and Nick Sobotka’s just hangin’ around, heckling politicians with Little Big Roy and the black dude with the bald head (can’t remember his name)? Don’t seem possible. Speaking of which…

2. David Simon redeemed himself. At least Omar’s in real bad shape. I’m still not exactly sure how he pulled this off without his clothes being dirty, but thems the breaks. More important than anything is that he’s not shaking this off like a superhero. He’s not a superhero. He just robs people.

3. Marlo’s not too happy with Chris. But dude, the fool jumped out a 4th floor window! What else do you want?

4. Oh, I know what you want. Everything. Marlo just gangstered the co-op. He’s running it. He’s jacking up the price. And ain’t nobody say nothin’. Maybe I’ve been assuming that drug dealers are harder than they are, cuz them old timers is layin’ down like some punks. That said, they did see two of their brethren perish at the hands of that sociopath. A sociopath, I might add, that isn’t as smart as we thought. Why do I say that?

5. Because he’s actually giving Cheese responsibility! Fool, hasn’t this moron proven that he can’t be trusted? Marlo. This nigga. His kind. They got to fall. They got to. I keep seeing so many ways this could happen, but Marlo’s always a half-step ahead. Cheese, however, could bring down the sharpest man.

6. Kinda liked what they did with Templeton. It was good to see he’s not just totally corrupt. Got a good one from that Marine. Of course, it seems he’s run game on another.

7. Does Sydnor have the stomach for this plan? I just don’t see it. But he’s down for Lester. Either way, Simon said months ago that Sydnor would be the only person on the whole show that didn’t wind up in disgrace. Wonder how that can happen given that he’s now on the illegal wiretap.

8. Randy. Damn. Just damn.

9. See, told y’all. I told people for a while that we’re going to find out that Joe had an insight man in the department or at the courthouse. It was practically given away, but it was also forgotten in the shuffles of Seasons Three and Four. Still, I wonder where that goes.

10. Carcetti sucks. That’s all.

11. Oooh, Bunk done pulled the right file. Soon as they can run that trace evidence, Chris goes down for beating that dude down. Knew that would get him.

12. I hope everyone knows what et al means. That’s all.

13. Give this to Jimmy and Lester. They don’t give up easy. Clever gentlemen they are.

14. There’s something hysterical about Fat Face Rick owning a bail bond service. Also, Omar ran up on Rick kinda fast. Hmmmm. Either way, Rick has such a “I’m too old for this shit” vibe. It’s really funny.

15. Clever, clever Greeks. Picture messages. Great move. I’m not quite sure how this works, but OK. They get a call, then they look for a picture. Can you do both at once?

16. Chris anxiety’s fascinating. He’s, like, a family man. I just don’t understand.

17. Hey, where’d Omar get that coat from? Omar left his coat in the janitor’s closet. He turns up on the corner–when he set that car on fire–in a trench coat and a do-rag. Am I nitpicking?

February 11, 2008

Kanye West Continues to Confuse Me

Since The Grammys were going on against a Carolina game and The Wire, I’m just watching it now.  In fact, I’m not really watching it.  I just heard Kanye cut up, and you can’t miss a good Kanye cut up.

Well, he didn’t cut up.  He just punked the Grammys in a way never done.  He actually got them to cut the music off.  Never mind that he rambled about other stuff that it’s his own fault they cut the music on.  Then he started talking about his mother.  Yeah, Kanye, that’s on you.

But calmly saying “it would be in good taste to stop the music” did the trick.  Nice and gangster, my man.

I gotta say this for Kanye–if I were him, I’d probably behave the same way.  I can’t think of another rap superstar that’s more of a self-made phenomenon.  None ever.  I mean, this image he’s got is carefuly crafted according to a template never seen before.  He’s not a pretty boy.  He’s not an absolute beast on the mic.  He’s just off on something else, and he’s pushed it so hard that it’s irrepressible.  Oh, and he’s a musical genius.  That certainly helps.

But he only got here by demanding attention.  Even though he no longer has to do that, I can understand how he’s stuck in that groove.  I should hate him, and he gets on my nerves.  But if I said I had anything less than the utmost respect for the way he’s made his career, I’d be lying.

Also–Kanye said that he did Graduation as a way to cross genres and show that hip hop still has that fire.  While I, like eauhellzgnaw, don’t like the notion that you have to “transcend” hip hop to really show people you’re talented, I do think hip hop has gotten to into itself.  Chuck D makes the point that rap is the only music made from music, constructed from what’s already been out there.  Not inspired by it, but literally constructed from it.

But in the post-sampling, keyboard/computer era, cats are making more stuff up themselves.  That’s cool, but their influences are more narrow.  Early producers didn’t grow up with hip hop because there was no hip hop.  They had broader frames of reference.  Now?  Not so much.

Just something worth thinking about.

Wire recap later today.  Yes, actually on a Monday!