July 20, 2009

A fleeting thought about The Wire

(If you don’t watch The Wire, you won’t get any of this.)

Has there ever, in history, been a more improbable comedy team than Chris and Snoop?

When I did my list of favorite characters, I didn’t add them because…well, I hate them and Marlo just a wee bit less than I hate Stringer Bell. And I could only hate Stringer Bell more if he were real.

(And they put Stringer Bell on the cover of Essence, meaning I better not never see another “brothers ain’t shit” article, if you’re gonna put that reprehensible bamma on the cover…and yes, I know he’s not real, OK?)

Anyway, they drop some of the funniest lines in Season 4.

• “Why ain’t in your repertoire no more, nigga.” –Chris
• “Here we lay a couple New York boys, who came too far south for they own fuckin good. Where your Yankee pride at now, bitches?” –Snoop
• Everything associated with the pop quiz to see if the dealers were from New York
• Snoop’s trip, to start the season, to the home improvement store to buy the nailgun
• “Yeah, me too.” –Snoop, to Bunk

And here’s the thing…I don’t believe either character, at any point, told a joke. It’s all hilarious stuff, but no people have ever been so funny without ever really trying to do so.

So yeah, name a more unlikely comedy team. I dare you.

July 8, 2009

Why I despise Stringer Bell

So Melly Mele told me she was worried about my distaste for Stringer Bell. She says it’s irrational.

When a woman who makes bank while Skip Bayless (who, it should be noted, has always been really, really nice to me) begins Year 7 of his grudge with LeBron James, I feel the need to do what I do best — hyperintellectualize!

Well, not really.

Anyway, I hate Stringer Bell. I admit that I have a visceral reaction when I see his character on the screen. When he was on The Office, I wanted Idris Elba’s character — whose name I never bothered to remember — to be the victim of workplace discrimination. It’s just a tad serious when it comes to Stringer.

Like Jemele, many of you wonder why I go so hard on Stringer Bell. I actually had to think about this, because I readily acknowledge this isn’t normal and, on its surface, it does seem irrational (and this coming from someone that’s so rational that it’s got to be annoying to deal with).

It’s pretty simple. Stringer Bell is a racist.

(For a second, imagine Stringer’s a white man. Now read some more, then we’ll revisit this.)

The single most objectionable thing about Stringer Bell was the nauseating, condescending tone he took with the people that worked with and for him. Stringer Bell was a self-hating bastard. David Simon talks about how Stringer just wanted to be someone else, but that translates nicely to “self-hating.” He talked to those boys, boys who came up the same damn way as him, as if they were stupid. He sounded like the rest of the self-righteous bourgeois clowns that continually look down on the poor as if they’re lesser beings.

Think about this. A lot of you love Stringer because he was going to community college (as if that shit’s special). Here’s my question — why is it that Stringer Bell never, not one single time, encouraged anyone else to take his path. He thought he could change the game? Maybe. But how was he gonna keep that game going if he was the only one that had this advanced knowledge?

He saw the people around him as marginally superior to monkeys. He treated them as such. I hate those people in real life — and notice many of them looooooove Stringer Bell — and I hate them on screen.

Imagine Stringer as a white man again. You might have a different look at him.

Let’s take questions from the audience right fast.

*HE WAS TRYING TO TREAT THE DRUG GAME LIKE A BUSINESS! HE WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME!*

Now, the only way that’s a truly good thing is if you saw Stringer’s attempts to be a way to eliminate violence. I get that. One payoff from Stringer’s vision was less murder, and I guess he gets credit for that.

Except it’s not as if Stringer did this in the name of principle. He did it in the name of paper. Less bodies, less cops, more money. I don’t blame him for it. Ain’t gonna give him props for it, either.

Let’s go one step further. At every point, when Stringer ran out of answers, what was his solution? Take somebody out. Happened to Wallace. He tried to do it to Omar and/or Brother Mouzone. He wanted to do it to Clay Davis (classic television, btw).

Let’s not pretend this cat didn’t want anyone to die. He didn’t give a damn if they did or not. He just wanted the cops to get off his back. I guess I’ll give him a golf clap for that one.

Now don’t get me wrong. Stringer is a compelling character. I just don’t find him compelling because he was taking business classes. I’ve taken the same business classes. They didn’t make me a good dude. The biggest assholes I’ve ever met are in academia. And I have worked in both music and the sports media.

Just made him another dude in community college. Whoo-hoo.

He also was smart. Another great big whoo-hoo. I’m pretty smart. Know what that matters for in the grand scheme? Naythin. That’s what. Bupkis.

I won’t belabor the obvious points about Stringer getting with D’Angelo’s girl when he was in the joint. And having D’Angelo killed while he was getting with his girl. And the Wallace thing. And sending Avon up the river because Avon, the boss, wouldn’t listen to him. Nah, no need to get deep into that.

But the bad vibe I got off the character, which made him the biggest villain — even bigger than Marlo — in the greatest narrative I’ve ever followed, comes from the stench of a hatred of poor black people. I have no respect for that whatsoever, whether on Earth or on film.

March 10, 2008

The Wire–Episode 60

I think I’ve watched the finale about 7 times in the last week and change.  The first time I watched it, I was blown away.  After a few more watchings to pick up nuance, that opinion isn’t changed.  It wasn’t a stirring, suspense-filled finale, but that’s not what the show’s ever given.  The endings have never been particularly unpredictable.  The fun was in seeing just how we got there, the expositions of the conflicts underlying all the decisions, all that fun stuff.  This was a finale built in that mold, and it was great TV.

So forget just recapping everything.  Let’s just go through and list the winners and losers.  Because, in the end, The Wire is all about the winners and losers.  I feel comfortable saying you’ll notice a pattern.

Rawls – Winner.  Absolute winner.  Good things happen when you’re concerned with little more than playing the game.  That also puts you in a position to know which of those rare moments an underling has when he can flip the game.

Daniels – Loser.  And you know what?  It’s his own damn fault.  He somehow thought that he could play the game all the way to the top and then change it, as if the game isn’t designed to prevent that.  Also funny–the dope boys know to launder their money, but a cop doesn’t.  Fool.

Pearlman – Winner.  Because she’s no longer wiht Jimmy McNulty.  Just keep it real.

Levy – Winner.  He cut that deal, and now his leak is no longer a concern.  That’s all gone away.  He’s the king once more.

Herc – Winner.  And for his presence on earth–even a fictional presence–we’re all losers.

Slim Charles – Winner.  Actually, let’s broaden that….

Slim Charles and the rest of America – WINNER!!!  I stood up in my house and clapped when Slim laid Cheese out.  I’ve been waiting all season for that.  The best part?  That scene was largely unnecessary.  The only reason for it was because David Simon knew we wanted to see Melvin Wagstaff get killed.  THank you, Simon.  And thank that little dude with the classic line, “this sentimental muthafucka cost us money.”

Marlo – Winner.  Yes, Marlo’s a big winner.  He got out the game with a golden parachute–kept his money, stayed out of jail, $10 million for the connect, and he’s out the game.  It was like he just got disbarred and sold his practice.  So what if he’s got nothing outside the game?  What did he really have in it?  Now, he can actually spend his money…assuming he has any idea what to get.

Chris – Loser.  Something to think about…you ever noticed the intimation that Wee-Bay and Cutty were snuggly in the joint?  Cutty referred to Bay as his “cut buddy.”  Hey man, I know what that meant when I was in college.  Well, Wee-Bay and Chris are hanging and…well, I’m just saying.  And Chris loses because of that whole life, no parole thing.

Michael – Loser.  Sad part?  The kid’s been losing his whole life in every way.  New Omar?  No, he’s a kid like Omar.  No way he makes it to live as long as Omar did.  Look at it that way, and he loses.

The Greeks – Winners.  Again.  Just posted up where they always were, and nobody gives a damn.  See-why-see-ell-eye-see-ay-ll.  Cyclical.

Freamon – Winner.  Know why?  Cuz he was always gonna be OK without the job.  Remember what he told Jimmy in season three.  Said he needed a life.  “A life, Jimmy.  Know what that is?  It’s the shit that happens while you’re waiting on moments that’ll never come.”  Lester was good without it.  He had his miniatures and his scripper.  What else is there, really?

McNulty – Winner.  That’s right.  The job was taking him to the grave, man.  See how much less drinking he did once he knew he was done for?  That’s victory.

Bubbles – WINNER!!!!  Finally let him in the house!

Gus – Loser.  Ugh, the copy desk?  Could someone in the writing game explain how foul that was?

Templeton – Winner.  Boo.

Kima – Who Cares?  Snitch.

Dukie – Loser.  Dude, he went straight to fiend status fast.  That was a classic fiend speech if I’ve ever heard one, all the way down to the convoluted story that ultimately led nowhere.  “Teacher must love yo black ass” is classic material.

Carcetti – Ugh.  I despise him.  He won governor?  Stuff like that makes me wonder if voter registration is little more than a jury duty trap.

The Game – and still Champeeeen!  Look, we all knew this.  THe winner in all of this was The Game.  The gods in these stories are the institutions, and we knew that from jump.  You thought McNulty would go down?  Noooooo….wasn’t no way to pull that off without taking everything down.

You thought Marlo’s people were gonna be spared because of tainted evidence?  How many people do you know that have gotten off because of stuff like that?  I guarantee you there are more that just never got to find out they were getting screwed.

The Game wasn’t going to lose.  Not to a reformed dirty cop or an editor or a kid that doesn’t think killing should be so arbitrary.  What we have to give Simon for this series is finding a way to do that without being whiny.  This is just how things go, folks.  Yeah, we can fight it, and we must fight it.  But don’t think for as econd this isn’t gonna be a monstrous fight.

Now the newspaper stuff?  Often whiny, yes.  Two-dimensional characters?  Yes.  But here’s the thing–the detachment of the papers from the rest of the plot was perfect.  The point was how detached the paper was from the life of the city.  None of the crucial elements of the story this season were in teh papers except, really, for the stuff that was made up.

And that’s so important because the papers, ostensibly, remain a voice of the people.  They are the ultimate check and balance for authority, really.  And when they’re looking at the wrong stuff–and doing so for the wrong reason–then what happens?

Simon attempted to show what gets reported and why.  He didn’t do a great job of that.  He did, however, do a good job of making the larger point, and the larger point was what was most important in driving Carcetti’s behaviors.  Then we got to everywhere from there, including ignored schools.

Yeah, schools.  See how we all forgot about that little problem?  That’s kinda how we forget things when they get off the front page in real life.  And if the schools slipped your mind, you have to acknowledge some of the effectiveness of the newspaper plot.  Even if it is the weakest thing Simon has given us.

I don’t wish for anything else from the story.  Am I curious?  Yeah.  But did I see everything I needed to see to wrap up that five-season narrative?  I did.

And I’m pleased.  More later, once I realize what I forgot.

March 4, 2008

The Wire–Episode 59

FYI, there’s now a category for The Wire here at Virtual Bomaniland.  I’ve never had a category before, but I thought some people might want to look over old recaps as we prepare for the finale.  I don’t know who out there is like me, but I study this here.  I like to go back and track the progress of things, see what little tidbits I can pull out.  Ultimately, it kinda ruins the suspense, but I’m more concerned with understanding and appreciating this show than being jolted by it.

Also, my fancy schmancy all-in-one remote went belly up on me, and I’m too lazy to get up and turn on the episode on the TiVo.  Soooo, I’m doing this from memory.  I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t seen the episode about five or six times.  At least.

1.  Dope on the table.  One of the best thing about Wire fanatics–we all described the press conference from the dope seizure the same way.  That was a lot of damn dope on the table.  $16 million.  And it wasn’t like that was enough dope to last until summer.  Cats is moving serious weight, jack.

2.  Lester’s the coolest.  First, that he’s still with the scripper from Season One is so interesting.  That he had Daniels fooled was just the power of Lester Freamon.  And the way he gamed Clay Davis all the way down was masterful.  In a lot of ways, this has been Lester’s season.

3.  Give Marlo this–he’s real about his.  The first glimpse of emotion from Marlo in three seasons came in jail.  And it went away right fast.  I gained back a small measure of respect for Marlo once it became clear he didn’t know Omar was calling him a bitch in the streets.  He would have stepped up.  He’s ruthless, and his respect for the game is suspect, but no one can say Marlo doesn’t carry his.  Also…

4.  …you notice how Marlo was sure he could trust all his people?  Wasn’t noooooobody snitchin on Marlo.  Haaaaaaayuuuuulllllll no.  However, I found it interesting that he could think Michael gave up info on dope deals, even though he didn’t know anything more than when the re-up was coming.  Then again, what else could have happened, far as Marlo knows?

5.  Chris is a G, also.  He’s got Mike’s back.  I do respect that.  I no longer wish he catches on fire, especially now that I’m sure he’ll never get out of jail.  Dead to rights.

6.  Let Bubbles in the house!  I know he robbed her blind before, but it’s been more than a year.  Let him get a plate!  But goodness, anyone that doesn’t love Bubs doesn’t love life.  And now, finally, he’s getting right.  That’s worth a trip to the dinner table.

7.  Mike, Mike, Mike.  Peeping game from the backseat of a car?  Straight Omar.  “You look good, girl.”  Possibly the best non-Omar or Clay line in the last two seasons.  The kid’s an absolutely fascinating character.  And seeing him drop his brother off in the county broke my heart.  That was the most emotional scene since Wallace.

8.  But Dukie walking down the alley to become a junkie was just as bad.  All because he had nowhere else to go.  The game, man.  The game.  But yo, what’s up with the fiend rolling down the street with a horse?  That’s how they do in Baltimore?  I’m from TEXAS, and we don’t even do that.  TEXAS, I said.  TEXAS!

9.  Boooooo Kima.  Yeah, she had to follow her conscience.  But she really went off and messed everything up, with no eye to the greater good reached in the end.  Kinda simple, really.  Then again, simple has its plusses.

10.  Herc.  You moron.  Came this close to putting himself in.  Then again, Levy wouldn’t care if he did.  Levy just wants his paper, and doing that helped him get quite a bit.

11.  Gus is headed down.  The writing’s so clear, even though your man Templeton’s so obviously dirty.  Time to go ahead and say it.

12.  The newspaper storyline is the worst Simon has given us.  Why?  Because it’s the one he’s too deeply invested in.  What makes The Wire so fascinating is that every character is a portrait in gray.  Few are outright good, and few are outright bad.  However, there are white and black hats all through that newsroom.  That’s what has made the story less interesting.  Oh, it’s certainly done the job of explaining the relationship between government and media, but it fell short on nuance.  Perhaps this would be different if we got to see what the editors have to deal with from Chicago, like we saw Burrell have to deal with mayors.  Either way, we don’t see that.  As a result, we got something that served better as a plot device than as its own independent story.

13.  Snoop is dead.  This drink I’m having right now is purely a coincidence.  I promise.  Would have liked some Cheese with this wine, though.

14.  And now, it’s on.  The jig’s up.  Now what?

February 26, 2008

The Wire–Episode 58

We knew it was coming. Just didn’t know it was this episode, or that it would be so sudden. We actually tricked ourselves into believing that Omar would die in some gunfight. That was too easy, and this show’s never been particularly easy. We dont’ get something just because we expect it. And I’ll tell ya–it took some pride swallowing to be able to write Omar’s death in such an understated fashion. There’s your greatest creation, David Simon, and you just dropped him off the face of the earth like everybody else. Not everybody could do that.

Also, it showed Simon’s ability to wrap things up quickly without feeling rushed, which bodes well for what appears to be myriad things that must be resolved by the end of the series. I have greater faith now than ever that everything important will be tied up. It’s just going to take a clinically precise piece of writing to pull it off.

1. It had to happen like that. Look, Omar had exceeded his life expectancy in a way no character on The Wire ever had. People die when they’re supposed to on here. Omar, by and large, had been incredibly lucky. He had to get it in an unexpected way because that’s how cats like him die. He was never invincible Just incredible. And incredible was good enough for him to be one of the greatest creations in television history. The Wire has made a lot of people love a murderous homosexual black man. Yes, David Simon, you are a genius.

2. How do I feel about Kenard now? I no longer feel bad for enjoying him getting his ass kicked in Season 4. He’s on my “on fire” list. As in, people I wish would die by catching on fire. He killed Omar. But, I’ll be damned if he didn’t play that part to death.

3. Poot! I miss Poot. In Marlo’s camp, none of the hoppers are any fun. Straight Semper Fi. But Poot telling Dukie to bang some more and them come back…damn. What can a kid do in that situation? I got a bad feeling about what that thing is.

4. Remember…when Bubbles came up with the hot shot plan, he was in a horse stable. And where did this cat tell Duke he was? The stables. Ruh roh.

5. McNulty’s cooked. Someone hit him with something he should have, but never did, consider. Somebody would figure out that something was up. Didn’t have to know what was up. Just had to figure it was something, and he’d be at his mercy. Not looking good, Jimmy. But you’re oh so close because…

6. …Sydnor cracked the code. It’s on. But how?

7. Classic humor. The cops playing with the GPS? That’s so damn funny. Plus, the thought of a cop hemming someone up in a Kia Sephia. Kinda lacks the majesty of the Crown Vic, dig?

8. I hate Carcetti. Bastard.

9. Back to Omar. It was time for him to go. He was so old and weary. He was almost like Willy Loman, at the point in his life where he didn’t have anyone left. The game had taken everyone from him that ever really had his back (save for his grandmother). He was fighting on principle in a battle based on the bottom line. There was nothing left for him to do because there was nothing else he could do. He made his point. And when that was done, he had nothing else. He had all that money, but it was never about that with Omar. I’m not sad he died. There was nothing left to live for.

10. Where to go for Mike? They’re really tired of his lip, Chris and Snoop. But it’s really just Snoop, and her jealousy has always been apparent.

11. Chris is set to turn. See that look on his face when Marlo said they were due some time in Atlantic City, as if Marlo had anything to sweat? Great moment of subtlety.

12. The description of the serial killer. Kinda saw that one coming, but still great.

13. Lester’s a G. How else do you shake down a shakedown artist?

14. One thing for McNulty. You can’t say his plan didn’t work. This is Hamsterdam redux. Which means he’s going to really get it in a bad way. Assuming he doesn’t give it to himself.

15. Gus, you’re up next. Open act of defiance. Not a good sign for your future on The Wire. Which means Templeton’s gonna win out.

(BTW, I’ve never been like that about edits. I’m starting to wonder if, at times, I should have been. Always felt like the only thing that truly mattered was the essential point. But that was just me. Was.)

16. The bag scene at the end was perfect. Omar will live on in perpetuity, but under the radar of the mainstream. He is a street legend, from here on out.

February 18, 2008

The Wire–Episode 57

The reviews on Episode 8 are bananas. I’m going to watch it soon. Believe you me.

1. Silly, silly police. In Season 4, Simon went away from pointing out the inefficiency of the police department in truly comic terms. Not as much emphasis on the fuzz, so I understood. But man, having McNulty mimic the serial killer with only a wall separating him and the tap just lets you know how easy it is to pull something off when there’s no good reason to suspect anything.

2. Wonder if white people are offended. I swear, the white editors at The Sun seem like they were written by black comedians. They don’t even seem real. But I do have stories…

3. Told you what Clay was gonna do. He got African as he could, didn’t he? That said–this was a moment when The Wire seemed too much like a TV show. Then again, Clay Davis is realistic. And that is something a cat like that would do. Seriously–Clay Davis put himself out there like he’s Robin Hood. You ain’t Omar, fool.

4. Other funny. The high-profile lawyer would be the lightest skinnedest cat. With a pony tail.

5. The crooked reporter’s gotta go down. Right? I’m not sure either him or Marlo will fall, even though the cosmos should dictate these occurences be law.

6. ‘Splain this to me. How is Omar hobbling around this piece and never accidentally being stumbled upon? Guess the same way he does it with two good legs. Extra gangsta points to Omar for flushing four keys.

7. I hate Carcetti. Clown.

8. Another moment in great parallelism. The cop meeting juxtaposed against the newsroom meeting. All of them investigating something that doesn’t exist. Interesting thing about Templeton–he could have been a hero for finding out this killer doesn’t exist. He’s smart enough to pull that off. But he messed up.

9. Mike works Bodie’s patient. It makes me sad when I realize that.

10. How is Michael going to fold? So many ways out there now to get him out the game. How will he do it? Would he sell Chris out? Marlo wouldn’t go down for that one. Just Chris. And Michael has to know that.

11. Landsman fascinates me. He protects the institution so vigorously in the name of self-preservation, but he doesn’t have enough power to actually be evil. Just a foot soldier, and a good one. But he seemed legitimately happy the money was coming down again. Interesting dude.

12. You don’t get furniture from IKEA for your kids. Not unless you have to. You love them, right?

13. Know what we don’t say enough about Dukie? He is Wallace, except Wallace was more cut out for the game. The similarities are obvious. That doesn’t bode well for him.

14. I preferred Bubbles when he was strung out. There, I said it.

15. Donnell Rawlings has done a great job. OK, Ashy Larry. But he’s managed to offer humor without trying to be a funny man. Not the easiest thing to do. “Y’all can play it how it feels.”

16. The clocks. Any ideas?

17. Poor Sevino. Though, I gotta say Omar had a point. I wonder how th dude that plays Sevino felt when he got the phone call. “Hey, you haven’t been on the show in six years, but we were wondering if you wouldn’t mind coming down and having your brains blown out by Omar. Just a couple hours of your time.”

18. The kid that plays Michael is incredible. You notice how he never stop selling his anxiety around men? Even before we knew that’s what it was, he sold it. Great work.

19. New classic line. From bad lil’ Kennard about Omar. “Gimpy than a mu’fucka.” No idea why that’s so funny.

20. They gotta give us more Clay, right? I mean, he can’t just disappear after his victory. I gotta know!

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 6, 2008

The Wire–Episode 55

Yeah, I’m late. Been busy times here at the Palatial Bomaniland Estate. Plus, you know what’s going on tonight.

Anyway, Episode 55 was interesting on a number of levels. First, the ending screamed out that this must be a set-up episode, which is a frustrating phenomenon of The Wire. Since the show has basically abandoned the notion that episodic television requires some measure of resolution at the end of each show, we occasionally get episodes that can feel a tad unsatisfying. I don’t really go through that, though, because I get that it’s the set-up. Just gotta be a bit more patient. That said, let’s get into 55.

1. The Greeks confused me. I didn’t get the feeling that they gave Marlo the green light to take Joe out, and their meeting with Marlo didn’t give me that feeling, either. However, their willingness to deal with him seemed uncharacteristic of their cautious ways. They gotta know this dude is trouble.

2. Chris has a family! Now, Chris has become interesting to me. That angel of death thing didn’t do a lot for me, honestly. It was creepy, but not fascinating. Now, that he can be like that, have a family and a yard and all of that, and be the victim of abuse? Now that’s something that gets me to thinking.

3. Poor Dukie. He’s got 8-year old’s testing him. AT least he handled the little dude. That said, Duke vs. Spider–formerly Cutty’s prize pupil–was quite a mismatch. Not even sure why Spider bothered throwing more than the one-hitter-quitter. Further, the kid that plays Spider does have nice hands. He looked like he was on some “Enter the Dragon” when Dukie was going down.

4. Mike’s really nice with a pistol. He scares me. But I find it so interesting how encouraging he is of Dukie, even though the kid’s so overwhelmed. He never plays him for not being cut out for the street. Only encourages him that he can do other things. That’s beautiful.

5. Marlo on a cell phone? Recipe for disaster, and Levy knows it. But you know what’s even more of a recipe?

6. Herc stole Marlo’s cell number! Yep, go ahead and initial that death certificate, kid.

7. Omar in the car with the old man is so interesting. Listening to oldies and staking out a house. The scene when the old man sings the wrong words on “Just My Imagination” is brilliant.

8. The scene with Lester and Daniels in the office arguing about moving the case is some of the greatest stuff in the history of the show. The frustration on Daniels face. The look of understanding on Lester’s. Great stuff.

9. As was Cutty and Dukie. How heartbreaking was it for Cutty to say he wishes he had more than goodwill to someone that wants to get out of the hood?

10. Not working well for McNulty’s serial killer. Guess it’ll get better for him, but this ain’t enough to get the dough. That’s gotta suck.

11. Noreese is gangster. Put ol’ Clay in check. For real.

12. You know what sucks? Bubbles was happier as a dope fiend. Not sure what to say about that.

13. Break out the kente cloth! Cuz Clay’s about to take it there. Watch.

14. And the scene with Mayor Preach? I love the hustle.

15. Omar is a superhero. Really, out the window? Marlo outsmarted him, and all he could do was go out of the window. That actually was plausible. But he better be really messed up on the back end. Ain’t no surviving that, in general. But man, Omar doesn’t have anyone left now. He’s totally rolling for dolo, and he’s gotta be crippled. How can he keep this stuff up with no crew and no legs? Simon’s got a tall order, trying to make sense of this. If he doesn’t, this is just another TV show.

January 29, 2008

The Wire–Episode 54

Let me begin this entry by saying that Episode 54 is to me, without question, the best episode of The Wire ever done. Significant plot movements, great dialogue, and an ending that shifted the direction of the show. Add to that the fact that the ending was totally unexpected, and you’ve got genius in a one-hour television show.

1. Officer Gravy Boat deserves all that happens to him. Sorry, but I have no love for the frustrated police officer taking his frustration out on civilians. He deserved getting a hand full of feces when he reached for the “ground stash.”

2. I’ve come to pity Burrell. Hey man, Ervin’s right. He does what the man asks him to do and takes the weight every time. He’s good at his job. It’s just that doing the job of police commissioner means something different than most of us would like. He’s a tool in the bureaucracy, and a good one. And, in the end, he fell on his sword again. Watching The Wire reminds me of why I enjoy working for myself, even if that means paying for my own health insurance. That said…

3. …if Burrell had walked behind me with a golf club, I’d have got up and hit him. Sorry, but if I have anything to do with it, I’ll never get hit first again. Dude’s about to get fired, Daniels is going to get his job, and Daniels just sits there while dude holds a golf club? You must be out of your damn mind.

4. Being a decent human being was Joe’s downfall. Everyone knew Joe had one weakness in his operation–his idiot nephew. He’s been an idiot since Season 2, and he’s still an idiot. Joe should have taken him out immediately after Butchie died. He knew dude did it. But, Joe showed respect for family. Can’t knock that. I guess.

5. I hope Marlo burns to death. By that, I mean that I hope he contracts an aggressive, painful strain of The Clap. I may echo this sentiment every update. Marlo, this nigga. His kind. They got to fall. They got to.

6. Noreese is oh so gangsta. I’m not sure how old her character is supposed to be, but the actress that plays Noreese is only 30 years old. You don’t get that gangsta in 30 years, at least not in the above-ground economy. Set Erv in his place and shut him up. Power move on her part.

7. Things won’t end well for Daniels. He’ll be the commish. Noreese has the information on the old days. Prediction–Noreese will be mayor, and Daniels will be powerless under her. Burrell used to own him. Now she does. That’s gotta suck…Daniels got all the way to the top, what he always wanted, and now he can’t do anything with it. If his wife hadn’t already left him, she would have after this disappointment played out.

8. McNulty and Lester keep digging their own graves. Yes, they’ll get caught. No, I don’t know how. However, it’s worth noting how easily they’re doing it. Think about it–the news tells you there’s a serial killer. How do you know that’s true?

9. He’s baaaaaaack! And you know who I mean. Omar ain’t playin’ this go ’round. But before we get to that, let’s get to the best line of the show.

10. “I’m gon’ work them. Sweet Jesus, I’m gon’ work them.” Also of note, Omar knew this was Marlo’s deed. Not sure why he was hunting for Joe so hard, considering. Was it really a secret that Omar was cool with Butchie? I find it interesting that such information was worth so much.

11. Another Clay Davis classic. “I come here to help, but y’all out for blood!” Only Clay. Only Clay.

12. How did Marlo survive that co-op meeting? Seriously–even dope dealers don’t call each other motherfuckers and just let that slide. Same with that punk Cheese tipping over chairs and things. Speaking of which…

13. That was hard up what happened to Hungry Man. Just in time for us to learn who Hungry Man was, he gets taken out. More later.

14. You see buddy from the port living under the bridge? Cold blooded, man.

15. Unlike most, I’m okay with the newsroom scenes. Keep in mind I’ve never worked in a newsroom. However, it’s helpful to see the machinations of them. Some see them as boring, and I agree it’s Simon’s worst writing yet (the characters don’t have the conflicts that make every other character so fascinating), but that’s an essential part of the game.

16. Herc isn’t the one for Marlo to mess with. So we basically can see that Herc is going to mess Marlo up, after the fool laughed about getting Herc fired. Herc’s dumb enough to act on that. Watch. Also of note–Simon always talks about how interesting it would be to see Little Melvin talk to Ed Burns, the cop that arrested him and one of the show’s writers. He says they can interact because of a mutual appreciation for The Game. Clearly, Herc don’t have that. He’s just pissed, even though he’s making more money now than he did then.

17. But Herc has matured. Telling Carver to do what he thinks is right with Offier GB (whom I call Gravy Boat because that haircut ain’t even a chili bowl, it’s a gravy boat) was a big step for him. I almost like the dumbass.

18. Did you see it coming? Really, did you see Chris killing Prop Joe? It was written brilliantly. Why? Because that whole “get a gift, give a gift” exchange makes it clear that Cheese, who signed his death certificate AGAIN, was being asked to give Prop Joe up. But since it ran together with Cheese giving up Butchie, it didn’t look like it was going in that direction. But it was, and it was a breathtaking piece of television. Why?

19. Because Joe had to go. Marlo was right. Joe would be up to his mischief promptly if he just stepped out of the way. Joe signed his death certificate many times. That doesn’t change the fact that Marlo’s a clown, or that Cheese should catch the clap in his nose. But while I hated to see Joe go, I understood. I just hate that they didn’t begin to expand on Joe’s character until he died. The last exchange with Cheese was great, as was him talking about going to high school with Burrell. Somehow, I think that was done for more reasons than to show how small Baltimore is.

Oh yeah, and let’s talk again about what a punk Cheese is. Sold your uncle out, an uncle that gave you a job you were certainly unqualified for, just to get a little territory? Through the nose, Cheese. Through the nose.

20. I’ve finally solved one of The Wire’s great mysteries. Finally, I understand how Omar jacked the shipment in Season 4.

Let’s take a step back. If you recall, Joe was supposed to put Omar in a position to rob Marlo when he re-upped. Well, it turns out that Joe didn’t call Omar when the re-up came. When he did call Omar, it was before the shipment arrived, and Omar didn’t even answer the phone. If he was expecting a re-up, how did he have a crew prepared to get a shipment? Omar could have taken the re-up with his light skinned boo. Wouldn’t have needed the squad of Mexicans.

Slim Charles answered that question when Omar jacked him up. He said, in an attempt to prove Joe had nothing to do with Butchie’s murder, “think about it, if Marlo turns Butchie, then he puts Joe inside your big score.” In other words, Butchie would say that Joe had something to do with it.

It’s the only thing that makes sense. It’s the only way Omar could be prepared the way he was. And don’t forget that Joe turned a profit on the deal. Omar sold the dope back to Joe at 20 on the dollar, then Joe sold it to the co-op for 30. Joe masterminded the entire thing, probably because he saw that as the best way to get Omar out of town (remember Butchie had long suggested retirement to Omar). Well, it worked and, finally, that whole thing makes sense. That was an important detail that Simon had to work out, and he did it so smooth?

How smooth? Some of you probably didn’t even realize there was anything to figure out. Those that did got the answer to the question without the show having to stop to make the point. That was brilliant writing.

Can’t wait for 5, baby!

January 22, 2008

The Wire, Episode 53

The season is ramping up for real, baby. I wish we’d get a full 13 episodes instead of 10, but having 10 means we got lots of action. We’re not going to get some of the fun character development and humorous asides we’ve gotten before, but oh well. This week was the heat.

1. Marlo is the most ignorant man in Baltimore. That’s saying a lot, but that’s the truth. He just doesn’t know. I took particular humor in his belief that the solution to a language barrier is to speak English so hard that the barrier gets broken down. This fool actually wanted to see his money, like them folks in the island have a storage locker just for Marlo Stanfield’s money.

2. Butchie is the most gangster character so far. Worth noting–the two characters that stood the tallest in death were Brandon and Butchie, and they both did so in protection of Omar. Says a lot about Omar, doesn’t it? Trust–Chris and Snoop are gonna wish they’d have let Butchie go easy. Speaking of which…

3. Omar’s on the way! I laughed at the sight of that carton of Newports Omar brought back from the store on whatever island he’s on. I’ll say this, though…if Marlo goes at Omar’s current light-skinnded boopiece, Omar may be in trouble. This one seems to be more Dante than Brandon.

4. Firing Burrell isn’t going to be a good idea. He knows where all the bodies are buried. That’s a man you treat kindly.

5. Cheese has signed his death certificate. That moron can’t possibly think being connected to this Butchie thing is good for him, can he? Omar put a gun to his face. How bout doing the same? Or is the fool just not hard enough to do it for himself? Yeah, the latter sounds about right.

6. Marlo has signed his death certificate. So you want to kill Omar yourself? Ever ask yourself why no one else has pulled that off? Then again, there has yet to be a challenge that Marlo hasn’t taken and succeeded with. We can’t underestimate the dude at any point. I hope someone lights him on fire, though.

7. Don’t think Michael’s cut out for The Game. Dude’s too honorable. Dude also just isn’t mature enough for the responsibility he has. However, the cats on the corner wasn’t gonna mess up his count. Count was gonna be right.

8. Duke and Mike’s trip to Six Flags came with one piece of great humor. Every man can relate to waiting until the girls turn around before dapping each other up. On one hand, you’re congratulating your man on a job well done. On another, you’re thanking your man for not messing things up for everybody with no lame game. If your boy comes out the gate asking a girl her middle name, the party’s over for everybody in many cases. Also–it’s hysterical that those girls thought it was so cool that these dudes had their own place, like a couple of 14 year-old’s living alone isn’t a serious fucking problem.

9. Lester, we hardly knew ye. Freamon’s down with Jimmy’s plan? I guess that lowers the possibility that it’ll get messed up.

10. Daniels beginning could be his end. He’s one step closer to the throne. That’s one step closer to being outed as a thief. Bad news for the man.

11. Nice dolphin, nigga. That’ll never stop being funny.